fiction writer websites

• Consistent branding so readers can easily recognize relation to his book series
• Multiple ways to connect, including email opt-in form and social follow buttons
• Built-in shop for purchasing books directly on site instead of being redirected to third-party site

The Online Presence of Authors

Authors can use a website to attract new readers, inform their existing audience of new releases and events, and share some more personal and professional details about themselves. The websites above are all unique but they have one thing in common: like the best bookstores, they’re easy to browse for hours.

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

What is Progressive Enhancement & Why Does it Matter?

9 Website Designs that Embrace Valentine's Day [Examples]

What’s Figma — and Why Adobe Bid $20B To Buy It

SVG Files: What They Are and How to Make One

What are Color Fonts & Why Web Designers Will Probably Use Them

14 Dos and Don’ts of Using Website Templates in 2022

What is Liquid Layout in InDesign? [+ How To Use It]

What is Graceful Degradation & Why Does it Matter?

19 Examples of Bad Website Design in 2022 [+ What They Got Wrong]

User-Centered Design: What It Is and How to Do It Right

Access hundreds of website templates in HubSpot's Theme Marketplace

Find the perfect editor for your book ➔

Find the perfect editor for your next book

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meet them.

Last updated on Feb 07, 2023

The 50 Best Writing Websites of 2023

The Internet is full of writing websites and blogs to help people reach their creative goals. If you’ve always dreamt of writing your own book, but don’t know how to get there — or if you’re in the process of writing, but feel unsure about what to do next — then it’s your lucky day! Here we have all the best writing websites of 2023 in one single place for your convenience. They’re also organized by category, and alphabetically within each of those categories, to make each one easier to find. Enjoy!

Best writing websites for writing craft and inspiration

1. Almost an Author

Offering up new content every day, Almost an Author covers a grand scope of writing topics. From genre-specific advice to emotional support on your writing journey, there's tons of useful info here for beginner and veteran writers alike.

2. Association of Writer & Writing Programs

Having just marked their 50th anniversary, AWP is one of the premier authorities on writing. The AWP website provides resources and ample opportunities for authors, teachers, and students at every point in their career. Here you’ll be able to find information about writing programs, career options, and conferences all over the world. Keep in mind, though, that access to some of these features is restricted to members only.

3. Creativity Portal

This is a wonderful hub for creative resources that has been around for a whopping nineteen years! Here you can find writing prompts , creative coaching, printable writing templates, and interviews with authors that will help nourish the right side of your brain.

4. Daily Writing Tips

As the name suggests, this site offers daily writing tips ranging from open-ended prompts and exercises to grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. It also covers all writing levels and professions, so it doesn't matter how far along you are in your writing career — DWT is sure to help you out.

Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a master’s degree, you can get your own "DIY MFA" right here! This site (founded by Gabriela Pereira ) aims to cover everything you would learn in a graduate program, while giving you the freedom to choose your own areas of concentration and allocate your time as you please. 

6. Electric Literature

While not exactly a craft-focused website — so no straight-up writing advice or prompts — this nonprofit digital publisher showcases literature-related essays, criticism, and recommended readings. If you're looking to brush up on both literary theory and recent literary trends, Electric Lit is the place for you.

7. Fiction University

This virtual university, run by award-winning author Janice Hardy, contains tons of advice and concrete examples to help authors build a strong writing foundation. It's full of blog posts by professionals who share their own processes and techniques, providing tips not just on what you should do as a writer, but on how  to make it happen.

8. Helping Writers Become Authors

Longtime author K.M. Weiland offers writing advice that ranges from outlining and structuring to characterization and dialogue — plus all the little details in between. She updates her blog faithfully with topical posts that would pique any writer's (or non-writer's) interest.

9. Insecure Writer's Support Group

Writing is intimidating for everyone , whether you're a multi-published author or you're just starting out. That's why getting support, guidance, and motivation throughout the process is vital! On IWSG, you'll discover a wealth of information on writing, publishing, marketing, and anything else you might need to ultimately overcome your insecurities.

10. Literary Hub

LitHub boasts a superb selection of content for all things literary. Here you can get all the latest book-related news, posts on design and the craft, your daily dose of fiction, and sparkling reviews of new works. One of this site's best features is its section on literature in translation — a great resource for those who want to read books and authors from around the world.

11. LitReactor

The LitReactor blog consists of writing classes, workshops, and a myriad of posts on writing and books ( some of which are even written by us! ). There’s also an online magazine that includes interviews, criticism and analysis, and seasonally appropriate reads and recommendations.

12. LitRejections

An unfortunate occupational hazard of with writing is rejection. This is where a site like LitRejections comes into play! It offers personal stories to help discouraged writers persevere through rejection, and maintain hope and motivation as they move forward in their careers.

13. Live Write Thrive

In this website by professional writer and editor C.S. Lakin, you’ll find plenty of nuanced writing anecdotes and tips. Lakin also supplies annotated critiques that can help you prep your book for publication.

14. NaNoWriMo

Besides serving as the official information hub for NaNoWriMo , this site also lends constant support for those struggling to "win" National Novel Writing Month. Make sure to check out the NaNoWriMo forums, which are chock-full of other people's personal writing tips and strategies to get you through November — and every other month of the year — as a writer.

15. Now Novel

This comprehensive website, founded by author Bridget McNulty , is a go-to for just about every writing-related question you might have. Here you'll also find advice, courses, and even an author dashboard where you can keep track of your own writing progress.

16. Positive Writer

If you often feel uncertain about your creative abilities, this is the site for you. Bryan Hutchinson created Positive Writer to encourage and inspire all those who want to write, no matter how much experience or confidence they have.

17. ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid offers a fantastic manuscript editing software that analyzes your writing and creates reports for you to learn from! This tool also includes a thesaurus, grammar checks, style suggestions, and more — you can learn all about it on the ProWritingAid blog, or in our review of the app !

18. She Writes

A well-established writing website with a feminist bent, She Writes is "the largest online community and content site for women writers... all around the world." The site features thoughtful posts and resources to help writers on their journeys, as well as a personal She Writes blog page for every user who signs up.

19. Well-Storied

Here you can find recent articles, workbooks, tutorials, and fascinating discussions on writing. Kristine Kieffer has an extensive archive of posts as well, where you can procure information on just about any topic related to books and writing.

20. The Write Practice

Fulfilling the promise of their name, every single post on this site emphasizes putting theory into practice! There's simply no better way to become a writer than by creating a routine, and that’s exactly what The Write Practice helps facilitate.

21. Writer’s Digest

Writer's Digest is one of the most encyclopedic writing websites out there — after all, the print magazine has been around for almost a century now! Here you’ll find genre and vocation-organized articles, events and competitions, webinars, templates, tutorials, and so much more.

22. Writer Unboxed

Writer Unboxed features articles by authors and industry professionals, focused specifically on the craft and business of fiction writing.

23. The Writing Cooperative

Plain and simple, this is a group of people who want to help each other become better writers. On Writing Cooperative, you will find articles that cover just about every aspect of the writing life. They also have monthly writing challenges to keep you incentivized, and there’s even a space where you can submit your own article to the blog!

24. Writing.com

This is an absolutely all-inclusive community for writers . It’s open to all levels and provides a creative, supportive environment for all members, as well as portfolios to store and display their writing. Like most writing websites, it also includes a plethora of writing tools , contests, and rewards.

25. Catapult: Don’t Write Alone

Don’t Write Alone is a blog written by the Catapult team dedicated to helping writers grow their skills. As a publisher and magazine founded in 2005, Catapult has seen a lot of works and now they’re spilling all the details. From interviews, to craft essays, to writer lifestyle essays, Catapult covers it all.

26. Kirkus Review’s Writers’ Center

Kirkus Review is known for its prestigious $50,000 dollar annual prize and its bi-monthly issues where they critique hundreds of recently published books. But, did you know they also have a section of their website devoted to helping emerging writers grow their skills and navigate the publishing industry? They’re always up to date on the latest trends — if they aren’t creating new trends themselves.

27. Writers Write

An invaluable resource for creative writers, business writers, or bloggers, Writers Write offers over 1400 articles, courses, and workbooks to help you take your writing practice to the next level. Alongside their educational content, they offer book reviews, trivia on famous authors, and prompts. Sign up for their inspirational newsletters for regular hits of motivation that will keep you writing.

Best writing websites in the publishing industry

28. Agent Query

This database allows authors to perform in-depth searches for literary agents . You can narrow your search by genre and keywords, view agents’ full profiles, and see if they are currently accepting queries — all for free!

29. The Creative Penn

Besides being a bestselling author on various topics, Joanna Penn is also a leading voice in self-publishing . On her punnily named site, you’ll find abundant information related to writing, self-publishing, marketing, and everything else you mind need to make a living as a writer.

30. Digital Pubbing

Digital Pubbing provides industry news, interviews with indie authors, and resources for learning all about ebooks and the publishing industry. In accordance with the name, this is the perfect site for any author hoping to absorb some serious digital knowledge.

31. The Independent Publishing Magazine

We know it might seem like we're repeating ourselves, but this website really is all about publishing (both independent and traditional, despite what the name indicates). Whatever info you need about self-publishing, trad pub, or hybrid publishing , you’ll definitely be able to find it here.

32. Publishers Weekly

And if you have a specific question about the publishing world, you’ll most likely find the answer here. This weekly magazine is packed full of news, reviews, announcements, and many other resources on the industry. It has been dubbed as "the Bible of the book business" and with its extensive archive, it’s easy to see why.

33. Publishing Perspectives

Publishing Perspectives is another leading source of publishing info, specializing in industry news and topical articles. Aimed at publishers, agents, and authors alike, it features a variety of posts that cover book fairs, distribution, education, and much more.

34. Query Shark

Not sure where your query letter is up to snuff? Query Shark offers the opportunity to have your query critiqued, and to read detailed query critiques of other authors' letters, so you can get the best possible results for your book. Be warned, though, that this sharp-toothed feedback isn't for the weak of heart.

35. Writer Beware

This amazingly thorough site compiles information on schemes and scams that affect authors , especially those run through email and the Internet. It’s sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, but obviously applies to authors everywhere. If you're a fresh-faced author trying to get published, definitely check it out — it could save you from losing thousands of dollars in an elaborate scam.

36. The Darling Axe

When the industry professionals at The Darling Axe aren’t working on manuscripts, they flock to the internet to share their hot takes on the publishing industry. They also host writing contests throughout the year to build a writing community and give unpublished authors the chance to get feedback from professionals.

Best writing websites for marketing and design

37. David Gaughran

An experienced author of historical adventures, short stories, and popular books for writers , David Gaughran is one of the definitive writing experts out there. His eponymous blog contains plenty of info on marketing and self-publishing, plus workshops to help aspiring authors. And similar to Writer Beware, he's the noble opposition of online publishing scams and scammers — so if you're frustrated by these issues, you'll discover a blissfully sympathetic voice on his blog.

38. Kikolani

Focused specifically on marketing, Kikolani offers tips and strategies for bloggers who want to grow their presence and attract more readers. Here you’ll find information on brand development, social media, customer retention, and other useful tips that you can put to good use as a blogger. (If you're just getting started, though, we'd recommend this course .)

39. Kindlepreneur

Dave Chesson is — in his own words — a “digital marketing nut.” His blog has all the information you could ever need about Kindle book publishing , how to write to market, increasing your rankings on Amazon, and lots more practical tips and advice.

40. Storiad

Storiad is a marketing platform that helps authors and publishers sell books. Go here for essential information on writing apps , databases, tools, and budgeting to help you run your own publishing campaign from start to finish.

41. Writers & Artists

Part of the distinguished Bloomsbury, Writers & Artists has quite a few articles on writing and the self-publishing process. They also offer editorial services and events on many different topics, like genre-specific writing courses and how to get connected with agents .

42. Your Writer Platform

Naturally, this site is dedicated to building your very own writer platform. There are tons of tips, resources, tools, how-tos, and even individual consulting services to help you build the platform that works best for you and your marketing needs.

Best writing blogs by industry professionals

43. Goins, Writer

Bestselling author Jeff Goins created this blog to share his thoughts on writing and to inspire others to chase their creative dreams. He's especially good at breaking complex topics down into digestible bits — new writers, go here for your primers.

44. Jane Friedman

With copious experience in the publishing industry, Jane Friedman offers online classes and articles on the entire process of book publishing. She's a real goldmine of business knowledge, so keep her in mind for when you're ready to publish your book.

45. Nail Your Novel

As a bestselling former ghostwriter who now publishes under her own name, Roz Morris provides advice about writing, self-publishing, and of course, ghostwriting . If you're interested in becoming a ghostwriter, be sure to check out her courses!

46. Nathan Bransford

Nathan Bransford is a former literary agent who posts all about the inner workings of publishing, as well and information on agents and self-publishing. He also does consultations, edits, and critiques . Plus, he’s a Reedsy professional   and  he's written for the blog !

47. Rachelle Gardner

Skillful agent Rachelle Gardner has negotiated over 200 contracts with over twenty publishers and helped more than 100 authors fulfill their dreams of publishing. On her blog, she offers writing, publishing, and social media coaching, along with general writing and publishing tips.

48. Kris Writes

For regular insights from a New York Times bestselling author, look no further than Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog. On Mondays, she posts free short stories for authors to find inspiration in, and Wednesdays she posts in her “Business Musings” collection where she breaks down news from the publishing industry and offers her inside opinions. 

49. The Marginalian  

Maria Popova describes her site as “a record of my own becoming as a person — intellectually, creatively, spiritually, poetically — drawn from my extended marginalia on the search for meaning across literature, science, art, philosophy, and the various other tendrils of human thought and feeling.” She sends out a Sunday newsletter with thoughtful deconstruction of the week’s best liberal arts goings-on to help broaden her readers’ appreciation of the creative world.

50. John August

For all the screenwriters out there, John August co-hosts a weekly podcast with fellow screenwriter Craig Mazin discussing both the craft and business of screenwriting while breaking down popular movies. To help screenwriters really get a feel for the process of working with a studio, John has posted multiple versions of scripts from different stages in the production process on films and series he’s written, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , Big Fish , and Chernobyl .

What are some of your favorite writing websites? Let us know in the comments below!

5 responses

Alex J. Cavanaugh says:

09/11/2018 – 15:10

I guess the Insecure Writer's Support Group is going to have to work harder...

↪️ Reedsy replied:

09/11/2018 – 19:51

Hey Alex, oversight on our part. The post has been updated :)

Harvey Stanbrough says:

16/11/2018 – 12:44

Many on your list regurgitate the same old clichéd information we all learned from non-writers that doesn't work. I'm amazed DeanWesleySmith.com and KrisWrites.com are not included. Invaluable information there. The former is a daily blog, the latter weekly. Also, I publish a daily Journal of the writing life at hestanbrough.com (often with topics) and a weekly Pro-Writers blog at harveystanbrough.com.

Bridget at Now Novel says:

17/11/2018 – 16:38

Thanks so much for the mention, team Reedsy. Wonderful to be mentioned on (and alongside) our favourite writing sites and blogs.

Emmiasky Ojex says:

25/02/2019 – 11:08

Such great list of the top-tiered (or will be) in the industry. I vouch for The ArtHut arthut.com.ng too to be amidst this sorta list soon.

Comments are currently closed.

Continue reading

Recommended posts from the Reedsy Blog

Title Capitalization Rules: Learn Which Words To Capitalize

Whether you're using a style guide like AP, APA, MLA, or Chicago, or just want to make sure you're capitalizing your titles properly, this post explains all the rules so you know which words to capitalize or not.

Lay vs. Lie: A Definitive Explanation

To lay or to lie? Learn when to use each verb, and how to distinguish between them.

Grammarly Review: A Writer's Best Friend?

Can Grammarly really help authors? Find out in this in-depth review of the popular proofreading tool.

Campfire Write Review: Everything You Need to Know

For writers doing a lot of worldbuilding and outlining, especially in fantasy or sci-fi, Campfire Write is a handy, if not potentially expensive, writing software.

Hyphen vs Dash: How to Pick the Right One

Not sure when to use a hyphen or a dash? Check out this post to learn some quick rules!

What is Blackout Poetry? The Ultimate Guide to Erasure Verse

Wondering what blackout poetry is? Learn its history and how to make your own erasure poem in this post.

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

Bring your stories to life

Our free writing app lets you set writing goals and track your progress, so you can finally write that book!

33 Best Author Websites Examples (2022 Update)

By usman umer, february 2022.

I am going to show you EXACTLY how to create your own best author website.

We will address for you the “Dos” and “Don’ts” of creating an author website.

Examples of effective and ineffective author websites will be shared and how to improve the ineffective components as well. 

In the end, you will know for certain that you can create an effective author website that will enhance your image and branding!

• The Purpose of this Article

In this article, we will see some nicely done author websites. These websites can provide inspiration and guidelines to make the best author websites.

By the way, to learn how to create, manage and market your author website, you have to read more articles on our blog .

• Characteristic of best author websites

These are the things your author site must have no matter what genre or type of writer you are.

Your Website’s Landing Page Should :

• Include a list of your published work (books, novels, eBooks, articles etc)
• Promptly shows upcoming and new releases
• Have a separate page about yourself
• Provide a way to contact you or hire you.
• Include links to your social media accounts.
• Easy to navigate
• A blog to showcase your personality and/or writing process
• Has a unique, clean and eye-catching design
• Must run perfectly on Mobile and PC
• We analyzed 500+ authors’ sites!

We have analyzed more than 500 author websites on the net to write this article.

We update this post in the future by adding new author sites to this list. We may remove some of them though. There’s no guarantee!

But did you really analyze 500+ sites?!

Yes, we did. Here’s the proof!

• Let’s start with the list of best author websites

Simple and Minimal Examples of Authors Websites

• lindatharpink.com

Linda Tharp

Children's Books

Shadows Into Light, Karla

What they did well:

• She utilizes an attractive background.
• The minimalist design keeps the user focused on the imagery and tab options.
• Website upload speed is quick, allowing for ease of use. (the image speed is different)
• Author name is the central focus of the page driving her brand.
• Her bio adds to the focus of her branding.
• The focus lies on the author and not the books.
• Upcoming works are included leaving the reader in anticipation of the next book.
• Blog section is included allowing for media integration.
• Social media is included at the bottom of the website.
• Along with social media is a contact me section located in the same area.

What to consider changing:

• The format is best for authors: more than one book published and established fans.
• Books published are limited in their appearance on the site.
• If a new author, not having books advertised can be hurtful to your branding.
• There’s no link to buy books on Amazon or other book stores.
• Blog isn’t up-to-date.
• shelsilverstein.com

Shel Silverstein

Children's Books and Poetry

Bookman Old Style, sans-serif

• The design according to book types plays in favor of the author’s theme.
• Library editions and hardcovers available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart.
• Image gallery on about page enhances the appearance.
• Logo could be at the center of the header on the desktop version.
• No contact form nor social media links on the site. (The author died many years ago though.)
• CTA buttons should be in red as this draws the focus.
• Book reviews can be added to the books pages.
• annvoskamp.com

Ann Voskamp

Parenting & Families and Religion & Spirituality

Cinzel, Merriweather, Montserrat

• Theme of the author is conveyed.
• Background provides a feeling of this being an author’s website.
• Promotes current work and upcoming books.
• Interactive tabs for short reading material/blog posts to pull in new audiences.
• Seamless and fluid transitions from one section of the website to the next.
• Author bio could include a bit more information about the genre of writing.
• Images start to blend together, it could use fragmentation for easier reading and interpretation.
• william-golding.co.uk

William Golding

Literature & Fiction

Merriweather, Flareserif 821

• Minimalist website at its best.
• Interpretation of author is easy with less to navigate.
• Menu tab allows for seamless navigation.
• Limited menu options allows for quick decisions on where to next travel to.
• News and articles section can be easier to navigate as it is based on date of news.
• Social media links need to be more noticeable, the gold blends in with the white.
• rolfpotts.com

Playfair Display, Lato

• Minimalistic design of the website filled with informative blogs make this website a perfect Author website.
• The About Me and Bio link is present on the Homepage of this website which helps readers to have a full understanding of the author.
• Direct purchasing links are present on each section of the book plus the audiobook format is present along with translated versions and international orders.
• The speed of the slider on the home page is not smooth and the quality of images aren’t captivating to make viewers enamored.
• The footer doesn’t have navigation links to Homepage, Contact, Books.
• jackkerouac.com

Jack Kerouac

Biographies & Memoirs, Fiction, and Poetry

Futura, ITC Clearface

• Website domain name is the same as the name of author and the overall style is smooth, pleasant.
• The site has browser push notifications plus a newsletter signup option.
• More navigation links can be added to the footer.
• The homepage doesn’t have any information related to the books.
• Jamesclear.com

James Clear

Continuous Improvement, Decision-Making, and Habits

Europa, Minion Pro

• Bewitching website with fluid UI design filled with attractive colours and font style.
• Numerous articles are present on the website , divided into respective categories which are really helpful for readers to feed minds with proper information.
• Testimonials are uploaded for books and those can be purchased directly from different platforms in numerous languages.
• Smart email marketing strategy by sending a free chapter of the book to visitor’s email address.
• Contact page is not present which is a must for an author website.
• sallythorneauthor.com

Sally Thorne

Playfair Display, Avenir, Lato

• The website domain is on the same name of Author, Sally Throne.
• Colour scheme and loading speed are well maintained.
• Books can be purchased from different platforms including Amazon and reviews are also given on the website.
• The Blog Section isn’t present on the website . Footer does not contain the navigation menus.
• Homepage is very short and it doesn’t have any info about the author, Sally Throne.
• The newsletter sign-up form can be added to the footer.
• jenniferlarmentrout.com

When you talk about contemporary romance and adult fantasy, you cannot miss out on mentioning Jennifer L.

Jennifer L. Armentrout

Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy, and Young Adult

Raleway, Suranna

• The books section is very simple yet attractive. It gives you an easy browning experience.
• A good range of “where to buy” platforms are incorporated with the description of each book.
• The homepage says nothing about the author herself. It may leave a not-so-good impression on the potential buyers.
• The website should include an active contact page to reach out to the author.
• veronicarothbooks.com

Veronica Roth

Science Fiction & Fantasy and Young Adult

Montserrat, Roboto Condensed

• A website for a book should always have the latest release on the homepage like this website.
• The homepage shows the author signing a book copy at an event which feels so wonderful.
• The books could be displayed in a more appealing manner.
• The biography of the author should be a little more detailed.
• jasonwritesbooks.com

Jason Reynolds

Fiction and Poetry

Futura PT, Minion Pro

• The contemporary design of the website is very eye-catching and interesting.
• The initials of the author’s name look very classy on the main page.
• The best websites for authors like this should avoid lengthy descriptions.
• Social media links should be more noticeable with bigger fonts or icons.
• oceanvuong.com

Ocean Vuong

Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry

Georgia, Palatino

• The sections for novels and poems are displayed individually, making it one of the best book website samples.
• There is a reading tour for the book time is a mother, which all author websites should have.
• The homepage is only limited to the information of one book, which is not taken as a good impression for websites for authors.
• The lack of literature gives the initial impression that this might not be an author’s website.
• timothykeller.com

Timothy Keller

Christian and Religion & Spirituality

Proxima Nova, Adobe Garamond

• The loading speed and the layout are well maintained.
• Books are placed individually instead of creating categories which is a less-seen thing among other websites for authors.
• There is no navigation menu at the footer, and the social media links are also missing.
• There should be a newsletter sign-up option at the end of the website.
• A contact page is necessary for all author websites.
• angeladuckworth.com

Angela Duckworth

Decision-Making and Self Help

• The author’s interpretation is placed with the video on its left, making it a great book website sample.
• The homepage layout is very basic and needs a lot of work.
• The purchase option of the books is missing on the homepage.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Modern, graceful and iconic author website examples.

• miriammonfredo.com

The first look on Miriam Monfredo’s website shows a picture of a dark forest with mist surrounding the area. This gives a sense of mystery to the reader and tells the writing style of the author. The first image on the landing page is the most important. It can be a slider but most often we see a still image. Marketing experts’ advice for authors is to set the mood of the website according to their writing style.

Miriam Grace Monfredo

History and Mystery & Thrillers

Barlow, Open Sans

• Miriam provided an excellent background in hero which sets the mood and tone for mystery as her focus is on historical mysteries.
• The layout is easy to follow and flows from the reader’s perspective.
• The tag line for Miriam within the hero is excellent and provides a succinct summary of her work.
• Miriam draws the reader’s attention to the books by utilizing images
• Economy of language is utilized well here.
• There’s a specific page for each book with reviews and links to buy the book on Amazon and Smashwords.
• 3-D book design enhances website appearance, drawing attention to her books.
• There could be a greater focus on the books that Miriam has produced as its location is distant from the focal point of the website.
• Website upload speeds can be improved with limited images and features. Miriam’s books could also be larger in their image and her about me section should follow.
• The focus needs to be on promoting a book or books in general.
• Miriam should promote an upcoming book if she has one in the works because this will build anticipation for her fans and audience.
• She must keep the blog up-to-date.
• seussville.com

• The background design is visually appealing and speaks to the brand.
• Navigation Links draw the user to the characters, books, and experiences tabs.
• The news & events add more extensions to interact with the author’s works.
• The shop option allows for further advertising and exposure of the author.
• Parents and Educators have a special link just for them.
• The design is cluttered, this works for this author as it is characteristic of them.
• The books and author are not the focus and the focus is entirely on the brand.
• peterrabbit.com

Beatrix Potter

• The flow of design is key and this site has a natural flow from start to end
• The minimalist design in the beginning sets the tone for a children’s book
• Four navigation links makes choosing simple and direct
• Highlights special events/topics such as nature events linking kids to nature.
• Highlights upcoming book as well as film giving fans excitement for what’s to come.
• Social media is linked at the end of the site with contact information as well.
• Bring the focus of upcoming works to the beginning as this is an established author.
• The crafts are a fun concept but should be placed after upcoming work.
• Meet the characters could also be placed higher up to draw in more fans.
• loislowry.com

Children's Books, Literature & Fiction, and Young Adult

Playfair Display, Open Sans

• Beautiful design in the beginning which draws you in with slides of new events.
• Highlights upcoming works and also includes netflix adaptations of books.
• Navigation links are in a proper sequence of importance with contact being last.
• The books section uses the covers in a collage formatting to draw in readers.
• Biography section is detailed and styled well conveying a sense of familial ties.
• Welcome section is very plain and uninviting even though she is inviting us in.
• Welcome section could be improved with warmer text.
• raybradbury.com

Ray Bradbury

Horror, Literature & Fiction, and Science Fiction & Fantasy

• Including a banner helps to promote the author and works.
• Sectioning of the website allows for the transition from one part to the next.
• Theme of the author is conveyed throughout using the orange writing and images.
• Scrolling banner is often confusing and takes up far too much space.
• Scrolling banner content should be conveying the author or the product.
• There is randomness to the sequence on the website content on the homepage.
• The navigation bar needs to decrease options.
• ransomriggs.com

Ransom Riggs

Arts & Photography, Mystery & Thrillers, and Young Adult

Europa, FilosofiaOT

• Background is beautiful and leads to the author’s adventure and explorer genre.
• Navigation bar is specific in where the user will be taken and less options is better.
• Footer contains social media links.
• Slow upload speeds for both computers and mobile devices.
• The home page lacks advertisements of upcoming books and past works.
• Very minimalist and lacks conveying this as author’s website instead of personal blog.
• taylorjenkinsreid.com

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Tungsten Comp A, Georgia, Gotham SSm A

• Advertising of upcoming books is phenomenal and eye-catching.
• Author’s name is the first segment of wording to be seen by the viewer.
• Navigation bar is easy to use, simplistic but efficiently directs the user.
• Shopping access for the books is easily seen below the upcoming book’s intro.
• Social media links are included at the bottom of the site and accessible.
• About the author is short, succinct, and complete.
• Negative space is used perfectly to bring focus to the key elements of the site.
• Excessive book advertising by including the “Also from Taylor” section on homepage.
• No blog post is on the website and no links available to a blog site either.
• ynharari.com

Yuval Noah Harari

History and Nonfiction

• Very inclusive of the various aspects of Yuval Noah Harari.
• Rolling banner allows for continual advertising of Yuval and his events and books.
• Social Media is easily accessible next to the navigation bar.
• Upload speeds are quick for desktop and mobile versions.
• Events are provided in chronological upcoming order.
• The homepage is cluttered and starts to blend together not in a cohesive manner.
• Initial impression is not that this is an author’s website due to the lack of literature.
• Books are not presented in any particular order.
• No upcoming books are being advertised, only events are current.
• stephenking.com

Stephen King

Horror, Literature & Fiction, and Mystery & Thrillers

Source Sans Pro, Spectral

• Scrolling banner advertises upcoming works and other events.
• Navigation bar provides key choices to navigate to.
• Background is changeable in the bottom right corner from light to dark to set the mood.
• Mood of the webpage is consistent with Stephen King’s persona and works.
• Upload speeds on both mobile and desktop are very fast allowing for ease of use.
• The background of the site is relatively simple and could have more to draw in a reader.
• maggiestiefvater.com

Maggie Stiefvater

Exlibris, Mackinac, Avenir

• Blog section is added in the website which contains some phenomenal content to feed the brain and get pleasure.
• Direct link for purchasing Novels is available which is an admirable functionality to save time for readers.
• The layout of the website is great and all of the books are classified into different genres.
• The News section isn’t up to date and readers really want to listen, grasp their favorite Author’s newest updates.
• T he loading speed of the website isn’t fast enough which can be more fluid and responsive.
• More testimonials or reviews can be uploaded as readers can have a look at those reviews and finalize if they want to purchase the Novel or not.
• Brenebrown.com

Brené Brown

Health, Mind & Body, and Nonfiction

Helvetica Neue, Georgia

• The loading speed is really negligible though so many books, podcasts, and blogs are running on the website.
• Visitors can purchase their favorite books easily by using the drop downs in the hero.
• Some brilliant videos are also present on the website including TED TALK and many other inspirational programs.
• Novels aren’t divided into respective genres which is a downside for visitors coming to take a look at numerous books/novels.
• Blogs aren’t regularly updated.
• There’s no contact form on the site.
• msrachelhollis.com

Rachel Hollis

Chick Lit, Cookbooks, and Self Help

DIN Condensed, Essonnes, PT Sans Narrow

• This author website has a proper format in respect of colour and section-wise breakdown of topics in each page layout.
• Rachel has uploaded lots of blog posts on different niches which are great to read.
• Sticky social media links on all pages of the site helps followers to get engaged with Author.
• Top Menu Bar can be well-formatted , make brighter and font size should be increased.
• The promotion of books isn’t admirable with respect to other author’s sites.
• chrismcdougall.com

Christopher McDougall

Roboto Slab, Roboto Condensed

• There is a picture of the author that makes it more interesting as compared to other authors’ websites.
• About section of the website does all the justice to the writer.
• It could be made the best author website design with a books relevant theme.
• There is a lot of blank space on the home page that could be otherwise utilized beautifully.
• awtozer.org

Christian and Religion

• The quotation of the author on the main page makes it a captivating website for a book.
• The color scheme of the website is very soothing to the eyes.
• There’s a large picture of the author in the hero section on the home page.
• The email newsletter is not visible in the footer and it pops up by clicking on subscribe link which isn’t good for conversion rate.
• The contact details and social media handles are missing.
• markwaid.com

The website can be counted as one of the best author websites 2022 for comic fans.

Comics & Graphic Novels

Oswald, Raleway

• This author’s website has a huge variety of content which is always updated from time to time.
• The most important pages of the site are visible in the hero on the home page.
• The footer has no newsletter forms, quick links, or social media buttons.
• The layout is very common among author website examples.
• becomingmichelleobama.com

Michelle Obama

Biographies & Memoirs, Nonfiction, and Social Sciences

GT Eesti, Earth Rich

• The word “Becoming” is so beautifully incorporated throughout the website.
• The most unique thing about this website is it includes an audio clip which is found very rarely on authors’ websites.
• The website is more focused on the books than the author.
• She could consider shortening the paragraphs on the main page of the website.
• helenhoang.com

Helen Hoang

Chick Lit and Romance

Montserrat, Lora

• The Author’s signature added more value to the page.
• The boxed layout made this website different from other authors’ websites.
• The site includes links to all translations of the books.
• There are no blog posts or any links to the blog site available on the website.
• A contact form works better than sharing email addresses.

Beautiful Dark Authors Websites for Inspiration

• radical.net

David Platt

Montserrat, Roboto Mono

• Video banner draws the audience in with an easy to access video.
• The navigation bar stands out using the white text against a dark background
• Consistent color patterns created continuity on the site.
• Mobile and PC upload speeds remained consistent and high.
• The focus of the website is evident, it is a site for christian fellowship not just books.
• Accessibility and navigation on the site is easy to follow and natural for the user.
• Books could be advertised more if that is the focus, but here it is not.
• The theme of this does not appeal as an author site.
• Imagery is portraying an experience, in this case a christian experience.
• The focus of the site is not on literature or the author.
• annefrank.org

Biographies & Memoirs

Graphik, Merriweather

• Simplicity in design is used well as the images are the navigation bar.
• As a Holocaust icon , having a change language option is crucial.
• Color use keeps with the theme of history and feeling of the holocaust.
• Limited information is provided on the website’s homepage.
• As a minimalist style , it is missing substance to draw in new audiences.
• For an author’s website it does not advertise any text such as her famous diary.
• robert-galbraith.com

Robert Galbraith

Crime, Suspense, and Thriller

Merriweather

• Homepage is well-made in a very creative manner and while using this website viewers will feel like they are flying in the sky due to the smoother experience.
• Newsletter section is present at the bottom with social media links too .
• Website domain is created according to his name , where he has described different characters too which make his website unique from other author websites.
• The news section is not up to date.
• Placement of purchasing links for books is troublesome.
• The contact page is absent.
• hawking.org.uk

Stephen Hawking

Nonfiction and Science

Bebas Neue, InterFace

• The animation of the book covers makes this website one of the best author website designs.
• The website is very easy to use and has no unnecessary options.
• The background of the site is relatively very dark and gloomy.
• The menu options should be made brighter, and the font size of the text should be increased a little.
• After Thoughts

These were some great looking best author websites which can provide inspiration for your future websites. Check out our more helpful guides to learn how to make your author website from scratch or about important ingredients to rank it on top of Google. Furthermore, you can contact us, our skillful team can help you design and market a perfect author website for you.

Table of Contents

Related Posts

Website For Authors: The ultimate guide for 2022

Are you an author and planning to build your own website? We have summarized all the requirements for building a website for authors in a concise but complete way.

Blogging for Authors – Why Keeping a Blog is Good for Your Author Website?

Creating a cool author website design is one thing but adding in all the necessary elements is more important. And a blog on your author website is a part of that element. In this article you will learn some benefits of keeping a blog also how you can promote it and...

Email Marketing For Authors: How to Grow Your Email List with Opt-In Forms?

This article is a complete guide for authors and self-publishers to integrate an email opt-in form on their websites. These forms are the important part of conversion strategy which is explained greatly in our blog post on 19 Author Website Tips To Earn Money. Why...

You have chosen some beautiful author websites! As I looked through many of them, it’s interesting to note the difference in style. Your website style will depend on what type of books you are selling and who your audience is that you are marketing to.

I also found some new authors I want to check out! Thanks for sharing this.

The kevin hearne site is close to being perfect except for a couple of issues like the logo top being cut off on opera browser , great image though and a nice example of design apart from that

Love the tigner site too , nice to see people having well designed sites and no the usual garbage , nice list

Excellent looking sites and reflect on the quality of the author and writing skills. Besides a beautiful site, good reviews are essential and a critique of the author would be good to post on the first page. TeamGolfwell does free book or author reviews > https://www.teamgolfwell.com/free-book-reviews.html

Your activity and inspirational work are good. Authors have to see this article only once to increase their knowledge of writing skills.

Hi How can we improve this site and what would be the cost. Thank you. Mary

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

• 19 Author Website Tips To Earn Money - Situdio - […] this is not a hard and fast rule to be always simple, it depends what type of author you…
• Website For Authors: The ultimate guide for 2022 - Situdio - […] not an easy task at all. Because it depends on the genre of the books. The best thing you…
• 15 Best Author Websites of 2022 | Complete Guide to Creation | Templates - […] situdio.com/ […]
• author website design – dataala - […] 33 Best Author Websites Examples (2022 Update) – Situdio […]
• Preparing to Build a Brand-New Author or Illustrator Website – Susan Uhlig - […] Do you like simple, whimsical, serious, modern, retro, silly, or ? Here’s a great article analyzing 33 author websites.…

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit Comment

Your request has been submitted successfully. You'll receive an email in less than 30 minutes. Please keep reading the post while we are processing your request.

UI UI Light User Interface Dark User Interface

Theme Type Theme Type Simple and minimal design Quirky and unconventional Modern, graceful and iconic

Filter & Send to my email!

• Developing your idea
• Seeking inspiration
• Pace and plot
• Creating characters
• Writing dialogue
• Writing for children
• Writing non-fiction
• Dedicated Genre Advice
• Interviews with Authors
• Dealing with rejection
• How publishers work
• Literary agents
• Crowdfunding
• Beyond the book
• Ghostwriting
• Illustration
• Translation
• Self-Publishing Providers
• Writing and Editing
• Design, Formatting, and Production
• Distribution and Sales
• Publicity and Marketing
• Understanding Self-Publishing
• More From Writers & Artists
• Related editing services & events
• Related community content
• Interviews about Self-Publishing
• Exhibiting and Working on Commission
• Preparing your portfolio
• Finding inspiration
• Self-promotion
• Identifying your audience
• Interviews with Artists
• Agony Agent
• Bespoke Mentoring
• How Strong Is Your Book Idea?
• Opening Chapters
• Full Manuscript Review
• Final Polish
• Beat the Rejection Consultation
• Events & Courses Back The Writing Process How to Get Published How to Hook an Agent Masterclasses Writing Courses Children's & YA Fiction Festival Writing Calendar The Bloomsbury Institute
• Resources Back Literary agencies Publishers Glossary Just browsing How to use Listings Subscriptions Videos & Podcasts
• Find a group
• Search/Add Connections
• Competitions

5 Author Websites to Inspire Your Own

A website is very, very seldom #1 on an author’s priority list — which is understandable. Most books are sold and discovered through Amazon and most readers will interact with authors on major social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter (or, shudder, Snapchat). So why is it still important for an author to maintain a quality website? 

Using six example sites from bestselling authors, we’ll show you the value in author websites and reveal some crucial tips for making yours one of your greatest marketing assets.

1. Make it easy for visitors to know who you are

Hugh Howey is one of the big self-publishing success stories — snowballing a popular Kindle novella, Wool, into a full-blown series of bestsellers. As an independent author, without the promotional help of a large publisher, he’s had to build a fan base from scratch — and his website has no doubt helped him on this journey.

When readers land on that page, they can immediately tell: which books he’s released (on the left-hand bar), a little bit about him (picture and short bio), and what he’s up to (the blog).

hughhowey.com

People who Google “Hugh Howey” are likely looking for more information on the man, and an idea of the books he’s written. Howey’s website takes care of these questions immediately, and it’s something that many authors can learn from.

2. Don’t go overboard and keep it simple

This one is less specific to authors and more of a general design tip. You want to make the experience of browsing through your website pleasant — and you can help this by exercising restraint. Anthony Horowitz is the British creator of the Alex Rider series and the official author of the James Bond series. His website is a perfect example of restraint in design.

anthonyhorowitz.com

Working primarily with a grey palette and yellow highlights, Horowitz’s site is also careful not to use too many typefaces. As a result, it’s easy to navigate and a pleasure to read.

3. Centre the homepage around a lead magnet

The most important tool in a new author’s marketing arsenal is their mailing list. If you get interested readers to subscribe to your newsletter, you’ll be able to target them time each and every time you have a book to sell. But how do you build that mailing list?

The answer is… a lead magnet.

markdawson.com

Mark Dawson is the million-selling author of the John Milton thrillers. He attributes much of his success to his lead magnets. When you land on Dawson's website , you are invited to join his mailing list — and as an incentive, he’ll supply you with a “starter library”, which includes a number of short stories and novellas. Once he has you hooked with those shorts he'll send you an automated email  directing you to his “pay” novels.

Check out the site of just about any successful indie author and you’ll spot a lead magnet. It’s a proven tactic that any and all new authors should adopt where possible. If you’re a novelist, offer your first book or a short story for free. If you’re writing non-fiction, you can draw people in with the offer of a webinar, or a worksheet. Just do it!

4. Give your fans something extra

One problem that authors traditionally had was keeping their fans engaged. If they only put out a book every two years, there was always the danger that they’d lose interest during that time. In 2018, your website provides ample opportunity to keep readers interested in your work.

If you want to see the most successful instance of ‘fan engagement’ by an author, you could do no better than to look to Pottermore .

pottermore.com

“The digital heart of the Wizarding World,” as Pottermore claims, is Rowling’s website that not only serves as her ebook and audiobook publisher, but is also where fans can go to access exclusive content. Blog posts that reveal more about minor characters? A digital sorting hat? They can both be found on Pottermore. In fact, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, started off as a Pottermore exclusive short!

Now, not every author can build games and fun quizzes for their readers, but releasing regular short stories and giving them sneak peeks at upcoming works will go a long way towards keeping your fans warm.

5. Reinforce your brand!

If you’re an author who’s written more than one book, you’ll understand that you are a brand. When readers hear your name, you want them to associate it with a certain aesthetic. No matter how small or large your profile is, you can always benefit from reinforcing your brand. Here’s the website of Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn as of June 2018 :

 With the imminent release of an HBO series, Flynn’s homepage focuses on her earlier novel Sharp Objects. The page is managed by her publisher (which might explain why it’s a little light on bells and whistles) who have managed to pattern the page’s design after the novel’s aesthetic — down to its use of the same font and general minimalism.

It looks like there’s no design at work here, but if see what the page was like when she was promoting her recent novel, The Grownup, you can see that there’s a continual, conscious effort to match her website with the book she’s currently spotlighting.

Maintaining a cohesive brand seems like such a simple idea but, yet again, you’d be surprised how often author websites neglect to do this. Check out this post at Reedsy for more tips on how to create a website that will herald you as an author to watch.

• Facebook share

if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'tckpublishing_com-box-2','ezslot_3',141,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tckpublishing_com-box-2-0'); Best Writing Websites for Fiction, Nonfiction, and Bloggers

by Tom Corson-Knowles | 17 comments

That’s why our team put together this list of the best writing websites to help you learn more, improve your writing skills, and grow your writing career.

Here’s our list of sites that can help writers of all stripes and colors improve their craft, including fiction writers, nonfiction writers, bloggers, and copywriters.

Some of these sites are incredibly educational, some are just fun to read, and others may help you attract more readers, fans, beta readers , critique partners … and maybe even find you a publisher .

Wattpad is the largest online reading platform. It’s like the YouTube of writing; it allows writers and authors to share their work worldwide for free, and attract millions of followers and readers.

Many authors have amassed thousands of readers and fans on Wattpad, and some have even gotten great book deals from major publishers because of their success on the platform.

2. Teen Ink

Teen Ink is a literary magazine and website for teens that helps them use their voice and make a difference through writing. This great site is devoted entirely to writing, art, and photos by teens. This site is best for teens who are interested in writing nonfiction essays, articles, poems, and short stories.

3. One Teen Story

One Teen Story is a nonprofit monthly magazine. It features young adult authors’ writing and other creative content.

4. NaNoWriMo

NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month is a yearly event during which writers spend the entirety of November trying to write a 50K-word book. The blog associated with this event provides inspirational posts for writer’s blocked authors and offers guidelines for everything from the publishing a book to getting feedback on your writing skills.

Tumblr is a blogging platform and a wonderful place for self-expression, and doubles as one of the go-to hub for young bookworms and writers to collaborate and share their work with others.

6. Write It Sideways

Write It Sideways outlines real-life advice for writers, like author branding, writing grants, and gift buying, as well as writing tips and tricks like dialogue mistakes and how to build tension in a scene.

7. Helping Writers Become Authors

Helping Writers Become Authors features creative writing advice on story structure, character arcs, and common writing mistakes.

8. Inklyo.com

Inklyo.com  offers great advice for authors, bloggers, business people, and students. The site also offers a wealth of practical tips for finding work, honing your writing skills, and staying productive.

If you’re looking for in-depth instruction, this site also provides a range of courses and eBooks aimed at helping you learn how to write anything well.

9. Warrior Writers

Warrior Writers is run by best-selling author Kristen Lamb, who guides writers with detailed and comprehensive posts in humorous and easy-to-read fashion.

10. Fantasy Author’s Handbook

Fantasy Author’s Handbook is a writing blog by Philip Athans, a New York Times best-selling fantasy author. The blog is filled with great advice for writers of all types.

11. Abidemi.tv

Abidemi.tv shares insight and knowledge of the writing and publishing world to help people become better authors. This site offers free resources in a blog as well as  writing courses.

12. Write to Done

Write to Done is a resource on all kinds of useful topics for writers like finding a pen name, imposter syndrome, and recovering from destructive criticism.

13. Brain Pickings

Brain Pickings shares writings on culture, books, and other eclectic subjects. This blog is extremely interesting reading for any writer with time to spare.

14. Novelicious

Novelicious is more of a book website than a writing website. It also has advice for writers on retreats and for writing serialized novels.

15. The Authors’ Nook

The Authors’ Nook offers relatable posts for writers along with advice on being a writer. It also allows a blend of good fun and useful advice for writing breaks.

16. The Write Life

The Write Life is a writing website that offers solid ideas for blogging. It includes advice on working from home, guest posting, and pitching ideas. If you want to be a freelance writer , this blog will help.

17. Goins Writer

Goins Writer  is the creation of author Jeff Goins, who shares real-life experiences and reflections about engaging a community in the Internet age, building an audience online, and select shortcuts to success.

18. The Book Designer

The Book Designer is a site that gives practical advice to help build better books. It includes hundreds of articles for writers on everything from using social media efficiently, writing creative disclaimers, and choosing the right platforms for publishing a book.

19. Angela Booth

Angela Booth is a ghostwriter, author, copywriter, marketer, and writing coach. She writes ample posts to help guide you on how to ensure a book will be a financial success and improve your book sales.

20. Carly Watters

Carly Watters is a literary agent who advises writers of all stripes on how to get published. Her useful posts are great for any writer, especially if you’re looking for a literary agent .

21. Jane Friedman

Jane Friedman provides informative articles on both the writing process and the publishing process. She’s one of the rare writers with extensive experience in both traditional publishing and self-publishing.

22. The Creative Penn

The Creative Penn  is run by best-selling author Joanna Penn. Her site offers articles and other resources related to marketing books, writing, and publishing. She also has an incredible podcast on writing, so check that out as well.

23. Alan Rinzler

Alan Rinzler is a consulting editor that helps writers understand what goes on behind the scenes of the publishing process.

24. Publetariat

Publetariat is a site that gives practical information on author websites, networking, and the publishing process. This site also shares links about big news stories in the world of publishing.

25. The Independent Publishing Magazine

The Independent Publishing Magazine is a site that posts about many different parts of the publishing process, including finding the right editor, growing a following, and avoiding the many pitfalls that come with being an independent author.

26. WritingPrompts.com

Writing Prompts is a site that offers inspiration for writers in all genres. It focuses on breaking through writer’s block, building characters, and refining your dialogue-writing skills. It’s a great site for any aspiring novelist.

27. Positive Writer

Positive Writer is a site created for writers with doubt. Created by Bryan Hutchinson, the site provides inspirational posts that will help you stay positive, keep writing, and overcome limiting beliefs that could hold you back from becoming a successful and productive writer.

28. Blots and Plots

Blots and Plots is a site that instructs writers to stay in the habit of writing. It’ll help you stay on track and solve all kinds of writing problems. It also demonstrates how it’s possible to write a novel even while working a full-time job.

29. Writer’s Digest

Writer’s Digest is a well-known and comprehensive site that offers countless resources for authors and all manner of advice for the aspiring and experienced writer alike.

30. Qwiklit

Qwiklit is a site that offers fun and accessible articles about reading and writing.

31. Writing Prompts That Don’t Suck

Writing Prompts That Don’t Suck is a site that provides fun and interesting posts to keep you inspired to write something new. Its myriad writing prompts are funny, spooky, and always unique…and never suck.

32. Scribophile

Scribophile is a well-respected online writing community. It gives detailed, friendly, and helpful critiques for writing of all kinds, as well as free advice and articles on the craft of writing.

33. The Society of Authors

The Society of Authors is a membership organization with over 9,000 members. Anyone is eligible to join as soon as they have been offered a contract from a publisher, broadcaster, or agent.

34. Books by Women

Books by Women is an online literary magazine about contemporary women writers. Their mission is to encourage and promote the visibility of female writers.

35. The Writers’ Guild

The Writers’ Guild is the trade union representing writers in books, poetry, film, TV, radio, theatre, and video games.

36. Apples and Snakes

Apples and Snakes is one of leading organizations for performance poetry in England. It has a national reputation for producing great spoken word performances.

37. HubSpot

HubSpot is a great place for business, sales, and marketing-focused writers. It keeps you updated on the latest research, insights, and strategies for connecting with the audience and making them fall in love with your brand.

If you want to be a professional blogger, freelance writer, copywriter, or marketer, you’ll love Hubspot’s articles and resources.

38. BookCrossing

BookCrossing is a social network for books and book lovers. It’s basically like geocaching, but for books, and it can be a fun way to interact with other readers and authors.

39. Now Novel

Now Novel is a book writing website that provides help for aspiring writers and offers writing tips and advice.

40. Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg offers over 42,000 free eBooks. You can choose among free kindle books or free epub books, and you can read them online or download them. It’s pretty neat, and you can pick up all kinds of great classic books there for free.

41. Bookanista

Bookanista is a web magazine featuring author interviews, new fiction, extracts, book recommendations, essays, picture stories, diary pieces, and blogs about the published word.

42. The Electric Typewriter

The Electric Typewriter is a site that produces great articles and essays by some of the world’s best journalists and writers.

43. Copyblogger

Copyblogger is an online library of free eBooks, articles, and resources for professional writers. This site is a leading resource for professional blogging from the creators of the Rainmaker Platform for digital marketing.

44. LitRejections

LitRejections helps writers persevere through rejection with the ability to publish their own stories of rejection on the site.

45. Write-Track

Write-Track is a writing productivity tool that allows writers to join an online community of other writers, track their writing, and set personal writing goals.

46. Be a Freelance Blogger

Be a Freelance Blogger is a site that teaches how to take freelance blogging skills to the professional level. It will help you increase your blogging income and become an expert in your niche.

47. Booksie

Booksie is a free site that lets you publish any kind of writing online, from short articles to entire novels. This site also allows readers to read and comment on others’ work to support them.

48. Create If Writing

Create If Writing is a writing website that shares tips and tools on how to build an authentic platform for your creative brand.

If you liked this post, here are some other articles you might love:

• 5 Writing Resources Every Pro Writer Should Have At Their Fingertips
• Complete Guide to Beta Readers: How to Find and Work with Early Reviewers to Improve Your Writing
• The Best Novel Writing Software: Tools Every Fiction Writer Should Use in 2018

Tom Corson-Knowles is the founder of TCK Publishing, and the bestselling author of 27 books including Secrets of the Six-Figure author. He is also the host of the Publishing Profits Podcast show where we interview successful authors and publishing industry experts to share their tips for creating a successful writing career.

17 Comments

hi KAELYN am looking for a site where they can help me publish an edcucational book , well in soft copy form am all the way in kenya,AFRICA COULD YOU KINDLY DIRECT ME TO THE RIGHT WEBSITE thanks in advance

I strongly recommend avoiding Royal Road. It is a truly toxic site, with moderators that freely trade private information, and do almost anything for a dime.

Hi, My 2 daughters are avid readers and for the last couple of years they have been writing their own stories on scrap paper, in notebooks, on the family PC, iPad notes etc I’m looking for a website where they can upload their stories, share etc However they are only 8 yrs and 10yrs old so need an age appropriate site. Any suggestions? The list you provided was great but nothing stood out to me – if you have young children under 12 then this is the site for you.

Hi Kirk, thanks for your question! I actually don’t know of any aimed specifically at kids, but I’ll do some research and work on a post about this :) As far as a place where they can store all their stories, an app/software like Evernote would let them take their work anywhere :)

I’m an amazing fantasy writer and I want to show it to the world I’m a Nigerian

Hi Kirk, how about Imagine Forest? It’s aimed at under 12 year olds and has a ton of free creative writing resources, as well as cool tools like a story builder.

Does anyone know about Good episodes writer’s platform… I’m failing to search for other people’s stories… Help

Hello, with only a quick glimpse of what is on this page, I’m now angry i never knew of it before…..Each and every one of these sites appeals to me in some way. The issue it creates now, is I HAVE QUESTIONS. Who can I contact and how can do it for quick response to a few questions? Thank you dbd

Hi Doug, what kind of questions do you have so I can direct you to the right contact?

wow, your writing is awesome I liked reading it. it was the best and also I am a 3rd grader in lashonacademy.org and I am 8 years old.

We’re glad you enjoyed the post! :)

This is really thoughtful of you. I also think you should check out http://www.gigdraft.com

It’s a marketplace for writers and they’re doing pretty well

I fully recommand use this website to read chinese novel : https://novelhi.com

this is really nice to read..informative post is very good to read..thanks a lot!

You’re very welcome Anna, we’re glad you found it helpful! :)

Hi Tom, great list! Thank you for including Now Novel.

Hi Jordan, you’re very welcome! We’re glad you found the list helpful

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Learn More About

• Fiction (182)
• Nonfiction (53)
• Blogging (43)
• Book Promotion (28)
• How to Get Reviews (9)
• Audiobooks (17)
• Book Design (10)
• Ebook Publishing (13)
• Hybrid Publishing (8)
• Print Publishing (9)
• Self Publishing (70)
• Traditional Publishing (53)
• How to Find an Editor (11)
• Fitness (4)
• Mindfulness and Meditation (7)
• Miscellaneous (104)
• New Releases (17)
• Career Development (73)
• Online Courses (46)
• Productivity (45)
• Personal Finance (21)
• Podcast (179)
• Poetry Awards Contest (2)
• Publishing News (8)
• Readers Choice Awards (5)
• Reading Tips (144)
• Software (16)
• Technology (12)
• Contests (4)
• Grammar (45)
• Word Choice (63)
• Writing a Book (57)
• Writing Fiction (187)
• Writing Nonfiction (61)

Want help with your author marketing? Get our FREE ebook and cheat sheet: 6 Steps To Getting More Readers.

By subscribing, you agree to get emails from me, Matt Ziranek. I’ll respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe any time.

67 Author Websites That Wow (A Complete Author Site Guide)

Writing a great book isn’t easy, but neither is getting readers to notice you in a sea of online sameness. That’s why you need an engaging, professional author website that positions you as someone worth reading.

Thankfully, there are plenty of inspiring author website examples out there to kick-start your creativity.

To make it easier for you, we’ve put together the best 67 author websites online. Take a page from the book of these authors and give your website the literary love it deserves.

Disclaimer: We’re an author website design agency . We’ve built websites for million-book-selling authors, TEDx speakers, and even the official biographer of the Pope. We’re a little biased when it comes to our own work, but we do have a ton of passion and experience when it comes to website design for authors!

Chapter 1 Author Website Examples

Chapter 2 Author Website Must-Haves

Chapter 3 How To Build An Author Website

Chapter 4 More Author Website Examples

Chapter 5 Getting Professional Website Help

Author Website Examples

Here are our Top 67 Author Websites. We’ve grouped them by genre and added a jump link menu here if you’d like to go straight to a specific genre:

Nonfiction Author Websites

Children’s author websites.

• Fantasy and Science Fiction Author Websites

Horror and Thriller Author Websites

Romance author websites.

• Young Adult, General Fiction, and Adventure Author Websites

Here are our Top 67 Author Websites by genre.

I’ll briefly explain what I think is great about each of them.

Chunka Mui 

Innovation, Business

Features: Clear Branding, Minimalist Design

We had the pleasure of building this author website for Chunka and we really think it sells his platform perfectly. Not that my opinion is skewed or anything…

What really stands out with this site is the bold colors contrasted by the white space design. The website finds equilibrium between innovation and professionalism. It emphasizes the author’s brand and the content laid out.

There is plenty of useful, creative and groundbreaking content to sift through and see what catches your eye.

Jonathan Fields – Good Life Project

Self Help, Business

Features:  Interactive Tool, Background Video

A site that stylishly broadcasts “feel good” vibes. Combines warm colors with professionally shot uplifting background video which gives it some class. But just in case you thought it was too serious for you, just a short scroll away is the “Good Life-O-Meter.” Do yourself a favor and drag it all the way to the unicorn. It’s worth it.

This kind of online tool is great for encouraging shares and backlinks from other sites wanting to refer to interesting resources. This is an all-round very professional and engaging site. The top Opt-in bar “Wondering what to do with your life?” is perfectly aligned with what the book promises and sends you to a quiz. This site does all the right things, and does them well, while keeping true to its brand.

Mike Michalowicz

Business, entrepreneurship

Features:  Personal Branding, Fun User Experience

Mike pulls off what few business authors can: a cheeky, enjoyable brand of business education that is so fun and interesting you just want to dive deeper.

Hover over his books on the home page and he transforms accordingly. And click the audio link by his name for laugh.

His clear call to action to “Get the free tools” and join his mailing list immediately tells visitors what to do on the site.

The only criticism I have of this author website is that it takes a long time to load. Otherwise, it’s among my favorites.

Austin Kleon

Self Help, Art

Features:  Blog Focused, Cheeky, Engaging

Austin Kleon clearly wants you to focus on his blog which pops up right away. It also makes sure his author website feels fresh all the time because he literally posts every day! This strategy acts as a clever customer journey for website visitors who aren’t too familiar with his work because they can read through hundreds of pages of his free content and get to know his voice and become one step closer to a buyer.

His books are also always tastefully displayed in his sidebar so the longer you’re on his blog the more likely you are to check them out at some stage or another.

One thing I really noticed about Austin’s website is that he’s a smart blogger . He creates a rich internal linking structure using many links to other resources and encourages others to build links to his site using clever techniques like asking them to copy-paste his preformatted bio complete with his most important backlinks. I’m sure this has earned him a ton of referral traffic over time and helped his SEO massively.

Timothy Ferris The Four Hour Chef

Features:  Engaging, Interactive, Cheeky

While at first impression this site may seem overly busy, it’s still definitely interesting. There’s so much to do and explore on the site you kind of want to get stuck in and check it all out. Many different lightbox, carousel and preview type features allow you to consume a huge amount of information in what at first seems like a fairly concise page.

While a one-page author website isn’t usually advisable for SEO, it certainly will make you stay on the page a while exploring all the rich content. The other unfortunate disadvantage with this type of site is it tends to break easily because it’s heavily tech-dependent. Several of the features didn’t work when I checked it out, like the trailer, which I really wanted to watch.

Riders of A Certain Age – Fran Severn

Features: Fun Background Video and Cozy Colors and design, 

This is another Rocket Expansion exclusive, and we were definitely horsing around with this one.

Fran’s passion for horses and knowledge on horses is felt deeply throughout the website. When visiting the website, it feels like you’re stepping into the author’s office, ready for answers to every question you have on riding horses.

It’s simple yet packed with brand-centric content for visitors to enjoy. 

Gary Vaynerchuk

Non-fiction, Business

Features:  Bold Branding

His branding is very loud and in your face, much like he is. Fans will feel welcome here because they feel like they’ve arrived at the right place.

Frank Chimero – The Shape of Design

Non-fiction, Design

Features:  Minimalist Design

The website IS the book. Gorgeous minimalist design informed by functionality which better emphasises the theme of the book.

If you’re really just wanting to promote one book you may decide on this approach of making a website for a book instead of a website for an author.

Greg McKeown

Non-fiction, Lifestyle

Features:  Sleek Design, Multiple Calls To Action, Video

Branding spot on. The muted palette works with the “essentialism” theme. Video is well branded and sells the core concepts. Multiple calls to action mean if you’re at all interested you’ll get Chapter 1 and enter his author funnel.

Mark Manson

Features:  Cheeky and Memorable, Great SEO Strategy and Funnel

Mark’s site is fun! It’s an experience. Much like his writing in general, you just kind of love his insouciant attitude and the website reflects this well while still being quite organized. There’s a heck of a lot of content on the website which is mostly tucked behind the hamburger menu bar.

He has clearly worked out his funnel very well, both in terms of customer journey and SEO. There are various tiers of membership to his content. You can opt in to his blog and unlock VIP content right inside his blog. You can pay a little extra for an insider circle as well. This is an author and content creator who clearly understands marketing in the digital age.

His author website has an impressive backlink profile: A high domain authority and a lot of quality links from other websites. He’s getting an estimated 250K organic visits a month! Whatever this guy and his team say they know about his subject, they definitely understand SEO and content marketing. All-round this is a brilliant site that is no doubt a huge success for its author.

Non-Fiction, Memoir

Features:  Creation of Book Cover Video , Graphics

Will’s site is a burst of color and creativity. It features images of widow displays from different bookstores around the world. There is also a video of artist B-Mike creating the book cover. If you haven’t watched it do yourself a favour and check it out right now. Mind=blown. Nuff said.

George Weigel

Non-Fiction, Essayist

Features:  Great current articles and tons of archives , Easy to navigate

George’s author website aligns well with his genre and work as an author. It is subtle but focused, holding true to the message it is getting across. This is a great balance to achieve on a website as less is more and you allow your work to speak for itself.

Vince Frost – Design your Life

Features:  Unique Design, Interactive

This author website is just so different. It’s like you’ve stepped outside of the internet as we know it and landed in a Bauhaus montage made of words and interactivity. I wouldn’t advocate making a website like this yourself, to be honest. It’s not really clear what’s what and what to do, but you have to marvel that someone went out there and custom-built this crazy beast.

Marie Forleo

Features:  Stylish Optimism, Funnel

Marie’s author website feels like a news hub for everything Marie Forleo, which is exactly what it is. It does a great job of carrying the flavor of her stylish brand of optimism. She obviously really wants you to buy her book. You can’t browse on a page without seeing a button to buy it.

One thing that’s interesting about this website from an author’s point of view is that you’re sent to another website to buy the book. For Marie, who already has a good online presence over many platforms, this makes sense because she can then use her book website as a tight funnel to drive more sales (no other distractions from buying it).

For less established authors I wouldn’t recommend this. More websites mean more history and backlinks to establish for each one for google. Even Marie’s book website only has a small fraction of the backlinks of her personal website.

Brené Brown

Features:  Smooth and Sleek, Fan resources

This author website is well designed, easy to navigate and feels smooth and sleek. High-quality photography helps sell the value behind the words. Has a ton of great looking downloadables and shareables.

L Ron Hubbard

Fiction, Non-Fiction, Philosophy

Features:  Great use of video, Clean clear message.

A smoothly built website that focuses on a filterable video timeline that selects video clips by periods of the author’s life. The fact that there’s just so much video content here means you could spend hours on the same page learning about all the various life phases.

It’s a clean site, easy to navigate and packed with content. Probably the most impressive aspect of the site is the incredible volume of multimedia content on it. Virtually every page you go to has professional video footage covering the content. I can imagine users can spend a long time here. Time-on-page being an important ranking factor for Google, the site will no doubt rank quite easily for its relevant search queries.

Steve Braverman

Non-Fiction, Finance Management, 

Features: Energetic Background video, Metaphor driven 

Our opinion on this website may be swayed since we actually built this one! 

Professional and personal meet in the middle on this site. It uses a metaphor of an olympic nature to encourage its visitors to take wealth management into their own hands. 

To avoid looking more business focussed, the website has playful icons and imagery to attract the right audience.

Jacqui Shephard

Features:  Fun and flowing, Fan resources

We made this children’s author website as well. We wanted to make it playful and engaging. We used the characters from the books in various parts of the website. They peep in and out of the frames and backgrounds. The site, like Jacqui’s writing, is light-hearted and reflects her warm attitude towards her young readers.

Features:  Bold Branding, Fun, Fan Resources

A fun and engaging site which uses the cover art branding throughout. Her fan resources pages for teachers and parents are a great idea.

Lewis Carroll

Features:  Homage to a Classic

You often expect an author who isn’t around anymore to not have a great website. Lewis Carol’s site is definitely an exception. The site really does pay homage to the spirit of Lewis Carol, complete with animated, disappearing cats, original character art and a kind of classic feel. I think the old man, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson as he was actually named, would probably look at the website and nod in approval.

I love the fact that the site really does do everything to honor the writer and not go all over-the-top about modern Disney renditions of his work.

R J Palacio

Features:  App Download, Fun and Interactive

A fun and cute layout, Palacio’s author site uses a muted color scheme to focus on her playful character art and subtly animated interactivity. She’s created a whole bunch of downloadable resources and even her own app.

The Winter Skye Series – Valencia Weaver

Features: Vibrant Background and Colors

When you get to make a fun site like this, you’ll enjoy every second of it. And we definitely did!

Valencia’s site jumps out in every way you want a children’s author website to. 

Amusing animations pop and excite across this website, making it an entertaining experience for the user. The extras that are made for kids make your stay on this website rewarding.

Features:  Zany Engagement Overload

Super fun and all kinds of extra interactive fun things for kids to keep on coming back. The site is bold and clean, letting the colors, illustrations and font do the work.

Go and check out the trailer for Dogman. Such a riot.

Shel Silverstein

Features:  Animated Navigation

Illustrations are super fun. The navigation activates these awesome little animations. Makes you feel like the author’s work is going to be a lot of fun to read to kids.

Fantasy and Science Fiction Author Websites 

Melissa mcphail.

Epic Fantasy

Features:  Rich content, Fan resources

Full disclaimer here, my agency built this author site so I’m terribly biased. That being said I think I still have enough objectivity to say that it is a fantastic and rather unique site all the same.

Melissa’s cover art is quite beautiful. We used this artwork as the branding theme for the site and then took it a step further with a whole lot of new and interesting rich content. We created a series of detailed, full-color, illustrated maps that have now been downloaded several thousand times.

There are magic charts and codes of lore, glossaries, and character lists. It’s everything one needs as a thorough online companion to her epic fantasy series “A Pattern of Shadow and Light.”

We strived to create an immersive website that is also an artwork. Interestingly enough Melissa herself stated that the site was truly a work of art in her final review. So I guess we nailed it.

As far as the site building her author platform,  email signups instantly shot up over 5 times the daily opt-in rate  since we launched the site and have shown no sign of slowing down. This site has no doubt paid for itself many times over in terms of future readers created and current readers engaged.

You can make your own assessment. Melissa’s feedback and others’ have been overwhelmingly excellent so far.

Want To Give Your Readers An Engaging Online Experience?

Get an author website that showcases your books, grows your list, and attracts publishers and promoters.

Features:  Video, Great design, Crossover artist skills

Henry leverages his highly skilled illustration ability to make beautiful time-lapse videos of his artwork creation. Lean on what makes you unique as an author and artist. As an illustrator myself, I can seriously appreciate Henry’s abilities and I’m sure his fans can as well.

I’ve written a more detailed breakdown of Henry’s site on  my fantasy author websites article.

Thomas R. Weaver

Science Fiction

Features: Captivating Background Video and Design Sense

We loved designing this website for Thomas. His website feels like you are already in the future…yet still in the present. From the moody color palette to the futuristic imagery, you can feel author’s brand.

Based on this website, the future is destructive yet put together; something you haven’t seen before yet not too unfamiliar.

Christopher Kastensmidt

Fantasy, RPG

Features:  Rich world-building, Theme on point

Like most of the website examples I’ve cited, what is working in Christopher’s is that his look and feel is in harmony with his brand. The website screams RPG which is at the core of his work. You immediately feel the gamified style and want to get in there and play (if that’s your thing.)

Chris also has some high-quality artwork for viewing in his artwork gallery. Along with a rich “world” resources page, I can see his genre of RPG fans loving this site.

Veronica Roth

Features:  Clean clear message, White space

The obvious thing about this site is clarity and white space. You don’t feel cramped into a corner with too much information overload. All the information you want is there and easy and inviting to discover.

Although it helps site speed, I think some of the images could have been a little bit better quality because they look overly grainy at times. Apart from this, I’m always a fan of a site that is clean, clear and communicates.

Vera Jane Cook

Southern Fiction, Paranormal Fantasy, and Science Fiction

Features:  Aesthetic branding and Color, Reader Journey

We built this website for Vera Jane with two main goals in mind:

• have a style that matched her books and genre,
• create a clear journey for website visitors to join her mailing list so she can continue to build her audience and sell more books.

She also wanted a differentiation between her two pennames, which we added on the home page slider and also in a dropdown from the books tab in the menu.

Leigh Bardugo – Grishaverse

Features:  Engaging Fan resources, Fun

Leigh’s site, Grishaverse is a whole lot of fun. It’s got that rich graphic novel type feel, with liberal use of illustrations, textures, decorative fonts, and fan resources that all come together really well and compliment her brand.

I’m a huge fan of this site. It’s engaging and well made. While navigating through her website, even though I’ve never read her books, I feel like I’ll find a well-crafted, quirky, original world within their pages.

Daniel Gibbs

Military Science Fiction

Features:  Interactive World-Building, High Converting Author Funnel

Another one of our author websites, Daniel Gibb’s site features some interactive starmaps and interactive ship diagrams. It also loads with full-screen background video.

The author went to a huge effort to create a fully fleshed-out world for his readers. He’s even got a full-on encyclopedia of his universe!

His author funnel is very slick, offering Book Zero Prequel Novellas for both his series. With such professionally produced high-value lead magnets, his email list grows rapidly.

We’re excited and honored to be working with him further on this website and on his next exciting projects in the near future.

J.K. Rowling

Features:  Unique design, Personal touch

Of course, when you’re a billionaire you really get to invest in a ground-breaking technical masterpiece of a website. I’m not sure what it cost her, but this site is a marvel. Open it on a desktop, resize the browser window and watch how the objects seamlessly rearrange themselves into different and interesting compositions according to the browser size. What I love about her homepage is it feels like a little window into her life. Like you’ve stumbled upon her belongings left lying around when she just popped out for a minute and now get to have a rare inside glimpse at what this extraordinary woman is all about.

Her author website is split into 2, one for updates and one for kids to explore. What I love about her updates homepage is it feels like a little window into her life. Like you’ve stumbled upon her belongings left lying around when she just popped out for a minute and now get to have a rare inside glimpse at what this extraordinary woman is all about. The kids homepage is interactive and one of the most engaging out there.

Beyond the home page, the website is really quite ordinary. Well designed and elegant for sure, but otherwise quite simple. I feel like more could’ve been done with the inner pages to keep up with the amazing home page.

But hey, she has several other entire websites dedicated to her worlds already,  Wizarding World , and  Harry Potter the Play  so I think she’s got it covered.

Davis Ashura

Features:  Author Inside the Story

Another one of my agency’s author websites, Davis Ashura’s site is rich in imagery and interesting to explore. You can check out the site for yourself but the thing I really wanted to feature here was a novel About page we created for him. We placed him inside his own fantasy world with a dragon about to swoop down and bathe a small village in fire, in the background.

If he’s having so much fun within his world, it kind of hints to the reader that they should dive right in as well, right?

To read more here’s our full case study on Davis Ashura’s website.

James Maxwell

Science Fiction, Fantasy

Features:  Series Showcase, Reader Journey

This is another one of our own author websites. James Maxwell reached out to us to build it to launch his 3rd series, The FireWall Trilogy, which has already hit no. 2 bestseller in the Sci Fi genre and no. 6 bestseller in the Fantasy genre on Amazon book sales.

We concentrated on showcasing each of his book series as their own branded showcase of books. We kept the website with a fantasy/sci fi look and feel so that it would work for whatever series he comes out with in future for these overlapping genres he writes within.

We also went to town on making him look like a mysterious wizard of mystery and magic in his about page which was just a fun touch.

A heavy concentration for any author website is going to be their email signups, and we put a strong call to action in the menu, which is visible at all times, and a more detailed call to action further down the page on almost every page.

James was really thrilled with his new site and the feedback from his agent (who represents some huge names) was that it was one of the best author websites he had ever seen (and he’s seen a lot!)

As such, we’re quite proud of it as well. You can read more about the  story and concept behind the website here.

Katy Rose Pool

Features:  Bold Conspicuous Intro

The homepage introduction is awesome. It’s interesting how you get sent to an entirely different website for her book. Not entirely sure why but the fact that it’s a MacMillan branded book site is probably the answer.

Katherine Arden

Features:  Make Your Books Precious

Like the way her books are displayed almost like sacred or royal artifacts as you arrive. Simple and clean layout and navigation make the site easy to use. The fan art is a fun touch.

Hafsah Faizal – We Hunt The Flame

Fantasy, Young Adult

Features:  Worldbuilding Resources

An endearing and interesting site. Love how you can click sections of her world map to learn more. Her character page is also beautifully done. I think she’s done a good job of giving a sense of the world with minimal content produced.

Stephanie Meyer

Features:  Unique, Illustration, Resources, Well-Integrated Artwork

Maybe it’s because I’m also a professional illustrator and artist, maybe because I’m a little crazy as well, but I LOVE a well-illustrated intro to a website. Stephenie’s website is heavily illustration-based, and it makes it feel very creative and unique. It’s also easy to navigate, beautiful and clean. Has a fun “obsessions” page in which she obsessively shares all the things she’s obsessing over. I guess in the hope that fans will become obsessed as well.

Tim Sullivan

Features: Ominous Atmosphere, Creepy Background Video

This is another author website designed by yours truly. 

The background video creeps you out in the best ways possible. There’s transitioning icons that continue the ominous atmosphere and keep the visitor on their toes. 

The dark colors with pops of blood like pigments is enough to make your skin crawl, and that’s how you know you’re exactly where you need to be. 

Mark Dawson

Features:  Bold Branding, Opt-In Focused

Clear calls to action. Crisp Decisive lines with high contrast make you feel compelled to go and interact with the limited but appealing calls to action. I’ll bet he has a high opt-in rate!

Features:  Mystery Magnet

Anyone who knows Dan Brown knows he’s obsessed with symbols. His website reflects this. What may not be as obvious is that the mysterious symbols draw you in by making you curious.

Just look at this cryptic form field with a send button. What does it do? Don’t you just have to know! I’m pretty sure the sets of symbols are clues and that you can figure it out and unlock some kind of puzzle. It’s all very intriguing. Which is the point of course. Mystery pulls an audience in and keeps them interested.

Peter Joseph Lewis

Features:  Minimalism, Fan Contribution

As with all minimalist designs the site has great use of white space, making every design element that much more impactful.

Earthy brown is a color that evokes down-to-earth, dependable and safe feelings, which provides an interesting contrast to his rather disturbing imagery. Like you’re in a safe place of his making, where it’s safe to explore his rather disturbing material. Nice touch I thought. I also love how you can buy him a cup of coffee online. If I was a fan, I would do it.

Katie Alender

Features:  Minimal, Clean and clear, Cute

When you add less, what is there stands out that much more. The tiny apology under her logo “Sorry my website isn’t scarier” is cute and inviting in its vulnerability.

I’m a fan of the clean design of the site. However, like many Squarespace sites I’ve seen, I can see it just isn’t delivering in terms of being an author funnel. No opt-in option. No resources. No opportunity for engagement. Maybe she only uses her socials for that? I’m not sure.

It’s a great looking, clean site, but also a missed opportunity to really delight fans and gain future readers. There is a beautifully made book trailer hidden in one of the book pages with over 2 million YouTube views, why it’s not more accessible I don’t quite know. I feel like this website looks good but really isn’t helping her brand as much as it could be. It seems more like an afterthought than a marketing tool.

Mary Burton

Features:  Clever branding,   Functional, Clean and clear,

Two things I really liked about this site: Firstly, the author watching you with a big grin, leaning out of the banner section with her next book. Secondly, the long scrolling banner of books at the bottom of the homepage. I thought that was a good solution to having too many books to easily display on one page.

Evan Graver

Thriller, Action-Adventure

Features: Simplistic, Exciting Background video

Evan’s website is sleek and simplistic. And we’re not just saying that because we designed it!

The background video on the homepage is captivating enough to let the rest of the author website focus on the content.

But that doesn’t mean the other pages let up on the atmosphere. The color combination of blues and blacks really sell Evan’s ex-navy branding by making the user feel like they’re in the ocean.

Lastly, his reader magnet is also loud and proud on each page, making certain the users don’t miss the great offer.

Crime Thriller

Features:  Opt-in, Clean, multimedia, engaging

Clean engaging design and layout. The site feels professional and is laid out in such a way that you’d actually want to read it. Various media from video to audio clips make it a rich user experience. I like the opt-in being a “book club” with tons of value thrown in for subscribers. A bit confused why the blog is called “Extras” but otherwise it all makes sense.

Features:  Killer Navigation

His navigation with the little revolver icon is fun. The layout is clean with high contrast and lots of bite-size sections, ensuring you don’t get bored going through long bodies of content.

James Rollins

Features:  Immersed in the Story

Love his dark, gritty feel. The branding of a kind of wartime dystopia really makes you feel like you’re inside a story. I found the navigation and way the site was organized a little confusing because it didn’t seem consistent one page to another, but otherwise love the design. He obviously has a lot of great content to share as well, I just wish it was a little easier to find.

Features: Magical Background Video Fun, Personal Touch

Here’s another one of Rocket Expansion author websites for the list. K.C’s site feels fun, fresh and lived in, like you’re getting to know her personally. She has tons of extras that make the visitor feel a part of her writing process. From the music to the poll for her next book, you’re invited to share the experience of her universe.

Evangeline Anderson

Romance, Sci-Fi

Features:  Mystery Magnet, VIP List

Although this is a Sci-Fi Romance author and the mystery magnet technique is generally used for thriller and horror, I’m going to stick this author website in this category as well.

Evangeline Anderson is obviously known for her romance novels but has now ventured into what appears to be alien romance, which I must say freaky or not, you just want to find out more right there right? Hunky alien dudes giving you the “you’re-mine” look? It may just be the next big thing and Evangeline’s website sells this well.

Even though you wouldn’t get me reading a novel like this with a ten-foot pole, the website definitely got me interested in this crossover genre if nothing else. I also like that she calls her one newsletter sign up page “VIP List”, and has it separate from her “Newsletter” page. I’m not exactly sure what the difference is but it’s gotta make a fan feel more special right?

Katherine Center

Features:  Bold, Colorful, Unique, Rainbow colored ice cream

Katherine’s site is bold and bright. The opening banner is a scrolling panel of impressive reviews and accolades basically saying you gotta read this now. She has an interesting extras page which really just seems to have a bit of everything: social feeds, a shop, books her blog. I couldn’t quite figure out if the extras page was just everything in one place, but I found it interesting. Her site reminds me of rainbow-colored ice-cream.

Charlie Cochet

Features: Content Galore, Pops of Color

We built a behemoth of a website with this one! Charlie’s website is jam-packed yet a breeze to navigate through. There’s no shortage of things to see with the exclusive content like playlists, signed copies of books, interviews, etc.

Not to forget the mix of stand-out and cursive fonts with bright colors that keep the eyes entertained.

Features:  Fresh and Calming

Fresh color scheme which is accentuated by the plant motif. Her books section layout is a clean well-presented solution for an author with a lot of work to show.

Helen Hoang

Features:  Feminine Fun

Helen’s website carries her book branding nice into an online format. Similar feminine color schemes yet still punchy and fresh. I also like her little tagline “saying it with a love story.”

Maggie Carpenter

Thrilling, Steamy, Romantic Suspense 

Features: On Point Branding, Atmospheric 

We’re in love with this author website…and not just because we built it!

Maggie’s website has a tone that’s emphasized by the images that are revealed as you scroll. 

The sharp reds contrasted by black and white space segments the content, making the site a joy to navigate.

Young Adult, General Fiction and Adventure Author Websites

Andrew clawson.

Adventure, Thriller

Features: Engaging Background video, Enticing Sign-up Incentive

It was thrilling to create this website for Andrew! Visitors can watch the splashes of scenes in the background video and feel ready to dive into the author’s world. The clean layout and interesting images bring a promise of adventure. 

There’s plenty on the website for users to see, but the offer of a free novel is tempting to say the least.

Rick Riordan

Young Adult Fiction

Features:  Unique Interactivity, Easy to navigate

A site that takes the term “storyline” to a whole new level. The home page is a very literal, dynamic storyline that moves down with the user, leading you through the various series. The same living line gimmick is used on the individual books on each series pages, keeping the site feeling unified in its look and feel. Inviting you to explore each as you go.

To me, this is an elegant solution to a young adult-friendly site. Quick to understand and engaging to navigate. The clarity of design and high quality of the illustrations don’t do it any harm either.

Mark Nutter

Fiction, Comedy

Features: Nutty, Bold, Sophisticated

We had a blast designing Mark’s website. A contemporary design made to let the content and the craziness shine. 

There’s a lot to see but it doesn’t feel overwhelming. It’s rather exciting to see so much content from a unique person. 

And before you think it all makes sense, there’s a crocodile at the end of the homepage. Quirky in the best way!

Horror, Young Adult

Features:  Fan resources, Clean and clear

For a Young Adult Horror Author, I think this website really pulls it off. It uses striking, contrasting elements and awkward diagonal compositions that are just a little bit off to create a fun, edgy neon brand of young horror.

He offers some cool resources for his audience as well, like audiobook stories one can listen to which are professionally narrated by voice-over artists.

He also offers a beautifully presented free PDF download of his writing program to be used by educators in helping you adults become writers.

At first, you may not think too much of this website, but once you really dig in you realize it’s quite well thought out and offers a lot of value to a visitor in a simple, clear manner. Big thumbs up.

Wilbur Smith

Nature, Adventure

Features:  Animated Ambiance

The homepage you land on is fantastic. Striking colors, clean navigation, and engaging animated elements. The style is maybe not for everyone, but it definitely feels alive.

Veronica Rossi

Young Adults

Features:  Epic Intro

The website makes a great introduction. The logo and header navigation makes it feel cinematic. The rest of the rest feels a little outdated in style with long pages of scrolling text, but I still think it’s a pretty cool site.

Ronald L. Smith

Children’s, Young Adult

Features:  Beautiful header

The top banner looks awesome and sets the tone of the site well. I like the general clean feel of the site. Not much of a fan of the general way the body text is laid out in the inner pages. It could be more engaging.