“…this version of the story is stronger than the draft I saw before…it’s not quite ready for publication yet…”
These words were in an email I received from an editor this week. The email was in response to a revised manuscript I’d sent to her after she had read the full and requested I make revisions and resubmit.
It’s been my experience that most people don’t realize the amount of work that goes into becoming a published author. Here’s the timeframe for this particular manuscript:
February 12, 2014 – Started writing manuscript
June 6, 2014 – Submitted completed manuscript
Aug 8, 2014 – Received request for a revise and resubmit
January 26, 2015 – Resubmitted manuscript
July 30, 2015 – Received afore mentioned email requesting another round of revisions
As you can see, I’ve devoted over nine months of writing and revising time to this manuscript as well as more than eight months of anxiously waiting to hear its fate. This doesn’t even take into account the countless hours spent by the editor reading the manuscript and writing notes and suggestions for making it ready for publication.
You may be wondering, how long will the revisions take? The first round of revisions took me more than five months to complete. Of course, like most writers, I work a full-time job and have a family. I’m not sitting around writing all day. I have to squeeze in a few hours here and there. And, sometimes, life gets in the way. So, there really isn’t way to know how long the revisions will take.
One thing is for sure. No matter how long the revisions take, I’ll stick with it. I’ve come too far to give up now.
Rhonda Starnes 