CREATING YOUR AUTHOR BRAND: Who Are You? What is Your Center?

In this vast world of Authordom, many young writers and authors seek to make their mark on history, or at least have their work featured on someone's bookshelf. But...how? How can we make our mark when there are so many of us? When there are so many authors who claim to love coffee, dragons, Jesus, and so on? When what everyone sees is the same thing?

In a world with so many authors where your work and brand can get buried underneath a bejllion other authors doing "the same thing," how can you stand out? How can you possibly let other people know you are different? That your books are different and worth their time and love?

Whelp, that is what we are going to cover today. Drawing on my personal experience of discovering my niche in Authordom, as well as the wisdom of my elders and betters, we will take a brief journey together through how both authors and other businesses stand out and make their mark.

And yes, we will use a quote from Rise of the Guardians to do it.

WHO ARE YOU?

Who are you, Jack Frost? What is your center?

- Santa Claus, The Rise of the Guardians

Yes, it is the quote Santa Claus said to a confused Jack Frost near the beginning of the movie Rise of the Guardians. However, it can't be a more perfect question that every author should ask themselves. First, let's begin with:

"Who am I?"

And no, this isn't talking about likes and dislikes. This isn't the whole "coffee and dragon lover" surface-level question. This is asking who you are, at the very core. One easy way to answer this question is to ask these two follow-up questions.

1. How do you describe yourself?

2. How do the people closest to you describe you?

   
   

Personally, having pondered this question after it was asked of me, I've concluded that I'm a wacky, crazy, bubbly yet introverted, do-da-do (my family's way of saying I get easily lost in my own little world and don't pay attention).

I am known to make people laugh, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and am also known for being laid-back and chill in dire situations. Oh, and accident-prone. So very accident-prone. Strangers call me an adorable little sweetheart. Coworkers have all said they love to hear my laugh. My bosses say I'm a hard worker.

But why does this matter?

Well, your brand as an author is YOU. The uniqueness that can set you apart is quite literally yourself. Readers, and people in general, are drawn to authenticity. Obviously, you don't need to show them the deepest parts of yourself that only you and/or your family see, but make sure you never put on a show or put on a mask. You don't have to build a persona. You are your brand. So, everything, from design to social media posts to marketing, should reflect you and no one else.

WHAT IS YOUR CENTER?

The next thing you need to ponder is the next part of the quote:

"What is your center?"

Under all the personality and what everyone sees, there is something that you may not even notice. And for the longest time, I thought I didn't have something like that.

I was an open book, a fun-loving author.

I loved writing; I loved creating new worlds and exploring new characters, which is why I pursued it. I love exploring folklore, dragons, fantastical worlds, and hilarious characters, but I never considered the theme, let alone realized that a particular theme had appeared in all my stories.

When someone first asked me to look deeper into what I write, I only came away with "Oh, I like writing stories about hope, perseverance, and found family."

But when I squinted, when I really took a hard look, I realized that the entire time I was writing stories that were near and dear to my heart, not just because they were epic and fun, but because they drew from the things in my life that I had struggled with. I looked at my characters, and, no matter how different they seemed, I saw myself in them.

I noticed themes related to dealing with perfectionism and expectations. I saw my characters struggle through the weight of the crushing expectations that no one but themselves placed on their own shoulders. The same ones I put on myself.

No matter if the overall theme of the story was something else, those two threads always wove in one way or another. That is my center. That is what always comes through; a desperate cry, a plea for relief from the weight I put on my shoulders. A plea that I share with my readers can and will be answered. There may be struggle, but there is hope.

CONCLUSION

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Your brand isn't the colors or aesthetics you pick. Obviously, they play a part, but they should not be the primary focus. You, your personality, your center, this is what you should offer readers. Not to market to them, not to "sell yourself" but instead to show yourself as you would to a friend. To build community. There is so much more to say, but for now, I will show you my old author bio and my new author bio, which I've revised after pondering what we discussed today. You will have to decide for yourself if it is worth asking, "Who am I and what is my center?"

OLD BIO:

Growing up near the majestic mountains of Utah, with its snowy peaks and mysterious waterfalls, Madigan Thompson was inspired to write about the daring adventures of mighty heroes and their fantastical lands. Writing middle-grade and YA fantasy and sci-fi, Madigan loves to craft stories of found family, hope, and perseverance through life’s trials. 

When she is not writing, you can find Madigan bringing her imagination to life through the art of her characters, binging shows with her dad, or filling her bookshelves with literary treasures such as Tolkien, Lewis, and Andrew Peterson. 

NEW BIO:

MADIGAN THOMPSON is a founding graduate of the Author Conservatory. Crafting YA folklore-focused fantasy and sci-fi, Madigan loves to weave stories of found family, hope, and perseverance through life’s trials that focus on the weight of expectations and perfectionism. 

Growing up near the majestic mountains of Utah, with its snowy peaks and mysterious waterfalls, Madigan was inspired to write about the epic adventures of mighty heroes and their fantastical lands. When she is not writing, you can find Madigan bringing her imagination to life through her artwork, binging anime with her dad, or filling her bookshelves with literary treasures such as Tolkien, Lewis, and Andrew Peterson.