Reviews & case studies

Real Author Case Studies

Detailed write-ups from recent author engagements — scope, timeline, deliverables, and outcome.

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Case studies

Recent author engagements

Business / Authority

The Authority Playbook

by Marcus R.

Starting point: 62,000-word draft, no cover, no formatting, no publishing account experience.
Services used: Line edit, copyedit, cover design, eBook + paperback formatting, Amazon KDP setup.
Timeline: 11 weeks from kickoff to live on KDP.
Deliverables: Edited manuscript (tracked changes + clean), 6×9 paperback PDF, reflowable EPUB, print + eBook cover files, KDP listing assets (description, keywords, categories).
Outcome: Published under the author's own KDP account. Author retained full rights and 100% of royalties. Used the book as a lead magnet for his consulting practice.

“I came in with a manuscript and no idea how KDP worked. They handled the edit, designed a cover that actually matched the tone of the book, and walked me through the publishing setup on a screen-share. I kept full rights and full royalties.”
— Marcus R., Business / Authority

Memoir

The Long Way Home

by Eleanor V.

Starting point: Completed 78,000-word memoir that had been shelved for six years. Wanted both Amazon and bookstore-orderable availability.
Services used: Developmental editorial assessment, developmental edit, copyedit, proofread, hardcover + paperback cover, interior typesetting, IngramSpark setup.
Timeline: 18 weeks including two developmental revision passes.
Deliverables: Hardcover with French flap design, 5.5×8.5 paperback, print-ready interior, IngramSpark title setup with metadata, marketing copy.
Outcome: Available for order through any bookstore in the US via Ingram's catalog. Author retained rights and royalties; ISBN registered in her own name.

“They gave me an honest editorial assessment first, then did the developmental edit, designed a hardcover I'm genuinely proud of, and set up IngramSpark so the book could be ordered through bookstores. Transparent every step.”
— Eleanor V., Memoir

Children's picture book (ages 3–6)

Pip and the Tiny Star

by Hannah B.

Starting point: Previously self-published children's book that wasn't selling. Cover looked amateur, trim size was wrong for the category, illustrations were inconsistent.
Services used: Book relaunch — illustration coordination for 14 spreads, cover redesign, trim-size correction, KDP republish under existing account.
Timeline: 9 weeks.
Deliverables: 14 watercolor spread illustrations, new cover, corrected 8.5×8.5 trim, updated KDP listing, A+ content layout recommendations.
Outcome: Book republished cleanly on the author's KDP account. Author learned exactly what had gone wrong the first time and how to avoid it going forward.

“They re-illustrated the spreads, redesigned the cover, fixed the trim size, and republished it cleanly on my account. I finally understand what went wrong the first time.”
— Hannah B., Children's picture book (ages 3–6)

Literary fiction (debut novel)

Salt and Smoke

by Daniel O.

Starting point: 94,000-word literary fiction debut, manuscript ready for line edit but no design or publishing plan.
Services used: Line edit, copyedit, proofread, cover design, paperback interior formatting, Amazon KDP setup.
Timeline: 14 weeks.
Deliverables: Edited manuscript, 5×8 paperback interior, eBook formatting, print + eBook cover, KDP listing assets, launch checklist.
Outcome: Debut released on Amazon KDP. Author retained full rights, full royalties, and full creative control of the cover and interior.

“The cover finally matched what the book actually felt like. The line edit was thoughtful — they questioned the right things without rewriting my voice. The whole process was calm and well-organized.”
— Daniel O., Literary fiction (debut novel)

Author names abbreviated to protect privacy. Engagement summaries are shared with author permission.

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