I’m an author website designer who writes articles for authors, writers, journalists and anyone looking to showcase their written work online.
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What to look for in an Author Website Designer
I’ve been an author website designer for over 15 years, and in that time I’ve learned many things about creating websites specifically for authors. In the beginning, I most often worked with the digital marketing departments of traditional publishers who Read more…
WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix for Author Websites
WordPress, Squarespace, Wix — there are great choices out there for what you might select as the platform to build your author website. So, how do you choose? Each of these options has pros and cons, and the landscape of building websites changes constantly over time. It’s a critical decision to make, but please don’t lose sleep over it. If things change for you in the future you can always move if it will work better for you. The average Read more...
Your Author Website’s Media Page: What to Include
You're working on your author website, which is great, and you're thinking about the kind of content you might include. You see all these authors with Media pages and you're thinking you need one too, but what kind of content do you include on it? And if you're a new author, do you even need one at all? Let's start by defining what a Media page is. Sometimes called a Press or News page, a Media page is where you Read more...
Downloadable Book Excerpts in Author Website Design
When I work with my author website design clients I often suggest that they provide an excerpt of their book(s) for download. Not only does this give a potential fan and/or media outlets an idea of the kind of writing they do, but it can also serve to get someone hooked so they simply must buy the book to find out what happens next. If an author is working with a publisher, the publisher or publicist will often have input Read more...
Author Mailing Lists Using a Blog vs Substack
Have you noticed how many folks are on Substack these days? It feels like everyone is writing there. I recently had an author website client tell me that "Nobody reads blogs any more. It's Substack or nothing." And I get it. It's easy (really really easy) to set up and get going. You can also charge for access to your writing, which is a dream. Cutting out the middle man between your writing and your audience is a killer idea. Read more...
Transitioning from your old author website to a new one…
I've been an author website designer for long enough that many of my clients have moved from the first iteration of their websites to the second (or more). This most often happens because enough time has passed that technology has changed and they would benefit from a refresh to take advantage of the latest capabilities of the internet. Beyond that, new, popular tools come along (hello, Substack), what's fashionable online changes, and how people find you online has evolved. Add Read more...
Not sure what your author website needs?
Don’t have any idea how to build your own website, but know that you need one?
Kate helps authors who want to establish a strong online presence create a website that represents who they are, and what their book is all about. You could have a gorgeous landing page for your book that was created by a professional author website designer within 2-4 weeks, leaving you to work on higher-value tasks in the book publishing process. Each website is designed with you in mind to help get your book in front of a bigger audience, to sell more, and to allow you to focus on the business of being an author rather than a website designer.
How it Works…
You provide simple information about your book(s) and Kate takes it from there, quickly delivering a complete, fully-functional website built just for you.
Kate creates websites designed to appeal to readers across all device displays that always look great and reach more people. Your time is limited leading up to your book release, and you need to be focusing on high-value promotional tasks rather than being frustrated trying to make a great author website.
It’s really great. Not what I pictured in my head, but I love it. I think that means you’re a great designer. The Don Draper of web design?”
— Outbox Online Client
It’s really great. Not what I pictured in my head, but I love it. I think that means you’re a great designer. The Don Draper of web design?”
— Outbox Online Client