Every time you publish a new book or series, you completely overhaul your website, rebrand your social media, and reinvent your visual identity.

You think you're starting fresh, but what you're actually doing is creating a confusing palimpsest where traces of your old brand bleed through, leaving readers wondering: "Who is this author, really?"

Most "typography trends for 2026" articles are written for e-commerce stores, tech startups, or generic businesses.

They'll tell you to use kinetic typography or experimental layouts that might work for a sneaker brand but will absolutely tank an author's credibility.

Here's the thing: your website isn't selling widgets.

It's selling trust in your storytelling ability.

Here's what hits you when you land on EowynIvey.com: silence.

Not the bad kind of silence that screams "amateur hour."

The intentional kind that makes you take a deep breath and actually focus on what matters.

Just clean, elegant simplicity that mirrors the very essence of her Alaskan wilderness stories.

Pierce has been publishing for over 30 years, and her author brand has evolved while staying completely true to its core. This is the challenge every author faces when building their brand: How do you create something consistent enough that readers recognize you, but flexible enough to grow with your career?

And while reading "Tempests and Slaughter," I dove into Tamora Pierce's online presence and realized — there’s a masterclass in author branding hiding in plain sight on her site. But here's the thing—most authors are missing this goldmine of inspiration sitting right under their noses.

Picture this: A potential reader discovers your book through a recommendation and immediately searches for your website. They land on your homepage and within three seconds—before they've even read a single word—they've formed a negative opinion about you as an author.

The culprit? Your typography.

When visitors land on your website, you have mere seconds to make a lasting impression. And if you’re a picture book author, your site should feel just as imaginative and engaging as the stories you write. But here’s what I see all the time: websites built on default settings. White background. Black text. Nothing necessarily wrong with that… but for a picture book author? It’s a missed opportunity.