The path to published: My workback plan

A few months ago, I wrote about the planning trap, how I spent weeks building elaborate project plans in Notion instead of actually writing my book. I deleted everything and focused on one simple metric: did I write today or not?

Well, guess what? It worked. I wrote a lot: 80,000 words, 46 chapters, 200+ pages. My manuscript has an end-to-end story.

And now? Now it's time for that project plan.

The difference this time: This isn't an abstract list for future-me. These are the concrete next steps that need to happen to get my manuscript into a book, and my book into readers' hands. I already feel behind!

My goal: Launch on May 13, 2026

Work expands to fit the size of the container you give it. Choosing a deadline to work back from gives me concrete constraints to plan within. I'm not sure May 13th is realistic, but I'm going to push for it and see where we end up.

I picked May 13th for a few reasons:

• It marks exactly one year from my last day in the office as a VP of Marketing.

• It gives me roughly seven months from now to turn my rough manuscript into a real book.

• It creates a forcing function to keep moving. I can't lose momentum and hit this date.

Aggressive? Yes. Possible? Also yes–if I move fast and don't get stuck overthinking and over-perfecting.

What I learned about self-publishing timelines

Most first-time authors take 12-18 months from finished first draft to launch. The fastest possible timeline for experienced authors is 3-4 months, but that assumes you know exactly what you're doing and have a team lined up.

My 7-month timeline sits somewhere in the middle. It's ambitious, but I think it's doable if I:

1. Reach out to editors and designers immediately

2. Run some tasks in parallel instead of sequentially

3. Don't let perfect be the enemy of published

The trick: a lot of these steps can happen simultaneously. Cover design doesn't need to wait for editing to finish. I can build my street team while the developmental editor works. Marketing prep can happen alongside the editing phases. It helps that I already started a newsletter, so I've been building my email list all summer.

My 7-month timeline

Three things that could derail this timeline:

1. Cover designer availability - If they can't start until February, pre-orders get compressed to 6 weeks instead of 8

2. Dev edit severity - If major rewrites take 6+ weeks instead of 2-4, everything downstream shifts

3. Beta reader feedback - If they find fundamental plot holes, I need extra revision time before dev edit

The complete checklist

Here's everything that needs to happen (that I know about) between now and launch day.

By October 31…

Edit my own manuscript:

• Character arc audit: ensure each character speaks/acts in character, growth is clear, remove extraneous details that don't support character development

• World-building consistency pass: magic system references, rules, cause and effect; ensure early encounters train readers to understand magic that happens later

• Emotional suspense audit: tune chapter endings for "can't stop reading" hooks, polish romance beats and tension moments

• Print out the entire book and mark it up on paper

Vendor outreach:

• Research and create shortlist of editors (5-10 options) and cover designers (5-10 options) and send out inquiries

• Book developmental editor for January start date, if possible

• Book cover designer for January/February start date, if possible

• Book line/copy editor for March

By November 30…

Beta reader review:

• Recruit 5-8 trusted beta readers (expect 3-4 to follow through)

• Send manuscript to beta readers by early November

• Check in at 2-week mark, collect detailed feedback and notes

Book description and marketing copy:

• Draft 3-5 versions of book description/back cover copy

• Test hooks with newsletter subscribers

• Write author bio (short and long versions)

By December 31…

December manuscript work:

• Identify patterns in beta reader feedback and make revisions

ISBN and distribution setup:

• Purchase ISBNs for ebook, paperback, hardcover from Bowker

• Register ISBNs with book title and author name

Author platform accounts:

• Set up Amazon Author Central account

• Set up Goodreads Author Profile (requires ISBN)

• Set up BookBub Author Profile

• Set up StoryGraph author presence

• Set up Fable author profile (optional)

Distribution accounts:

• Create Amazon KDP account

• Apply for IngramSpark account (1-2 week approval)

• Research Draft2Digital or PublishDrive

Marketing research:

• Identify 5-10 comp titles in romantasy genre

• Research comp title pricing ($4.99 vs $6.99 vs higher)

• Decide on pre-order discounts and incentives (if any)

• Create list of 20-30 independent bookstores to target, find contact info and submission requirements

• Research romantasy BookTok/Bookstagram influencers (accounts that liked and reviewed similar books to mine), create list of ~20 major influencers and ~200 micro influencers start engaging with their content

Content batching:

• Create 20-30 social media posts for Q1 2026

• Design quote cards or graphics (or note for designer)

• Schedule posts (will be supplemented by more timely status update posts in real-time)

By January 31…

Dev edit manuscript handoff:

• Send manuscript to developmental editor

• Provide editor with any specific concerns or questions with clear deadline

Cover design:

• Kick off cover design

• Review initial concepts

• Provide feedback on first round

ARC reader & street team setup:

• Create ARC reader application form (Google Form or Typeform) and guidelines

• Decide on ARC reader platforms (NetGalley, BookSirens, etc.)

• Create street team application/sign-up form

• Define what I'm asking street team to do (share posts, leave reviews, etc.)

• Set up street team communication channel (Discord or Instagram group chat)

Social media:

• Post scheduled Q1 content

• Share behind-the-scenes of editing process

By February 28…

February manuscript work:

• Get dev editor feedback

• Create revision plan addressing major issues, make edits

Pre-launch prep:

• Finalize book description/back cover copy

• Finalize subtitle (if applicable)

• Finalize pricing strategy for ebook and print

• Finalize author bio

• Select book categories (BISAC codes) and create list of keywords for Amazon/retailer metadata

Cover design finalization:

• Review revised cover concepts, request any revisions

• Approve final cover design and get the final files (with and without text, multiple formats)

By March 31…

March manuscript work:

• Send revised manuscript to line/copy editor (early March)

• Review line edit suggestions and make final edits

Pre-orders launch:

• Upload cover, description, and metadata to Amazon KDP

• Set pre-order date, price, and make it live on Amazon

• Upload to IngramSpark for print pre-orders

• Add to Goodreads with cover and description

• Add to BookBub

Pre-launch marketing:

• Create pre-order graphics and assets

• Share pre-order link across all platforms

• Update website with pre-order information

Bookstore & influencer outreach:

• Send personalized emails to 20-30 independent bookstores

• Start DM outreach to romantasy influencers, offering early access or ARCs

ARC reader finalization:

• Finalize ARC reader list (aim for at least 30-50 readers)

• Send acceptance emails with timeline

• Prepare ARC distribution plan for April

By April 30…

April manuscript formatting:

• Hire formatter or use formatting software (Vellum, Atticus, etc.)

• Format ebook (ePub and MOBI)

• Format paperback interior

• Format hardcover interior (if applicable)

Proof copies:

• Order paperback proof from Amazon KDP (early April)

• Order paperback proof from IngramSpark (if using)

• Review proofs carefully for formatting issues

• Check cover, spine, back cover alignment

• Make corrections and order second proof, if needed

• Do a final proofread and create final final files

ARC distribution:

• Export ARC version (ePub with "Advance Review Copy" watermark) and send to approved readers (mid-April target)

• Provide review links (Amazon, Goodreads, etc.) and set up tracking system for who received ARCs

Distribution verification:

• Verify Amazon KDP account settings

• Verify IngramSpark distribution channels

• QA: Double-check metadata, categories, keywords, pricing and test pre-order links

Launch day planning:

• Finalize launch day social media posts

• Schedule launch week content

• Plan newsletter launch announcement

• Plan street team launch day activities

• Set up launch day giveaway (if doing one)

Street team activation:

• Send street team prep email with launch details

• Provide shareable graphics and copy

• Ask for launch day review commitment

• Build excitement and anticipation

Marketing ramp-up:

• Increase social media posting frequency

• Share ARC reader reactions (with permission)

• Post countdown to launch + weekly newsletter updates

• Follow up with bookstores and influencers, romantasy community online

By May 12…

Pre-launch

• Final check of all retailer links

• Upload final manuscript files to replace pre-order placeholders

• Send launch day reminder to street team and ARC readers

By May 13…

Launch Day:

• Verify book is live on all platforms

• Post launch announcement on all social media

• Send launch newsletter to email list

• Activate street team (share, review, celebrate)

• Engage with comments and messages

• Celebrate! 🎉

What I'm NOT doing

I'm specifically NOT:

• Building elaborate social media content calendars months in advance

• Perfecting my website before starting outreach

• Waiting until everything is "ready" to start talking about the book

• Letting fear of imperfection stop me from moving forward

The planning trap was building systems instead of writing. The solution isn't to avoid planning entirely, it's to plan just enough to keep moving forward.

What's next

This week, I'm reaching out to developmental editors and cover designers. If you have recommendations for either (especially folks with genre-specific fantasy romance experience), I'd love to hear them.

I'll update you all on how this timeline actually shakes out. Spoiler alert: it probably won't go exactly according to plan. But at least I have a plan.

Wish me luck.

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