Getting started
How publishing works
The full journey from sending your manuscript to holding a printed book, with typical timelines for each step.
This page walks you through each stage of publishing a book with us, what happens at each step, and roughly how long it takes. Most books take 12 to 18 months from acceptance to publication.
The timeline at a glance
| Stage | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Submission | You send your manuscript through the online form. | 15 minutes |
| 2. Review | Our editors read your submission. | 8 to 12 weeks |
| 3. Offer and contract | If we want to publish, we make an offer and send a contract. | 2 to 4 weeks |
| 4. Editing | Structural edit, copy edit and proofread. | 3 to 6 months |
| 5. Design | Cover, interior layout and typesetting. | 2 to 3 months, alongside editing |
| 6. Proofs | You check the typeset pages before printing. | 2 to 4 weeks |
| 7. Printing | The book is printed and delivered to our warehouse. | 3 to 6 weeks |
| 8. Launch | Publication day, events, reviews and marketing. | Planned from 3 to 4 months before |
Each stage in detail
Submission
You send a synopsis, a short bio and your manuscript through the submission form. You'll get an acknowledgement email straight away. See How to submit.
Review
An editor reads your synopsis and opening chapters. If they're interested, they read the full manuscript, and it may then be discussed by the editorial team. We aim to reply to every submission within 8 to 12 weeks. See Response times.
Offer and contract
If we'd like to publish your book, we'll call or email you to talk about it, then send a written offer and a contract. Take your time to read it, ask questions and get advice. Nothing is agreed until both sides sign.
Editing
Your editor works with you in rounds:
- Structural edit: big-picture notes on plot, pacing, structure and argument. You revise, usually over 4 to 8 weeks.
- Copy edit: line-by-line corrections for grammar, consistency and clarity, following our house style.
- Proofread: a final check of the typeset pages for errors.
Design
Our designers create the cover and the inside of the book (fonts, page layout, chapter openings). You'll see cover concepts and can give feedback before the cover is final.
Proofs and approval
You receive the typeset pages ("proofs") as a PDF to check. At this stage only small corrections are possible. Once you and your editor sign off, the book goes to print.
Printing and launch
The printed books arrive about 3 to 6 weeks after sign-off. We send copies to reviewers and booksellers before publication day, and plan the launch with you.
What we expect from you
- Reply to your editor within the agreed time, usually 2 weeks for each round of edits.
- Tell us early if a deadline will be hard to meet. Moving one date can affect the printing slot.
- Help promote the book: events, social media and your own networks. See the Launch and marketing section (coming soon).
Next steps
- Read about publishing models to understand the kind of contract we offer.
- Ready to submit? Start with Before you submit.