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marketing brief for The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
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Editors always say, “show, don’t tell,” when it comes to good writing. It’s time to apply that same principle to your marketing! In this edition of Page to Post, we’re going to apply this concept to Fiona Davis’ latest historical fiction novel, The Stolen Queen.
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis is a is a dual-timeline novel set in 1930s Egypt and 1970s New York, about a lost artifact, a buried past, and two women—an Egyptologist and a Met Gala assistant—who are brought together by the mysterious past of a rare female pharaoh.
This marketing guide was not paid work. It was made specifically for my portfolio! xx
Story-Inspired Content
A peek inside your novel, spotlighting key themes, tropes, and characters through storytelling to intrigue potential readers.
Immersion: Your campaign takes place in the world of ancient Egypt and 1970s New York. Make your followers feel like they’re stepping into a mystery that spans decades at every touchpoint.
Share story-inspired content, such as maps of the museum and dig sites, history behind the Cerulean Queen (the stolen broad collar necklace), itineraries for the Met Gala and trips abroad, notes from the Met that are formatted to look like the museum’s catalog, Hathorkare’s curse, expectations of women through history, and for fun - packing for Cairo: 1930s vs. 1970s.
Key Themes
Forgotten women reclaiming their legacies. Both Hathorkare and Charlotte have been dismissed and erased by male-dominated fields
Art repatriation and cultural ownership. Who has the right to possess ancient treasures?
Tragedy and resilience. How we rebuild ourselves after devastating loss
Intergenerational female friendship. The unexpected power of women supporting women across age gaps
Identity and belonging. Finding where you fit in the world, whether it’s 1930s archaeology or 1970s fashion
Popular Tropes
Dual timeline mystery. Past and present collide as secrets unravel
Rivals/strangers to allies. Charlotte and Annie’s unlikely partnership
Return to the place that broke you. Charlotte must face Egypt again
Ancient curse awakening. Hathorkare’s warning comes to life
Glamour meets danger. High fashion Met Gala interrupted by art heist
Hidden chamber discoveries. Archaeological secrets waiting to be unearthed
Character Spotlights
Charlotte Cross – Egyptologist who survived tragedy in the Valley of the Kings (1936), now the Met’s associate curator (1978) fighting to restore a female pharaoh’s stolen legacy while confronting her own buried past
Annie Jenkins – Scrappy 19-year-old assistant to Diana Vreeland who proves that curiosity, youth and determination can crack open decades-old mysteries
Hathorkare – Fictional female pharaoh (inspired by Hatshepsut) dismissed as “vain and unscrupulous” by male historians, when she actually brought prosperity and stability to Egypt
Diana Vreeland – Legendary Vogue editor orchestrating the Met Gala’s “party of the year” with her signature dramatic flair
Interactive Series
A custom series designed to spark engagement and immerse readers in your story’s world.
Series Concept: Start a hidden legacy series, inviting your audience to share stories of overlooked figures or artifacts from their lives that deserve more recognition.
Family Heirlooms. “What’s an object in your family that carries an untold story? Share a photo and the hidden history behind it.”
Museum Artifacts. “Visit your local museum and share one artifact that caught your eye – bonus points if it has a controversial history or mysterious origins.”
Cultural Folklore. “What’s a legend or historical figure from your culture that’s been forgotten or misrepresented? Help us rewrite their story.”
Workplace Pioneers. “Who’s a woman in your field (past or present) whose contributions were overlooked? Tag them or tell their story.”
Travel Treasures. “Share a photo from a trip where you discovered something unexpected – a hidden tomb, a secret room, a forgotten treasure.”
Partnerships and Collaborations
Strategic outreach ideas to connect with authors, brands and influencers who align with your book’s themes and genre.
Museums & Cultural Institutions. Partner with The Met, local museums, or Egyptology departments for “Behind the Artifacts” content series or reading events in Egyptian wings
Historical Fiction Authors. Cross-promote with Kate Quinn, Kristin Harmel, Lisa Scottoline, or other dual-timeline authors for book bundle giveaways or Instagram Live discussions
Travel & History Influencers. Collaborate with Egypt travel bloggers or archaeological content creators for “Valley of the Kings” virtual tours or historical deep-dives
Fashion & Style Accounts. Partner with vintage fashion influencers to recreate Diana Vreeland’s 1970s Met Gala aesthetic or “dress for the gala” challenges
Book Clubs & Reading Communities. Target Book of the Month, Reese’s Book Club style audiences with discussion guides about art repatriation and women’s erasure from history
Egyptology Experts. Interview real Egyptologists about female pharaohs, artifact preservation, and the repatriation debate – position the book as a conversation starter
Interested in a Page to Post strategy for your next book launch or to revive your backlist? I’d love to work with you. Click the link below!
Creative Direction
An overview of the aesthetic direction for your campaign: colors, textures, moods, and design cues that bring your story’s world to life across content.
Visual Aesthetic: Alternate between golden Egyptian imagery (ancient artifacts, hieroglyphics, desert sunsets, tomb interiors) and glamorous 1970s New York (Met Gala fashion, museum galleries, disco-era typography, velvet and jewel tones). Use a color palette of deep blues, golds, warm desert terracottas, and rich burgundies.
Tone & Voice: Evoke the allure of a museum after hours mixed with the excitement of uncovering secrets. Your copy should feel like whispered revelations, blending historical significance with contemporary curiosity.
Typography & Design Elements: Mix elegant serif fonts (for Egyptian/historical content) with bold 1970s-inspired typography (for Met Gala/modern content). Incorporate design elements like papyrus textures, museum catalog formatting, vintage Met programs, archaeological sketches, and Art Deco borders that bridge both eras.
Content Mood: Every post should transport followers into one of the two timelines. Balance educational moments (real Egyptology, fashion history) with entertainment (curses, heists, character drama).
Engagement Hooks
Short, strategic prompts designed to spark interaction, deepen reader curiosity, and encourage community engagement.
Would You Rather. “Would you rather: Discover an ancient tomb in Egypt OR attend the 1978 Met Gala with Diana Vreeland? Why?”
Hot Take Poll. “Should museums return artifacts to their countries of origin? Let’s debate in the comments.”
Finish This Sentence. “The most valuable thing I’ve ever found was ___. Did you keep it or return it?”
Tag Someone Who. “Tag someone who would absolutely thrive as a 1930s archaeologist (sun hats and tomb curses included).”
Character Quiz. “Are you a Charlotte (methodical, haunted by the past) or an Annie (impulsive, ready for adventure)? Take our quiz!”
Curse or Coincidence? The pharaoh’s curse: real supernatural threat or ancient security system? Tell us what you believe.”
Caption This. [Share vintage Met Gala or Valley of the Kings photo] “Give us your best caption!”
Desert Island Book. “You’re stuck in the Valley of the Kings with only one book – what are you bringing?”
Bringing it to Life
Main launch goal and the platforms that best support it, plus a quick guide to which content types will perform strongest on each.
Overarching Goal: Position The Stolen Queen as the must-read historical fiction of the season for readers who crave glamorous dual timelines, feminist themes, and museum mysteries, while sparking meaningful conversation around women’s erased legacies and art repatriation.
Platform No. 01 // Instagram
Carousel posts with vintage Met Gala photos juxtaposed with Valley of the Kings imagery, creating visual timelines that mirror the book’s structure
Reels featuring “packing for Cairo: 1936 vs. 1978” or “What Diana Vreeland would say about your outfit” comedic takes
Stories with interactive stickers (polls, quizzes, question boxes) about curses, museum ethics, and character personality matches
Aesthetic grid alternating between golden Egyptian artifacts and 1970s glamour to maintain visual immersion
Platform No. 02 // TikTok
“POV” videos – “POV: You’re Charlotte discovering Hathorkare’s tomb in 1936” or “POV: The artifact goes missing during the Met Gala”
Historical storytelling short-form videos about real female pharaohs, the Temple of Dendur at the Met, or the King Tut exhibition tour
Booktok trends – “Books that feel like traveling through time,” “Underrated historical fiction gems,” “If you liked [X], read The Stolen Queen”
Behind-the-scenes author content about research trips or inspiration for the dual timeline
Platform No. 03 // Pinterest
Aesthetic boards for “1936 Valley of the Kings,” “1970s Met Gala Fashion,” “Ancient Egypt Inspiration,” and “Charlotte & Annie’s Journey”
Quotation graphics with powerful lines about women’s resilience, forgotten legacies, and reclaiming history
Reading guides – Downloadable book club discussion questions, maps of Egypt and the Met, character relationship charts
Visual inspiration mood boards that capture the book’s essence – gold artifacts, museum galleries, desert landscapes, vintage glamour
xx
Jessica Sorentino specializes in branding and marketing for authors, helping them connect with readers and position their work for agents and publishers. With over a decade in publishing, she transforms stories into lasting brands through strategy, connection, and visibility.
Brilliant.
this is epic.