My non-fiction writing is over (for a moment.)
The non-fiction process involves a lot of steps.
It's something like this...
-
Acquisition Editor contacts me about a topic they need.
-
I write an outline. Which often means writing a lot of code for the examples to make sure there's a clear build from basics to advanced material.
-
The outline gets approved by the publisher and I have to produce a writing schedule and detailed chapter size estimates.
-
I write.
-
Each chapter goes to an initial edit just to be sure it's usable and doesn't have profound problems.
-
A project editor examines it in detail looking for continuity and, gaps, overlaps. This editor farms it out to two (or more) reviwers.
-
The reviewer comments are all pushed into the working copy so I can clean up my mess.
-
Then more review from the project editor.
-
Copy editing.
-
Some technical editing to make sure it can print and be downloaded as an eBook.
-
"Pre-final" PDF's that I read and approve. Sometimes I even change them at the last minute.
We've passed step 8 for all 16 chapters. I need to unclench my brain by writing some fiction.