🦁 She Took Her Book Back—And We Took It to #1

How Suanne Schafer’s Rebrand of Hunting the Devil Became a Strategic, Soulful Relaunch

When award-winning author Suanne Schafer bought back the rights to her global political thriller Hunting the Devil, it wasn’t out of resignation—it was an act of reclamation.

She knew the book deserved more than the lackluster support it had received from her former publisher. And as headlines of modern genocides filled the news, her conviction grew louder than any past frustration: Hunting the Devil needed to rise again—this time with purpose, precision, and power behind it.

Together, we planned a full creative rebrand that respected the book’s emotional core while giving it a second life on shelves—just in time for the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, where the novel is set.

The Visual Glow-Up

The original cover, though well-intentioned, didn’t reflect the haunting scope or poetic grit of Suanne’s prose. We replaced it with a cover designed to immediately convey:

• The gravity of the setting and its themes
• A clear genre signal (international thriller with literary edge)
• A heroine’s emotional journey from trauma to power

“The cover is truly evocative of the book. I don’t know how Jaye incorporated the angst of war and the hope for the future.” —#1 Amazon Bestselling Author Suanne Schafer

The typography was rebuilt from scratch using distressed texture overlays and brushwork to evoke conflict and resilience. The skull motif, buried in a sea of roses—the official flower of Rwanda—gave visual weight to the story’s brutal honesty, while the golden light and wind-stirred dress reminded readers this was also a tale of love and survival.

A Timely Relaunch with a Purpose

Suanne’s decision to relaunch the book aligned with a powerful opportunity: the exact 100 days marking the 30-year remembrance of the genocide. We coordinated a rollout that included:

• A special edition eBook made free for the full 100 days
• A beautiful new print edition with the updated cover
• A revised Author’s Note contextualizing the book in today’s world
• Messaging that centered the call to global awareness

Instead of selling the story as “just” entertainment, we positioned it as a literary act of witness.

Results That Matter

• Hunting the Devil hit #1 Bestseller status on Amazon in African Literary Fiction
• Suanne reintroduced herself to her audience with a revived email list and buzz-worthy content
• The cover became a talking point—a visual ambassador for the book’s themes of loss, justice, and human resilience

A Roaring Success

With a bold new look, a powerful message, and the right strategic timing, Hunting the Devil climbed to #1 in African Historical Fiction on Amazon.
Suanne’s story—and her story’s story—finally got the spotlight it deserved.

Key Takeaway for All Authors:

Sometimes reclaiming your story means reclaiming your rights.

This case is a powerful reminder that traditional publishing isn’t always the golden ticket. Sometimes, an author’s clearest path forward is to take the wheel.

If your book has gone out of print, or never got the love it deserved, let’s talk. You might be a single cover and strategy away from your next breakthrough.

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