Though the book publishing process is a long one (particularly for someone from the tech world) it certainly benefits from having clear, well-separated milestones on the path to publication.
This week’s milestone is that the pre-publication galleys will go out to reviewers. [A moment’s pause for appreciation and reflection]
Though galleys are not the final typeset version of the book, it is bound, and that’s a big step. Up until now, contributors, editors and other extremely patient friends have had to pore over a PDF, or, worse, 200+ pages of 8-1/2 x 11. The galley version will look like a book, but will not have the benefit of the fit and finish, beautiful interior design and layout, and general heft and substance of the final work.
It will be October before we get the final work in our hands, so we welcome the galleys, and will love them through the summer. And now we observe this milestone/small victory.