There’s a moment in every book’s journey that feels both thrilling and a little terrifying. It’s the day the manuscript is turned in. From the outside, it probably sounds simple—an author finishes writing a book and sends it to their editor. But behind that moment is months of work, countless hours with the characters, and a surprising mix of emotions.

For this book, the journey actually began March of 2025 when I wrote the outline. In the fall, I drafted the first version of the story. After Christmas, I dove into revisions and worked through the second draft. By the time I reached the final page again, I had spent a long time living in this story. And then the day came to send it off.

What “Turning in the Manuscript” Actually Involves

At its most basic level, turning in a manuscript means emailing the completed document to my editor.

But before I hit send, there are several steps that happen first.

I’ve already worked through two drafts and done a careful final read-through. During that pass, I’m looking for anything that might pull a reader out of the story like awkward phrasing, missing details, or scenes that need a little more clarity. I also make sure the document is formatted correctly so it’s ready for the next stage of editing.

Only after that final check do I attach the manuscript to an email and send it to my editor.

It sounds simple.

Emotionally, though, it’s anything but.

The Emotional Side of Turning It In

When I send off a manuscript, the first feeling is relief. Finishing a book is a huge accomplishment. Writing a story from beginning to end, especially one that’s more than eighty thousand words, is a long process, and reaching that milestone feels worth celebrating.

But alongside that relief is something else: a quiet sense of letting go. I’ve spent months with these characters. I’ve watched them grow, argue, solve problems, and surprise me along the way. And yes, sometimes characters surprise their authors.

For example, there’s a character named Phoebe who originally had a very small role. My plan was for her to simply pass by Tinsley on the street during her daily walks.

But Phoebe had other ideas.

It turns out she’s a retired nurse, and before I knew it she had stepped into the story in a much bigger way—helping Tinsley’s aunt while she recovered from a broken ankle.

Then there’s Natalie, the police detective, who surprised me with an unexpected olive branch toward Tinsley.

These are the moments that make writing so much fun. Characters have a way of revealing themselves as the story unfolds. And when the manuscript is finished, I realize just how attached I’ve become to them.

I miss them a little.

Of course, along with relief and nostalgia comes another emotion many authors know well: fear.

Did I do the characters justice?
Did I miss a crucial detail?
Is there a plot hole hiding somewhere in those eighty thousand words that I somehow overlooked?

And perhaps the biggest fear of all , what if readers don’t connect with the story?

These thoughts inevitably swirl around when a manuscript leaves my hands.

What Happens Next

Once my editor receives the manuscript, she’ll read through the entire story and send back her notes. Her email will include the Word document filled with suggestions and comments in Track Changes, along with a note about the story of what’s working well and what might need strengthening.

Then I’ll have a deadline to work through those edits and return the revised manuscript to her. Once she reviews those changes, the book moves on to the next stage: copy edits.

Yes… more edits.

After that come the final rounds of proofreading, where we polish every last detail. And it’s during that stage that advance reader copies are created for reviewers, influencers, and fellow authors.

It’s a long road between finishing the manuscript and the book finally appearing on bookstore shelves—but every step helps shape the best possible reading experience.

Looking Ahead

Turning in the manuscript always feels like standing at the end of one journey and the beginning of another.

I usually take a few days away from writing to recharge, but before long my mind starts wandering toward the next project. New characters. A new mystery to solve.

And that spark of possibility is always exciting.

Have you ever wondered how long the journey is between an author finishing a book and the moment it’s finally published? Or is there something about the writing process you’ve always been curious about?

Previous posts in the series:

A New Paranormal Cozy Mystery is on the Way

What Happens After the First Draft Is Finished