Short Turnaround Book Proposals

I’ve often marvelled at how some of these current events books get pitched, written, and published so quickly. Well, the New York Observer has an interesting article about a Sarah Palin book proposal that was making the rounds.

In the article, literary agent Curtis Yates says, “The intent was to finish the book by a week after the election, and to have it out before the inauguration.” I wonder how the negotiations and strategy sessions go when you’re telling the publisher they have to move so quickly. Certainly, it can be done. But it would add another level of complexity to an already challenging task of getting a book deal.

Also, in this particular case, the assumption that Sarah Palin is going to be the next vice president or “have a lasting effect” might also be a leap of faith that is too big for many editors to take.