--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think I've learned over the years…" description: "\"I think I've learned over the years, because you'd have to be stupid not to, that when a book publisher gives you a deadline they're just kidding for t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc3/dave-barry-222_book_i-think-i-ve-learned-over-the-years-beca_2937172.jpg" --- # I think I've learned over the years, because you'd have to… ![“I think I've learned over the years, because you'd have to be stupid not to, that when a book publisher gives you a deadline they're just kidding for the most part. I don't know what they do with it, it's like you send them your book and they just hold it in their hands for like six months and I…” quote by Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc3/dave-barry-222_book_i-think-i-ve-learned-over-the-years-beca_2937172.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc3/dave-barry-222_book_i-think-i-ve-learned-over-the-years-beca_2937172.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc3/dave-barry-222_book_i-think-i-ve-learned-over-the-years-beca_2937172.jpg) > “I think I've learned over the years, because you'd have to be stupid not to, that when a book publisher gives you a deadline they're just kidding for the most part. I don't know what they do with it, it's like you send them your book and they just hold it in their hands for like six months and I don't know why, and you realize you probably had more time.” [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Publishers often give flexible deadlines, but writers may feel pressured, revealing the gap between expectations and reality. **In simple terms:** Deadlines are often flexible, but writers feel pressure. Key Takeaway Communicate clearly about timelines. Themes writing deadlines expectations communication stress Mood pragmatic lighthearted informative Type personal advice When to use this quote - book contracts - freelance writing - project planning - deadline negotiations Key Concepts publishing industry time management author‑publisher relations Questions to Reflect On - How can writers negotiate realistic timelines? - What strategies reduce deadline anxiety? A Different Perspective Pressure can cause unnecessary stress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [More time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more-time/) [Publishers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/publishers/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I always want to have time to experiment, and have transitional things, and have these weird non-songs, but usually the stuff I'm working on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-dessner/i-always-want-to-have-time-to-experiment-and-have-transitional-things/) [Aaron Dessner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-dessner/) > [A goal without a deadline is just a dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-vaz-oxlade/a-goal-without-a-deadline-is-just-a-dream/) Gail Vaz-Oxlade > [I don't read reviews any more, but I'm told by my publisher who gives me an account of what people have been writing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/i-don-t-read-reviews-any-more-but-i-m-told-by-my-publisher-who-gives/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [“The title will appear on your eBookshelf. 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