Rachel Sarah Thurston
State of Sparkle — Book Marketing, Author Platform Building & Author Branding Coaching
During the conference, Rachel—who helps authors go from invisible to irresistible—will offer complimentary mini marketing consultations for writers at every stage. She helps authors expand their platforms, define cohesive brands, navigate publishing pathways, connect with ideal readers, and build smart marketing strategies. Sign up at the registration/help desk; spots are limited and fill quickly.
If you’d like to learn how to build your author platform, grow your audience, and turn visibility into book sales, don’t miss Rachel’s dynamic seminar later in the week.
Thursday, June 25 • 1:00–3:30 PM • Pacific Ballroom
“The Top 12 Magical Marketing Moves That Matter: Elevate Your Author Brand and Make Your Book(s) Sparkle, Stand Out, and Achieve Marketplace Success”
This high-energy, multimedia presentation focuses on building your author platform, growing your audience, and turning visibility into book sales. In Part II, Rachel hosts her “Authors of the Round Table,” where award-winning authors share how they’ve leveraged their unique strengths to create standout brands and connect with readers.
Learn more: https://www.sbwriters.com/book-marketing-magic-authors-roundtable
As the founder of State of Sparkle, Rachel is a book marketing, author platform-building, and branding coach who guides writers through every stage of visibility and growth. Through a blend of coaching, consulting, and hands-on strategy, she helps authors create compelling brands, grow engaged audiences, and execute marketing plans that work. Her expertise spans websites, email lists, Substack, author branding, newsletters, book launches, events, and digital marketing.
Rachel brings over 25 years of experience across marketing, event promotion, branding, writing, photography, video, and communications, and holds a Master’s in Professional Writing with honors from USC.
A longtime member of the Santa Barbara Writers Conference community, Rachel is also an accomplished writer and storyteller. Her work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Santa Barbara Magazine, and Women’s Adventure Magazine, and her stories have been featured in anthologies published by the award-winning publisher Travelers’ Tales alongside renowned writers Susan Orlean and Tim Cahill. She is co-author of The Beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. She now publishes narrative nonfiction on Substack, exploring travel, resilience, healing, and transformation.
Known as part mentor, part strategist, and part effervescent cheerleader, Rachel loves helping authors build platforms, grow their audiences, and make their books shine.
State of Sparkle (Author Coaching):
https://www.stateofsparkle.com
Rachel’s Author Website, Substack & Socials:
https://linktr.ee/rachelsarahthurston
