Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Let’s say you missed your book deadline not by a few days, not by a few weeks but by a few months…or years. If you’re seriously late, a whole host of departments in the publishing house pay the price for your missed deadline. And so do you.
The book won’t receive the editorial attention that would make it a better book, and marketing has committed to a marketing/publicity plan that will have to be trashed because the book is no longer coming out in the season it was scheduled for. Everyone loses now.
Your marketing dollars have been spent and can’t be retrieved. So your book now has no marketing budget left for when it really releases. Bookstores have placed orders, but now the publisher’s sales reps have to explain that the book will be releasing later. The sales reps’ efforts are lost. The bookstore’s decision to buy your book proved to be a bad choice (and the bookstore’s buyer will remember that you can’t make your deadlines)…See the ripple effect? It’s not pretty.
If you end up writing the book of the century…too bad, the publisher and the book buyers won’t be able to gear up for the big burst necessary to get your stunning book noticed. So much for missed deadlines not being a big deal. The ultimate losers? The publisher, who becomes less and less likely to garner enough sales on the project to make a profit (and who has been carrying the first portion of your advance as a loan to you); the bookstore buyer, who took a chance on ordering your book but learned not to do that again; and you, who fell out of favor with the publisher and everyone employed therein.
A few weeks ago, one of my clients, who is late, late, late on a deadline, emailed that he was vacationing in Paris, sipping an espresso and pondering his manuscript–but not actually working on it. To whom did he send this email? To several individuals at his publishing house whose jobs would be more secure if the author would come through with what is supposed to be an important book. (I was cc’d on the email. ) I understand that the author was assuaging his guilty conscience with the missive, but still, the communication did more damage than it did damage control.
So what’s with this callous view toward deadlines?
First, let me say that life happens to everyone, including authors. Sometimes illness, moving to a new location, writer’s block, and accidents interfere with the best laid plans to complete a manuscript on time. That’s not what we’re talking about here.
I’m thinking about the authors who have lunch with their friends, blog and twitter endlessly, take vacations, make sure their houses are decorated just so and their gardens are pristine but never manage to fit in time to work on their manuscripts until a couple of weeks before the due date. Then, it’s a mad dash to the deadline, which often is missed. And the work is less than it could have been.
I wish that modus operandi were unusual, but it’s not. I recall one publisher saying to me, “What really kills me is when an author is late on a deadline, but every blog I read has a comment from that person, or they’re commenting on all kinds of professional loops. I’m thinking, if you just wrote that number of words on your manuscript, you’d be that much closer to handing it in.”
Yeah, everyone in publishing notices if an author is showing up online but no manuscript is showing up at the publishing house.
I can only conclude three reasons, from my observations, as to why deadlines are seriously missed: 1) procrastinating is a common ailment among writers. Any activity is more appealing than putting butt in chair and actually working on the manuscript; 2) authors are inherently optimistic (and sometimes unrealistic) when they commit to a deadline by signing their contract; 3) advances have lost their meaning.
Why did advances come into existence? So authors would have sufficient money to set aside other financial pursuits, enabling the writer to concentrate on writing the book contracted. Hello! If the author can’t meet his deadline, why does he think his publisher should pay him an advance for his next book? Or even offer him another contract?
Well, publishers are beginning to ask themselves that very question. As a matter of fact, in this economic slowdown, a number of publishers have remembered that their contracts enable them to cancel publishing a book, if the author misses the deadline. (The details of just how late an author can be are spelled out in each contract.)
So some authors are receiving a nasty surprise when they turn in their late manuscript. The publisher is saying, “No thanks.” (I’m happy to report this hasn’t happened with any of my clients.)
Now, talk to me:
What do you do to make sure you’ll have your manuscript in on time?
If you’ve missed a deadline, did you see any fallout from it?
Now that you’ve read my blog, do you think there was some fallout, but you hadn’t realized it?
What keeps you from writing?
Again, I’m prefacing my comment with the fact that I’m not a published or represented author.
BUT…
I always assumed that the purpose of an advance was so that writing your manuscript could feasibly become your job. It kind of makes me angry to think that there are so many of us out here, laboring over our first manuscript with no advance at all, having to squeeze it in among full time jobs and personal lives.
But perhaps the goal is on getting the advance – on getting the book “deal” – as opposed to changing jobs and becoming a professional writer. Perhaps writers think of themselves as writers, instead of thinking of writing as a JOB.
Thank you, to all the agents who are blogging. For me it’s an eye opener to many topics. I’ve not yet been published, but all of the information will be of great assistance in my future. Thanks again!
Janet,
What hit me immediately was the laid-back attitude of some contracted authors toward the publication of their work while there are thousands of writers who’d love to have that same chance. That this would exist just floors me.
I have had one book published, another on the way, and have always been early in meeting my deadlines. Indeed, I tend to live by the motto “Off my desk, onto yours,” and get frustrated when the gears of publishing grind so slooooowly, as they always do. But perhaps that’s what causes some authors to think that deadlines are loose approximations. The publishing process is slow, so surely a few days/weeks/months won’t make a difference.
Thanks for the eye-opener.
I find that setting goals helps, and self-discipline in keeping myself in the chair does wonders in meeting the goals.
I tend more towards being hard on myself, so I’m learning to reward myself when I do meet my goals.
But thanks for showing us the ripple-down effect. It’s not pretty.
Thanks, Janet, for an eye-opening post. I consider deadlines a privilege and publishing a gift. For years I wanted to be where I am and now that I’m on the other side of the desk, so to speak, I try to be as gracious and respectful as possible and realize honoring my contract commitment is a huge part of that. I will remember your wise words!
Wow!
I had no idea this was such a problem. I have heard of a few people missing deadlines, but I guess I just figured that Christians generally understand that when they give their word, they need to keep their word.
I’ve never published a book, but what keeps me from writing is not blogs or email loops. I stop writing when I don’t know where I’m going. When I have the next few scenes in mind, I can write. When I stop writing, I have to take time to brainstorm and to remember where my characters are going.
I posted a question on the last blog, but here it is again: What if you were a good little author and turned in your manuscript on time, and you had recieved an advance, then the publisher decides to not publish you. Will he ask for your advance back? My husband and I talk about what if we get an advance and I said, we would put it in the bank just in case (since we live paycheck to paycheck) until the book is in market. Is this something to be concerned about?
BTW, good point about the online blogging, etc. I work better with deadlines than not and always meet my deadlines. I’m proud of myself because I have put aside my weekends to write my book and have made significant progress.
I’m echoing what’s been said, I’d love an opportunity to have some of those deadlines to meet. I suspect there will some folks who will learn a hard lesson. Writing is an art, but if you’re doing it on someone else’s dime, it is a job and needs to be treated as such. I think the bigger lesson is that your actions (or lack thereof) reflect poorly on other people’s professional lives, namely your agent and editor.
Dawn, thanks for so succinctly stating what most of us think: When you get a contract, you move into the professional ranks and should behave like one.
Nikki, regarding whether you would ever have to pay back your advance, we need to remember that advances are divided at least in half–half on signing and half on acceptance of your manuscript. Once you sign the contract, it would be unusual to have to pay back the first portion, BUT keep in mind that if the contract is for more than one book, some of that money is tied to books beyond the first one in the contract and could have to be repaid due to some glitch with succeeding books. Sometimes that first half is requested back if the author behaves in a way that embarrasses the publisher to be associated with the author. (That’s the “moral turpitude” part of many contracts.) But if the author meets the deadline, it’s highly unlikely the first part of the advance would have to be paid back.
I’ve met my deadline for each of my four published books…and I’m working hard with two more deadlines ahead. Setting daily word counts helps me stay on track, and asking for reasonable deadlines at the beginning helps too. Thanks for sharing the reasons why it helps everyone when we turn our books in on time.
Blessings,
Carrie Turansky
Thanks for these insights, Janet. As one who looks forward to putting butt in chair and pen to paper for the joy of discovering what happens next, I wonder about the prima donna attitude of the writers you reference. Did success come too easily for them? Have they forgotten whence they came? Maybe I’m better off as an unpublished, unagented writer. (Just kidding! Really!!)
This has been a strange set of questions to read because so far my primary experience lies in ghosting or cowriting books for others. I always sense the necessity of communicating the author’s ministry and message authentically and representing him or her effectively to the publisher and ultimately to the public. I’m building my resume and reputation, of course. But in these early stages (moving the book from idea to proposal to published work) a great deal of the burden for my author’s reputation rests with me.
How do I make the deadline? First, I take it seriously. Yes, we are accountable to ourselves and our professional reputations but ultimately we answer to God. Second, I set smaller goals to break down the big one. Recently I had the tightest deadlines of my life when I had to complete a trade book (of which two chapters, the outline, and the authors’ extremely rough manuscript were complete) and workbook (of which nothing was complete) in a four-month period, two months apiece. I took my calendar and set chapter goals for each week. I fell behind more than once but the deadlines helped me push through and submit everything on time. Now I am working to go through the galleys so the books can reach their next set of deadlines. And I’m shaking my head at the concept of sipping lattes in Paris as the publisher awaits a manuscript.
A couple of other points: supportive family and friends are essential. My husband and children put up with less of me during tight deadline times. I set Friday evenings aside for family time and am learning to keep the Sabbath well. To make the tight deadlines mentioned above, I worked every day from 2PM (I homeschool until then) until late in the evening with only a dinner break, often six days a week. Our family also does mega-cooking (putting multiple dinner meals in the freezer) which helps us get through these times without resorting to fast food or frozen pizza (okay, not too often). When I make a deadline, I sleep (usually for 12 hours or more). Then I do something special with my family (trip to the beach, meal out, etc.) so we can celebrate together.
The other essential is a vibrant walk with God. I’ve already turned this into a book of its own so I won’t elaborate except to say I’m thankful the disciplines of a daily quiet time and prayerwalking were firmly rooted before I entered this world of deadlines. I hope my words will help someone make theirs. Great questions!
Howdy, Janet. Thanks for the excellent post. I’m now 60% done with my 21st book. It’s my policy to turn my books in on time. I have never neared a deadline and called my editor to say, “Oops, can’t make it.” I hear many authors do this, and it never ceases to surprise me. Perhaps it’s my journalistic training, which was so deadline-oriented.
What I have done numerous times is look at my schedule, which has been wrecked due to illness or whatever, and ask my editor, “Can we extend the deadline by say, two weeks?” The answer has always been yes–but it’s because I ask MONTHS before the deadline. This allows the publishing house time to adjust, and there’s usually some extra time built into their timeline anyway.
The key here is planning. I live by my big yearly calendar that hangs on the wall–the kind you can write on with dry erase pens and change. When I have a deadline (which is always), I plan out weekly word counts on that calendar. Then it takes old fashioned discipline to abide by those daily/weekly deadlines.
Hm. I’m now seeing potential for my own blog post on this issue. If I write that, Janet, I’ll reference to this post.
Blessings–and see you soon at ACFW!
I didn’t exactly miss a deadline, but I did need to ask for an extension.
I got the “we want to publish your book” call in May. At that point we agreed on a November deadline, which seemed very do-able.
I didn’t get the completed contract and first part of the advance until the end of September. (Which left me 6 weeks to get the project done.) While I had worked on the book over the summer, I wasn’t able to take the time off from my job that I needed because I couldn’t afford it. (There were also additional expenses I incurred in producing the book which some of the advance was to cover.)
I hated asking for the extension, and I wasn’t excited about being committed to getting the book done over the holiday season. In this case it didn’t change release dates or anything, so there wasn’t the same kind of ripple effect you described.
To answer your question about why advances aren’t taken as seriously…I think it’s due in part that advances no longer really offer an author the opportunity to take a break from other income-producing activities. I think they’re seen more as a vote of confidence and a commitment to publish the project, but, kind of like unemployment insurance, a book advance really isn’t a “wage replacement” mechanism any more. It’s hard to make a full-time commitment to a project on part-time pay.
So I agree that in the excitement of getting a ‘yes,’ unrealistic deadlines may be set and agreed to but not met. (As for your Paris-visiting client, there’s no excuse for that and it’s frustrating that it makes things harder for everyone, including those of us who may come behind!)
Mary Hampton
I have always delivered my manuscripts on time — I’m too deadline-driven not to. But I’ve heard that a great many authors, or would-be authors, never deliver at all. I’m glad to see you give light to the fact that non-delivery(as well as late delivery) has serious consequences for the publisher.
Thank you, Janet. I really appreciate the explanation. :o)
I know it’s hard to understand a seemingly callous view toward deadlines, but I think most authors who miss their due dates are well-intentioned and guilt-ridden (okay, for some the guilt is real subliminal). They have over-reached in what they can accomplish not only professionally but also in their personal lives. Many writers cobble together a living, doing a little editing/book doctoring here, a little barrista work there, lots of marketing of previous titles and current releases, and then what they love–writing. It can be hard to coordinate all those efforts. I’m not defending the missing of deadlines; I just don’t want to portray published writers as goof-offs. Most are simply too entangled in a complex juggling act to fulfill all their obligations. Sometimes it’s just easier to give in to the pressures and not turn a manuscript in on time.
I turn in my manuscripts early, which endears me to publishers. I’d rather them love me than pull out hair because I can’t be relied upon.
When my publisher offered me – an unpublished author – a three-book contract, I knew they were taking a big risk on me, not just financially, but because all they knew about me was from my proposal.
My goal is not just to beat my deadlines, but to beat them to a pulp! I want my publisher to love me. I want them to beg for my next project because they enjoy working with me.
That’s why I was distressed when I received a marketing assignment with a one-week deadline when I was out of town without the necessary materials – on the day I broke my wrist. I swallowed my pride, asked for an extension, and was granted another two weeks. But once I got home, I pounded out that material one-handed and on Vicodin, and turned it in only one day after the original deadline.
I may not be able to control whether my next idea is “market-worthy” or how many people decide to buy my books, but I can at least meet my deadlines!
I think Richard made a very interesting point. Sometimes writers just know the process as wait, wait, wait, without having a clear concept of all the wheels that are turning on their behalf in the meantime. When they sign a contract now and see two years until it is scheduled to release, it can be hard to feel the same urgency. That’s no excuse for missing a deadline though. If you know it and agreed to it, then you do everything in your power to meet it.
I agree with Richard’s comment.
That some would treat deadlines so callously is irritating, when many of us would love to have one. I work better with a deadline. I give them to myself and strive to beat them. It’s good practice for someday, I hope.
I appreciate each of you piping up about your view of deadlines. Obviously many authors DO take them seriously, which is how the entire publishing industry manages to stay alive. Every aspiring author, every editor, and every agent offers a hearty thank you to each author who keeps the system humming.
Great post!
When I was first told to plan on only writing a couple chapters before looking at the agency/publishing side, my first thought was of absolute panic – trying to finish the rest on a deadline while balancing full time job / etc was overwhelming before started.
This post made me glad I made that decision. With the summer out of the way, son back in school, my wife and I are carving out regular blocks of time – not just minutes here and there – so I can proceed.f
The rewritten first chapter is close, and I now have an ‘office’ (ok, beat up old trailer in the neighbor’s lot) where I can hole up and avoid many of the distractions around the house.
Thanks for this and all the posts – I lost nearly a year as I started reading/researching the agents/publishing side of writing, I wish I’d have just found this site earlier!
Rich, if it’s any consolation, our blog has existed only since January, but I’m glad to hear the site as a whole has been a good resource for you. It sounds as though you’ve made a lot of good steps in getting momentum up in the writing process.
Having met all deadlines, ask Tate Publishing, we are about to have our first book signing ahead of the Oct. 27 National Launch. The Title: Wake Up! Wake Up! The Testimony of a Layman. The author: Thomas W. Balderston. Video on the website provides some insight as to the contents.
I have an excel spreadsheet where I track my word count. I have a word count per day and know that if I am low on one day, I have to make it up later. The spreadsheet acts like my timeclock and helps keep me accountable while charting my progress. I also take those deadlines very seriously for all the reasons you mentioned. One time I asked my editor for a week because I had underestimated how much time an activity she knew about would consume. She very graciously have me a week, and I worked hard on that book and later books to turn in something worthy of her time.
I’ve also worked hard to build relationships with my editors and honor their time and schedules. In my mind that’s what a lot of this is. I made a commitment that the house has relied on. Now i have to produce.
Over eight books, I’ve had to ask for extensions twice. Both were health related and were for a few weeks. One problem with missing deadlines is that it also is dreadful for the author. It shortens the next deadline considerably. So missing can screw up your own writing schedule, as well as the publisher’s. Generally speaking, it’s a very bad idea.
Where I run into trouble is with revisions. Frequently editors can be so swamped that they send the editorial letter with only a few weeks for major revisions. This is the part where I can really panic because then I have to try to nail down changes that are rippling through the novel and while it might start out as a series of small revisions, inevitably it becomes something much greater.
A couple of years ago, I was writing a book with a cowriter. When we started submitting it to agents, problems developed, and we ended up breaking up. One of the issues was deadlines (not the worst issue).
I wanted to jump right on the next book and get it finished faster than the previous one had taken. I felt that was important that we do the writing faster because if a publisher was interested, they were going to have a deadline. He was marketer and in a business where he often gets deadlines extended. Consequently, he pooed pooed by concerns about deadlines, insisting “Everything is negotiable.” The problem was that with him, writing a book was often last on the priority list.
When I read the blog, the first thought was that I was glad I broke up with him. I had an instant picture of complete disaster. Him procastinating and not doing much writing because he thinks the deadline can be negotiated. And me in a panic, doing most of the writing because he was procrastinating.