Brand Tone

Author-centric & Empowering (Historically), DIY & Handcrafted, Ambitious & Prolific, Challenging & Unflinching, Informal & Accessible (in communication), Potentially Strained/Inconsistent (Current Perception)

Brand Values

• •Author Empowerment & Rights (Stated): A core stated value is dedication to authors' rights, fair pay, and giving authors creative control.
• •Artistic Integrity & Uniqueness: Publishing \"rigorous, weird, beautiful books\" and tackling \"niche or incendiary\" subjects suggests a value for unique, challenging, and artistically driven content over purely commercial concerns.
• •Humanity & Honesty: Emphasizing the \"alarmingly, frustratingly, artistically human\" and \"unflinching honesty\" in the works they publish.
• •DIY Ethos & Community: The handcrafted nature of their books and their focus on often marginalized or counter-cultural topics aligns with a DIY and community-focused ethos.
• •Accessibility & Inclusivity (Implied): By publishing a wide variety of voices and \"niche\" topics, they imply a value for making publishing accessible to a broader range of writers and stories.
• •Innovation & Multimedia Exploration (Aspirational): Plans for a YouTube channel and blending literature with multimedia point towards a value for exploring new forms of literary expression.

Best Practices

• •Be Radically Transparent (Especially Now): Given the current documented issues, future copywriting *must* be built on honesty. If there are challenges (e.g., \"we're a small team, so things take time\"), frame them honestly and manage expectations upfront rather than overpromising. Authenticity will be key to rebuilding trust.
• •Amplify Author Voices (Positively and Ethically): Continue to center authors, but ensure this is backed by ethical practices. Share author testimonials (once positive relationships are re-established and verified), excerpts, and stories that highlight the \"unflinching\" and \"human\" aspects of the work they publish. Ensure all authors are treated as per their agreements.
• •Embrace the \"Weird\" and \"Niche\": Lean into what makes Bottlecap Press distinct – its commitment to unconventional, perhaps challenging, literature. Use language that appeals to readers seeking something different from the mainstream. Words like \"unfiltered,\" \"subversive,\" \"outsider,\" \"vanguard\" could be explored if they align with the content.
• •Maintain a Human, Accessible Voice: Avoid overly corporate or academic language. The \"millennial publishing outfit\" and \"micro zine press\" identity allows for a more direct, personal, and even slightly irreverent tone (when appropriate and not dismissive of genuine concerns).
• •Show, Don't Just Tell the \"Handcrafted\" Aspect: If books are handmade, visually showcase this in marketing materials (social media, website). Describe the care that (ideally) goes into them. This reinforces the DIY, artisanal value but must be matched by quality and timely delivery. Ensure operational capacity matches marketing claims.

Social Perception

Mixed & Increasingly Negative: While Bottlecap Press has published a significant volume of work and garnered attention for its authors and unique publications, recent social perception, particularly among authors, has become increasingly negative.

Copy Examples

• •Headline: Unfiltered Voices. Unflinching Truths. Body: Bottlecap Press: We publish the stories that need to be told. Raw, real, and unapologetically human. Discover poetry and fiction that challenge, ignite, and resonate. (Focus: Honesty, Impact)
• •Headline: Your Story, Your Terms. Body: At Bottlecap Press, we believe in the power of the author. We champion unique perspectives and handcraft books that honor your vision. Dare to be different. (Focus: Author Empowerment, Artisanal Quality - *aspirational given current feedback*)
• •Headline: Beyond the Mainstream. Beyond Expectation. Body: Tired of the predictable? Bottlecap Press offers a curated collection of poetry and fiction that pushes boundaries and explores the beautifully unconventional. Find your next unexpected read. (Focus: Uniqueness, Niche Appeal)
• •Headline: The Human Condition, Inked. Body: We delve into the heart of it all – the messy, the brave, the \"alarmingly, frustratingly, artistically human.\" Bottlecap Press brings you literature that feels intensely alive. (Focus: Relatability, Emotional Depth)
• •Headline: Small Press, Big Impact. Body: Bottlecap Press: Fueling a DIY literary movement. We're passionate about handcrafted books and the powerful voices within them. Join our community of readers and writers. (Focus: DIY Ethos, Community - *aspirational for rebuilding*)