How Long Would You Wait to Publish a Book?

I was recently approached by a colleague who had a client that wanted to write a book. 

I asked to set up a call and my next available time was two weeks away.

The colleague responded and said that date was too far out for her client, who needed to make the decision sooner.

Y’all — that is a red flag because publishing, or at least publishing well, is a long game. 

In my opinion, there are certain things in life that you want to do well — not fast.

Like — 

Building a business. 

Choosing a life partner. 

Establishing an engaged audience.

And writing a book.

But so often, I see entrepreneurs and experts try to rush the process of getting a traditional book deal, or even to make decisions around their book’s publication. 

It’s as if what you’re writing will disappear into thin air if you don’t meet the deadline that you’ve created . . .  out of thin air.

The next time you think, I have to get this book out or else — just remember:

Writing the music and lyrics for Hamilton took Lin-Manuel Miranda seven years. 

Seven years! When I heard that, my first thought was his poor wife.

Can you imagine hearing the same songs over and over and over again while your husband workshopped them, likely in a small Manhattan apartment? 

Kudos to Vanessa Nadal, because I don’t know if I could do that.

Anyway — my point is that good things take time. 

Yes, it took Lin-Manuel Miranda seven years to write Hamilton . . . but in its first production at the Public Theatre, the show generated $30,000,000 in revenue. Wikipedia doesn’t even list how much he’s generated as a result now. 

So — hang in there. Take your time. 

Publishing has been around for centuries and around here, we’re creating books that last.

Trust me, you can wait for it.