Ever wonder what happens to a manuscript once it’s acquired by a publishing house? I mean like, how the design is put together and who makes all the little decisions?

Well, strap in guys, gals, and non-binary pals—here’s one man’s recap of how a manuscript was turned into a book.

Two days after my publishing deal became official, my agent Allison and I received a welcome letter from Lauren, my editor.

(I had an editor!)

The welcome letter laid out the editing agenda, to take place during Summ...