---
type: Process
title: How a book moves through the studio
description: Eight human approval gates from manuscript to market.
resource: https://latitude34publishing.com/how-we-work
status: stable
updated: "2026-10-09"
tags: [process, approval-gates, editing, publishing]
---

# How a book moves through the studio

At each stage AI tools prepare the work and a person makes the call before anything moves forward.

1. **Manuscript accepted** - assessed, then accepted or declined by a person.
2. **Developmental edit** - structure, flow and clarity; direction approved by a person.
3. **Copy edit** - grammar, style and consistency; final text signed off by a person.
4. **Cover and design** - cover, layout and any artwork; look approved by a person.
5. **Metadata and ISBN** - categories, keywords, description and ISBN checked as one package.
6. **Publication** - live only after final human approval.
7. **Launch posts and emails** - each live post and email approved first.
8. **Rights and licensing** - offers made only with human approval.

## Working with the studio

Get in touch, scoping chat, written quote, agreement, production with review checkpoints, then publication. As a guide, a straightforward ebook takes about 3-5 weeks from an accepted manuscript and a full launch with paperback about 5-8 weeks. No approval gate is skipped to hit a date.

See also [AI and transparency](ai-transparency.md).