welcome…
…to all my secrets on life as a published author
(I’m 7 traditionally published books in and I’ve learnt some stuff 😉)
I blog weekly about author websites, newsletters and life as a writer…
New posts published every Monday 😊
Want to learn more about me and my own publishing journey first?
(includes info on how I landed one of those mythical six-figure book deals!)
Read all about my own journey to publication →
Or scroll down to read all my other posts!
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most recent posts
How to add social media links to your Squarespace author website
A short but sweet post this week! But I’m often surprised by how many author websites don’t have obvious links to the author’s social media pages embedded somewhere on them.
Must-have pages for your Squarespace author website
So you’ve decided to get your author website sorted! Congratulations. I truly believe that having a strong, beautiful website to showcase your writing career is important not only for your readers, but also for your own mindset. It shows that you are taking your writing seriously.
How to add an Events calendar to your Squarespace author website
The Events functionality is one of Squarespace’s oldest features, and while it’s not hugely intuitive to use, it can be a really neat way to list all your upcoming events so that readers can easily and quickly find out where you will be appearing.
Top tips for taking your own author headshot
I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a good author headshot! So many authors I work with absolutely hate having their photos taken but you will need a decent picture of yourself to use on your author website, social media platforms and probably on your book jacket too.
6 great Squarespace features for authors
There’s a reason I’m such a huge fan of using Squarespace to build author websites. I truly believe it’s the perfect solution for authors who are looking for an easy-to-manage, fully customisable and reliable platform on which to build their online presence.
3 things to do before you start building your author website
So many authors I speak to about their websites approach the whole thing with a sense of dread.
It’s another one of those tasks that comes along with life as an author, like tax returns and posting on social media, that feels compulsory but very much Not Fun.
Squarespace: how to use the accordion block on your author website
Hello! I was SO excited about this new feature that I just had to write a blog post on it - Squarespace has FINALLY introduced an accordion block, which will make having drop-down / Q&A sections on your website super slick and lovely and easy (previously this could only be done with code).
5 things every author website needs
So, you’ve decided to get your author website sorted! Well done! But now you’re wondering what exactly you need to include on it? Let me run you through the basics…
Where to get help with your Squarespace author website
One of the things I love the most about Squarespace is the wealth of support there is out there on offer to people using the platform. And it’s really useful support too!
3 brilliant Squarespace features you may not know about
Squarespace, let me count the ways I love thee! There are many. I’ve become a proper Squarespace nerd ever since I trained as a Squarespace designer, and what I love the most is that Squarespace are constantly evolving the platform and adding new and exciting functionality.
Is it worth hiring a web designer for your author website?
Let’s be honest. My services are not cheap. They were, when I started out, and I was building my portfolio and experience, but they have increased as my knowledge has increased, and I’m pretty happy with the level that they’re at now.
Why you don’t want a rotating banner on your author website
Over the time I’ve been working as a web designer, I’ve had lots of clients tell me that they’d like a nice big rotating banner – or header – or carousel (they have a few names!) – on the homepage of their new website.
Writing for the web
You're a writer, so writing the copy for your website should be easy, right? But sometimes it's not. After all, it's a very different skill from writing books.
Phishing scam alert
I’m sorry to have to blog about this one but thought it was worth a post as I get quite a bit of traffic on here - and the more people who are aware the better! I’ve had several clients contact me recently to say they have received an ominous message through the contact form on their website.
What to put in your author website’s footer
The footer is an important bit of ‘real estate’ on any author website, but it often gets overlooked. Which is a wasted opportunity, as this is one of the sections of your website that appears on every single page (along with your header or main navigation)!
Do I need a website before I get a book deal?
I’ve just finished building my first ever website for an author who has yet to sign a book deal. I’m going to keep her identity under wraps for now, but while we were working together it got me thinking a lot about when, as a writer, is a good time to launch a website.
Project Spotlight: katie-marsh.com
I’m very excited to share with you one of my most recent projects - a one-page website for bestselling author Katie Marsh! I don’t often get to design one-page websites so I really enjoy it when I do - it gives me the chance to trim things right back and create something simple but striking. Less is more!
How to set up your Bookshop.org author page
I am really REALLY excited to be able to shout about this because it’s such an amazingly awesome initiative and I’m kind of stunned that it hasn’t already been done before. But it hasn’t! And it’s great! Hurrah for all new bookish things.
Project Spotlight: lesleykara.com
It was such a joy to work on Lesley Kara’s website - not least because I’m a big fan (loved her mega-seller The Rumour!), we write in the same genre AND she’s a Faber Academy graduate like me. We were also on a crime writers’ panel together last year and she was just so lovely to me, so I knew I was going to enjoy working on her website!
How to make money from your author website
Did you know it was possible to make money from your author website? Other than by selling books through it? If not, read on, and allow me to enlighten you on a very easy, simple thing you can implement to help your author website pay for itself!
✨ 30 things I’ve learnt from 5 years being published ✨
September 6 2023 marked 5 years since my first book was released 😲
To celebrate, I shared a new post about what I’ve learnt from being published EVERY DAY throughout the month.
Enjoy!
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Essential Guide to SEO for Authors
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The Debut Author’s Survival Guide
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Author Website Content Guide
14 page guide
Author Newsletters
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Blogging for Authors
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18 minute video