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Gonna make a new, clean website thread so I can outline it as clearly as possible.
If you’re an author, published or not, you should have a website, ideally attached to a domain with your name on it.
I recommend it have:
If you’re an author, published or not, you should have a website, ideally attached to a domain with your name on it.
I recommend it have:
*Your bio, photo, social media links
Your bio should be 3rd person, and yes, it’s okay to have one that is and one that isn’t, but publications need 3rd person.
*Contact info
A form is good; an email address makes you the most accessible, if that’s something you want.
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Your bio should be 3rd person, and yes, it’s okay to have one that is and one that isn’t, but publications need 3rd person.
*Contact info
A form is good; an email address makes you the most accessible, if that’s something you want.
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If you *are* published, your books should be there w/covers, blurbs, and buy links. The buy links should include at least one indie, esp if it can be bought there signed. And don’t forget your audio and/or foreign editions!
Also: reading order for series is a must
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Also: reading order for series is a must
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Anyone looking at your website should be able to answer, if it applies:
*Who’s your agent?
*What’s your next release?
*How do I contact you to invite you to participate in something?
*When’s your next event?
Think of the things you’d look at an author’s website for.
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*Who’s your agent?
*What’s your next release?
*How do I contact you to invite you to participate in something?
*When’s your next event?
Think of the things you’d look at an author’s website for.
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If school visits are a big part of your career plans, you might want to dedicate a page to talking about how you handle them. You can talk about what you do, show different options, and even make your financial expectations clear.
I personally like FAQs. Not a must, but they can be good places to answer things like:
*whatever students are sent to ask you for homework
*whether you’re open to blurbs, school visits, interviews, etc.
*questions you’re actually asked frequently
*”can you read my work?”
*whatever students are sent to ask you for homework
*whether you’re open to blurbs, school visits, interviews, etc.
*questions you’re actually asked frequently
*”can you read my work?”
A nice thing to have once you’re published is bonus material - playlists! Deleted scenes! Reader’s guides!
(Make sure you have clearance for whatever you’re posting, of course.)
And if you’re published on the internet, link it! Stories, guest posts you love, whatever! Share!
(Make sure you have clearance for whatever you’re posting, of course.)
And if you’re published on the internet, link it! Stories, guest posts you love, whatever! Share!
Thing I *don’t* recommend:
Tailoring your website to a single book or series. It’s good to have a design that goes with the vibe of what you do but what happens when you do something new?
An author website advertises creator first, creations second.
Tailoring your website to a single book or series. It’s good to have a design that goes with the vibe of what you do but what happens when you do something new?
An author website advertises creator first, creations second.
Think a lot about what you want your website to achieve at any given point in time.
Do you want to look professional to agents and editors?
To sell books?
To be accessible for invites and inquiries?
To silently answer readers’ questions?
To have ppl attend your events?
Do it!
Do you want to look professional to agents and editors?
To sell books?
To be accessible for invites and inquiries?
To silently answer readers’ questions?
To have ppl attend your events?
Do it!
A few more suggestions for things you can include on your site:
*info on your cover designs
*content warnings
*a media kit (more on that in the next tweet)
*who to contact for ARC requests, publicity, etc.
*who to contact for specific rights
*links to interviews
*links to “news”
*info on your cover designs
*content warnings
*a media kit (more on that in the next tweet)
*who to contact for ARC requests, publicity, etc.
*who to contact for specific rights
*links to interviews
*links to “news”
A media kit! There are so many different things you can include but certainly it should have at least a one-paragraph bio and an author photo, and it should in some way contain info on your books. I recommend including credits for author photo and cover design in there.
Other recommendations include a second, brief bio: 50 words.
Low res and high res versions of any photos provided.
Some people provide news coverage in theirs too - you can if you have it! Having the basics is the most important. (That, and making it easy to find.)
Low res and high res versions of any photos provided.
Some people provide news coverage in theirs too - you can if you have it! Having the basics is the most important. (That, and making it easy to find.)
Emphasis for new authors: You are NOT A FRAUD if you don’t have much to put on your site yet. It’s okay to make it centered on getting to know you and the fact you’re seeking representation or whatever! It’ll change over time; that’s the whole point 
Okay, I’m boring even myself now, so I’m gonna go dig through my mentions, but a reminder: you can always see what does and doesn’t work for you in terms of design and content by checking out other author websites. Browsing is free!
One more thing: I know threads like this can feel overwhelming, so I just wanna be clear:
However much of this isn’t reasonable or possible for you right now, that’s fine! You do what you can. Your website will not be your make or break. It’s an advertising tool.
However much of this isn’t reasonable or possible for you right now, that’s fine! You do what you can. Your website will not be your make or break. It’s an advertising tool.
Important thing I neglected to mention yesterday: web design, hosting, etc. are all marketing expenses toward your writing business. In the US, you can write these off on a Schedule C. (Also why it’s good not to spend much repeatedly til you’re earning from said business.)
