Authentic: An Operating ManualA field guide for brand, business, and community leaders to understand and map what it means to be authentic.
Authentic: An Operating Manual is a practical exploration of authenticity. Specifically, what it has meant historically, what it means today, how it actually works in practice, and how it can be mapped effectively by brand, business, and community leaders.
This is a self-published, independently funded passion* project.
*Candidly, the “passion” in this passion project grew from a frustration with how much weight we place on authenticity and how rarely it’s clearly defined or qualified. This work is an attempt to better understand authenticity, make it more concrete, and help others do the same.
How it's coming together
Available for pre-orderA digital edition of Authentic: An Operating Manual, delivered as a downloadable, standalone PDF file.
Overview
This version is designed to be viewed on most computers, tablets, and smart devices. It is not an ebook and is not provided in EPUB, Kindle, or other ebook formats.
Product Details
Downloadable PDF, delivered as a digital file.
Your purchase is for your personal use. But we all know digital files get shared. If you pass it along, just do me a favor and honor the work that went into it. If you’re able, buy a copy for yourself or gift one to someone else.
Because this is a digital product, all sales are final.
Overview
This is a physical, softcover edition of Authenticity: An Operating Manual, produced in a small initial run. Once that run is sold out, I can’t guarantee additional copies, so orders are first-come, first-served.
Product Details
8.5 × 5.5 in / approximately 216 × 140 mm
Softcover
Available for shipping within the United States only.
A note on bulk orders & access
For bulk orders, organizational or educational use, licensing, or other inquiries, please reach out directly at me@frankiemargotta.com.
If you’re a student, early in your career, or just want a copy and the cost is a barrier, reach out too. The point of this work is to provoke and inspire, and I’d rather have the work in the hands of someone who genuinely wants to read it. So, let’s chat.
A physical edition of Authentic: An Operating Manual, printed in a limited run and delivered to your door.
behind the workAUTHOR
Frankie Margotta
Frankie Margotta is a brand strategist and cultural theorist, specializing in positioning, mixed-method research, semiotics, and cultural foresight. His strategic perspective is shaped by more than a decade of planning and execution across contexts and cultures, spanning high-stakes multidisciplinary team environments and strategic partnerships with leading organizations across sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication and a Master of Arts in Luxury and Brand Management from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Authentic: An Operating Manual is his first book.
DESIGNER
John Bresciani
Tktk
FAQs-
It’s a book that’s meant to be marked up, revisited, and applied in the real world. Alongside the core ideas, this one includes practical frameworks you can use, break apart, and build on.
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I’m aiming for Fall/Winter 2026. I’m still finishing the design and tying up a few final details before release. If you’ve pre-ordered either edition, I’ll keep you updated on timing via email.
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If you ordered the digital edition, you’ll receive access to the PDF immediately after purchase. For physical editions, I’m aiming to ship every order within 48 hours. I’m packing and shipping these individually myself, so there may occasionally be a slight delay, but I’ll do my best to get your copy out quickly. Delivery timing after that will depend on the shipping service and where it’s going.
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Because this is a small, independently produced run, I’m only shipping physical copies within the United States for now. International shipping adds tax, customs, and delivery requirements that I’m just not set up to manage well at this scale. But in the future, who knows?
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Digital editions are final sale. Physical editions can be returned within 7 days of delivery, provided they’re undamaged and in like-new condition. Return shipping is your responsibility, unless the order arrived damaged or incorrect. If there’s an issue with your order, email me at me@frankiemargotta.com and I’ll do my best to sort it out.
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