Crowned in the Chaos:
A Girl’s Guide to Surviving College & Finding Yourself
Author: Lauren Taylor Sawyer
Lauren independently created, produced, and launched “Crowned in the Chaos: A Girl’s Guide to Surviving College & Finding Yourself,” a self-help guide for young women navigating the academic, emotional, and social challenges of college life.
The project was entirely self-managed, from concept development and creative design to distribution. The book was later picked up by Barnes & Noble without any pitching, demonstrating strong organic traction and audience appeal.
Role: Full Creative & Production Lead
Lauren oversaw and executed every stage of development, including:
1. Content Development
Wrote and structured a full-length self-help/nonfiction manuscript
Conducted topic research and integrated storytelling, actionable advice, and mental health guidance
Edited and refined the book through multiple draft cycles
2. Creative Direction & Design
Designed the book cover, typography, and interior layout
Created a cohesive visual identity aligned with the theme of empowerment and resilience
Managed formatting for print + digital distribution
3. Publishing & Copyright
Registered the copyright and secured all intellectual property protections
Managed the publishing process (ISBN, metadata, retail categorization)
Prepared final files for print-on-demand
4. Distribution & Media Strategy
Distributed across major retail platforms
Developed promotional materials and messaging for launch
Oversaw social media visibility and brand storytelling
Achieved organic retail pickup by Barnes & Noble, increasing reach and credibility
Results
Full creative project executed independently (writing → design → publishing → distribution)
Successfully launched a nonfiction book in the self-help category
Retail expansion without outreach or pitching, demonstrating strong market alignment
Built a personal author brand around wellness, identity, and personal growth
Why This Project Matters?
This book showcases Lauren’s ability to:
Manage a full-scale creative project from concept to completion
Develop and design media assets
Execute distribution strategy across multiple platforms
Tell a story with clarity, consistency, and emotional resonance
Build a product that gains organic traction
Overview