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

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