Repackage and Relaunch Your Book Series for Maximum Reach
When markets shift, authors must adapt to stay relevant and competitive. If you’re considering a rebrand or relaunch of your book series, you might wonder where to start. That’s exactly what I’m walking through today. By revisiting design choices, updating your narrative, and focusing on current audience preferences, it’s possible to breathe new life into older projects and boost their potential.
Below is a video where I discuss the step-by-step process of repackaging a series:
Why Repackage and Relaunch?
Books, like any product, can lose momentum over time. Tastes change, genres evolve, and what worked five years ago might not resonate today. For example, shorter books might’ve dominated the rom-com market a few years back, but now, readers often prefer deeper stories with more length.
When you repurpose a series, it’s like giving it a makeover. You’re keeping what worked while improving areas that need attention. This approach helps engage both new and returning readers.
The goal? Maximize your book’s potential, grow its audience, and increase revenue.
Revamping Your Covers
Covers are your book’s handshake with potential buyers. They communicate genre, tone, and expectations instantly. If your existing covers are outdated or don’t match current trends, it might be time for a refresh.
For my rom-com series, I originally used visually appealing covers designed by Misty Polish. However, the evolving market demanded bold, colorful, cartoon-style designs commonly associated with clean romances and romantic comedies today.
Here’s what I updated:
- Color Choices: Reds, pinks, and blues dominate the current rom-com trends. These colors pop and feel fun, which suits the genre perfectly.
- Cartoon Elements: Cartoon-style graphics, once considered “chic-lit,” have made a strong comeback in the sweet romance market.
- Brand Consistency: Each book features cohesive fonts, titles, and layout formats for clear series branding.
Remember: Covers are more than visuals—they’re your reader’s first impression. Make sure they align with market expectations.
Pen Names and Author Attribution
If you’re tackling multiple genres, separating them under different pen names can be helpful. I chose to divide my work this way:
- Clean Western Romances under one pen name.
- Sweet Romantic Comedies (the current project) under “Bonnie Sweets.”
I’m not hiding my identity; instead, it’s a strategy to clarify what type of story readers can expect from each name. Besides, branding your pen name consistently across all covers only strengthens the connection readers feel with your work.
For this relaunch, I’ve labeled myself Bonnie Sweets and added the subtitle “USA Today Best-Selling Author Bonnie R. Paulson Writing as Bonnie Sweets.” This keeps my audiences informed and avoids confusion.
The Process of Repackaging
Repackaging a series doesn’t have to be rushed. I found that a slow, deliberate approach works best. Here’s how I handled it:
- Covers: Designed and updated all covers to reflect current trends and tastes. These are uploaded as soon as they’re finalized.
- Blurbs: Next, I’ll refine blurbs to hook readers better and set the tone for the updated series.
- Rewrites: I’m extending the books themselves, expanding the narrative to give more value to readers.
- Ease Into Relaunch: Instead of unpublishing everything, I’m transitioning the series title by title.
This gradual process reduces stress and allows time to adjust based on results and feedback.
Cohesive Branding: A Must
Consistency in branding ties everything together. From cover design to author name placement, every detail matters. For example, all my updated covers have the same title formatting, author attribution style, and cartoon couple illustrations.
The difference? I intentionally used different background colors for each cover. This lets the books stand out individually while still being clearly part of the same series. When displayed together, the variety creates a dynamic, eye-catching banner.
Little details, like how your covers display in boxed sets or advertising materials, can have a significant impact.
What’s Next?
While the cover overhaul is complete, there’s still more to do. My next step is tackling book blurbs and tightening the stories. It’s about making the books more competitive while staying true to what readers already love about the series.
If you’re looking for guidance, my upcoming book How to Rewrite a Dud to a Stud will outline the whole process in-depth, along with printable tools to help you get started.
Conclusion
Rebranding a series might feel like a big undertaking, but it’s worth every moment. It’s an opportunity to improve, grow, and ultimately give your books the audience they deserve. Start small—update one thing at a time. Whether it’s new covers, better blurbs, or a complete rewrite, every step brings you closer to creating a standout product in today’s market.
Have questions or looking for support? Share your thoughts below or explore free resources through the links provided. Ready to take your books to the next level? Start today by embracing the power of repackaging and relaunching.