What to Include on Your Author Website

It is incredibly important these days to have an author website. Even before your first book is published, you should purchase a domain name (connected to the name you write under, not a specific book) and include relevant information based on where you are in your career.

Once you have books out in the world, your website will be visited by readers, event organizers, and media outlets. However, even if you’re just starting to query your first book, agents and editors might look for your website to learn more about you and your work.

Whether you’re building a website from scratch or planning to update one you already have, here is my list of ten things that should be included:

Bio. The author bio is a crucial part of your website—and I believe two bios are even better than one. Write a short bio with only the most important information to include on your homepage. Then, write an even longer bio (that you can put on an “about” page) for those of us who are too curious for our own good and need to know everything.

Photo. The photo on your website should be a step above an Instagram selfie. A first impression is still a first impression even if it’s online. If you don’t want to pay a photographer to take a professional head shot, you can search online for photography tips. Our phones can take great quality pictures with the right lighting and settings.

Your book(s). Don’t forget to promote your work! Any published book should be highlighted on your website. We want to see the cover, a short description, purchase links (try linking to multiple options, like Amazon, a national chain, and an independent bookstore, so readers can choose their preference), and the formats available (print, ebook, audio). Tell us who the publisher is. Include any trade reviews received. If you don’t have books out already, but you have shorter pieces to share, those are good to link as well. Short stories, poems, articles, etc.—anything published should find a place on your website.

Contact information. Include an email address, or a contact form, that you check on a regular basis for professional inquiries. Tell your readers how they can contact you (maybe you want non-professional emails to go to a different place). If you have an agent, include their name and contact information. If you have a publicist, include their name and contact information.

Press round-up. This is where you can link to interviews, podcast appearances, or any other press you’ve taken part in. It’s a great way to promote your involvement in the literary community. This is also where you can list any awards or recognition you’ve received. This could be its own page or combined with an events calendar and social media info (see those sections below) for a catch-all “media” page.

Events calendar. If you’re a social butterfly, let people know what events you’ll be attending. Book signings, convention appearances, writing workshops, etc. Listing these events shows that you are dedicated, willing to learn, and eager to network with others in the industry.

Social media links. Easy links to your social media accounts encourages readers to follow you wherever it’s easiest for them. These links could be added to the homepage of your website, our you could include them on your contact page.

Newsletter or blog. If you’re going to have a blog attached to your website, make sure it is updated on a regular basis. You don’t want readers to click on a blog link only to see that it hasn’t been updated in over a year. It’s best not to blog at all than to only write one post per year. Newsletters have become much more popular in recent years. They allow you to build an audience of your own that you can contact directly, and you can determine how often you write and send out updates. Encouraging readers to sign up for your newsletter is a great call-to-action on your homepage.

Media/press kit. This is a helpful addition leading up to (and after, of course) a book publication. This kit is typically a download comprised of a number of things to help media/press access everything they need when promoting you and your book: photo, bio, recent media coverage, contact information, book description, etc. There are guides written specifically about what makes a good media/press kit, so I recommend doing some research and finding out what will work best for you and the type of book you’re promoting.

Content for readers. You might have bonus content to share with readers. Things like discussion guides for book clubs, educational resources for teachers, bonus chapters, etc. Or, you might have merchandise connected to your book that you want to share.

Having a professional author website is crucial when establishing a literary brand. As your career grows, your website will serve as a virtual business card for anyone interested in your work: agents, editors, journalists, and readers. And as things in your career shift, those changes need to be reflected on your website, so set a reminder right now to audit your website on a quarterly basis and make sure everything is still relevant (but don’t forget to add book publication information as it happens—you don’t want to wait to add your book purchase links three months after the book is available).