I’ve been putting some serious thoughts into tags and brands lately. They’re important. Every marketing expert will tell you so. And you need a quick tagline that will identify you, bring you to mind immediately. “The cheese that goes crunch.” “Munch a bunch.” “Good to the last drop.” I’ll bet you can name the product that goes with each of these, even though they aren’t the companies’ active lines anymore.
When people think of me, apparently the first thing that comes to mind is coffee, so I went with it when I designed my new business card:
Linda W. Yezak
Author/Editor/Speaker
Fiction Crafter
Hopeless Coffeeholic
That’ll do for now, since I needed the cards recently, and will again soon, but the next time I design a one, I want something that says more about what kind of fiction I craft.
In other words–what do I write? What is the common thread throughout all my manuscripts, finished and unfinished?
If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you’ll recognize this dilemma. I’ve been battling with it for quite some time. I have different genres I want to explore before I lock into one–if I have to–for marketing purposes with the major publishing companies. (Yes, I recently admitted self-publishers had a point, but that doesn’t mean I’ve given up on my dream of being recognized by the big boys).
So, I thought about it and realized the common threads include Texas, animals, romance, forgiveness, and second chances. Even my newest novel coming out in August has some of these elements–although it may be a stretch to tag it with “forgiveness” and “second chances” (on the other hand, they would fit the subplot–just realized that), and the only animal involved that I can remember is an armadillo that escaped the tires of the heroine’s rental. But these fit most of my other manuscript ideas perfectly. Well, except for the Biblical Historical series I have in mind. I could probably tweak them a bit to make some of the tags fit, but “Texas” ain’t gonna happen:
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the rednecks, ranchers, and other saintly folks down thar in Texas, grace to you, and peace…
Maybe I should eliminate Texas from the list, but my home state is where much of the action occurs, even though it’s not the primary setting in the upcoming release. I could limit the list to romance, forgiveness, and second chances, but how would I fit that into a brand?
Linda W. Yezak, author of romance, forgiveness, and second chances.
Yeah. That’s catchy.
Linda W. Yezak, purveyor of love, forgiveness, and second chances.
Uh . . . no.
Brandilyn Collins has a perfect brand: Seatbelt Suspense. Two words. Doesn’t that beat all? Of course, that’s all she writes, as far as I know. Contemporary suspense. With the exception of the historicals, all my manuscripts are contemporary too. How I’d love to have a short snappy brand.
How about this?
Linda W. Yezak, author with a heart for new beginnings
Or, a pen for new beginnings or a love for new beginnings?
Hmmmm. I may be on to something. It fits both my published novels. A thread of “new beginnings” runs through my August release, too. And it would fit the historicals. Everyone who gets saved gets a new beginning, right?
What do you think?
Several years into it, and this blog still refuses to be categorized. It's eclectic and includes everything from writing posts to snippets from my ordinary life. 
Linda W. Yezak 
How about Linda Yezak, author with a passion for new beginnings?
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Oh, I like that too!
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I like that too
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Yes, YES! Love the: Linda Yezak, author with a heart for new beginnings!
When I first started writing NF for kids, my tag was: Make learning fun. When I extended to adults it became: to educate, entertain and inspire. It fits me nicely.
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Love that, Carol! It does fit you!
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You have a new novel coming out in August?! What am I missing out on?
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You’re the only one who picked up on that . . . 😀
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That’s not an answer!
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😉
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I REALLY love author of romance, forgiveness and second chances. A LOT. I used to have a good tagline for my Bib fiction – Scripture Stories, Timeless Truths – but now that I’m doing picture books, I don’t have one. But I’m still learning, so I’m okay with that 😉
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Love Scripture Stories, Timeless Truths. Great!
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Maybe you can find a way to whittle this down, “Linda Yezak, author with a heart as big as her home state of Texas, with an equally sized passion for hope and new beginnings.”
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I don’t think I have a knife large enough to whittle that down. 🙂
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Hmm…let me talk to some of my West Virginia kin, they may have a huntin’ knife or two that’ll do the trick 🙂
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Giggle!!!
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Such deep thoughts!
And I am familiar with them.
What am I going to do now that I’m moving from Bible studies with a pop culture twist to historical fiction? (Not to mention my firstborn steampunk novel). How do you shoehorn THAT into tagline? 😀
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You’re doing steampunk? I’m learning to *adore* steampunk! One of my recent clients has a killer SP novel–I can’t wait until it’s done and out there!
Yea for you!!!
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I like it 😉
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Oh, good! Thanks for the affirmation!
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Another one? Woo-hoo! Are you keeping the title a secret? How ’bout this for your tagline: Linda Yezak, fictionista with a passion for new beginnings or whatever. I wish I could think of something for me! I’m so bor-ing!
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You’re not boring! I love that: Fictionista of New Beginnings! 😀
Yes–another one! 😀
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Courier of new beginnings? Emissary of new beginnings?
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Another book in August?! Do tell. 🙂
Let’s see… I like…
Linda Yezak – ’nuff said.
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Heehee! “Linda W. Yezak– ’nuff said.” I wonder if that would work?
I’ll tell about the August release soon. Keep an eye out!
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I believe something cryptic would work for you. No kidding.
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Hmmmm {chin-scratching}
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