My first book, Baghdaddy, is now edited and approaching the second to last phase of its pre-publication review with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
I’m a big fan of pre-publication review. Even though it can be a pain in the ass and they do take time. I work hard to make sure my story locations and descriptions don’t compromise important mission details, trade-craft, or individuals. So, a pre-pub review is a vital cross check to make sure that nothing compromising is inadvertently missed. Compromised classified information can absolutely cost the lives of people working to protect us. Inadvertent compromise can and does negatively impact sensitive negotiations and our relationships with other countries. Compromises can cost us taxpayers billions of dollars by tainting methods of collection or the sources we use to maintain our edge and protect our citizens. Our sources and methods are rare, often irreplaceable, and put in place at great risk and expense.
I’m true believer in transparency in government and honoring my word to protect classified information. I believe you can do both. None of the folks I’ve met, who tell me everyone has a right to know everything, has ever really been in harm’s way, so far down range, isolated from support, and surrounded by probable enemies that a single word or gesture can make someone who doesn’t really trust you help you, or put a bullet in the back of your head. I have. It motivates me to be true to my word.
I was reorganizing my office yesterday to get it ready for my next book and I found the folder with all my non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). It was more than an inch thick. NDAs are contracts where the government agrees to grant you access to specific types of classified information in exchange for your assurance that you will protect that classified information appropriately and in perpetuity. One of the stipulations for receiving classified information is that if you later want to publish anything it must be reviewed by the agency that granted you clearance, or ODNI if you’ve worked for them or with multiple intelligence agencies.
Sometimes pre-pub review is a simple read through and citation check. Other times it’s a bit more involved. Major parts of my novel Baghdaddy take place as part of military and intelligence operations across the Middle East and my review has been more involved, but with a little luck the rest of my chapters will be released by the end of August.
If you’re an author or public speaker and you signed an NDA allow extra time before to your schedule for pre-publication review. There can be significant consequences if you don’t.
This was my first time going through the process and I underestimated the amount of time required for my book. It looks like my review will take four months vice the four-week example listed on the website, but I worked with ODNI and they quickly released my first seven chapters and approved my pitch so I could meet with literary agents while the rest of my book was under review.
If you’re unsure what your pre-publication requirements are, as NDAs sometimes just say you will do a thing, not how to do it; check with your service, parent agency, or ODNI. Usually you can search your agency and find the right website with instructions. These are ODNI’s pre-publication requirements.
Publishing is a twisted path. More to follow. Visit me at www.billrileyauthor.com.