To Push or Not to Push - That Is the Question

Yesterday, I decided to push back my release date - again. On a call with my editor, she said, "if the deadline is taking more focus than the actual work, then it's time to move the deadline." While that seemed to be a fairly direct and logical answer to the question, let me share a few more questions that we talked through.

What are the personal constraints?

She shared with me that while many authors would probably like to perform a second developmental edit, only about 10% actually do so. There are various reasons for this, the two main factors being time and money.

What to do with new content?

After a 2+ hour call with my editor as part of this process, developmental editing resulted in: 27 pages of developmental notes + over 100 in-line notes + takeaways from the conversation.

I got my money's worth from my editor, that is for sure. She helped me to see concepts of "mini-journeys" that I needed to expand, the need for development of scenes through the book, and talked me through how I could add characters within my memoir while still maintaining privacy.

Working through all of this took about 32 hours and resulted in significant sections being added to the work (about 25% new content). These sections have had zero sets of eyes to read them beyond my own. The obvious point, then, is that someone should give feedback on those new sections, at the very least.

On the follow-up call, my editor presented me with a few helpful options, in order from highest to lowest cost:

1. I can get another full developmental edit

2. I can get another developmental edit just on certain chapters

3. I can hire someone to conduct an editorial assessment

4. I can hire 2-3 professional Beta readers within my core audience to provide feedback

All of these options mean more time.

How do you factor in other people?

Initially, some of her feedback centered around the idea of personal preference and personality; essentially, are you someone who thrives under pressure?

I told her that was not my concern. I can do some tough sprints of work when I need to. I am very good against a deadline. I knew, beyond doubt, that I could get my own work done within the time frame.

However, there are multiple other people I am relying on: at least two more feedback rounds, typesetter, and proof copy. I can't expect them to put the same amount of time pressure on themselves - after all, this is another job to them. To me, this is a passion project.

What is the reason for the deadline?

As we talked through the question of timing, she asked me the reasons for why the dates were chosen.

• Deadline 1 - Christmas release - wanted to position well for sales at launch. Was not difficult to see that this was a bad idea

• Deadline 2- April 1 release - I wanted to have the book published before I turned 40. Since this was a personal reason, this one was harder to let go.

• Deadline 3 (current goal): June 1 release - this date calculated all the additional time needed for people involved, as well as time to receive a proof copy and make any necessary corrections.

  
  

While deadline three is how I could have calculated from the start, there is an element of: you don't know what you don't know. Hopefully, my sharing this experience will help you increase your knowledge and make more informed decisions.

As a reminder, I started writing this book in March of 2025.

Comma Day will now, hopefully, launch on June 1, 2026. You can preorder your copy today. Reach out if you are interested in having me speak about my book, about this process, or about my sobriety journey.