Publishers' time-lags

I've just been reading a press release about Transworld being thrilled to be publishing the debut novel by a brilliant author whose writing is utterly inspired and moving, blah-blah. Then I was stopped in my tracks by the next line, which said that they hoped to get the book out some time in 2014. And I was just thinking of shelling out and buying it.

Having whetted the appetite of trade and public alike, we now have to wait over a year for it? How ridiculous! Yet again, I am struck by how slowly the wheels of publishing creak along. No wonder more and more people are opting to self-publish and see their book in print within weeks, rather than years. After the thrill of bring offered a publishing contract, nothing is more disheartening for a writer than to be told they will have to wait at least eighteen months to see their book in print. This is the era of instant gratification. Celebrity memoirs can be rushed out, so why not novels? It doesn't make sense. It can't take that long to edit, proof-read and email the cover design and text to the printer. What do you think?