This chapter positions author branding in the digital publishing landscape as an emerging expression of transformational leadership. Rather than viewing branding only as a marketing function or algorithmic negotiation, we frame it as a leadership practice that mobilizes relational intelligence, cultural fluency, political skill, and ethical presence in fractured digital ecosystems. Authors act not only as content creators but as leaders of influence who must balance authenticity with algorithmic visibility, navigate intersectional inequities, and build legitimacy across diverse audiences. Case illustrations from both Global North and Global South contexts show how crowdfunding, platform-specific communities, and cross-cultural storytelling serve as acts of coalition-building and justice-oriented leadership, rather than mere promotional strategies. By integrating insights from self-determination theory, intersectionality, and talent management, this chapter demonstrates how branding infrastructures can either reinforce exclusion or become vehicles for inclusive legitimacy and narrative equity. Policy and practice recommendations highlight the role of authors, publishers, and platforms as transformational leaders responsible for designing ethical AI systems, embedding diversity, and redefining recognition in the global publishing economy.