If someone told me a few years ago that a book series could become a whole identity, I’d have laughed. Now, here I am, rearranging my bookshelves to showcase my Sarah J. Maas collection and naming my Etsy shop Rebels and Queens in honour of all the badass fictional women who inspire me daily.

It started innocently enough: I read A Court of Thorns and Roses. Then I devoured the rest of the series. I bookmarked fan art, watched TikToks (don’t tell me I’m the only one who knows every Cassian thirst trap), and found myself quoting characters in real life. Cringe? Maybe. But isn’t that the power of stories—to become part of us?

This obsession turned into action four weeks ago when I decided to turn my ACOTAR-inspired daydreaming into an actual Etsy shop. Cue: late-night Canva marathons, spiralling over font choices, and figuring out what counts as ‘inspired by’ versus ‘copyright infringement.’ It’s been fun, chaotic, and creatively fulfilling. But now that the shop is live and I’ve tinkered with all the details, I’m left wondering: What’s next?

The Post-Tinkering Blues

The shop is live, and I’ve done all the “busy work”: uploading designs, searching for trending keywords, optimizing listings, and promoting on social media. Yet, as a goal-oriented person, I can’t just sit back and wait. My brain thrives on projects. I need my next creative challenge—or at least some actionable steps to keep the momentum going.

Right now, I’m deep in the debate about how to make this shop a true source of passive income. Should I focus on making products I love or lean into trends that will sell? It’s hard to find that balance. My ideal customer is someone like me: a book-loving nerd who squeals at the idea of a tote bag that says “The Library is Open (and it’s run by Morrigan).” But realistically, not everyone shops that way. Do I pivot to general bookish quotes and aesthetic designs to attract a wider audience? Or stick to my niche and hope it finds its people?

SEO: What Even Is It?

And then there’s the beast that is SEO. I’d heard the term before, but it wasn’t until I started setting up Rebels and Queens that I realized how vital it is. SEO stands for “search engine optimization,” and it’s basically the magic formula that helps your shop get found when someone types in “ACOTAR tote bag” or “bookish mug” on Etsy or Google.

I’ve spent hours researching keywords and updating my product descriptions to include phrases people are actually searching for. It feels a bit like throwing darts in the dark: will “ACOTAR fan merch” perform better than “bookish gift idea”? And don’t even get me started on the imposter syndrome that creeps in when I’m deep in an SEO rabbit hole. Every article I read makes me feel like I’m missing some secret trick. But you know what? I’m doing it anyway.

Moving Forward

As I look ahead, I’m brainstorming ways to keep growing the shop. Here are a few ideas I’m considering:

Expanding the Product Line: Right now, I’ve got T-shirts, tote bags, mugs, and bookmarks, but what about candles or stickers? I’ve seen how much people love cozy, bookish vibes, and a line of ACOTAR-inspired candles could be the next step.

Creating Seasonal Collections: A winter line of products featuring quotes about snow, stars, or Velaris could appeal to the seasonal shoppers.

Collaborating with Other Creators: Teaming up with artists or writers to create exclusive designs might bring fresh ideas and new audiences.

And honestly, I might just start a new project altogether. Passive income is great, but it’s not as passive as it sounds. It takes time, effort, and constant tweaking to get it right. Maybe my next venture will involve writing (hello again my neglected manuscript for Book 2) or designing a digital product that’s more hands-off, like printable planners or eBooks – do those actually sell?

Embracing the Process

If you’re in the same boat—turning a passion into a project—you’ve probably felt the same mix of excitement and uncertainty. Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

Done is better than perfect. Launching the shop was scary, but it’s out there now, and that’s what matters.

Celebrate small wins. That first sale? Worth popping open some sparkling water (or wine).

Trust your gut. Even if it feels like everyone else has it figured out, your unique perspective is what makes your project special.

Until my next epiphany, I’ll be here—reading, creating, and convincing myself I’m more Nesta than Feyre. (We all have our delusions, right?)

Ali