Case Study
Vixen, Raven, Lamb — Anne Hope
This is a dark, epic, character-driven fantasy set in the fractured kingdom of Arvensia, where
a single murder triggers a long spiral of vengeance, political manoeuvring, and forbidden love. The inciting crime—Lord Torin Carradine’s murder—leads Antheia (“The Vixen”) to frame Lord Marcus Varenicus, while Sabine (a slave who knows the truth) and Kenneth (the
stable groom) risk everything under a regime of fear and brutality.
The author positions the novel as immersive, atmospheric and emotionally intense—exploring power, loyalty, cruelty, justice, and hope in the shadows.
The challenge
For a debut dark fantasy, “professional” isn’t just clean grammar. The book needs:
- Genre-credible packaging (cover + typography) that signals tone and readership instantly
- A smooth reader experience in both paperback and Kindle (different formatting rules)
- A launch setup that doesn’t stumble at the last mile—because Amazon publishing is precise, and small issues can lead to rejected files or poor previews
- An author platform that supports press enquiries and long-tail discovery beyond a single retailer
What we delivered (start to finish)
For this title, Dave Palmer Consulting handled the full publishing journey:
Editing
(voice-preserving clarity, flow, pacing)
Proofreading
(final quality-control pass before publication)
Interior formatting
for print + Kindle (two distinct reading experiences)
Bespoke cover design
(built to feel “bookshop-ready” and platform-compliant)
Amazon KDP setup + upload
for paperback print-on-demand and Kindle
Website build
(author hub, buy pathways, newsletter capture, credibility)
Printing support
for physical stock alongside POD options
Our process
(how it ran end-to-end)
1) Discovery → a clear roadmap
We began with a consultative kickoff to align the publishing plan with the author’s goals and the book’s positioning—then mapped the stages so nothing was left to guesswork. Our process is built around tailoring the workflow to the author (not forcing a one-size-fits-all package), with clear communication throughout.
2) Editorial polish that protects tone
The manuscript’s tone is intentionally dark and emotionally high-stakes—political betrayal, moral complexity, and intimate human costs. Our editorial work focused on sharpening clarity and momentum while preserving the author’s atmospheric voice.
3) Formatting for paperback and Kindle (properly)
We created professional interior files for print, and a separate Kindle-appropriate version—because ebook formatting is not the same as print formatting, and getting this wrong can damage the reader experience and complicate upload.
4) Cover design built to sell in seconds
The cover is the first “signal” to readers—especially online where it’s often seen as a small thumbnail. Our cover design approach is bespoke (not template-driven) and built to sit confidently alongside traditionally published titles.
5) KDP launch: planned, compliant submission (POD + Kindle)
We handled the KDP workflow for paperback POD and Kindle so the listing and files were prepared correctly and submitted cleanly. The key here is planning—Amazon’s systems are automated, and avoidable mistakes can cause delays or quality issues.
6)Website build: direct sales + press + longevity
The author site supports the broader ecosystem around the book: a newsletter sign-up, contact routes, and a dedicated Press & Contact area for media and event invitations.
This aligns with our view that publishing is “just the beginning,” and a strong online presence helps readers, bloggers, and journalists quickly understand and trust the work.
7) Print strategy alongside POD
Alongside POD availability, we supported print requirements for authors who want physical stock for direct sales, signings, or local outreach—using author-friendly quantities and delivery options.
Result:
A fully professional, multi-format release—paperback (POD) + Kindle—supported by a dedicated book/author website designed for visibility, press enquiries, and ongoing reader engagement.
Let’s Create Something Beautiful
We’d love to design a cover that does your story justice.
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