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.

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.

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.

So you want to publish a book—but no one told you about editing stages, cover timelines, or why marketing matters before launch. Let Hawthorn & Aster’s resident gay bookish auntie walk you through the process with clarity, humor, and real-world advice.