How long does it take to write a book?

It took me around 2 years to write Measuring Up. Then it took another year to edit, polish and publish.  I could probably write a book much faster if I didn’t have to go to work!

This question is a bit like asking “how long is a piece of string”?  Every writer has a different process for writing and has a different amount of time they can devote to their writing.  A publisher (Allen & Unwin) has asked me to expand an essay I’ve written for Griffith Review and I have a year to submit that draft.  After that, there will be six months of editing, polishing and publishing.