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!
most popular posts
most recent posts
Why you need a custom email address for your author career
Email addresses! When was the last time you thought much about yours? Or more pertinently – when was the last time you changed yours? I suspect not for a long time. Email addresses are a bit like bank accounts – you set one up when you’re young and then stick with it for life.
How to share your Squarespace site privately for feedback
If you’ve taken the plunge and decided to build your own author website (and if you have, then a huge pat on the back from me!), then you might want to share it with others BEFORE you actually make the site live so that the whole world can find it.
How to build your own author website
One of the things that upsets me a lot is when I speak to authors who feel really discouraged, frustrated and downright angry with their author website. They don’t have the budget to pay a designer but they also have no idea where to start when it comes to building a site themselves.
What's the best website platform for authors?
Whether you’re a self-published or traditionally published author, you do need an author website. As an author, if you’re trying to sell copies of your books to people outside your immediate family, then you’re basically the head of a small business, and businesses in 2023 need websites!
2023 Squarespace navigation updates
Hello! Another short but sweet post today to let you know that Squarespace has been making some major changes to the back-end navigation, which might mean things look a little different when you log in to update your author website.
How to overcome tech phobia and build your own author website
This post is one that’s very close to my heart. I speak to SO many authors who say ‘I hate technology’ or ‘I just find it all so confusing’ or ‘I have no idea who to build a website - I’m a writer!’ and I’d just like to begin this post by saying that I totally get it.
How to manage images on your Squarespace author website
The images you use on your author website are probably more important than the words (sorry but it’s true!) which is why I’m very excited that earlier this year Squarespace finally introduced a better way of organising them!
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.
✨ 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!
curious about my books?
click the covers to find out more
pssst! before you go…
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Look at all the great stuff you’ll get…
Essential Guide to SEO for Authors
17 page guide
The Debut Author’s Survival Guide
30 page ebook
Author Website Content Guide
14 page guide
Author Newsletters
- a Beginner’s Guide
30 minute video
Blogging for Authors
- a Beginner’s Guide
18 minute video