* Note 1: You will be asked to review and approve files we send you throughout our process. The timelines below are estimates that assume active author participation and average complexity. If your book is highly complex, or if you require multiple rounds of content edits, the timelines may be longer.
* Note 2: Expediting a project will reduce timelines in half for all services other than editing and illustrations. Expediting editing service will decrease those timelines by two weeks. There is no expediting illustrations.
* Note 3: We are not able to provide estimated timelines for our Base services. These timelines are dependent on the completeness of files provided and level of complexity.
Cover Design
Assuming active author participation, it usually takes the following timelines to finalize your cover.
- Premium: 4-5 weeks.
- Expedited: 2-2.5 weeks.
- Base: Dependent on completeness of files and level of complexity.
We are able to work on the cover design concurrently with our editorial and print book services.
Print Books (Paperback and Hardcover)
Assuming active author participation, it usually takes the following timelines to complete the formatting and layout of your paperback and/or hardcover interior file:
- Premium: 8-10 weeks.
- Expedited: 4-5 weeks.
- Base: Dependent on completeness of files and level of complexity.
For Premium authors it can then take another 1-2 weeks to receive a physical proof of your book, which you will be required to approve before publication. Your book will be available for sale within 3-6 business days after your approval.
Base authors may also opt to receive a physical proof prior to publication it is $30 for an unbound paperback proof or $45 for a hardcover proof.
In very rare cases, print books may take up to 30 days to become available.
eBooks
Assuming active author participation, it usually takes the following timelines to convert your eBook and upload it to retailers.
- Premium: 4-5 weeks.
- Expedited: 2-2.5 weeks.
- Base: Dependent on completeness of files and level of complexity.
Your eBook will be available for sale with the major retailers within 3-6 business days after your approval.
If you signed up for our Print Book and eBook services, we will not begin work on your eBook file until your approval of your physical proof(s).
Developmental Editing
Assuming active author participation, it usually takes us the following timelines to complete your Developmental Editing service:
- Six weeks for manuscripts with less than 25,000 words.
- Expedited: Four weeks.
- Eight weeks for manuscripts with 25,000-50,000 words.
- Expedited: Six weeks.
- Ten weeks for manuscripts with 50,000-100,000 words.
- Expedited: Eight weeks.
- Eleven weeks for manuscripts with more than 100,000 words.
- Expedited: Nine weeks.
- The timeline will increase by one additional week accordingly for every increase of 25,000 words beyond 100,000.
Note: Our editors may request additional time depending on the writing or complexity of the subject matter. Stated timelines assume a manuscript requiring a moderate amount of edits and formatting. Deviations in completion dates can occur depending on the assignment difficulty. Once the editor has received and reviewed the manuscript. expected delays in timelines will be brought to the author's attention by their Author Manager as soon as possible. In rare cases, a manuscript will not be eligible for expedited editing.
Copy Editing
Assuming active author participation, it usually takes us the following timelines to complete your Copy Edit service:
- Six weeks for manuscripts with less than 25,000 words.
- Expedited: Four weeks.
- Eight weeks for manuscripts with 25,000-50,000 words.
- Expedited: Six weeks.
- Ten weeks for manuscripts with 50,000-100,000 words.
- Expedited: Eight weeks.
- Eleven weeks for manuscripts with more than 100,000 words.
- Expedited: Nine weeks.
- The timeline will increase by one additional week accordingly for every increase of 25,000 words beyond 100,000.
Note: Our editors may request additional time depending on the writing or complexity of the subject matter. Stated timelines assume a manuscript requiring a moderate amount of edits and formatting. Deviations in completion dates can occur depending on the assignment difficulty. Once the editor has received and reviewed the manuscript. expected delays in timelines will be brought to the author's attention by their Author Manager as soon as possible. In rare cases, a manuscript will not be eligible for expedited editing.
Proofread
Assuming active author participation, it usually takes us the following timelines to complete your Proofread service:
- Four weeks for manuscripts with less than 25,000 words.
- Expedited: Two weeks.
- Five weeks for manuscripts with 25,000-50,000 words.
- Expedited: Three weeks.
- Seven weeks for manuscripts with 50,000-100,000 words.
- Expedited: Five weeks.
- Eight weeks for manuscripts with more than 100,000 words.
- Expedited: Six weeks.
- The timeline will increase by one additional week accordingly for every increase of 25,000 words beyond 100,000.
Note: Our editors may request additional time depending on the writing or complexity of the subject matter. Stated timelines assume a manuscript requiring a moderate amount of edits and formatting. Deviations in completion dates can occur depending on the assignment difficulty. Once the editor has received and reviewed the manuscript. expected delays in timelines will be brought to the author's attention by their Author Manager as soon as possible. In rare cases, a manuscript will not be eligible for expedited editing.
Illustrations
Dependent on complexity and other factors. No expedited options available.
LCCN Registration
It usually takes us 2-3 weeks to receive your LCCN from the Library of Congress.
Content Changes
It can take 5-7 business days (sometimes longer) to implement each batch of edits you send us. The length of time it takes depends on how clear you are in conveying the edits to us, the workload of our formatters, and the complexity of the edits themselves.