Creating a Production Plan – Elizabeth Spann Craig

Creating a Production Plan

By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraigfile000786402730

I’ve come to the conclusion that production plans are important for any prolific writer, whether they’re self-published, traditionally published, or a hybrid writer.

I was lucky enough with the deadlines for the two traditionally published series that the drafting didn’t (usually) happen at the same time.  Only once that I can remember did I have two books for two different series due at once.  That was…not fun.

But adding a third series into the mix meant I had even more stuff to juggle.  And with self-pub, you have to add other elements onto your calendar apart from the writing: contacting your team, approving a cover, going through the editing process with a freelancer, getting the book formatted, writing cover copy…it’s a lot.

A week ago, one of the members of my self-pub team contacted me to ask when she should put me on her calendar for editing this year.  This made me stop and think.  Production would certainly go a lot faster and smoother and launch deadlines would become firmer if I figured out my calendar for the year, got my team onboard with my calendar, and then simply followed the schedule I’d set.

I’ve heard other writers talk about their production schedules.  Writer Dean Wesley Smith recently posted on the importance of production schedules in his post “Think Like a Publisher 2014: Production and Scheduling.”  Writer J.A. Marlow even offers a free writing and publishing excel template.

I know how long it takes me to write a book (usually 3 months from start to edited finish).  I (roughly) know how long it takes to go through editing (usually 3-4 days for me to respond to edits), cover design process and approval (3 days usually), formatting (a day maybe).

I knew I had two trad-published deadlines this year and that I wanted to write two self-published books (possible because one of the trad-published books was handed in on Jan. 1. so only requires editing) .

I decided to make a list, as a hybrid writer, of all the things I’m responsible for doing (writing related and production related and a smidge of promo).  It looks like this:

Outline (required for trad-pub, now adopted for my self-pub)
Incorporate requested edits for both trad-pub and self-pub
Teaser chapters written, frequently before entire book is finished (trad. pub)
Write back cover copy/promo copy (self-pub)
Update website with launch dates, covers, cover copy, and sample chapters
Ensure I have enough ISBNs for all formats
Contact editor, formatter, cover designer to be put on their calendars (self-pub)
See if I have time to pass manuscript by beta readers
ACX up for audition after book is available on Amazon.
Proof ACX
Update bio, list of works
Create and send release newsletters to subscribers
Order proofs for CreateSpace
Upload to Smashwords, Nook, Kindle, CreateSpace.
Note releases on Facebook
Update Goodreads.  Consider Goodreads giveaway. Update my Amazon Author page.

Then I set up my calendar. The trick was to schedule the tasks, keep on schedule, think ahead, and see what steps can possibly even be combined.  I’ve currently turned in one trad-pub manuscript, have just finished a self-pubbed book, have outlined the next Penguin book, and am working on an outline for the next self-pubbed book now.  I’ve got a cover conference with my designer at the end of March…why not just get both self-pubbed books covered at once?  After all, I’ll have a completed outline for that book by then…I could just go ahead and write the cover copy and have that checked off my list.

I’m hoping that putting all of these separate steps on my calendar will help me to just automatically take care of these tasks instead of wasting time trying to remember what I need to do next…or by having to wait for my publishing team members because I forgot to contact them.

Do you set deadlines for yourself?  Does it help you stay on track?

Image: MorgueFile: dhester

 

 

21 comments
L. Diane Wolfe says February 28, 2014

I have a checklist that includes a general time frame for when each task must be completed. (I’m big on lists.)

    Sabrina says February 28, 2014

    I not there yet, but this will be invaluable in the future thank you!

      Elizabeth Spann Craig says February 28, 2014

      Glad it helped, Sabrina!

    Elizabeth Spann Craig says February 28, 2014

    Me too! I’m covered up in lists. :)

Margot Kinberg says February 28, 2014

Elizabeth – That kind of planning is a great way to manage it all. I’ve always found too that if you plan reasonably carefully, you can can be more flexible if things come up. If you don’t have a plan, then it’s harder to adapt for whatever changes you may need to make. And I think having a calender that outlines that plan allows you to see how your work’s progressing – always a dose of optimism as projects come together.

    Elizabeth Spann Craig says February 28, 2014

    Margot–And most of us are very deadline-oriented…having that stuff on a calendar really does help.

jwelling says February 28, 2014

8th circle, right there.

Yes, I’ll have to do it one day. Right now, I’ll just figure out world domination then turn to the hard stuff like project management.

    Elizabeth Spann Craig says February 28, 2014

    Jack–Ha ! Yes, this is definitely not the fun stuff. It’s something else I’m not good at…and it didn’t even occur to me that this is project management. Lol. I’m so corporate!

Alex J. Cavanaugh says February 28, 2014

You are fast when it comes to writing.
I start planning a blog tour at least six months in advance.

    Elizabeth Spann Craig says February 28, 2014

    Alex–Fast out of necessity. I never feel very satisfied when I’m done with a project because I feel I could have done better with it.

    Haven’t done a blog tour in a year or more….

CA Heaven says February 28, 2014

I do have deadlines, some set by myself, some set by my bosses st work. I don’t like planning things more than necessary. When I have to make plans, I try to keep track of things without writing anyting down >:)

    Elizabeth Spann Craig says February 28, 2014

    CA–You’re good! My memory is…awful. Truly, truly awful. Born with a bad one, getting worse as I get older/busier. I have to write *everything* down.

    How is your writing coming? I know you’re always reading…have you been able to get some writing time in, despite your work travels?

    And…did you get to the Olympics? Know you’re in Russia a lot and enjoy winter sports.

Barry Knister says February 28, 2014

Elizabeth–
You have the combined talents of a sprinter and a marathon runner. But I think it’s high time you introduced us to your identical twin, who is also a writer. Not calendars, not spread sheets–nope, there’s no other way to explain how you do it. But I am printing out your production schedule, just in case I ever get far enough along to need a model of how it’s done!

    Elizabeth Spann Craig says February 28, 2014

    Barry—Ha! Well, I think it’s called “having no day job.” My husband, who brings in the majority of our income, is sort of my artistic patron. :)

    Meg says March 1, 2014

    Barry, I think you’ve guessed Elizabeth’s secret!

    Elizabeth, I’m going to create a production schedule for the next book this weekend! I’m definitely experiencing more and more “senior moments” and completely forgetting what I’m supposed to be doing when, so this should help me stay on track and be more considerate to those who help me.

      Elizabeth Spann Craig says March 2, 2014

      Meg–I’ve had senior moments my whole life and they’re not getting better now! And you bring up a good point–when we’re asking an editor or formatter or cover designer to drop everything to squeeze a project in, it’s not very considerate/professional, either.

michael cairns says March 2, 2014

Hi Elizabeth
Ahhhhhhhhhh!
You have a most impressive and terrifying to-do list :)
We have a similar list, but my wife manages to write it in such a way that it isn’t so scary. I’m a huge fan of forward planning, but with the amount we’re trying to juggle, I tend to only look a few weeks ahead. That way, i’m getting the work done without feeling overwhelmed. As you pointed out, finding ways to streamline such as joining meetings; only writing one email instead of seven; avoiding sleep altogether, is a must in order to make the work as doable as possible.
cheers
Mike

    Elizabeth Spann Craig says March 2, 2014

    It is terrifying, isn’t it? I’m one of those people who can’t figure out how to schedule or bulk tasks unless I see it all laid out…but it wasn’t fun to see my whole to-do list there!

    Yes, insomnia helps with making all these tasks doable, for sure. :)

Jacqui says March 5, 2014

Dear Elizabeth:

Your twitter links makes my Sunday morning every week!

I know you have mentioned who does your covers, but I can’t find that information now on your blog. Can you let me know?

Thanks,

Jacqui

    Elizabeth Spann Craig says March 5, 2014

    Thanks so much, Jacqui!

    I’ve used several different artists. One has been snatched up by a publisher, so she’s out of the business, unfortunately. :( I’ve also used Scarlett Rugers: http://www.scarlettrugers.com/ and Karri Klawiter http://artbykarri.com/. Sometimes artists get booked so I do have more than one that I work with. Hope this helps!

Hilary says March 11, 2014

Hi Elizabeth – thanks for coming over while I’ve been awol sorting stuff out – nearly clear now. When I settle .. I need to come back and re-read this post – it seems really helpful … and I’ll be needing to keep tabs on what’s going on ..

Cheers Hilary

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