The Author’s Guide to Fonts: A No-Fuss Guide to Getting It Right
Font class is in session!
👩🏫 Author Branding School
Ahhh, fonts. If you’re anything like me (and most authors I know), choosing brand fonts is one of your favourite forms of procrastination. It feels like work… but it’s also weirdly fun, right?
And hey—sometimes I see authors make incredible choices.
Other times? The fonts are sending a completely different message than the one you intended.
Fonts (like colours) speak. They whisper things about genre, tone, professionalism—and whether or not you’re the right fit for a reader. So if your fonts are saying the wrong thing, your branding might be pulling in the wrong audience. Or worse… no audience at all.
But don’t panic! Getting your fonts right doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s what you need to know 👇
💡 Not sure where to start? I offer 1:1 branding strategy coaching through Well Creative Literary Services to help you pull everything together with confidence.
🧠 Serif vs Sans Serif: Know the Difference
This is Branding 101.
Serif fonts (like Times New Roman or Playfair Display) have decorative strokes at the ends of letters. They feel traditional, classic, and often a bit literary. Think historical fiction, literary fiction, fantasy.
Sans serif fonts (like Helvetica or Montserrat) are clean and modern. They feel contemporary, easygoing, and sleek—great for romance, YA, or nonfiction.
Your genre and tone should help guide your choice here. Just remember: consistency is key—don’t mix and match wildly different styles across platforms.
🔠 Font Weights: Don’t Skip This Bit
Font “weight” refers to how bold or light your text appears. Using just one font in multiple weights can create enough contrast to look polished and intentional. For example:
Heading: Montserrat Bold (strong and eye-catching)
Body text: Montserrat Regular or Light (clean and readable)
This is a smart way to keep things visually cohesive without going overboard with different font styles.
🧠 Accessibility matters here, too. As a general rule, aim for a minimum font weight of 400 (Regular) for body text—anything lighter than 300 can be difficult to read, especially for vision-impaired readers or older audiences. For headings, weights between 600–700 (Semi-Bold to Bold) tend to be most effective. Always prioritise clarity and readability over what looks trendy on a high-res screen. If you have to squint to read it, chances are your readers will too.
✍️ Script Fonts: Use Sparingly (But Creatively)
A beautiful script font can add personality and flair to your author brand—but like exclamation marks and glitter, a little goes a long way.
Script fonts work best in small doses, where they can add warmth or emotion without affecting readability.
Here’s where they shine:
In your logo or author tagline
As a sign-off in a newsletter or social graphic
Occasionally in a heading, to draw attention to a key word or phrase
That subtle change gives the design a touch of mood and character—but only works because the script font is still easy to read and not overused.
🧠 Rule of thumb: Never use script fonts for body text or anything longer than a few words. Even the most elegant font becomes a liability if your readers are squinting to decipher it.
Think of script fonts as a spice—enhancing your brand when used thoughtfully, but overpowering everything if overdone.
📚 Matching Fonts to Your Book Covers
If you’ve already got a book (or a cover-in-progress), your brand fonts should echo that design. You want your website, newsletter, and social media graphics to feel like they belong in the same world as your cover.
Tips:
Use a site like FontSquirrel to match or identify similar fonts.
Or—my favourite DIY trick—type your book title out in Canva and scroll through the fonts until you find something that feels right. You’ll know it when you see it.
Think of your brand elements like a family. Your fonts, colours, and cover design don’t have to be identical twins—but they should feel like siblings or cousins. Connected. Related. Cohesive.
✉️ Font Choices on Substack (and other platforms)
Even if you can’t fully customise fonts on Substack or social media, that’s okay. The visual feel of your posts—your headers, logos, and downloadable graphics—can still carry your branding.
If you're designing in Canva, stick to your brand fonts for:
Newsletter banners
Lead magnets
Instagram posts
Website graphics
That consistency adds up fast—and helps readers start recognising you, even in passing.
🛠 Homework: Your Font Check-Up
Take 15 minutes this week to audit your current branding:
🔍 Do your fonts match your genre and tone?
🔍 Are you using too many different styles?
🔍 Do your website, book covers, and social media feel like they belong together?
Make note of anything that feels off—and start with one small tweak.
We’ve talked about defining your brand and why it matters. Now we’re zooming in and making it look as good as it sounds.
Missed a lesson?
💬 Let’s Chat!
Drop a comment below and tell me:
→ What fonts are you currently using?
→ Do they match the tone of your writing—or is it time for a refresh?
🚀 Next Week in Branding School: Colour Theory!
How to choose colours that reflect your genre and help your brand stand the test of time.
💡 If this post was helpful, hit subscribe so you don’t miss future lessons!
👉 Need help pulling your author brand together? I offer branding strategy coaching through Well Creative Literary Services.
Let’s make your brand unforgettable! 🎉
Want me to just do it for you? Check out my services and portfolio at Well Creative Literary Services. Afterpay available for Australian residents.
