Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Rebranding

You're not in the wrong place. This is still my blog! It's just ... had a little makeover.

I've been thinking about the "author brand" as opposed to the "book/series brand", and realized that those two things don't have to (and maybe shouldn't) be the same. Up until a few hours ago, my blog very definitely said I was an author of young adult paranormal/fantasy fiction. Which is the truth. But I don't plan to always write in that genre. In fact, there's a very non-paranormal idea that's been hanging out in my head for nearly a year now that I'm very much looking forward to writing.

I don't want people to associate me with only one genre and then be somewhat freaked out one day when I publish something completely different. So ... I'm trying to go for a more "neutral" feel with this blog. Something that doesn't immediately scream Very Specific Genre. Do you think I've succeeded at all? :-)

PS - And April is OVER! Hallelujah!



19 comments:

Annalisa Crawford said...

Spooky - you must have changed it as I was commenting on your last post. I like it. Nice, fresh and clear.

Anonymous said...

I like the look. A bit...cheerier. :o)

Unknown said...

Good thinking, re the blog and yes I'm shouting Hurray! too.

Morgan said...

Looks great to me! I definitely get a different feel---and you're right, before your site totally screamed YA paranormal (Which is a GREAT thing) but smart if you're thinking of branching out ;)

Yay for May! :D

Katherine said...

I agree with Joshua that is cheerier, and I think that the paranormal side still comes through with the book covers. Nice redesign!

Gwen Gardner said...

I like the new look - it's clean and professional. I've been thinking about re-doing mine to make it more professional. I'm having artwork done for my first self-pub book and am struggling whether or not to use it on my blog. I don't think I will, but will probably use it on my website. I don't know if you know this, but you can get a free website at weebly.com. You need a domain name, though. You can buy one from them or somewhere else. I think I paid $90 for ten years. You can also get one for about $7 year, so it's very reasonable. It'd be the perfect place to showcase your awesome novelas/covers. P.S. Can't wait to check out your self-publishing posts over at Rachael's blog!

Gwen Gardner said...

Okay, I'm back! I just checked out your Creepy Hollow page and it's awesome - a perfect showcase. I'm totally going to do that on my blog, too, when I'm ready to publish;)

Krista McLaughlin said...

I like this. It's good and it does showcase that you are an author and still your books have links here. It's nice. :)

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I try not to put authors in a box, so rebranding is perfectly acceptable.

Cherie Reich said...

I really like the new look, although I miss the purple. :)

Christine Rains said...

I like the new look. Easy on the eyes and simple to navigate. Plus, it's just plain lovely. :)

Laura Josephsen said...

Ooh, I like the new look! And I also like the new book cover! (I'm so behind on blogging and whatnot. O_O You probably did a post for Traitor's cover and I missed it.)

Congrats on making it through the A-Z Challenge!

sulekkha said...

It is a clean and clear look. You could be writing about anything and it will blend in here :)

J.L. Campbell said...

Smart move. I think it works for what you want to achieve.

M Pax said...

Very nice, Rachel. It still feels kind of gothic with the pattern, which goes with paranormal. Clever.

Libby said...

Definitely more neutral, and I like the pattern!

Mina Burrows said...

I like what you've done. And I see why you've done it. The new look is clean and attractive. Well done!

Theresa Milstein said...

Stopping by to say hi and see how you're doing.

Hi! How're you doing?

Kittie Howard said...

A great look, Rachel. You're wise not to box yourself in. Gosh, but you're creative with the computer as well as the written word. Great job!