What separates a casual reader's review from a bookish influencer's? This blog breaks down how to write honest, balanced reviews using the compliment sandwich method—so you can build the kind of reputation that gets you on every ARC list worth being on.

What are dialogue tags, action beats, and gesture banks? And why do they matter for your prose? This masterclass breaks down filler words, filter words, and repetitive gestures so you can stop leaning on the same shrug and bitten lip, and start building a reusable prose toolkit that grows with every manuscript.

Think of your media kit as your authorly Pokémon card: a quick, polished snapshot of who you are and what you've written. If you've ever been asked for one and had no idea where to start, we've got you covered.

Trad, hybrid, vanity, self-publishing—we've worked with authors across all of them, and we've seen the successes and the heartbreaks. Before you sign anything or spend a single dollar, here's what you actually need to know about each path.

Special editions are expensive—and in a publishing market that doesn't typically show returns for a lot of authors, they're often just another expense. So when is it actually worth it? We're breaking it down by budget, bandwidth, and the one question you need to ask yourself first.

Truth be told, there's a lot that goes into brand development—blood, sweat, tears, research, logo drafts, color palette swatches, hours of keyword and tagline research and testing. So, I'm going to break this down into its core moving parts so you can take the first step on your brand journey.

Branding is your identity—it's what makes you recognizable, relatable, and most importantly, marketable. It's the difference between being known for something or getting lost in the sauce. As an author, your branding isn't just about products or ad campaigns. It's about you as a person and the stories you write.

Branding can be broken down into three core categories: your Foundation (Mission/Vision, Values, and Unique Value Proposition), your Audience, and your Identity (Voice, Story, Tagline, and Visual Identity).

The aesthetics are only a small portion of it. It doesn't matter if you shell out nearly a grand for a graphic designer to make your branding flawless if you haven't laid the foundation and don't know your market.

Want the full breakdown—including how we built Hawthorn & Aster's brand from the ground up? This one's for Author Circle members.

The pressure to be prolific is real—but is it actually necessary? Hawthorn & Aster breaks down the myth of the constantly publishing author and why honoring your own pace will always beat chasing someone else's.

Generative AI is infiltrating the publishing industry—and the consequences are bigger than most people realize. Hawthorn & Aster breaks down what's really at stake for authors, artists, and readers alike, and what you can do to protect your work and push back.

Editing is one of the biggest hang-ups in self-publishing—and one of the most expensive. But is it absolutely necessary? And if you can't afford it, what are your options? We're breaking down the full editing process, the real costs, and everything in between so you can make the best decision for your book and your budget.

Reading gave me a home when I was young. It made me feel less alone at a time when I needed it most—and that's exactly why writing inclusively matters. In this masterclass, we're diving into the power of the shared human experience, how to write outside your own lived experience without tokenizing or demoralizing the people you're representing, and why the world of publishing desperately needs more diverse voices—not more people speaking over them.

Not sure how to use tropes to market your book? This guide for indie and self-published authors breaks down why trope marketing matters, how tropes function as SEO keywords that boost your book's discoverability, and where to use them—from Amazon blurbs to social media posts. Whether you write romance or any other genre, Hawthorn & Aster will show you how to use tropes as a powerful marketing tool without sacrificing your integrity as an author. Plus, grab our free downloadable tropes list!

Are you an indie or self-published author struggling to see returns on your books? Or a reader who wants to better support the authors you love? This post is for both of you. Hawthorn & Aster breaks down the real financial realities of self-publishing, the symbiotic relationship between authors and readers, and what you can actually do to make a difference—whether you're writing the books or reading them. Because visibility matters, skilled labor deserves compensation, and this community is worth fighting for.

Wondering whether to go wide or stay on KindleUnlimited? This guide for indie and self-published authors breaks down everything you need to know about publishing distribution strategies—including the pros and cons of KDP Select, what "going wide" actually means, and how to decide which platform approach is right for your book. Whether you're a first-time author feeling overwhelmed by your options or an experienced indie looking to diversify your revenue, Hawthorn & Aster is here to help you navigate your publishing journey with confidence and clarity.

Struggling to write your book blurb? This Author Circle masterclass breaks down everything indie and self-published authors need to know—from blurb structure and word count to optimizing for retailers, social media, and beyond. Learn Ivy's step-by-step blurb writing process, how to use the "trope sandwich" method for maximum discoverability, and when it's worth hiring a professional. Whether you're writing your first blurb or your fifteenth, Hawthorn & Aster is here to make the most unglamorous part of publishing a whole lot less painful.

Hawthorn & Aster unpacks the most human of author compulsions—responding to bad reviews. We’re here to explain how your reaction can negatively impact your author brand and how to protect yourself.

Indie publishing is the wild west—and everyone's handing out conflicting maps. Great-Auntie-Greta is here to cut through the noise and walk you through the five most common mistakes debut authors make, from cover design and editing to ISBNs and the perfection trap. Pull up a chair. We need to talk.

Self-publishing isn’t free—and it’s not cheap—but it doesn’t have to be mysterious. This guide breaks down real-world costs for editing, covers, formatting, ISBNs, marketing, and ads, with honest ranges, budgeting advice, and a free spreadsheet to help you plan without panic.

SEO sounds intimidating — but strip away the technical jargon and it's really just understanding how your readers think. In this masterclass, we're walking you through everything from keyword research and target audiences to writing your pitch and optimizing your social media, step by step and without the headache.

Publishing a book is a marathon—and what happens after release day is something no one talks about enough. In this post, we're pulling back the curtain on the emotional experience of indie authors post-launch: the highs, the silence that follows, and how to rebuild without burning out. If you've ever felt lost after releasing a book, you're not alone.

If you've ever sent out 100 ARC copies and only received 30 reviews, you're not alone—and no, it's not your book. In this guide, we're breaking down the real math behind ARC review conversion rates, why readers ghost, and whether working with an ARC dispersal platform or a romance book marketing company is the right move for your indie author journey.