Blogger: Rachel Kent
Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon for an author to miss a deadline or to need an extension on a deadline. It is SO much better to get your book done on time, but if it does look like you aren’t going to make a deadline there are some things you need to keep in mind.
First, the minute you think you might not make your deadline, you need to contact your agent. Don’t wait until the week (or day) before the book is due to alert your agent. You should be giving at least a month’s notice, hopefully more. And be sure to alert your agent first, don’t go directly to the editor at the publishing house. You and your agent can figure out a plan and workable timeline and your agent will talk with the editor on your behalf.
You also need to make sure that missing deadlines isn’t becoming a habit for you. If you are always asking for extensions because of procrastination, the editor is less likely to want to grant you an extension when it is actually warranted because of an unexpected life circumstance–like a death in the family or the birth of a child. One of my best friends is an elementary school teacher and she gives the children in her class two passes each that they can turn in for bathroom emergencies and that is all they get for the year. Imagine that you have one or two passes TOTAL for deadline extensions. Don’t squander them.
Thirdly, getting an extension from the editor isn’t guaranteed. He/she might come back and say no. Make sure you are prepared for that situation, too. Be ready to clear your schedule and work late nights until your project is done.
And remember, sometimes a publishing house is on the fence about offering another contract to an author for a new idea because sales have been only so-so on the already-published project. An author who is a joy to work with and keeps deadlines is much more likely to get that new contract offer than an author who is also a joy to work with but is always pushing out the deadlines.
If you find that you are always needing more time to finish your books, be sure to factor this in on your next book contract. Talk with your agent about what really is a reasonable amount of time for you to write a book and make sure that the longer time is reflected in the next contract you sign.
What system to you use to keep yourself on schedule? How do you keep yourself motivated? How do you avoid procrastination?
Have a wonderful weekend!
For me, the deadline is the best motivation.
*One son’s 6th grade teacher asked the class, on the due date of a major project, “How many of you need one more day?” She allowed them the extra day but also insisted that they analyze why they needed it. She considered this day of grace worthwhile preparation for high school–and life.
Shirlee, I agree that extending grace to each other is what we should always do as Christians, but I think your son’s teacher isn’t doing her students a favor.
Many things in the adult world, especially those that involve competitive efforts to get money for your work, have hard deadlines with absolutely no grace involved, no matter what the reason. High school deadlines may be slippery (although the ones at my kids’ Christian high school weren’t), but college ones usually aren’t. Sixth grade is not too young to learn that deadlines are exactly that―work completed after the deadline is born dead or damaged (It dropped a grade in my kids’ third grade class).
It was a one-time offer, and I can’t speak to the effectiveness of the kids’ analyses. My son had his project ready on time, handed it in on the due date and shrugged off the extra day. 15 years later, his employer commended him for meeting all his deadlines, to which he responded, “I thought that was the point of deadlines.”
Sounds like you taught him well!
I like that! Good teacher.
I set my own personal deadline two to three weeks ahead of the real deadline. That gives me time to revise. And almost every time my manuscripts have been turned in early.
I do this, too, Kathy. The bigger the project, the farther ahead of the real deadline I set my own. It works great for never being late.
This is a great idea!
Punctuality, royalty’s friendly grace
is the courtesy of manners
in whose imitation common clay can trace
their path by heraldic banners
that ease the friction of time and place
which are the bane of the planner’s
life; but for myself, away this rhyme!
My life runs on Caribbean time.
I’ve got no desire to pick a bone,
but better late than never, mon.
I like it! Great poem. 🙂
Writing is somewhat of an elaborate hobby many of us do alongside careers ( on account of it being very hard to make a living from today’s lucrative industry)
as such, before I pursued traditional publication, i made sure that i wasn’t starting a brand new job of position, that i had established a routine that allowed me to work full time and still set the pace of writing. in our Netflix culture, publishers are often expecting more than one novel in a series to release a year. as i pre-empt each book in my series with a novella as well,t that has meant that since i signed my contract, i have had super tight deadlines ( on top of marketing and blogging and interviews and, of course, my day job).
i would advice people to recognize that the first manuscript deadline is one of many that will come along. if you work with a publicity firm there will be deadlines for them and for substantive edits and copy edits. make sure that you have secured yourself a good chunk of time to be able to swiftly get these done.
make sure that you are settled (Whether that be a job after a move, etc.,) as much as you can because it does get hectic.
(note: as a newbie author, i also feel that as in any job, you are under a probation period. thus, you should be willing and able to do ANYTHING you can —sometimes i work a few hours before my real job….those early mornings) to ensure you make deadlines. i don’t believe that we have earned the right to say ‘no’ so much as the opportunity to use this privilege to prove ourselves.
Thank you very much for your words Rachel. They are specifically for me…
And interviews plus marketing plus day job, I can’t manage that yet…
Michael, seeing the poise, maturity and faith that illuminate your words…I suspect you’re going to do just fine!
Great advice!
I’d rather not disappoint anyone, so I’ve learned that I need to do my best to be ready WEEKS ahead of schedule.
Hello, buffer zone.
I’m with you. Although I’ve yet to write to deadline, I know for a fact that I don’t work well under pressure. I would need to give myself an earlier, personal deadline for something like this.
I always set my personal (faux) deadline ahead of my actual publisher’s deadline. This gives me time to let the manuscript simmer so I can make last-minute changes if necessary. It also tricks my brain and nervous system into thinking the faux deadline is the real one. (Evidently, I’m easily tricked.) For example, I have a hard deadline of July 15 for a current WIP, but I’ve established June 15 as my real/personal line-of-death for finishing the work.
This is great! It’s good that you are able to get motivated by the faux deadline and hold to it. 🙂
Thanks, Rachel, for the reminder of the importance of meeting one’s obligations, timewise.I don’t want to send in a manuscript I’ve just finished–your fellow agent, Rachelle, drilled that into me early on.. So I allow myself time for completion and at least two (or more) edits before the deadline. My habit of never being late has stood me in good stead a couple of time.