Sallie Dawkins

For self-published authors without a large following, a clear author brand can help the right readers find—and remember—you. But branding is about more than logos, colors, and professional photos. It begins with knowing your audience, understanding what they want to read, and presenting yourself consistently across your website and social media. This post explores how to identify your readers, create content that connects with them, choose platforms you can realistically maintain, and make your website an effective home base. Most importantly, it offers a simple question every author should ask: What do readers associate with my name?

Chronic pain demands attention, but somewhere along the healing journey, I began asking whether pain—and even my pursuit of healing—was taking up too much space in my life. A recent experience involving my service dog, Judy, caused me to look more closely at the language I use to describe myself and the difference between an accurate description and an identity. I am learning that I can acknowledge pain, receive medical care, accept help, and believe for healing without allowing any of those things to define me. Pain may provide information, but it does not get to name me. My identity and hope are in Christ.

Six months after publishing "When Faith Is Shaken," my healing journey continues. This year, God has unexpectedly used dreams to reveal places in my soul where He desires to bring greater freedom. Through dreams of a Liberty Bell and limousines I could not fit into, I am learning that what appears to be rejection may sometimes be redirection, and discovering another wound does not mean something is wrong with me. It may be an invitation from a loving Father who wants me free. I do not have to finish healing before sharing what God has done. I am still healing—and still hearing freedom ring.

This reflection reminds readers that no one is truly alone. Though people differ in age, location, beliefs, resources, and life experiences, we all carry burdens and need compassion, connection, and hope. The hardship of my personal health journey revealed the widespread pain many people quietly endure and reaffirmed that Jesus meets us in weakness, restores identity, and teaches spiritual maturity. Journaling prayer, dreams, Scriptures, and testimonies becomes a way to recognize God’s voice and preserve His faithfulness.

In this personal testimony, I describe an unexpected moment of deliverance while standing at the kitchen sink. Without having prayed specifically for freedom, I sensed God’s presence, saw angelic protection, and experienced oppression lift. The encounter renewed my ability to pray in tongues and reminded me that salvation includes healing and deliverance. Drawing on Scriptures, this post encourages believers not to fear the unseen. God is already present, fighting for His children, restoring peace, strength, discernment, and faith amid life’s pressures each day and season.

In this devotional reflection, I explore God’s invitation to move beyond feelings of inadequacy, limitation, and victimhood into greater freedom. After sensing the word “inadequate” in my spirit this morning, I reflected on where this belief may have influenced my life. Grounded in Scripture, I affirmed that God calls us His children. We are chosen, loved, redeemed, and fully equipped. The post will encourage readers to test what they hear, reject agreements with harmful beliefs, and receive God’s truth. Through prayer, repentance, and surrender, we can trust God to heal breaches and continually reveal our completeness in Christ.

In this blog post, I reflect on chronic illness, diagnosis, faith, and identity through the lens of God’s goodness. I share how health challenges have shaped my life without disqualifying my purpose. Rather than viewing diagnosis as a limiting label, I see it as a tool for clarity, treatment, accommodations, and self-compassion. When we are rooted firmly in Christ’s identity, limitations can become adaptations, and adaptations can become God-given strengths. I also consider how internal conflict, competing values, and changing life seasons can create unnecessary burdens when we try to carry them apart from God. Pain does not equal lack of faith, and hardship does not cancel calling. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart, acknowledge Him in all our ways, and allow Him to direct our paths. As we surrender our limited understanding to God, He meets us with wisdom, rest, healing, and peace.

In this post, I call the body of Christ away from competition, division, and self-protection, and back to the sacrificial love of Jesus. Rather than competing for visibility or platform, Christians are called to protect, disciple, heal, strengthen, and celebrate one another. True Kingdom leadership reflects humility, faithfulness, unity, and the genuine love of Christ.

Every book begins somewhere, and often the beginning does not look polished or impressive. Sometimes it starts with sticky notes, scattered thoughts, journal entries, or quiet nudges that need time to grow. In this blog post, I encourage writers not to despise small beginnings or rush the process before a project is ready. Drawing from my own experience gathering story ideas for volume two in a series, I remind authors that preparation, prayer, and incubation are meaningful parts of the writing journey. I also acknowledges that self-publishing can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners, and share how my own costly lessons inspired me to create guides that help writers move forward with clarity, avoid common pitfalls, and take the next faithful step.

For many self-published authors, especially those who are new to self-publishing or releasing a new book, marketing can feel overwhelming. This is particularly true if you have a small social media presence, a simple website, no email list yet, or you live in a rural area with limited access to bookstores and signing opportunities. Here are 11 free or low-cost marketing strategies that consistently work, even if:

• You don’t have a big social media following
• Your website is simple (or brand new)
• You don’t yet collect emails
• You live in a rural area with limited bookstores or events

Most importantly, these strategies help you build readers and gather reviews without wearing out the goodwill of friends and family.

We’re excited to share a special treat for teachers and parents alike: a couple of free downloadable coloring pages inspired by my new book, "Judy the Service Dog." These coloring pages are designed not only to engage young readers but also to enhance their understanding of Judy's important role. Perfect for classroom activities or at-home fun, these coloring pages offer a creative way for younger children to connect with the story while encouraging artistic expression. Download the free PDF today!

Through Judy the Service Dog, my goal is to highlight the incredible roles service dogs play in our lives, making it not just a story but an educational resource enriched with beautiful illustrations. The book navigates key topics such as the differences between service dogs and emotional support animals; the support provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and important service dog etiquette. Join me on this journey to foster understanding and compassion about disabilities and the powerful bond between service dogs and their humans. I can't wait for you to dive into our adventure!

As a writer accustomed to navigating the realms of adult, faith-based, nonfiction works, diving into the world of children's books has felt like learning to swim in uncharted waters. Fortunately, I had invaluable guidance from Self-Publishing Simplified, which helped illuminate the foundational steps needed to embark on this new endeavor.

This post explores the importance of spiritual rest and rejuvenation in our lives. Rooted in biblical teachings, practices like Shabbat and Jubilee invite individuals to carve out intentional time for reflection, rest, and community, all of which can be meaningful. By understanding and embracing these traditions, we can cultivate a deeper connection to our spirituality and well-being.

In You Can Hear the Voice of God Through All Your Spiritual Senses, I delve into the profound ways we can discern God’s voice amidst life’s challenges. My own journey, marred by medical struggles over the past twenty months, has taught me the importance of remaining receptive to God's guidance even when prayer feels difficult. During this time, listening to the Bible and engaging with worship music helped to shift my focus from my troubles to God's greatness. Intentional practices like journaling scripture and seeking community prayer, fostered an environment that invited divine communication. Through these experiences, I've learned that healing can be a complex journey, but God’s voice remains a constant comfort and direction. Join me in this blog post as we explore how to cultivate our ability to hear Him clearly, nurturing our relationship with the Creator despite life’s storms.