I'm finding your posts so helpful, Karin, as I build my own Substack and obsess over the details. As a "mature" writer, it's nice to learn about your success. Thanks for sharing your journey and your wisdom!
Many thanks for the article. I found it quite insightful.
I think for some authors, it might help to think of genre as a stepping stone that may eventually be used to help establish a singular identity. The rules of genre can function as tools for developing authors, and encourage practice. The danger, I suppose, lies with an author becoming too comfortable at this stage, and consequently refusing to push her/himself to transcend.
Great post. You are right that finding your author brand can take time. I've been publishing since 2013 and I definitely still feel like I'm figuring it out!
Karin, thanks for sharing the concept of “author brand” in a more authentic way than just marketing an image that we wish to project because it’s popular right now or worked for someone else.
I’m an introvert like most authors and while I’m not shy I want to come across as who I really am. I’m constantly trying to get better at that. My goal is to share what excites me and locate the audience that resonates with. Mostly I just keep showing up every week through my science fiction newsletter. Sometimes it connects and generates conversations and sometimes it doesn’t. I just try again next week. Each time I share another glimpse into who I am and what I care about.
Really excellent and relevant for me write now: Had a thought for one line in your reframe: "Women are distinctly magical, powerful creatures, but they must deprogram from societal expectations and embrace their powers.
I'm saving this newsletter from you as I approach a reframing for myself in my crime fiction. I'm tired of plot as the expected driver for detective crime fiction. I'm writing the Nick Bradner series to be character-driven, centered on Nick's unexpected journey of transformation at the level of soul over several books. Calling the new subgenre (for now) transformational detective fiction or transformational mystery.
Amazing article, so full of wise advice. I love that why-fit-in graphic, too. On another topic the quote about how you can change someone by either manipulating them or inspiring them, that’s so true for our characters, too.
Hi Karin: Your list of films is nearly 100% my ideal...add in Moonstruck, When Harry Met Sally, and The Thomas Crowne Affair and it would be spot on. I'm definitely one of your target audience members! This is the kind of reader I write for, as well.
What do you think of the Mel Robbins controversy? I stumbled upon some coverage of the origins of Let Them. It's disappointing this isn't being covered in the wider media even as her book shoots up to #1 on the lists.
The reason the controversy caught my attention is I'm intrigued by stories that explore intellectual property, creativity, and who profits from an idea. In fact, my first mystery novel (written in 2015 on Wattpad, trad pubbed in 2023) involves an academic plagiarism case when a MFA student accuses his mentor professor of stealing and publishing his fantasy novel manuscript. My female P.I. is struggling to build her own investigation business and navigate her relationships, so it melds women's fic and mystery about 50/50. I'll continue that but also plan on some women's fic without the mystery, as well.
I love When Harry Met Sally!. I hadn't heard about the controversy but I love the premise of your novel. Have you read the Plot? It mines similar territory and it's a favorite of mine.
Yes, I loved The Plot. And YELLOWFACE. I was happy to discover them and very much enjoyed reading them. The reason I wrote that storyline was because in 2015 Wattpad’s young writers/readers were very concerned about people “stealing their ideas.” Of course, some people DID do that. There were hundreds of Harry Styles fan fics at the time, lol. And many Wattpad books DID end up being stolen by pirate book sites. (And now, of course, Meta stole all the books on pirate sites to train their AI.) Anyway, I never really thought a big-name person would actually do something even close, but the MR thing snuggles right up to the line, if true.
I'm finding your posts so helpful, Karin, as I build my own Substack and obsess over the details. As a "mature" writer, it's nice to learn about your success. Thanks for sharing your journey and your wisdom!
You're welcome, Martha. It's my pleasure. Good luck wth the SS. I'll check it out.
Thanks! First post should be up tomorrow :)
Loved this - very useful
Thanks, Joanna.
This is an excellent deep dive into what makes an author brand. It's the kind of post I need to help me focus down to what matters. Thank you.
Thank you, Robert. I'm delighted you found it helpful.
Many thanks for the article. I found it quite insightful.
I think for some authors, it might help to think of genre as a stepping stone that may eventually be used to help establish a singular identity. The rules of genre can function as tools for developing authors, and encourage practice. The danger, I suppose, lies with an author becoming too comfortable at this stage, and consequently refusing to push her/himself to transcend.
Agreed. Authentic branding always involves risk and amy people are tempted to cling to the familiar. Me included.
Great post. You are right that finding your author brand can take time. I've been publishing since 2013 and I definitely still feel like I'm figuring it out!
I can relate.
Karin, thanks for sharing the concept of “author brand” in a more authentic way than just marketing an image that we wish to project because it’s popular right now or worked for someone else.
I’m an introvert like most authors and while I’m not shy I want to come across as who I really am. I’m constantly trying to get better at that. My goal is to share what excites me and locate the audience that resonates with. Mostly I just keep showing up every week through my science fiction newsletter. Sometimes it connects and generates conversations and sometimes it doesn’t. I just try again next week. Each time I share another glimpse into who I am and what I care about.
Looking forward to your next post on this topic.
YES! Your excitement is contagious and you pass it on to readers. So it sounds like you’re doing exactly the right thing.
Everyone has a feel good brand. Mine's kinda the opposite. I might be sunk : )
Really excellent and relevant for me write now: Had a thought for one line in your reframe: "Women are distinctly magical, powerful creatures, but they must deprogram from societal expectations and embrace their powers.
I'm saving this newsletter from you as I approach a reframing for myself in my crime fiction. I'm tired of plot as the expected driver for detective crime fiction. I'm writing the Nick Bradner series to be character-driven, centered on Nick's unexpected journey of transformation at the level of soul over several books. Calling the new subgenre (for now) transformational detective fiction or transformational mystery.
Thoughts?
I love that, Mark! That's exactly the type of branding that will resonate with people.
Amazing article, so full of wise advice. I love that why-fit-in graphic, too. On another topic the quote about how you can change someone by either manipulating them or inspiring them, that’s so true for our characters, too.
Thanks, Ada. So true regarding characters.
Thanks, Karin! Your posts always hit the spot. J
Thanks, Jan.
Hi Karin: Your list of films is nearly 100% my ideal...add in Moonstruck, When Harry Met Sally, and The Thomas Crowne Affair and it would be spot on. I'm definitely one of your target audience members! This is the kind of reader I write for, as well.
What do you think of the Mel Robbins controversy? I stumbled upon some coverage of the origins of Let Them. It's disappointing this isn't being covered in the wider media even as her book shoots up to #1 on the lists.
The reason the controversy caught my attention is I'm intrigued by stories that explore intellectual property, creativity, and who profits from an idea. In fact, my first mystery novel (written in 2015 on Wattpad, trad pubbed in 2023) involves an academic plagiarism case when a MFA student accuses his mentor professor of stealing and publishing his fantasy novel manuscript. My female P.I. is struggling to build her own investigation business and navigate her relationships, so it melds women's fic and mystery about 50/50. I'll continue that but also plan on some women's fic without the mystery, as well.
I love When Harry Met Sally!. I hadn't heard about the controversy but I love the premise of your novel. Have you read the Plot? It mines similar territory and it's a favorite of mine.
Yes, I loved The Plot. And YELLOWFACE. I was happy to discover them and very much enjoyed reading them. The reason I wrote that storyline was because in 2015 Wattpad’s young writers/readers were very concerned about people “stealing their ideas.” Of course, some people DID do that. There were hundreds of Harry Styles fan fics at the time, lol. And many Wattpad books DID end up being stolen by pirate book sites. (And now, of course, Meta stole all the books on pirate sites to train their AI.) Anyway, I never really thought a big-name person would actually do something even close, but the MR thing snuggles right up to the line, if true.