How long does it usually take between writing and publishing a memoir?
That’s an extremely difficult question to answer. Functionally speaking, a memoir is indistinguishable from any to her form of writing. It’s just another form of literature. So it takes as long to publish a memoir as any other work. The good news (or bad news, depending on how you look at it) is that most of the same principles that go into publishing a good book (of any genre) also go into publishing a memory or biography.
The length of time it takes to write and publish a memoir can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including the length of the book, the author’s writing and revision process, and the publishing process. Some memoirs can be written and published in a matter of months, while others may take several years to complete.
Thanks to self publishing and platforms like Amazon or Barnes and Noble, you could have your manuscript up and running in minutes. Assuming, of course, that you have it ready right now.
One caution, if you go the self publishing route, is the lack of gatekeepers in the industry. The good thing about self publishing is the lack of oversight and handholding you need to endure during the process. The bad thing about self publishing is the lack of oversight and handholding you need to endure during the process. You don’t have access to the same editors and proofreaders as traditional publishers offer, so you need to make certain your manuscript is immaculate yourself.
That was my mistake when published my first manuscript. I never realized that books aren’t written, they’re edited. So I wrote my manuscript, slapped it on Amazon and called it good. Unfortunately I was the only one.
It’s harder to break into traditional publishing, and it can sometimes take several months to years to complete a single book. But the end result is often better. Tha’ts not to say you can’t publish a stellar work through self publishing, but you need to be more purposeful about your quality control.
In general, the process of writing and publishing a book can be a lengthy and complex one, depending on the model you choose. It’s not uncommon for it to take several years from start to finish.
I hope that helps. I’ve made some more resources available below.
Here are a few articles I found:
CalamusPress.com 