Some Things I have Discovered About Going from File to Printed Book
In 2001 I landed in London from the Republic of Georgia, and in exactly 7 days’ time ended up working for a Belgian-born entrepreneur running a publishing house in London's Old Street. The owner was an eccentric old guy who spoke very fast in a strong German accent, wore multi-coloured hats, and loved piling up file after file on my desk. It was a little chaotic to work there but learned a lot about the publishing business.
Between 2003 and 2005 as a student, I started another job in another Publishing house. That time it was more of a "proper" company with many different departments, and what I did not learn from Old Street offices I topped up at London's Westbrook Grove.
Working for a publishing company was never my intention so I was glad to move on and move around in the City of London for a few years but perhaps my early experiences of brushing shoulders with the publishing industry and publications were not so "accidental" after all... years later, as a "writers wife" I teamed up with my writer husband to build our own publishing house to primarily and almost exclusively publish my husband's books.
This is where I received a front-line crash course education into the publishing business but most importantly it is where I got an opportunity to run the business of publishing and marketing my husband's books, reaching our readers and leaving a legacy through books.
What I discovered is this... going from file to printed books can be less complicated than you might be thinking. For example, traditionally it could take up to one year to have the book published, but as long as you have a finished file on your desk, you can have the printed book in hand and start selling books worldwide within days.
If you have written a book or you are in the process of writing your first book, you should be very excited knowing that you can be holding a published book in your hands sooner than you might think.
We worked with a writer a while back, who had a file collecting dust for over 10 years not knowing what to do with it. But within short weeks he was finally holding his book in his hands.
Publishing your first book can become the start of something very special and exciting in your career and life. There are so many exciting opportunities that can open up as a result of it. So if you are wondering what to do next about writing your book, or perhaps doubting your abilities at all, know that you don't have to wait 10 long years to get the ball rolling.
Through Write-A Book Project, we are creating resources for writers and aspiring authors like you. If you feel stuck about writing your first book take a look at our online library or articles and writers’ podcasts for inspiration. If you have written a book and wondering what to do next you can also find ideas to help you move ahead.
START HERE >> How to Write Your First Book
Tamara - Writer's wife
