Book Editors: Navigating the Challenges of Manuscript Turnaround

Manuscript submissions being turned in past their deadlines is a common occurrence in the publishing industry. This phenomenon is influenced by various factors, including the authors' creative processes, external pressures, and the publishing industry's norms. Let's explore the reasons behind these delays and discuss how book editors manage these challenges.

The Creative Process

The creative journey for many authors can be fraught with challenges such as perfectionism and writer's block, often leading to delays in manuscript submissions. The unpredictability of the creative process makes it difficult for authors to adhere to strict deadlines. Despite the difficulties, authors play a crucial role in ensuring the quality of their work, and often, taking extra time to polish their content results in a better final product.

External Factors

External pressures such as personal life events, health issues, or other professional commitments also play a significant role in manuscript submission delays. These unexpected interruptions can affect an author's ability to meet deadlines, leading to even more extended deadlines.

Publishing Industry Norms

In the publishing industry, deadlines can sometimes be flexible, especially when editors believe that additional time is needed to significantly enhance the manuscript. This variability means that deadlines are not always rigid, and authors might have some buffer time to work on their submissions.

Through my experience as a freelance nonfiction book editor, I've found that about 90% of authors I work with submit their manuscripts past their deadlines. This is not a reflection of any shortcomings but rather a recognition of the complex nature of the writing process. I prefer that authors take their time to produce a high-quality manuscript rather than rushing through it to meet an arbitrary deadline. As long as they keep me informed and understand the implications, such delays are manageable.

Each book and author is unique, requiring different amounts of time and effort. Understanding this, editors should not expect authors to meet set deadlines. The focus should be on delivering a valuable and engaging book for the reader, which often means giving both authors and editors the flexibility to perform their best work.