Sample Timelines

The following includes two sample, generic timelines for a Facing Project from start to the book launch and LIVE event. We have seen projects take as few as four months to up to a year; the average is eight months. This all depends on the culture of your community or institution, as well as everything you plan to include within your Facing Project.

Minimum Timeline

Weeks 1 – 2:

Begin storyteller and writer recruitment
Begin working with the theatre to secure the space, and begin discussion about actors/readers

Weeks 3 – 8:

Have all writers and storytellers secured
Schedule a writer training with Kelsey and J.R.
Pair writers with storytellers (give them four to six weeks to have their meetings, get to know each other, and write the stories)

Weeks 9 – 10:

Stories to the editors (allow one week for them to get their edits back)
Stories back to the writers (allow one week for them to review their edits, accept the changes, and get approval from the storytellers)
Designer/design team begin the layout and design of the book (allow three weeks for the designer to share initial concepts, feedback from team, and then the finalization of the finished product)
Begin marketing the event six weeks prior

Weeks 11 – 13:

Have actors/readers secured
Allow up to three weeks for books to be printed and ready
Provide the stories to the actors at least four weeks prior to the event date
Develop a Facebook event page four weeks before the book launch and LIVE event

Weeks 14 – 16:

Create press releases and send out at least two weeks prior to the event

Week 16: Event Day/Week!

Eight-Month Timeline

Weeks 1 – 4:

Meet with potential partners for the project
Establish partnerships on the project
Begin scouting funding options to cover the cost of books and the LIVE event, etc.

Weeks 5 – 9:

Begin storyteller and writer recruitment
Begin working with the theatre to secure the space, and begin discussion about actors/readers

Weeks 10 – 14:

Have all writers and storytellers secured
Schedule a writer training with Kelsey and J.R.
Pair writers with storytellers (give them four to six weeks to have their meetings, get to know each other, and write the stories)

Weeks 15 – 19:

Stories to the editors (allow up to two weeks for them to get their edits back)
Stories back to the writers (allow up to two weeks for them to review their edits, accept the changes, and get approval from the storytellers)

Weeks 20 – 24:

Copyedits (one week)
Designer/design team begin the layout and design of the book (allow four weeks for the designer to share initial concepts, feedback from team, and then the finalization of the finished product)
Have actors/readers secured
Begin marketing the event six weeks prior

Weeks 25 – 29:

Allow up to three weeks for books to be printed and ready
Provide the stories to the actors at least four weeks prior to the event date
Develop a Facebook event page four weeks before the book launch and LIVE event
Create press releases and send out at least two weeks prior to the event

Week 30: Event Day/Week!

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But as we’ve said before and we’ll say it again, the book launch and LIVE event is just the beginning. The true work comes after the stories are released and conversations are started in the community. Check out the What’s Next? section of this Toolkit to begin mapping out your progress for the weeks after your book launch, and to learn what’s happened in other Facing communities.