I’ll teach you how to create your author brand so that you can live your writing dreams.

Author Branding Class

Sara Wigal at Livreria Lello in Portugal

How to Build An Author Brand from Scratch

I frequently consult with my own agency clients or other authors or writers’ groups about how to create a strong author brand. There is a lot of overwhelming information available for authors, and so a lack of education possibilities is not the problem! Trusted guidance and a thought partner is a huge need, and I’ve created these tools as a direct response to my own conversations with writers.

For my credentials to offer these services, please see my about page.

Do you have any of these questions?

  • What is an Author Platform?

  • How do I choose author brand colors, fonts, and style?

  • How do I build an audience before book launch?

  • Is there a difference in how to brand myself as a nonfiction or fiction author?

  • What are author branding mistakes (and how can I avoid them?)

  • How will Ai searches impact my author career and brand?

  • Is branding worth it for first-time authors?

  • How much does author branding cost?

  • Which social media is best for authors?

Let’s work together to create your author brand and book promotion strategy.

Logo of a book with glasses, accompanied by the text 'Author Branding 101' in brown font.

Next date for a live class TBD!

Registering for the live online class also reserves one included followup private consultation scheduled privately

Don’t Break the Bank—Build Your Brand

No Advance Skills Required All Level Friendly

Enroll for a Live Online Class

Authors hesitate to hire public relations (PR) firms because PR efforts do not directly translate into sales. But building your brand is a step before the publicity and marketing work! And we can get started with a strong brand to support your PR and digital marketing strategy later. This $150 course includes:

  • Introductory 1.5 hour seminar sharing theory and best practices for beginning a cohesive author brand. We’ll answer the questions posed above, and help you:

    • Choose which sites or apps you want to employ to communicate your brand

    • Learn time management strategy for working on book branding

    • Decide what services you need to hire out and which you can do yourself

    • Live Q&A with the whole class

    • Take-home activity to explore options and evaluate where you are now with branding

  • One follow up one-on-one consulting session with me (after you’ve done a little prep work) so we can set you up for brand success!

  • Option to contract for more consulting hours or other work, or get references to colleagues who work in book branding, PR or marketing.

A logo for an author branding class recording, featuring an icon of an open book with glasses underneath, and the text 'Author Branding 101 Class Recording'.
Buy Author Branding 101 Class Recording

Heard about the branding class and don’t want to wait for the next live session? Or maybe you would like a different pricing option. I can provide a (fairly low-tech) video recording of our August 2026 session to you. This $75 option includes:

  • Private access to class recording on YouTube

  • Take-home activity emailed to you

  • A follow up phone call is not included, but you may request to schedule one for an additional fee

Prefer a private consultation over a class setting or downloadable class?

Contact Me for Branding Consulting

  • "During my time at Belmont University, Sara Wigal provided the foundational industry knowledge and mentorship that launched my career in publishing. She has a remarkable gift for cultivating talent; she mentored not only me but also colleagues who are vital to our publishing process. Sara is dedicated to developing the next generation of industry professionals—and she does it exceptionally well."

    —Kayleigh Cook, Director of Production, Ballast Books and Blue Balloon Books

  • “The students I've met in Sara Wigal's publishing program are exceptional. Under Sara's careful guidance, they learn both the big picture of the book business and the granular details that help young professionals stand out early in their careers. I had never hosted an intern before working with one of Sara's students—and the experience was so positive that I found myself wondering why I'd waited so long. Sara supports genuine intellectual curiosity with rigorous classroom standards, and the result is a generation of young professionals who are truly ready to contribute from day one. Her network of industry connections gives these students something rare: ongoing mentorship and real-life opportunities that set them up for lasting publishing careers.”

    — Karen Anderson, Associate Publisher and Strategic Book Coach, Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author

  • “Sara Wigal is a dedicated educator and advocate for aspiring publishing professionals. She consistently connects students with industry opportunities and helps them develop the skills and professionalism needed to succeed. At Sourcebooks, we've hired one of her students and have been impressed by how well-prepared they were to contribute from day one. Her commitment to supporting students and strengthening connections between academia and the publishing industry is invaluable.”

    —Gigi Curran, Associate Director, Talent Acquisition, Sourcebooks

  • “Sara Wigal is like the Mayor of Literary Nashville. She's my first call when we need referrals for interns, when someone needs work in the publishing scene, or I'm trying to get connected to this specific person, do you happen to know anyone who knows them— oh wait, she's already dropped their contact in my inbox. I've personally hired two of her grads, and they are sharp, curious, creative thinkers, widely-read and adaptive, and I know those skills were nurtured in her program. It's a joy to attend her class, it's a joy to be part of the WriterFest community, and it's a joy to know Sara Wigal.”

    — Rachel S, Marketing Director, HarperCollins Christian Publishing

  • “Over the past several years, I've had the opportunity to work with multiple interns who studied under Sara Wigal, and I've been consistently impressed by the preparation they bring to the experience. They arrive curious, eager to learn, and excited about the publishing industry, with a solid foundation that allows them to contribute meaningfully from the start. Just as notably, they speak highly of Sara's mentorship and the support she provides as they prepare for professional careers in publishing.”

    —Tim Cobb, Senior Production Manager, Ministry Resources, Abingdon Press | The United Methodist Publishing House