Comments on: Author Branding

By: Nancy J. Cohen

Nancy J. Cohen — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:40:22 +0000

I like this! Although I would put otherworldy romance, because my new paranormal series takes place on Earth. The creatures may be from different worlds, though, like other dimensions or the realms of myth. It’s such a hard call what to tag oneself.

By: Cheryl Norman

Cheryl Norman — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:45:14 +0000

Here’s a thought (but remember, I’m a fan of the bad hair day mysteries): Hair-raising mysteries and out-of-this-world romance.

By: Genre bender | Emily's Tea Leaves

Genre bender | Emily's Tea Leaves — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:02:56 +0000

[...] Author Branding (nancyjcohen.wordpress.com) [...]

By: Nancy J. Cohen

Nancy J. Cohen — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:36:42 +0000

Thanks for your input, Di. I’m tallying up the logline votes.

What is paranormal? You said it–anything out of the ordinary. This can encompass psychics, supernatural beings i.e. vampires, werewolves, angels, people with special powers, and in the case of my new series–mythological elements.

Yes, our split personalities may confuse readers who come to us expecting a particular genre, or fiction versu nonfiction. Heck, I’m confused myself! The hardest part is hitting two totally different marketing targets. It dilutes our effort because we have to appeal to disparate groups. Branding works best when you can stick with one thing but publishing cycles didn’t always support us that way.

By: Di Eats the Elephant

Di Eats the Elephant — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:02:22 +0000

As for which one entices me the most, I vote for: Fun, fast-paced Florida mysteries and paranormal romance – but then, I’m from Florida and love Florida mysteries (all of which seem to be both fast-paced and full of quirky characters). I’ve just started (today!) my first read on one of your books and it is Permed to Death. I don’t know if it will fit the idea in my head of Florida mysteries (think Carl Hiaissen (sp)), and may seem more like a cozy. I’m not a reader of paranormal (I don’t think, tho I have found when writers in my critique groups write something like that, I tend to like it), so don’t feel qualified to say what that really is – yet. Is it aliens? Special powers? Super-heroes? Vampires? I’m not really sure what it says other than something that is not normal. I’ve had a similar question raise itself several times – both in signature lines for my SinC groups and in setting up a blog for freelance writing versus novel writing. Seems all of them are about our split personalities and when we split, we may throw confusion in those who come to us for one thing only (which I would guess is the norm). Maybe less is more here, or to name the series and the genres. Or maybe that’s why our pseudonyms are useful. Good question, Nancy. But then your posts are always very interesting.

By: Nancy J. Cohen

Nancy J. Cohen — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 23:48:37 +0000

Thank you, Dottie!

By: Dottie vining

Dottie vining — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:36:46 +0000

I love your writing.

Dotvining@yahoo.com

By: Nancy J. Cohen

Nancy J. Cohen — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:36:59 +0000

You may be right but it would take up less space to combine them. Or I could mention romance without specifying the genre. Such a tough choice!

By: Dawn

Dawn — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:17:30 +0000

Nancy, I like Murder, Mayhem, Humor, and Romance, though that doesn’t encompass paranormal. I think you DO need two taglines

By: Nancy J. Cohen

Nancy J. Cohen — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:55:21 +0000

Your second one is gettng a bit too long. I’ll put a vote in for “Tales of Murder, Love and Laughter.” I’m tallying up the responses. Got a vote for number two on Goodreads.