Timeline

Twelve months from contract

Months 1–3
Research & recruitment

Complete literature review across all three pillars; launch project website and survey; begin interview outreach.

Months 2–5
Primary research

Conduct 15–25 long-form interviews; close survey collection; 3–6 expert interviews; pitch a festival panel.

Months 4–7
Drafting: Chapters 1–5

Complete introduction and Chapters 2–5 (neuroscience, ADHD, autism/sensory, identification theory).

Months 7–10
Drafting: Chapters 6–10

Complete Chapters 6–9 (case studies, history, screenings, interview chapter) and conclusion.

Months 10–11
Revision & fact-checking

Full-manuscript revision; verify citations and interview quotes; permissions where needed.

Months 12–12
Delivery

Final manuscript delivered.

Suggested next steps
In the order the plan asks for
Read Morbidly Curious and Why Horror Seduces first — they define the current commercial and academic ceiling.
Send category D and E outreach first — participant recruitment takes the longest lead time.
Send category A and B outreach once the book can be described in two sentences.
Draft 2–3 sample chapters using Pillar 1–3 material plus completed interviews.
Pitch a festival panel around the same time as sample-chapter drafting.
Only after the proposal and sample chapters are strong, move to literary-agent queries.