Previously I’ve written about where I get my ideas from and how I plot my novels, but readers are often curious about what happens after I’ve spent those long months writing a novel. Why does it take a further twelve months from the time I’ve finished my manuscript to the date of publication?

The answer is that a lot happens in that time, and many other talents besides mine come onboard to make sure that the manuscript I have written becomes a polished novel before it finds its way into bookstores and readers’ hands. The first two people who read my manuscript are my agent, Catherine Drayton, and publisher, Anna Valdinger (you can read more about Anna here).

Normally, an author would show the manuscript to his or her agent before giving it to their publisher

But we can skip that step as I have twenty years’ experience as a professional writer, so both Catherine and Anna are confident that what I give them will be publishable.

After Catherine and Anna have read it, they will make some suggestions about the manuscript before it is assigned to an editor who will write what is known as a ‘structural report’. This can be a daunting document for an author to receive, because the editor at this stage is going to address the big picture about the manuscript and describe whether its overall structure is working (this includes things like pacing, turning points and climaxes), whether the characters are engaging enough, and whether the denouement is convincing.

My editors are very experienced

After having spent months working on a manuscript, the idea that more work will be required can feel daunting. But I love this part of the process because I enjoy working with other people, bouncing ideas off them and listening to their feedback. My editors are very experienced and have only one object in mind: to make sure that the final story is the very best it can be. For that reason, I always carefully listen to any advice they give me.

The world of the novel becomes all-consuming

Sometimes, depending on the printing schedule, I might have six weeks to make those changes, or I might have as little as three. It’s an intense time for me, as I have to hold the entire story in my head as I think about the changes I will need to make. During that time, I eat, drink and sleep my novel. I think about it when I wake up, I think about when I’m getting ready for bed, I think about it when I’m doing just about anything, even things I should be concentrating on and not thinking about my book when I’m doing them (Like driving or listening to someone). The world of the novel becomes all-consuming. I sleep restlessly for those few weeks because I’m often woken up by dreams and ideas. My subconscious mind works relentlessly at that time, reworking and reworking the story. It is on the job 24/7.

Chapters and scenes

After the structural edit is completed, the book goes to another editor who then does what is called a ‘copy edit’. This is where the editor looks at the smaller sections of the novel – chapters and scenes – and gives me feedback on what needs to be changed or made clearer in some way.  For instance, they might suggest I expand a certain scene or cut it. This will be followed by a line edit and a proofread, where any inconsistencies in details will be pointed out along with any typos. At this point, I’ll also ask my good friend, Roslyn, to be my first reader. Roslyn is an avid reader and has an instinct for what makes a good story, so it’s always interesting to hear from her if she finds the story engaging or whether anything in it tripped her up. She also has excellent general knowledge and will question me about facts she doesn’t feel are right. We both have a love of fabrics and fashions, so we often debate whether I have everything correct for the period I’m writing about.

Give readers a gist of the story

I very much enjoy this stage of the editing process because it feels as if the house has been built, and now we are discussing colour schemes and drapery! At this time, the art and design department will be creating a cover that will convey to readers the essence of what the book is about. Anna and I will also collaborate on the description of the book that goes on the back cover. It must be enticing and give readers a gist of the story while not giving too much away.

The print date is drawing near

The final edits are down to the very tiniest details and tweaks. Usually, Scott Forbes, senior editor at HarperCollins Australia, and I will be going back and forth many times over all sorts of minute details –  foreign language phrases, style elements, names for things, and even the exact meaning of adjectives or adverbs! Those readers who follow me on social media, know that I am very particular about details.

I usually find this final part of the edit nerve-wracking because the print date is drawing near, and the pressure is on to make sure everything is right in order to give readers the very best possible experience, the kind where they become so engrossed in a novel that the ‘real’ world around them seems to disappear.

The birth of a book involves many midwives

When the book is finally typeset and goes to print, there is more work to be done. There will be marketing meetings and a publicity tour to be organised. Booksellers need to see advance copies of the book to decide how many they will buy. Then, of course, a warehouse has to ship the correct number of copies to each bookseller in time for the book’s ‘on sale’ date. The birth of a book involves many midwives!

I hope that gives you some interesting insight into what happens to a book once the writer has finished the manuscript. I have been with HarperCollins Publishers Australia for the past twenty years. As you can see, we all work tirelessly as a team to deliver the best story we can to our readers!

The French Agent has just gone to print! It will be out in Australia and New Zealand in September 2022.

You can pre-order it now:

eBook:

Audiobook:

Booktopia is running a special offer for pre-orders.

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