Blog • Understanding Publishing
Posted on Jan 19, 2026
How Long Does It Take to Publish a Book?
Loretta Bushell
Loretta is a writer at Reedsy who covers all things craft and publishing. A German-to-English translator, she specializes in content about literary translation and making a living as a freelancer.
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Martin Cavannagh
Head of Content at Reedsy, Martin has spent over eight years helping writers turn their ambitions into reality. As a voice in the indie publishing space, he has written for a number of outlets and spoken at conferences, including the 2024 Writers Summit at the London Book Fair.
View profile →Once you’ve written and self-edited your manuscript, it takes on average 2–4 years to publish a book traditionally, and 3–8 months to self-publish a book.
That said, every book is different. Sometimes the stars align and a book gets published faster; other times, unforeseeable circumstances cause months of delays. With this disclaimer out of the way, let’s look at how long each step of the publishing process typically takes for both traditional publishing and self-publishing.
Are you interested in how long it takes to write a book? Head to this post to find out.
Traditional publishing
2–4 years
It’s time for another disclaimer: not every book lands a traditional publishing deal. Bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson wrote thirteen novels that were rejected by everyone he sent them to before his “debut” novel, Elantris, was finally accepted by a publisher. If you find yourself in this situation, you can take inspiration from Sanderson and keep writing — or self-publish your book instead.
Finding a literary agent
3–12 months
Of course, how quickly you find a literary agent in part depends on how much time you can dedicate to the search. Querying more agents each month may lead you to a perfect match faster than querying fewer agents — but only if you take the time to carefully select the most promising leads.
Then you also have to factor in the agents’ response times. Many agency websites explicitly state the timeframe for a response — typically 8–12 weeks, but it can be more. Then, if the agent is interested in your query and requests the full manuscript, they’ll need more time to read through it and make their decision. So even if you’re lucky enough to entice the first agent you query, the research and waiting times add up to at least a few months.
For the sake of speediness, you may be tempted to query every relevant literary agent you can find at once — but this isn’t always the smartest move. If you send out, say, 20 queries and wait to hear back before sending more, you can improve your query letter and/or manuscript for the next round of submissions.
If lots of agents are keen to read your full manuscript but then reject it, you know that your premise is strong but your execution could be improved. Before querying more agents, you might like to consult a developmental editor to see how you can strengthen your narrative.
All things considered, it might take a year or more to secure literary representation. And remember: if you’ve queried 100+ agents with no bites, it may be time to move on to another book or take matters into your own hands and self-publish.
Q: Do you have any words of encouragement for authors struggling in the querying trenches?
Suggested answer
First of all: don’t give up. Rejection isn’t the end of the story—it’s part of it. Every “no” is simply a redirection toward the right “yes.”
Publishing is absolutely a business, but it’s also deeply relational. Editors and agents love working with people they genuinely like and trust. That means: go to writers’ conferences. Join a critique group or hire an author coach. Get to know professionals in the industry, not just for what they can do for you, but for how you can show up as generous, authentic, and collaborative. You never know when a writer friend might one day endorse your book, or when a connection you make over coffee might become a career breakthrough.
And here’s the bigger truth: querying is more than chasing contracts. It’s also a personal growth journey. You’ll discover your resilience, refine your craft, and grow into the writer you’re meant to be. One author I know literally turned her pile of rejection letters into a lampshade and said they helped light her way to publishing three novels.
Need more inspiration? Catherine Stockett, author of The Help, was rejected by 50 agents before one finally said yes. That “yes” led to a book deal, a bestseller, and eventually, a movie.
So hold fast to your dream. If you feel called to write, you probably are. Keep writing. Keep connecting. Keep becoming the kind of author people want to root for. The path may be long, but you’ll be stronger, wiser, and more yourself because of it.
Alice is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Querying can be emotionally challenging and overwhelming for authors. Once you're in it, you're amongst a sea of probably tens of thousands of other authors at the same time, and there are, of course, only so many agents and agencies out there. Truthfully, the odds are not great; an agent will sign only about 1-3% of the authors they come across in their queries. This is why the query must be in tip-top shape: a query's only job is to make the agent curious enough to ask for pages. Then, they have to fall in love with the pages (the writing and the story, which are two different things) and have a vision for it in the current market.
If you go into it with the right mindset, it can make it easier. Expect to receive many passes; it's inevitable in 99.9% of cases. Your story isn't for everyone; no one's is. And there are so many reasons an agent might pass. Try not to take it personally; if they pass, then they were not the agent for you. You have to have thick skin though. Not every agent will reply, and if they do, they may give feedback or a reason they're passing or they may not. It's hard not knowing, but there's not much you can do about it. Agents are not paid for the time they spend on queries, and their top priority is the clients they already have, so unfortunately, queries often fall to the bottom of the priority list. And because we receive so.many.queries, it's very difficult to stay on top of them all. We simply don't have the time to respond to everyone. All you can do is do your best; ensure your query is spectacular so that it stands out, your pages are spectacular so agents see it as ready or nearly ready for submission to publishers, and research the agents and agencies first so you know you're shooting your shot with the most appropriate people in the industry. Follow their submission guidelines, don't cheat, and be friendly and professional. Get several pairs of fresh eyes on your query so you know it contains all the necessary elements (and doesn't contain anything that shouldn't be in it) as well as your manuscript, and make sure everything is ready before you begin querying. Being prepared says a lot about your work ethic, which is important to agents as well
It sounds cliche, but the only difference between those who find representation and those who don't is that the authors who found representation didn't give up. It takes patience, persistence, and perseverance. And it may not happen with your first completed manuscript, or even your second or third--but if your goal is to find an agent and be traditionally published, keep going. Keep learning, keep trying, keep connecting with other writers and industry pros. You've got this!
Kathleen is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Don't be afraid to tear up your query letters and start again. Be aware of the time of year -- you may be going 24/7/365 but agents and publishing houses don't do that. Check out Writer's Digest articles on query letter writing and examples of winners and losers. Check out Query Shark. Understand the different agent types and editors at small presses -- different query styles may be required. Send queries out, mark the calendar 4 weeks from that date, and forget about them until then.
Query letters are not a sales letter about you -- you love your book, your letter needs to make anyone want to love your book as well. :O))
Check out writing blogs/websites such as those of folks like Anne R Allen or Janice Hardy -- or any author you admire -- their tips on query letters may include something you've never considered.
Start your next book... c'mon! You might be surprised what's waiting to pop outa your head!
Maria is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Honing your manuscript with your agent
1–3 months
Once you’ve signed with a literary agent, you might expect them to start pitching the book right away. But this is rarely the case. In reality, they’ll first want to make sure your manuscript or book proposal is as strong as it can be.
One of the reasons big publishers prefer to deal with agents rather than authors is that agents have a better idea of what sells. Your agent will see the potential in your draft and suggest changes that will make it more attractive to publishers — much like an editor would.
Depending on your schedules and the scope of the edits, this polishing stage can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Securing a publishing deal
2–12 months
Once your agent is happy with your manuscript or proposal, they’ll start pitching it to publishers. From here, timing and luck play a big role. The market is always changing: sometimes, publishers are actively looking for more books like yours, and sometimes their lists are already full. It’s worth knowing a deal isn’t guaranteed. If your book doesn’t find a home, your agent may eventually step away from the project.
Fun fact: it took J.K. Rowling’s agent a whole year to get her a book deal for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Q: Assuming a book deal, how long can an author assume the process will take from querying to seeing their book on the shelf?
Suggested answer
Having been an acquisitions editor for a division of Random House, I can tell you publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. On average, the journey from query to bookstore shelves is about two years. That might sound like forever, but every step along the way has its own milestone worth celebrating.
Here’s what it looks like:
- A Spark. An editor loves your query! Cue the happy dance. They’ll ask for more—maybe a full proposal, sample chapters, or even the whole manuscript if it’s fiction.
- The Back-and-Forth. This is the “let’s make it even better” stage. You might be asked for clarifications or revisions before your project goes to the publication board. Think of it as a friendly brainstorming session with high stakes.
- The Green Light! Once the pub board approves, a contract is drawn up. Negotiations and signatures can take 2–3 months. Then it's official and you can make announcements in public.
- The Writing Zone. You’ll usually get around six months to deliver your manuscript. This is when the real writing (or rewriting) magic happens.
- The Editorial Polish. Once you submit your manuscript, your editor helps refine your work. Developmental edits, line edits, copyedits… it’s like giving your manuscript a deep massage. This adds another 2–3 months.
- The Final Stretch. Your book is typeset, proofread, and sent to print. Depending on where it’s printed, this can take another couple of months.
- Meanwhile, the sales and marketing teams are busy building buzz, and you are stirring up excitement with pre-sales posts.
So yes—it’s a two-year adventure. But the good news? That “long runway” gives publishers time to rally booksellers, reviewers, and readers, so when your book finally launches, it’s not just quietly slipping onto a shelf or into the Amazon masses, it’s arriving with fanfare. Publishing is a process of patience, persistence, and plenty of celebratory moments along the way.
Alice is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Querying is the first step of a journey through traditional publishing. After you've sent out your queries, the next steps might look something like this:
- Full requests: Literary agents who are interested in your query will request the full manuscript from you so they can read the whole book and decide whether to offer representation.
- Offer of representation: After reading your book, the literary agent has decided they would like to represent you and take you on as a client, so they send you an offer of representation. This is a good time to follow up with any other pending queries and let them know that you've received an offer of representation. Generally, you should give other agents 2 weeks to get back to you after you've let them know you've received a competing offer of representation.
- Submissions: Once you've signed with a literary agent, your agent goes out with your manuscript on submission. This might happen right away (if your agent believes your manuscript is ready) or after a round or two of revisions. The amount of time this might take varies greatly.
- Editor interest: Editors who are interested in your book may have to drum up internal support at their publishing house before they can make an offer. This could look like the editor bringing the project to their editorial meeting, then presenting it at an acquisitions meeting. This could take up to 2 weeks depending on the process at that particular publishing house. You may have a call with the editor as well to make sure your visions are compatible.
- Book deal offer: Your prospective editor will send an offer to your agent, and they will negotiate.
- Editing begins: Once you've come to an agreement on the book deal, you will begin working with your editor. All in all, it generally takes about 2 years between a book deal and the book's publication date. This looks like about 1 year of editing and revising, and then 6 months of the book moving through different stages of production, and then it goes out to the printer, is physically produced, and ships to distributors, who then sell to booksellers, who then stock the book.
Of course, the timelines for the items I've listed here vary greatly. But generally speaking, it's safe to assume at least 2 years between book deal and publication...plus the amount of time you've had between querying and getting that book deal. This is part of the reason I encourage authors not to chase trends and instead to focus on writing compelling characters—traditional publishing is slow, so write from the heart. Strong character work and a good command of craft will appeal regardless of the shifting trend cycles.
Christine is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Allow a publisher's editorial board 30 - 60 days to finalize an offer and negotiate details. After that, expect 8 to 16 months before your cover sees the light of day. Why so long? Legitimate publishers allocate marketing and trade sales resources on their calendar. They also sometime like to schedule titles based on best selling seasons for a particular genre.
Mike is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Production and publication
18–24 months
If you land a book deal, the nervous waiting is over — but the waiting isn’t. Production (editing, design, etc.) will take several months, and even after that, you’ll often wait another 12 months or more for your launch date. Publishers prepare their release lists a year or more in advance, and like to start marketing new titles early. Your book might also be pushed to a later season, depending on what else is in the works and how well balanced the publisher’s list needs to be.
All in all, the traditional publishing route takes multiple years (if it is successful at all), and most of the factors that determine just how many years are beyond the author’s control. It’s like catching a plane: you have to organize your life around its schedule, and there’s nothing you can do if it’s delayed.
This lack of control is just one of many reasons why more and more authors are choosing to take charge of their own publishing journey by self-publishing.
Self-publishing
3–8 months
Self-publishing is far quicker than the traditional route. In theory, you could self-publish a book in about 3 days — the time it takes Amazon KDP (or equivalent) to approve a file.
In practice, though, it takes much more than 3 days for a manuscript to reach its full potential. Editing, design, and marketing takes a lot longer. For that reason, 3–8 months is a far more realistic timeline for self-publishing — still saving you a year and a half or more compared to going traditional.
Q: What are the most common mistakes authors make when self-publishing?
Suggested answer
Something I have seen quite a lot lately in the self-publishing world: trying to do everything by yourself. Thinking that you just need Photoshop to make a cover, spell-checking software to edit, a dictionary and a bit of knowledge to translate. Never underestimate the value of a human professional who has spent years studying and then honing their skills. There is more to translation than substituting one word with another, just as there is more to a cover than a bunch of drawings and a title.
Find the right professional for you and your project, and work closely with them; you won't regret the expense, I promise. Also, yes, some types of stories and tropes are very popular right now, and those seem like a safe bet, as far as marketing and selling go - but likely there are a lot of similar books out already. In traditional publishing, variety is sorely lacking, because a tried and tested product seems safer; let's avoid repeating that mistake. Write the story that's in your heart and then strategically find your niche audience. You'll find them starved for exactly your flavour of creativity.
Mariafelicia is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
One of the most common mistakes I see with self-published authors is setting unrealistic timelines for their publishing journey. Many writers plan their schedule far too tightly and only reach out to professionals—whether editors, designers, or marketers—at the very last minute.
This creates unnecessary stress on both sides: the author feels rushed and overwhelmed, while the professionals either have to decline the project or take it on under less-than-ideal conditions. In the worst case, authors struggle to even find available professionals because their preferred timeline doesn’t allow for the necessary lead time. Many professionals book out months in advance, so it’s wise to plan at least four months ahead—and in many cases, even that may not be enough time.
It’s also important to remember: as self-publishers, you are free to set your own pace. Unlike in traditional publishing, there is usually no external deadline or audience impatiently waiting for the book—especially when it’s a debut. That pressure often comes only from a self-imposed timeline. Instead of rushing, it’s far wiser to take the time to do everything properly, work with professionals without stress, and then launch the book when it’s truly ready.
Publishing a professional-quality book requires space for collaboration, revisions, and creative breathing room. When timelines are compressed, the process becomes about “getting it done” rather than “getting it right,” which can ultimately compromise the quality of the finished book. A thoughtful, realistic schedule not only reduces stress but also ensures that every stage of the process—from editing to design—has the attention it deserves.
Sabrina is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
One of the biggest traps authors fall into when self-publishing is thinking that the hard part ends once the book is written.
In reality, self-publishing is as much about production as it is about creativity, and overlooking that side can leave even the best manuscript looking unprofessional.
I’ve seen too many writers skip professional editing, try to design their own cover, or leave marketing as an afterthought, and the results are usually disappointing. But just as important, and often less discussed, are the mistakes around the actual printing and publishing process. Authors frequently go with the first printer they find rather than getting at least three quotes, which is a sure way to overpay.
Others don’t ask whether VAT will be added on top of the quoted price, only to discover the true cost later.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking mistake is not asking to see samples of the paper and materials being used; the author waits excitedly for their book to arrive, only to be handed a flimsy volume on cheap stock that feels nothing like the work they poured their heart into.
The truth is, self-publishing is about producing a product as much as sharing a story. Taking the time to ask questions, compare options, and insist on seeing exactly what you’ll be paying for can mean the difference between a book that looks like an amateur project and one you’re genuinely proud to hold in your hands and which reflects the hard work you have put in as well as the hopes, naturally enough, of your client to hold a book in their hands which is a quality item.
Edward is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Editing and cover design
2–3 months
Authors who want their books to match the standards of traditionally published titles will, naturally, work with professional editors and cover designers — just like publishers do. Indie authors are often tempted to design their own covers using Canva and the like, but unless they have a specific background in book cover design, the best results will come from working with a professional designer who knows exactly how to attract the right readers. (It’s more complicated than it sounds!)
Some authors find that a copy edit is enough, while others also choose to get a developmental edit, which naturally adds time.
On the Reedsy marketplace, the average length of time from an editor accepting a project to delivering it is 57 days (just under two months). They’re not editing the book that whole time, but busy schedules mean you’ll need to book them in in advance. For designers, the average turnaround is 66 days (just over two months).
The good news is that these stages can overlap: cover design and copy editing can happen at the same time. If you’re working to a tight deadline, some freelancers can push you up in their schedule — though usually at a premium.
Q: What type of editing is essential for self-published authors to ensure the quality and professionalism of their book?
Suggested answer
I like thinking about the different editorial processes in terms of how a house might get built. So a developmental edit is really going into the essentials: getting the foundations right, doing the electrical wiring, laying the bricks, building the house. A copy-edit would be about making the house liveable: installing the kitchen, carpets, blinds, the wallpaper. The proofread would be when everything is in place and you want to do a final deep clean, vacuum, sweep.
I think it really depends on the author and their strengths, but authors work so hard and so long on their books that I think it's almost impossible for them to do the final two stages - copy-edit and proofread - with any kind of objectivity. They've seen those words on the page so many times. A fresh pair of eyes here is invaluable.
Thalia is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
When you’re self-publishing, developmental editing and line editing are crucial steps to consider if you want to put out a professional, high-quality book.
Developmental editing dives into the structure of your story—checking for plot consistency, pacing, character development, and overall narrative flow. It makes sure your story holds together, that characters make sense, and that everything from start to finish engages readers. Without it, even a great concept can fall flat if there are plot holes or confusing elements.
Line editing goes a level deeper, focusing on how your story is told. It improves the clarity, flow, and style of your writing. A line editor will help tighten up sentences, enhance your voice, remove repetitive wording, and make sure every sentence shines.
For self-publishing authors, at least one (preferably both) of these edits are worth the investment. It’s what transforms a good idea into a book that readers can’t put down. Skipping them risks putting out a story that might be inconsistent, awkward, or just not polished enough to compete.
Even if you can only afford one major editing service, try to follow it up with a proofread to make sure it's as polished as possible.
Eilidh is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Formatting
0–2 months
After editing, your book will need to be formatted to a professional standard. For most authors, this can be quick and free: using Reedsy Studio, you can produce professional-looking ebooks and print files in less than a day.
Some books are tricker, however. Children’s books and books with lots of complex graphs or images may require specialist software or an interior layout designer. This could add another 2 months to your publishing timeline, but authors consistently tell us the professional touch is more than worth it.
ARCs and pre-launch marketing
1–3 months
After formatting, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s time to publish. But wait! The most successful indie authors know that marketing starts long before publication. After all, traditional publishing houses start promoting new releases a full year in advance.
You can start a lot of the pre-launch marketing (author website, newsletter, social media posts, pre-orders) while you’re still editing or designing your cover. But there must be some pause between finalizing your book and releasing it. Why? Because that’s when you send out advance reader copies (ARCs).
ARC readers provide early honest reviews: the social proof you need to turn browsers into buyers on your chosen retail platform(s). Plus, if you send copies to book bloggers/vloggers, they can introduce your book to their existing audiences. Thirdly, you can secure an editorial review to quote on your cover or in your ads.
For nonfiction authors, ARCs should go to respected voices in your book’s field. Quotes from these people will help establish your authority on the topic.
We recommend setting aside at least a month for this stage, so small delays won’t derail your launch.
Approval for publication
3–14 days
Speaking of things that can derail your launch: don’t upload your book on your release date. It won’t be published instantly, and approval can take days, if not weeks. Instead, create your book's listing early and set a future release date, enabling pre-orders. (Side note: pre-orders can really help to “juice” retailer algorithms on your launch week, so remind your friends and followers to get in early.)
On Amazon KDP, you can upload your final files any time from one year to 72 hours before your release date. On Draft2Digital, you can add your files up until 10 days before. You might as well upload your book as soon as it’s finished, allowing the approval process to take place while you wait on ARC readers and continue your marketing efforts.
Q: What are the key elements authors must get right when setting up their book pages on Amazon or other retail platforms?
Suggested answer
I find that the most overlooked component of an Amazon book page is consistently the author bio. Of course the cover design and descriptive text are essential, but so too is the About The Author section. Particularly for non-fiction where the prospective reader is seeking confirmation of why you are credible to write on your subject matter. Readers are looking for subject matter experts, and your thought leadership status is what will sell your book. Beyond that, in the age of AI, you need to show that you are a real person. Over an author's career, it is the author that is the brand, not any one book. Show us that your credentials are legitimate, and that you are a worthy authority on whatever you are writing about.
Chris is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
I'll base my answer on Amazon, where majority of sales happen for most authors.
Book Cover
I'm aesthetically blind, but I still have a couple of valid criteria - readability and fitting a genre. On Amazon, your book cover is your business card. People need to get what it is about with just a single glance. Don't try to be smart, try to be clear.
In non-fiction, it usually means a huge title that can be read in a thumbnail size. In fiction, it is a big image that screams the right genre (think dragons for fantasy, starships for SF).
Book Title (and subtitle)
In case of fiction, the title may be catchy and cryptic, but it needs to be short. Often, it is just an article and a single word.
In case of non-fiction, you'd better spell out in capital letters what your book is about.
For all books, subtitles are a great place to stuff in some keywords ("a medieval historical novel").
Book Description
Your book description is your sales page on Amazon.
It is not a synopsis, God forbid!
For fiction, think Hollywood movie trailers - something that reveals hints of the movie, but its main objective is to get the attention.
For nonfiction, spell out the features and benefits, but in a way that pique curiosity (“The undervalued habit that everyone can practice and tune into their self-talk (would you believe it can create new brain cells?!)”.
Emphasize your credentials in book's subject matter.
Format your description properly. Have a clear headline - the first short line (think: blog posts titles) that is separated from the rest of the blurb's text. And don't scare a reader with "the big wall of text." This is Internet! Nobody reads huge paragraphs anymore.
Keywords
On Amazon, you have seven fields with 50 characters.
Use five of those to brim. Why? Because the interface doesn't reflect the mechanics of Amazon keyword system. Those "seven fields" are actually a one huge tag cloud. Any word from one field can be connected to any word from another field.
Use one field to give the clear 'elevator pitch' for a book ("military space marines book”).
Use the word 'book' in this field. It will connect with all the other words in your keyword tag cloud.
Use the last field trying to indicate the category your book fits best.
Categories
12 years ago, it was a good idea to hit some niche category, so you could easily claim the bestseller status. Not anymore. Relevancy is the key. If your book is fiction, don't put it in obscure non-fiction categories (and vice versa).
The more specific you can get, the better for your positioning and algorithm's understanding of your book, e.g. Romance ->Historical Romance ->Scottish.
Bonus: Pricing
Don't price your 100-page novella eBook at $9.99.
If you have a fiction series, price the volume #1 lower. It is your lead magnet, if readers like it, they will buy next volumes at higher prices.
Michal is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Your book cover is the first thing readers notice, and it has to grab their attention right away. But here’s the thing: your cover gets them to click, but it’s your description that actually convinces them to buy.
A great book description needs to spark curiosity, set clear expectations, and connect with readers emotionally. If it doesn’t make them feel like they need to read your book, they’ll move on to something else.
Other details, like editorial reviews, awards, or even strong reader reviews, can help seal the deal, but the description is where it all happens. Think of your cover as the invitation—it gets readers to the party. Your description? That’s the host that keeps them there and makes sure they have a great time.
Jd is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
As many of these steps will overlap, most authors can self-publish in 3–6 months (or 5–8 months if you require complex interior design). But there’s no need to rush — a bit of wiggle room in your schedule will reduce stress and protect the quality of your book.
Remember: no two publishing journeys are the same. Don’t compare yourself to others; instead, focus on working steadily towards your own goals. And if you need a little help along the way, check out the rest of our blog or sign up for one of our learning courses.
