Conquering the world means being extremely busy. Between deathrays and creating a robot army, I want to make sure I can fit you into my schedule. Whether your project is due next week or next year, I want to ensure that there’s time. Actionables during this stage:

• Check for availability
• Sign contracts
• Pay initial deposit

The start of any evil masterplan is all about the back and forth between author and Villain. Every design has a personality and I want to make sure that we’re pushing your project in the correct direction. Actionables during this stage:

• Fill out the Design Brief
• Look at genre trends
• Pitch ideas & concepts

This is when I turn into the Villain and get to work on my nefarious design. I make sure the author gets a chance to see and collaborate before finalizing the project. Actionables during this stage:

• Research your archnemesis
• Retrieve stock images & fonts
• Create some cover chaos

What’s better than a tyrannical team-up? We’ll rough out your design until we find a comfortable stopping point and shoot it over to you for feedback. Don’t worry, you can’t hurt my feelings, I’m a villain afterall. Actionables during this stage:

• Get feedback from the author
• Revise. Revise. Revise.

It’s time to execute that sinister design. After finalizing the cover, I send the publishable files to the author so you can begin selling like a Villain. Actionables during this stage:

• Finalize last minute changes
• Prep assets for delivery
• Pay outstanding balances

Go out into the world, and share the new shiny cover. Scream from your secret lair and stand as the ruler of your domain. Actionables during this stage:

• We celebrate a new cover
• World Domination Not Required (But Encouraged)