Building a Strong Author Brand
July 12, 2026 by Denise M. Colby in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as Author Brand, author branding, building a brand, Denise M. ColbyOne of the things I enjoy about being an author is building a strong author brand. I love playing in this space and coming up with new ideas to create things to support my books.
What is Author Branding?
Author branding is identifying the unique promise you give to your readers. This can include your writing style, themes, your visuals, and your public identity. Readers want to know what they will get when they pick up one of your books.
To give you an idea, one of the things that is a part of my brand is journals and prayer journaling (every book has a journal entry before each chapter and I have a how to build a prayer journal website page – which gets the most clicks every month). Also a part of my brand is one-room schoolhouses (I have a website page on ones I visited) and schoolmarms.
My stories are set in the late 1860s and include schoolteachers and one-room schoolhouses. Learning about the specific rules they had to follow and what they were and weren’t allowed to do has given me plenty of material, as well as some interesting fodder for my stories and for writing blog posts to share the research I’ve gathered.
I can’t believe how much my branding has grown in the last two years.
Now that I have more than one book out, it’s been so much fun fine-tuning what I started with and building new graphics for my headers, posts, bookmarks, and stickers that support my stories, and give readers a flavor of what they would find when they read them.
Building an Author Brand
Knowing your audience is key to building an author brand that readers can connect with.
When I brainstormed my branding elements I came up with all sorts of ideas, colors, and feelings I wanted to convey, including using browns, blues, and off-white with accent colors of red, yellow, and green.
My covers and their colors tend to drive many of the graphics I’ve built, but I’ve found wood as a background theme to be the most complementary. I use both a dark wood and white-washed wood the most. One great idea is to find 12 x 12 scrapbook paper (that’s what the dark wood design is) and take pictures of things on it. Then you have a consistent background that’s inviting. I use the white-washed in most of my canva graphics. These have both worked out well.
Sometimes, I also will use a light color background to match my book covers when needed, and for my launch specific graphics, I’ve found finding a background that fits the setting and lighten it to work really well.
Building Branding Elements From Characters & Setting
For me, I’m writing western historical with one-room schoolhouses as a major setting point. This is part of my author brand. I created my logo to include a red one-room schoolhouse. I had someone ask if that’s limiting, but I’ve been using it now for about three years and if I continue this series it would be 2030 before I would even consider the next series and it still could have a one-room schoolhouse in it.
Also, one of the best things I did was create a memorable character I could build something around, including merchandise. Bert, my crazy rooster who resides in my small western town of Washton, has become my readers favorite. My son drew him for me and I have used that image in graphics and made stickers, buttons, keychains, and now a tshirt.
I also have a cool collection of rooster-oriented things friends have gifted me. The rooster on the table below was actually my mom’s. She had used it as decor, and I kept it, telling myself I would put it out once I published my first book. It was such a moment when I pulled it out. Now it sits stays out.
One of my other favorites is my rooster squish mellow. He goes with me to all my author events. Easy to pack and lightweight, he grabs attention. I’ve bought extra and gave them as launch team gifts and for drawings/giveaways.
Creating Materials from Themes
One of the other things I’ve created are Bible verse stickers that have the main theme verse per book on them. Now that I have four books, I have four stickers.
At my last two book signings, I gave the corresponding sticker along with the book they purchased. I also use these as giveaways in my newsletter. In the future I’d love to have a sticker shop to sell them, or to sell them at book signings, so if someone doesn’t want to buy a book, they may still make a purchase.
Speaking of book signings. I finally created a stand up banner and love how it came out. I designed it in Canva using all my author branding elements along with my book covers.
This easel poster was built to put at the front door of the book signing to capture interest right away.
I hope all of this gives you ideas of things you can do with to help build your author brand. Would love to hear your own ideas as well as thoughts about what I’ve shared in the comments below.
Denise loves to share about her writing journey (see all her posts here), including her word of the year (this year it is BALANCE), writing her Best-laid Plans Series, and all the things in between.
Denise M. Colby writes historical romance sweetened with faith, hope, and love. She finds history fascinating and contemplates often how it was to live in the 1800’s. Her debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, is a 2025 Carol Award finalist. Sign up for her newsletter at www.denisemcolby.com or follow Denise on Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, Pinterest, or GoodReads.
What Would You Say to Writers in Peri/Menopause? by Kitty Bucholtz
July 9, 2026 by Kitty Bucholtz in category It's Worth It by Kitty Bucholtz tagged as It's Worth It, Kitty Bucholtz, menopause, Perimenopause, writingHalf of the world will go through menopause at some point, and all of the world will see or feel the effects of it. I’m so grateful that I live during a time when we are finally taking menopause out of hiding and finding out how to help ourselves and each other through this phase. The only thing that would be better is if I lived during a time when I knew before it happened what the heck was going on!
To that end, I’m determined to help writers who are just figuring this out. I started writing a book to help writers going through perimenopause and menopause, but over time my doctors helped me even out and I was finally feeling myself a few weeks ago. After three years, but better late than never. I began to question whether I could finish the book when I felt so good…and then I found myself stuck in a worldwide estrogen shortage!
<insert crying and swearing and anxiety and depression and brain fog again>
The silver lining in finding my body and mind going backwards is that now I know I really do need to finish this book. So here’s my question for you: what do you think should be included?
Topics so far include:
* Know what perimenopause and menopause are so you can be prepared
* Learn all you can about how your body and mind are responding
* Understand how decreasing hormones could impact your mood and creativity
* Find ways to keep your creativity going during this time
* Learn how and when to give yourself grace when you need it
What else do you think should be included? I was thinking about men understanding the women in their lives (bosses, coworkers, family, friends), how husbands and wives can find a peaceful way to get through it together, resources from doctors, etc. Think about your experience, that of your friends, what people have wished they’d known. Please leave some comments! Forward this to your friends. I’d like to make this book as helpful as possible.
Tari Lynn Jewett: Featured Author
July 1, 2026 by Tari Jewett in category Charmed Writer by Tari Lynn Jewett, Featured Author of the Month tagged as #Charmed Writers, #FireworksintheFog, #HeromsaForTheHolidays, #PleaseSayYes, Love and Mud Puddles, romantic comedy, Tari Lynn Jewett
Tari Lynn Jewett lives with her husband of nearly thirty years (also known as Hunky Hubby). They have three amazing sons, a board game designer, a sound engineer and a musician. For over fifteen years she wrote freelance for magazines and newspapers, wrote television commercials, radio spots, numerous press releases, and many, MANY PTA newsletters. As much as she loved writing those things, she always wanted to write fiction . . . and now she is.
She also believes in happily ever after . . . because she’s living hers.
One of Tari’s newest title is Love and Mud Puddles, available now.
Hannah loves her accounting job, the condo that she purchased herself, and her best friend Melinda. What she doesn’t love is baking. To be fair, she’s never tried. But when her cousin shames her into bringing homemade cookies to the family Christmas Eve celebration, she begins a quest to make the perfect holiday cookie.
Paramedic Josh also occasionally teaches kids’ cookie baking classes at his family’s bakery. When a beautiful accountant mistakenly signs up for a children’s holiday baking class, he realizes immediately that she’s in the right place.
Can this local hero help to save Hannah’s Christmas? Or will it all go up in smoke?
Tari’s other Books
A Trip of One’s Own
June 30, 2026 by Dianna Sinovic in category Quill and Moss by Dianna Sinovic, Writing tagged as mystery, Road Trip, short fiction, vacations, writing
The cereal poured from the spout so quickly it overflowed Marie’s bowl and fell to the tile floor in the breakfast bar. She and Todd were on the second day of their summer vacation, and bar was a stretch. Other early risers crowded past her, their shoes crunching on the small O’s she’d spilled. She barely had room to turn around to find the milk. Meanwhile, Todd ignored her for his phone, doom scrolling through the morning news.
She plopped her bowl down on the high-top table, this time causing the milk to splash.
“Are you eating this morning?” Marie sipped her large coffee, glad for the caffeine, eager for the jump start it promised.
Her husband waved a hand, not looking up “Later. I hardly slept last night. The traffic noise, your snoring.” He finally glanced at her, with a scowl. “And you have to drag me out of bed at this ridiculous hour.”
The cereal had already gone limp in Marie’s bowl; she suspected it was an off-brand.
“We agreed that we would visit the Frederic Church house today.” She was not going to let Todd ruin the trip, ruin this precious time away from their cramped twin in Frenchtown and the Ginmans next door, whose three dogs never stopped barking. The rustic hotel along U.S. Route 9 had looked inviting in the photos posted online. Reality proved different. Small was an understatement.
“I’ll just wait in the car when we get there,” Todd growled. “You like that cultural stuff. You know I don’t.”
Fifteen years with this grouch. Had he always been this way? Her mother’s words, whispered in her ear as she adjusted the flounce on Marie’s wedding dress: Enjoy this while you can.
Once upon a time, she did. But now . . .
A hotel staffer appeared at Todd’s elbow and speaking in low tones requested that he report to the front desk. There was an issue.
“What’s wrong?” Marie asked. Todd’s clothes were strewn around their room, but that was nothing new. She would tidy up, as she always did, before they departed. Checkout wasn’t until Sunday.
The staffer ignored her. Todd grimaced, muttering under his breath, but followed the hotel rep away from the breakfast nook. Every table (there were only five) was filled, and the line for the coffee urns wound its way out to the lobby.
After twenty minutes and no return of Todd, Marie tossed her trash in the receptacle and went in search of him. She wanted to spend the day at the Church house and studio. She loved the artist’s glorious landscapes, even if all she could afford was a print of his Marine Sunset she had framed at Michaels with a discount coupon.
Todd was not at the front desk, which was unmanned. Aside from those in the coffee line, the lobby was empty.
“Hello?” She waited a moment, hit the brass bell on the counter, but no one appeared to help her. She fumbled for her cell phone and tapped on Todd’s number. The call went straight to voicemail. Had he returned to their room and fallen asleep?
Marie strode back to the room, steeling herself against his ongoing complaints. Like the lobby, though, the room was empty of Todd. Empty of his clothes too.
“Where the hell is he?” She was ready to head out without him. He could just stew for the day, hang out at the hotel, walk to the strip of small retail businesses across the road. She would savor an outing without his dark mood coloring every moment.
Back in the lobby, she stopped again at the desk. The staffer was the same one who had fetched Todd earlier.
“My husband, Todd Slifer,” Marie said. “He never returned to breakfast.”
“Breakfast?” The staffer’s eyebrows rose. “Perhaps he’s gone to your room?”
Marie sighed, the morning slipping away. “You summoned him to the desk. He’s not in the room or in the lobby. What was the issue?”
The staffer turned to his screen. “There must be some misunderstanding, Ms. …”
“Slifer.” Marie allowed her foot to tap out her impatience on the lobby tiles. This was vintage Todd, playing passive-aggressive when he didn’t want to do something she wanted. “Room 265.”
He tapped a few keys. When he looked up, she took a step back.
“Ma’am,” he said, with a slight shake of his head. “The room is booked for a single occupant, you. The room rate is good for two people, if your husband has come along. Shall I add his name?”
The lobby walls seemed to shift, and she grabbed the edge of the counter to keep from falling. “Are you saying that you did not drop by our breakfast table earlier and ask my husband to accompany you?”
“No,” he said. “I haven’t left the desk since I came on at seven.”
“Thanks.” Had he winked at her? Marie straightened up and pulled her purse higher on her shoulder. “You’re right. A misunderstanding.”
She wouldn’t look too hard for Todd, now or later. The tour of the Frederic Church house awaited her.
More of Dianna’s Stories
Do You Believe in Magic?
June 28, 2026 by Alina K. Field in category Quarter Days by Alina K. Field tagged as Bluestocking Belles, fantasy, paranormal fiction, Regency romance, romantasy, Speculative FictionApologies if the post title triggers a Loving Spoonful earworm!
The Magic of Books
It’s Midsummer and I’ve been thinking a lot about magical stories.
Paranormal, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Romantasy, not to mention all the Star Wars-type stories. Have you read any? Do you have a preference?
My daughter is currently working her way through Rebecca Yarros’ Romantasy series. With a busy mom’s schedule, it’s been a slow go snatching time to read those lo-o-ng books.
Being an anglophile and writer of Regency-set romance, I like a familiar fantasy world, like Regency-era England, albeit populated with magical creatures and occurrences.
His Majesty’s Dragon, by Naomi Novik, is a speculative fiction story with talking dragons who fight for their respective armies in the Napoleonic wars. Not a romance, but fascinating and well-done. Another book I loved is Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, by Heather Fawcett. The story world is not Regency England, but there is a romance angle and there are lots of magical beings.
Among my Regency romance writer friends, Barbara Monajem has some beautiful stories with ghosts and paranormal creatures; Meara Platt has a Regency Dragon Shifter series; and Jude Knight has just launched Unexpected Magic, the first book in an alternative Regency world Romantasy series.
Magic in the Works
Precognition has played a role in my Macbeth series, but this fall I’ll be releasing my first actual ghost story, The Duke, the Diamond, and the Ghastly Ghoul, appearing in Moonlight Madness, a Bluestocking Belles Collection. I’ll tell you more about that in my September post here.
There’s more magic coming from the authors of the Bluestocking Belles. We’ve launched a multi-author series called Forevers in Fenwick, a stand-alone romance arriving each month (except for the months when we release a collection of stories). All of the stories take place in the fictional town of Fenwick on Sea, which was the setting for the Storm & Shelter collection from the Belles. And there’s magic, or at least a rumor of it: a fae blessing upon the well water leads to finding one’s true love.
The talented Elizabeth Donne starts off the series with The Legend Begins.
After this year’s Moonlight Madness collection, the Belles have more stories coming in June 2027, all set in a magical part of England, the Lake District. I’ll tell you more about that later in the year.
Dragons or Fairies?
What’s your preference? Do you have a recommendation? Tell me about it in the comments!
Until next Quarter Day, happy reading, and enjoy the rest of the summer!
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LA NOCHE BEFORE THREE KINGS DAY
La Noche Before Three Kings Day is a perfect holiday tale.
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MIDNIGHT MADNESS
As if Olivia Merriman doesn’t have enough to do in her beloved town of New Moon Beach, now her grouchy great-grandmother has recruited her to head up their coven of witches; her sisters are miffed, the coven is pushing her to accept the job, and to top it all off an evil wizard is messing with her love life.
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