So, what's the plan?
Here, I'll detail the plan I have to get this book published. There are a lot of steps, and it is a work intensive process -- especially considering I can only work on this in my spare time. As such, much of the road map is subject to change, depending on how fast certain parts are accomplished. But, optimistically, this is the plan for the path I will follow to get "Underearth" published.
Road Map
First Draft
November 2022
I aim to have a completed first draft by the end of November of 2022. With a current word count goal of 75,000 words, I'm writing around 1,600 words a week to reach this goal.
Revisions
December 2022
With the first draft complete, I'll go through and revise the manuscript, with a heavy focus on fixing anything that's wrong with the story and characters.
Alpha Readers
March 2023
After one or two rounds of heavy revision, I'll get the manuscript ready and send it off to a group of alpha readers, who will provide feedback and help me shape the story into a better version of itself. Taking their feedback into account, I'll do another revision or two.
Beta Readers
August 2023
After the revisions based on alpha reader feedback, I'll give the story to a group of beta readers -- a group of people closer to my intended audience for the book. Their feedback on what does and doesn't work for them will lead into my next revision.
Editing Galore!
2024
I'll need to do a few more drafts at this point to fix things and to trim all the fat of the story -- Maybe around of Gamma Readers, we'll see. Then, after line-edits (ugh), I plan to get the story professionally copy-edited to really make it nice and polished.
Illustrations
January 2025 - June 2025
At this stage, I'll plan out and create the illustrations I want included as part of the book. I'll also hopefully get a nice cover designed. This timetable is a bit up in the air as I need to further develop my skills and such before tackling such a big thing like this.
Formatting and Recording
June 2025 - December 2025
Next, I'll get the manuscript, illustrations included, formatted and ready for ebook publishing, as well as for printing. This will likely take some time to get right. As well, I plan to record an audiobook version.
Publishing!
May 2026
I'm planning to publish the book in multiple formats across multiple platforms. For now, I've decided to not do things through Kickstarter as originally planned. Perhaps later I'll do a Kickstarter for a premium version of the book.
