{"id":30658,"date":"2026-07-28T01:00:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T08:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=30658"},"modified":"2026-07-26T02:58:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T09:58:31","slug":"brand-protection-101-the-legal-checklist-self-published-authors-need-by-kelley-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2026\/07\/28\/brand-protection-101-the-legal-checklist-self-published-authors-need-by-kelley-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Brand Protection 101: The Legal Checklist Self-Published Authors Need by Kelley Way"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Brand<\/a>Let\u2019s welcome back monthly columnist Kelley Way<\/a> as she shares with us \u201cBrand Protection 101: The Legal Checklist Self-Published Authors Need.\u201d Enjoy!<\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding Brand Protection<\/h2>\n

This is the next installment in my series on legal considerations for self-published authors.<\/p>\n

Now that we\u2019ve covered<\/strong> copyrights<\/a>, let\u2019s talk about branding, or more specifically, brand protection for self-published authors.<\/p>\n

In business, branding is how you identify yourself in the marketplace, so consumers know who they\u2019re buying from.<\/p>\n

A business\u2019s brand includes things like their company name, logo, tagline, product packaging, and the general design and tone of their marketing materials.<\/p>\n

As an author<\/strong>, when we discuss protecting your brand, this includes your pen\/author name, series and\/or book titles, visual identity, voice and genre reputation, and website\/social handles.<\/p>\n

In both industries (because an author\u2019s works are a business), if you want to sell anything, you need people to know who you are and be easily identifiable to your audience, which also helps you build a reputation that encourages customers to buy your product.<\/p>\n

Below is a basic checklist of tasks related to brand protection for self-published authors:<\/p>\n

1. Define your brand and choose your brand identifiers.<\/b><\/p>\n

To protect your brand, you have to clearly state what it is.<\/p>\n

On a broad level<\/strong>, your brand is the promise or expectation you are offering to potential buyers, i.e., it\u2019s what you want to be known for.<\/p>\n

Your website and marketing materials will be built around this promise or expectation.<\/p>\n

Your brand identifiers are features or elements consumers will come to associate with this promise or expectation.<\/p>\n

Examples of brand identifiers include<\/strong> your name as it appears on your books (celebrities have a head start here, but unknown authors can still build a reputation around their name), the name of your series or story universe, or taglines you use to identify yourself and your books.<\/p>\n

2. Research your brand.<\/b><\/p>\n

Again, your brand is what sets you apart from everyone else.<\/p>\n

In order for that to happen<\/strong>, you can\u2019t use the same brand identifiers as someone else.<\/p>\n

Take the time to check and make sure someone isn\u2019t already using your chosen brand identifiers.<\/p>\n

It will be much easier to change things now than it will be after you publish.<\/p>\n

3. Use your brand consistently.<\/b><\/p>\n

If you are not consistent with your brand or your brand identifiers, it will be harder to protect them.<\/p>\n

Use the same branding and brand identifiers<\/strong> in all your marketing, so there\u2019s no question about what your brand is. (And to be clear, you can change your brand and brand identifiers, or have several; just make sure you have clear rules for which brand appears where and stick to those rules.)<\/p>\n

4. Protect your brand.<\/b><\/p>\n

Your brand is only as strong as the protection you give it.<\/p>\n

Once you gain a certain amount of<\/strong> market recognition, people will try to ride on your coattails.<\/p>\n

You need to keep an eye out for people using your brand or brand identifiers, and you need to put a stop to it before it hurts your sales.<\/p>\n

This is also where trademark protection comes in — many brand identifiers can qualify as trademarks, so it\u2019s worth a conversation to see if trademark protection is appropriate for your brand.<\/p>\n

5. Maintain your brand.<\/b><\/p>\n

You can keep things simple when you are starting out, but as your market grows, your brand may need to grow with it.<\/p>\n

This could mean updating your brand<\/strong>, adding additional branding, or creating more protection for your existing brand.<\/p>\n

When you do these things, save any official records, keep your branding consistent, and consider how these changes will impact new or existing contracts.<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n

If you are a self-published or aspiring author and would like to dive deeper into brand protection for self-published authors, please email me at kaway@kawaylaw.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Want to read more articles like this one Writer\u2019s Fun Zone? <\/span>Subscribe here.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

ABOUT THE AUTHOR<\/h2>\n

\"Kelley<\/a><\/p>\n

Kelley Way was born and raised in Walnut Creek, California. She graduated from UC Davis with a B.A. in English, followed by a Juris Doctorate. Kelley is a member of the California Bar, and an aspiring writer of young adult fantasy novels. More information at kawaylaw.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Brand Protection 101: The Legal Checklist Self-Published Authors Need helps authors create, protect, and maintain a strong brand. 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