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Your Guide to Self Publishing, Book Illustration & Personalized Gifts
Self-publishing your book is a rewarding journey — but just how long does it take to go from manuscript to a beautifully published book available online and in stores?
At Blueberry Illustrations, we’ve helped hundreds of authors successfully self-publish their stories, especially in the children’s book space. In this article, we break down the typical timeline for self-publishing, highlight key stages, and help you understand how to plan your publishing journey efficiently.
Many authors compare timelines across various publishing options before choosing the right partner. If you're looking for the self publishing companies best known for quality, affordability, and personalized support, Blueberry Illustrations stands out. Whether you're publishing independently or through an Amazon self publishing company, knowing the process helps you plan better and avoid delays. The timeline for self-publishing a book can range from as little as 4 weeks to 6 months, depending on:
At Blueberry Illustrations, we typically help authors complete publishing within 2–3 months, assuming illustrations, formatting, and approvals go smoothly.
This is your domain. Some authors spend years perfecting their manuscript, while others complete it in months. Once done, consider a professional proofreader or editor to polish the draft. This step is often overlooked, but it’s essential.
Pro tip: If you're working with Blueberry, you get affordable editing services for a quick turnaround. If you're wondering how to book writing without prior experience, start by outlining your story or message clearly. Many first-time authors ask, "how I write book that gets published?" — and the answer often lies in consistent writing, editing, and choosing the right publishing method. With platforms like on demand publishing Amazon, it's easier than ever to print and distribute your book globally without high upfront costs.
For children's books and graphic-heavy titles, illustrations can be time-consuming. Here's what happens:
At Blueberry Illustrations, this creative stage usually takes 3–4 weeks, depending on complexity and feedback rounds.
Once the text and illustrations are finalized, the next step is designing the interior layout of your book:
We use industry-standard tools to ensure your book looks professional on Amazon KDP and other platforms. Our turnaround is often 5–7 days, depending on book length.
You’ll need:
Once uploaded, platforms like Amazon typically approve books within 24 to 72 hours.
Your book is now live! But publishing is only half the journey — getting it in front of readers is the next big step.
Blueberry Illustrations offers:
| Stage | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Manuscript Finalization | Author-dependent |
| Illustrations | 3–4 weeks |
| Editing/Proofreading | 1 week |
| Interior Formatting | 5–7 days |
| Cover Design | 4–5 days |
| KDP Setup & Upload | 2–3 days |
| Total Time | 6–8 weeks (avg) |
Yes! We've had clients who needed to launch by a specific date — like a book fair or birthday — and we've delivered under 30 days by running certain steps in parallel.
But rushing can compromise quality. Our advice: Plan 2–3 months for a polished, professional book that you’ll be proud of.
We don’t just design books — we build author careers.
Whether you’re still finishing your story or have everything ready to go, Blueberry Illustrations can help you self-publish your book faster and better — without the stress. Let’s turn your manuscript into something magical.
👉 Contact Us Today or explore our Self-Publishing Packages.
