Éditions duCabinet Noir

Guidance for authors

Guidelines for
our genres.

Seven genres, one shared identity. Here you will find the design principles for each genre, together with editorial guidance to help shape your project.

These guidelines concern the presentation of our collections: you do not need to design a cover or add colour to your manuscript. The final cover is developed with the publisher to suit each book.

A story can span several genres. Its classification is discussed on the basis of the text, without imposing a narrative formula.

Our planned “Let’s create your novel” service focuses on historical fiction. The inclusion of other genres in these guidelines does not mean that a writing service is available for them.

Our shared foundation

A light background, legible dark text, headings in upright roman type and a gold accent: each genre retains the visual hallmarks of Cabinet Noir. The secondary colours below complement the main palette; they form a proposed visual identity, subject to the publisher’s approval.

Historical fiction

Novels rooted in a particular period, balancing historical context with the creative freedom of fiction.

Visual identity

Symbol: ornamental leaf. Palette: black, anthracite and charcoal.

Anthracite · #242320Charcoal · #55534F

The main colour identifies the collection; the secondary shade complements details and illustrations. The symbol provides a visual reference on the website and in cover designs.

Guidance for your writing

Establish the period and setting clearly; research the key facts and make clear where you have taken creative liberties.

Talk to us about your project →

We are developing a writing service for historical fiction. Contact us to find out more.

Crime and thriller

Investigations, suspense, crime stories and noir fiction.

Visual identity

Symbol: magnifying glass. Palette: ochre and dark gold.

Ochre · #946d10Dark gold · #C9A650

The main colour identifies the collection; the secondary shade complements details and illustrations. The symbol provides a visual reference on the website and in cover designs.

Guidance for your writing

Build a coherent investigation or sustained tension; give careful thought to clues, motives and the resolution.

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Adventure

Journeys, exploration, trials and stories driven by action.

Visual identity

Symbol: pennant. Palette: burnt orange and copper.

Burnt orange · #BD491BCopper · #CC8553

The main colour identifies the collection; the secondary shade complements details and illustrations. The symbol provides a visual reference on the website and in cover designs.

Guidance for your writing

Connect the action, obstacles and characters’ choices; make places and journeys believable.

Talk to us about your project →

Science fiction and dystopia

Possible futures, alternative societies and speculative visions.

Visual identity

Symbol: star. Palette: cobalt blue and glacier blue.

Cobalt blue · #225BB5Glacier blue · #98C8EE

The main colour identifies the collection; the secondary shade complements details and illustrations. The symbol provides a visual reference on the website and in cover designs.

Guidance for your writing

Define your world’s rules and the consequences of technological or social change, and keep them consistent.

Talk to us about your project →

Fantasy

Imagined worlds, magic and quests.

Visual identity

Symbol: tower. Palette: forest green and emerald.

Forest green · #247044Emerald · #47836C

The main colour identifies the collection; the secondary shade complements details and illustrations. The symbol provides a visual reference on the website and in cover designs.

Guidance for your writing

Establish rules for the world and its magic; develop the stakes of the quest and the characters’ motivations.

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The uncanny and supernatural

The strange or supernatural intrudes into a familiar world.

Visual identity

Symbol: moon. Palette: amethyst purple and mauve.

Amethyst purple · #89349BMauve · #C59AD6

The main colour identifies the collection; the secondary shade complements details and illustrations. The symbol provides a visual reference on the website and in cover designs.

Guidance for your writing

Convey the shift from the familiar to the strange; choose and sustain the degree of supernatural ambiguity.

Talk to us about your project →

Contemporary lives

Life stories, relationships and novels grounded in the contemporary world.

Visual identity

Symbol: diamond. Palette: burgundy and dusky rose.

Burgundy · #A32B48Dusky rose · #B78083

The main colour identifies the collection; the secondary shade complements details and illustrations. The symbol provides a visual reference on the website and in cover designs.

Guidance for your writing

Create fully realised characters and believable relationships, and let their lives unfold with emotional depth.

Talk to us about your project →

Back to our publishing vision →
Cabinet Noir
Volume I

Le Registre des Ombres — Volume I will be published in French and English. The publication date of the English edition is to be confirmed. The English extract is a sample translation prepared for this website.

In this extract, livres and sols are units of historical French currency.

End of extract

Le Registre des Ombres · Jean-Christophe Viseur

Éditions du Cabinet Noir — Authorised documents can be downloaded using their PDF buttons. For any other reproduction, please contact us.