ABSTRACT
The emotional trauma and sheer physical effort of delivering a completed copyright work has often been likened to childbirth (usually by men). It is probably true that few authors – apart from the most experienced – realise quite what they are letting themselves in for when they sign their publishing contracts; first-time authors in particular may underestimate what is required (although a good agent or editor should spot this). In addition, even the best-organised authors may be overtaken by unexpected events, especially if they have any kind of family or social life and a fulltime job to hold down too. As a result:
• the work may be delivered late; or • bits of it – or the whole thing – may not be of the standard expected.
