Seeing this flowchart I made of the publishing workflow, it’s easier to understand why I haven’t found a satisfactory one already. Publishing is complex! The workflow is layered! (Especially when everyone is trying to crunch the timeline.) Every flowchart I found is skewed (sensibly) toward the aspect that the creator is focussed on: Writers elaborate the “draft and revise” section. Even style guides compress the “and then editing happens” part. (Cue the sparkling magic! ?)
Not every step in this idealized workflow happens during every workflow — either because of time, budget, or interest. The a/b designations show alternative timing of some steps. or where they might repeat (as in several rounds of copyediting or substantive revisions). Note the many types of reviews! Below it you’ll find a sort of colour key.
This flow works for traditional publishing as well as corporate environments if you add “approvals” or “signoff” to one of the review steps. Budgeting and timeline happen as early as possible — either in the product profile stage or the acquisitions stage.
For help planning your project and more details about each of these steps, download the project planner, and try the instant estimator to predict the ballpark of how long each step will take (and cost!).
Legend
- Blue — done by editors
- Green — author’s responsibility (an indexer and/or permissions specialist may be hired by the author)
- Grey — marketing
- Pink — designers & their team
- Purple — agent &/ dev/acquiring editor at publisher
- Yellow — external reviews
Header image of blank rainbow flowchart by Image by Trang Le from Pixabay.
(Coming soon, at our new school!)
