Sascha K. Alexander's Blog
October 3, 2025
Branding for Authorpreneurs: Title Reveal and Release Date
Switching back and forth has kept me busy, but it’s also pushed my nonfiction release a little behind schedule. The good news? After over two years of work, countless drafts, and several major rewrites, I’m finally approaching the finish line.
The manuscript is done. I have locked in the subtitle, which has gone through more versions than I like to admit. If you’ve ever worked on a book, you know how titles and subtitles can change, especially when you change the focus of your book. Just when you think you’ve nailed it, a new version sneaks in. But after much back and forth, I’m thrilled with the result.
Book title and release date
The complete title of my book is: Branding for Authorpreneurs: How to Craft Your Author Persona and Tell Your Brand Story to Your Audience.
And the release date? Mark your calendars—October 22nd.
I won’t lie: I’m both nervous and excited about sharing this book with you. It’s been through so many iterations that seeing it finally take shape feels surreal. Besides my shifting the book's focus, the cover has also given me headaches. My designer and I wanted a design that didn’t just look good, but also reflected the essence of this guide and fit with my own brand. That process took time, but I know it will be worth it when you see the finished product.
Until then,
Sascha K. Alexander
The manuscript is done. I have locked in the subtitle, which has gone through more versions than I like to admit. If you’ve ever worked on a book, you know how titles and subtitles can change, especially when you change the focus of your book. Just when you think you’ve nailed it, a new version sneaks in. But after much back and forth, I’m thrilled with the result.
Book title and release date
The complete title of my book is: Branding for Authorpreneurs: How to Craft Your Author Persona and Tell Your Brand Story to Your Audience.
And the release date? Mark your calendars—October 22nd.
I won’t lie: I’m both nervous and excited about sharing this book with you. It’s been through so many iterations that seeing it finally take shape feels surreal. Besides my shifting the book's focus, the cover has also given me headaches. My designer and I wanted a design that didn’t just look good, but also reflected the essence of this guide and fit with my own brand. That process took time, but I know it will be worth it when you see the finished product.
Until then,
Sascha K. Alexander
September 22, 2025
Nonfiction check-in: Progress on Branding for Authorpreneurs
With summer almost over, I’ve been soaking in every ounce of daylight before the season slips away. Of course, every hour I spend outside is an hour I’m not writing. I can’t help feeling a little guilty about the time away from my desk.
Switching between speculative fiction and nonfiction has kept me busy, and occasionally frazzled. But most of my energy has gone into my nonfiction guide on branding for authorpreneurs.
Still, after over two years and several rewrites (some bigger than others), I’m finally close to the finish line. The cover is done, and I'm now planning the launch.
Looking ahead, the next few weeks will be full of updates on the guide’s progress and release, plus behind-the-scenes insights into the process.
I’m really looking forward to releasing Branding for Authorpreneurs, as it will end the project and take a load off my shoulders.
Until then,
Sascha K. Alexander
Switching between speculative fiction and nonfiction has kept me busy, and occasionally frazzled. But most of my energy has gone into my nonfiction guide on branding for authorpreneurs.
Still, after over two years and several rewrites (some bigger than others), I’m finally close to the finish line. The cover is done, and I'm now planning the launch.
Looking ahead, the next few weeks will be full of updates on the guide’s progress and release, plus behind-the-scenes insights into the process.
I’m really looking forward to releasing Branding for Authorpreneurs, as it will end the project and take a load off my shoulders.
Until then,
Sascha K. Alexander
August 18, 2025
Author branding: How to build a brand readers remember
Author branding: How to build a brand readers remember
Have you ever wondered why some authors build a loyal following, while others struggle to get noticed—even with great books? It's not enough for you to just promote your books on social media. To truly connect with your audience’s hearts and minds, you must understand them. Only then can you turn prospects into casual followers and then into fans.
Read more on my website: https://sk-alexander.com/for-authorpreneurs/author-branding-basics.html
Have you ever wondered why some authors build a loyal following, while others struggle to get noticed—even with great books? It's not enough for you to just promote your books on social media. To truly connect with your audience’s hearts and minds, you must understand them. Only then can you turn prospects into casual followers and then into fans.
Read more on my website: https://sk-alexander.com/for-authorpreneurs/author-branding-basics.html
July 9, 2025
From Cave Paintings to Interconnected Ecosystems: A Brief History of Branding
To understand why branding matters for authors, it helps to look at where it all began. From cave paintings to modern storytelling, branding has always been about identity, recognition, and connection. Looking at how brands evolved shows you how to create your unique author presence that resonates with your audience beyond the pages of your books.
Phase One: From Ancient Roots to Medieval Marketplace
Phase Two: From Personal Identity to Mass Production
Phase Three: The Globalization of Corporate Branding
Phase Four: The Digital Evolution of Branding
For more details, read my post on https://sk-alexander.com/for-authorpreneurs/history-of-branding.html
Phase One: From Ancient Roots to Medieval Marketplace
Phase Two: From Personal Identity to Mass Production
Phase Three: The Globalization of Corporate Branding
Phase Four: The Digital Evolution of Branding
For more details, read my post on https://sk-alexander.com/for-authorpreneurs/history-of-branding.html
May 8, 2025
Social Media Essentials for Authorpreneurs
Social media isn’t dead, no matter what some experts claim. Despite the controversies involving Elon Musk’s X, the potential TikTok ban in the US, and Meta’s AI data training practices, the numbers of social networks and their users are both increasing.
Yet not every platform is right for every author. To make the most of your time, ask yourself two key questions: Where is your target audience most active? And which platform do you enjoy using the most?
Don’t spread yourself too thin across all those social media sites. Juggling multiple platforms takes up too much time and energy.
Still, I recommend maintaining a consistent presence on two platforms at most. If one network changes its algorithm, becomes irrelevant, or even shuts down, you’ll still have a connection to your audience elsewhere.
While the ultimate objective might be to drive your sales efforts, you should not promote your books in a hundred different ways per day. Rather, your purpose should be to build connections and relationships with your audience.
Want to know more?
Then read my post on https://sk-alexander.com/for-authorpreneurs/social-media-authorpreneurs.html
Yet not every platform is right for every author. To make the most of your time, ask yourself two key questions: Where is your target audience most active? And which platform do you enjoy using the most?
Don’t spread yourself too thin across all those social media sites. Juggling multiple platforms takes up too much time and energy.
Still, I recommend maintaining a consistent presence on two platforms at most. If one network changes its algorithm, becomes irrelevant, or even shuts down, you’ll still have a connection to your audience elsewhere.
While the ultimate objective might be to drive your sales efforts, you should not promote your books in a hundred different ways per day. Rather, your purpose should be to build connections and relationships with your audience.
Want to know more?
Then read my post on https://sk-alexander.com/for-authorpreneurs/social-media-authorpreneurs.html
April 14, 2025
From Bards to Audiobook: The Evolution of Self-publishing
It always surprises me when people call self-publishing a recent phenomenon. Instead, self-publishing is a story of perseverance, innovation, and adaptation.
Phase One: Oral Tradition
Self-publishing traces back to ancient times and is intertwined with folklore and mythology. Before written communication, elders and lore keepers preserved knowledge through oral traditions. In European cultures, bards, and troubadours upheld these traditions.
Phase Two: The Mechanization
Johannes Gutenberg’s mechanization of the printing process revolutionized book production. Soon after, books transitioned from handwritten to printed. However, printing remained expensive and limited to the elite and the church, which paved the way for traditional publishing houses.
Phase Three: The Might of Trade-Publishing
As publishing houses gained prominence, aspiring authors faced a choice: secure a publisher (and give up rights & shares of royalties) or self-publish. Expensive printing and limited distribution made self-publishing uncommon for centuries. Eventually, notable figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens found success.
Phase Four: The Early Digital Age
Desktop publishing weakened traditional publishers’ dominance. Word processors and layout software improved the accessibility and professionalism of self-published books. Early self-publishers printed large batches of books and distributed those themselves. Print-on-demand (POD) technology changed that.
Phase Five: The Digital Revolution
Between 2011 and 2014, self-publishing experienced a gold rush. Though Amazon remains dominant, today’s authors have more options: Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Press, Google Play, IngramSpark, and Kobo, among others.
Q: What do you think about the history of self-publishing?
Read the full article on https://sk-alexander.com/for-authorpreneurs/evolution-of-selfpublishing.html
Phase One: Oral Tradition
Self-publishing traces back to ancient times and is intertwined with folklore and mythology. Before written communication, elders and lore keepers preserved knowledge through oral traditions. In European cultures, bards, and troubadours upheld these traditions.
Phase Two: The Mechanization
Johannes Gutenberg’s mechanization of the printing process revolutionized book production. Soon after, books transitioned from handwritten to printed. However, printing remained expensive and limited to the elite and the church, which paved the way for traditional publishing houses.
Phase Three: The Might of Trade-Publishing
As publishing houses gained prominence, aspiring authors faced a choice: secure a publisher (and give up rights & shares of royalties) or self-publish. Expensive printing and limited distribution made self-publishing uncommon for centuries. Eventually, notable figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens found success.
Phase Four: The Early Digital Age
Desktop publishing weakened traditional publishers’ dominance. Word processors and layout software improved the accessibility and professionalism of self-published books. Early self-publishers printed large batches of books and distributed those themselves. Print-on-demand (POD) technology changed that.
Phase Five: The Digital Revolution
Between 2011 and 2014, self-publishing experienced a gold rush. Though Amazon remains dominant, today’s authors have more options: Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Press, Google Play, IngramSpark, and Kobo, among others.
Q: What do you think about the history of self-publishing?
Read the full article on https://sk-alexander.com/for-authorpreneurs/evolution-of-selfpublishing.html
March 1, 2025
Four key sections of an author’s website
An author’s website is often the first point of contact between them and their audience. Thus, authors must carefully consider how they best grab their visitors’ attention and what messages they want to convey. While the choice of sections or sub-pages depends on your specific goals, there are four key components a website must have:
1. Introduce your author persona
Use the “About the Author” page to introduce to describe who you are, how you started your author journey, and what drives your passion for writing.
2. Showcase your products
Prominently feature links that lead to points of sale where visitors can buy your books or sign up for courses or workshops.
3. Connect with the author
Provide simple contact information, such as your email address or a form, that visitors can use to get in touch with you. Also, add links to your social media profiles.
4. Newsletter subscription
Put the signup prominently on your website’s homepage, sidebars, and navigation. Add signup forms to your posts to maximize visibility and encourage readers to subscribe.
Click here, and read the full article on my author website!
1. Introduce your author persona
Use the “About the Author” page to introduce to describe who you are, how you started your author journey, and what drives your passion for writing.
2. Showcase your products
Prominently feature links that lead to points of sale where visitors can buy your books or sign up for courses or workshops.
3. Connect with the author
Provide simple contact information, such as your email address or a form, that visitors can use to get in touch with you. Also, add links to your social media profiles.
4. Newsletter subscription
Put the signup prominently on your website’s homepage, sidebars, and navigation. Add signup forms to your posts to maximize visibility and encourage readers to subscribe.
Click here, and read the full article on my author website!
February 17, 2025
How to Write a Nonfiction Book in 24 Hours by Dale L. Roberts — Book Review
Dale L. Roberts’ “How to Write a Nonfiction Book in 24 Hours: A Simple Step-by-Step System for Writing a Good Book Fast” is a great resource for authors looking for ways to write smarter and faster.
Read the full review here!
Read the full review here!
February 6, 2025
Author website: Four key principles for your digital hub
When you’re starting as an author, your budget is likely tight. On top of the essential costs of editing and the cover design, adding the expense of hosting and building a website might seem excessive. However, investing in a professional website from the beginning is one of the smartest moves you can make.
As your career grows, your website will be the cornerstone that supports your business expansion. However, if you invest in a well-structured and visually appealing site, you eliminate the need for costly overhauls or rushed fixes later.
Your website's main purpose is to help grow your author business. To make sure it serves your needs well, apply these four key principles:
1. Stay on brand
Your website should reflect your branding that matches the tone and theme of your products.
2. Have clear and visible call-to-actions
Optimize your CTAs. Use clear and attractive buttons that prompt visitors to act. Make it tempting for readers to click!
3. Establish a good user experience
Give equal consideration to both the functionality and design aspects of your website.
4. Optimize your content
Optimize your site with keywords about you, your books, and your genre, and more readers will find you online.
Click here, and read the full article on my author website:
As your career grows, your website will be the cornerstone that supports your business expansion. However, if you invest in a well-structured and visually appealing site, you eliminate the need for costly overhauls or rushed fixes later.
Your website's main purpose is to help grow your author business. To make sure it serves your needs well, apply these four key principles:
1. Stay on brand
Your website should reflect your branding that matches the tone and theme of your products.
2. Have clear and visible call-to-actions
Optimize your CTAs. Use clear and attractive buttons that prompt visitors to act. Make it tempting for readers to click!
3. Establish a good user experience
Give equal consideration to both the functionality and design aspects of your website.
4. Optimize your content
Optimize your site with keywords about you, your books, and your genre, and more readers will find you online.
Click here, and read the full article on my author website:
January 16, 2025
My 2025 goals for the "Essentials for Authorpreneurs"
I’m not a fan of resolutions because they often feel vague and fleeting. Instead, I set concrete goals. My top priority is to publish my guide designed to assist authors in crafting a powerful personal brand. I initially finished a version back in 2023, and while it wasn’t bad, something felt off. For a long time, I couldn’t pinpoint the issue, so I set it aside to focus on other projects.
When I worked on my rebranding in 2024, it finally clicked—I needed to refine the focus. I restructured the outline to emphasize the essential steps and components for building a professional image in the literary world. My booklet, Branding for Beginners: A Primer for Authorpreneurs, offers a concise introduction to these concepts. Now, I #amwriting and making steady progress. If all goes well, I plan to publish it before summer!
Moreover, I plan to refine my content strategy. From my day job as a writer, I’m accustomed to working with detailed editorial plans for a magazine. For my self-publishing efforts, however, my approach was less structured. I had general ideas for blog posts, but often scrambled for topics or improvised at the last minute. This was inefficient and time-consuming.
For 2025, I’ll create a well-thought-out editorial plan for my blog posts, social media updates, and newsletters. For that, I’ll identify core content pillars. This will allow me to streamline the entire process and free up time for other projects.
What are your goals for 2025?
When I worked on my rebranding in 2024, it finally clicked—I needed to refine the focus. I restructured the outline to emphasize the essential steps and components for building a professional image in the literary world. My booklet, Branding for Beginners: A Primer for Authorpreneurs, offers a concise introduction to these concepts. Now, I #amwriting and making steady progress. If all goes well, I plan to publish it before summer!
Moreover, I plan to refine my content strategy. From my day job as a writer, I’m accustomed to working with detailed editorial plans for a magazine. For my self-publishing efforts, however, my approach was less structured. I had general ideas for blog posts, but often scrambled for topics or improvised at the last minute. This was inefficient and time-consuming.
For 2025, I’ll create a well-thought-out editorial plan for my blog posts, social media updates, and newsletters. For that, I’ll identify core content pillars. This will allow me to streamline the entire process and free up time for other projects.
What are your goals for 2025?
