Large publishers often print overseas, if the dollar is strong, as it can save a lot of bottom line money. But missed deadlines along the process can cost them much money too. The time elements due to shipping overseas add time with less room for adjustment. Late art may mean that publication will have to push to another list! The art due dates are determined by the production due dates. Extra room MAY be built into the dates with large publishers, but don’t assume this. Remember, a missed list may mean a year’s delay if it’s a seasonal book! No one is happy with that. NEVER assume there is room to be late.

This is particularly true of educational publishing where the "drop deadlines" are usually just that. They may have allowed only a couple of days to scan or shoot the art, place it into the layout, find out it won’t fit or the color is wrong, make alterations and try again. The editor has only a week or less to check everything before it goes to a tight production date with LOTS of other pages of art and text. Back ups cost lots — if only for bottles of Excederin!

My advice to artists is to take the deadline dates very seriously. If they seem just too tight, try to adjust them up front, or DO NOT take the job! If you find you just can’t make it (life happens!) communicate that as soon as possible to your art director (and rep!) Your reputation (and reps!), perhaps even your career, can ride on how you handle dead lines. You are under contract — that is a personal and legal promise. As I shared with my sons and daughter about college deadlines — if you miss them, it can cost you a future opportunity you can’t afford to miss!