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.
