How Long from "Idea" to "Book"

A number of you have asked me how long it takes to get a book from conception to publication. I've been reading posts in regard to this topic on an other writers list. Below is a blend of my own experience and the information I gathered from others.

BOOK TIMELINE - From conception to Publication

1. From idea to proposal
This will depend on your proposal experience. For a person writing their first proposal it may take six months. For someone who has done it before, it will probably take two or three months. Your proposal has to be at least as good as the book itself or a publisher won’t bite.
2. From proposal to acceptance by an agent
Three to six months. This is assuming you don’t already have an agent. If you have an agent you simply pitch blurbs and when she thinks an idea is good, she asks for the proposal. Assuming you don’t have an agent yet and the proposal is fabulous it could take only a few weeks. If the proposal is less than stellar, it could take six years to forever for an agent to bite.
3. From agent to publisher
Three to six months. If you are a new author it could take a little bit longer.
4. From publisher to contract
Another three to six months as it goes through the various committees.
5. From contract to finished manuscript
This depends on a lot of things – do you have a full time job, do you run a number of ministries that take up your time, how fast do write, do you need to hire an editor or do you know an editor close to home who will review the manuscript as you complete it? Most writers ask for 9 to 12 months to write their books. Authors pitching their first manuscript probably already have the manuscript done when then send in their proposal so they may only ask for 3-6 months in order to edit and review the book before submission. If that part is already done they can submit immediately.
6. From finished manuscript to bookstore shelves
12-18 months. This is the time it takes for the publisher to create a title & cover, run your manuscript through numerous edits, formulate a marketing plan and then print, box and ship your books.
7. From store shelves to receiving a royalty check
9-12 months, depending on when your book releases and when the publisher pays royalties.

Getting your book published takes a long time and it is not easy – but well worth the effort.