Let me make it clear right away: By “author trademarks” I do not refer to anything legal, e.g. in terms of copyright. Instead, in this post I use the term “author trademarks” to refer to a literary device. An author trademark is a reference (e.g. to an object, a character, or a happening) that is recurrent in the author’s work.
This likely reminds you of the concept of authorial style. You would be right to see a connection there. However, it’s important to understand something fundamental about what an authorial trademark is and how it works: Its presence in any single work (e.g. a novel) is neither unique to the given author nor particularly original. Its value – and its status as a literary device – comes solely as a result of its recurrence through the author’s canon.
We’ll explain all this in more detail right away, so no worries. Author trademarks are fascinating, but their peculiarities are important to know. Ultimately, you need to be aware of the dynamics involved before you can decide whether you need them or not.
