Book Progress and Roadmap | Lighthouse in the Desert

Lighthouse in the Desert - Countdown to Launch

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Overall Progress

33%

Foundation

Idea & Research done 100%

Completed: Oct 6, 2025 · 4d early · Validate thesis, comps, audience profile
Outline & Project Plan done 100%

Completed: Oct 6, 2025 · 14d early · Chapter map, risks, schedule aligned to launch

Funding

Setup GiveSendGo Crowdfunding / Fundraiser done 100%

Completed: Sep 23, 2025 · 8d early · See campaign
Fundraising Target Achieved at risk 5%

Target: Dec 31, 2025 · 154d overdue · See campaign · Primary production goal; prioritize pro services

Manuscript

First Draft (complete) on track 95%

Target: Oct 31, 2025 · 215d overdue · Full pass end-to-end
Author Revision Pass (Second Draft) on track 90%

Target: Nov 14, 2025 · 201d overdue · Structural clean-up from your own readthrough
Beta Read (volunteers) — feedback gathered on track 50%

Target: Dec 14, 2025 · 171d overdue · Volunteer readers; summarize themes and pain points
Manuscript (overall) on track 50%

Target: May 1, 2026 · 33d overdue · High-level manuscript status; detailed steps below
Developmental Edit (PRO) on track 25%

Target: May 31, 2026 · 3d overdue · Professional big-picture edit; editorial letter + annotated MS
Line Edit (optional PRO) on track 15%

Target: May 31, 2026 · 3d overdue · Voice/rhythm/clarity polish by a pro (optional)
Post-Dev Revision (Third/Fourth Draft) on track 10%

Target: May 31, 2026 · 3d overdue · Implement the pro revision plan fully

You are here

Copyedit (PRO) on track 15%

Target: Jun 30, 2026 · in 26d · Pro grammar/usage/consistency; style sheet produced

Design & Production

Cover Design — Hardcover on track 0%

Target: Dec 31, 2025 · 154d overdue · DIY: dust jacket (front/spine/back); finalize with exact page count
Cover Design — Softcover & eReader on track 80%

Target: Dec 31, 2025 · 154d overdue · DIY: paperback cover + retailer thumbnails; eBook cover
Legal Review (PRO — memoir) on track 0%

Target: Apr 5, 2026 · 59d overdue · Defamation/privacy check, names/permissions
Sensitivity/Subject Review (PRO, if applicable) on track 0%

Target: Apr 10, 2026 · 54d overdue · Theology/cultural or subject-matter pass
Proofreading on Pages (PRO) on track 0%

Target: Jun 14, 2026 · in 10d · Final typo/format pass by a pro on the laid-out pages
Book Trailer (optional) on track 10%

Target: Jun 30, 2026 · in 26d
Digital Files Final (EPUB/KF8) on track 0%

Target: Jun 30, 2026 · in 26d · Validated EPUB/KF8 exported from final layout
Interior Layout (print, PRO) on track 20%

Target: Jun 30, 2026 · in 26d · Professional typesetting from copyedited text + style sheet
Audiobook on track 0%

Target: Jan 31, 2027 · in 241d

Metadata & Distribution

ISBNs Secured & Core Metadata on track 80%

Target: Dec 31, 2025 · 154d overdue
Pre-order Pages Live on track 80%

Target: Jan 31, 2026 · 123d overdue
Distribution Setup (KDP &/or IngramSpark) on track 0%

Target: Jun 30, 2026 · in 26d · Title setups, trim/paper, proofs ordered/approved
Retail Metadata QA (final polish) on track 0%

Target: Jun 30, 2026 · in 26d · Blurb, BISACs, keywords, contributor lines, look-inside assets

Platform & Outreach

Social Media Promotion (ongoing) on track 60%

Target: Jun 30, 2025 · 338d overdue · Begin cadence once first draft is complete; ramp to launch
ARC Outreach on track 20%

Target: May 15, 2026 · 19d overdue · 30+ targeted reviewers; tracking sheet (pro tools OK)
Media/Podcast Outreach on track 0%

Target: May 25, 2026 · 9d overdue
Goodreads Page & Early Reviews on track 0%

Target: May 30, 2026 · 4d overdue
Author Website Polish on track 75%

Target: Jun 30, 2026 · in 26d · DIY: Home refresh, blog prominence, progress page
Blog Posts Added on track 53%

Target: Jun 30, 2026 · in 26d · Auto-updates based on post count (goal 30)
Email Welcome/Launch Sequence on track 40%

Target: Jun 30, 2026 · in 26d
Interviews Recorded on track 0%

Target: Jun 30, 2026 · in 26d
Press Kit Ready on track 50%

Target: Jul 31, 2026 · in 57d · Bio, synopsis, cover/interior shots, talking points
Signage & Promotion Assets on track 0%

Target: Aug 1, 2026 · in 58d · Event signage, postcards, banners (DIY or pro)
Study Guides & Notes on track 0%

Target: Oct 31, 2026 · in 149d · Reader discussion guide + small group notes (DIY or pro polish)
Merch Design & Storefront on track 5%

Target: Jan 31, 2027 · in 241d · DIY merch concepts; light storefront before pre-order

Launch

Aftercare

Editing

Developmental Edit - Big-picture structure, pacing, clarity.
Goal: a cohesive arc; cut/merge chapters; fix logic/pacing.

Deliverables: Editor memo + marked manuscript + revision plan.
Copyedit - Line-level grammar, usage, style, consistency.
Goal: clean, consistent voice and terminology.

Deliverables: Style sheet + tracked-changes manuscript.
Proofreading - Final typo/layout catches after interior layout.
Goal: no spelling/formatting glitches in print/EPUB.

Deliverables: Proof list + corrected print/EPUB files.

Design & Production

Distribution & Retail

Platform & Outreach