Book Promotion.com

The Best Author Websites Out There + What’s Great About Them

You asked for it, and you got it! I have finally (finally!) gotten around to compiling my mega-list of the best author websites.

Below are many examples of author websites that are widely regarded for their design, functionality, and ability to engage readers. In addition to listing some high-quality sites by well-known authors, we’ll break down what makes these sites effective. Whether you’re an aspiring writer looking for inspiration or a curious reader examining how writers build their brands online, these examples showcase what “best-in-class” author platforms can look like. Take a look at each author’s page and make some notes. What do you like about it? What do you dislike? What features and functions can you use on your own site?

Also, this is a screenshot of the mega-fabulous “Warrior Cats” website, based on the books by Erin Hunter. It has so much going for it–an immersive universe with detailed maps, character profiles, and rich lore invites fans to dive deeper into the fictional world, fostering a sense of connection and discovery. Community interaction thrives through engaging forums, fan art galleries, and events that transform visitors into active participants, nurturing a vibrant and dynamic fan community. Meanwhile, multi-platform appeal is seamlessly integrated with merchandise, reading guides, and social links, encouraging exploration across various formats and catering to a diverse range of interests. Ordinarily I don’t recommend that authors build out a whole website over one book (or one series), but this is obviously an exception.

Sorry, got distracted by the Warrior Cats. Here’s the list!!

Neil Gaiman
https://www.neilgaiman.com
- Why It Works:
  - Brand Consistency: Signature blend of whimsy and darkness.
  - Robust Content: FAQs, journal, and media appearances.
  - Reader Engagement: Blog updates, Q&A sessions, and community ethos.
Margaret Atwood
https://margaretatwood.ca
- Why It Works:
  - Clean Design, Easy Navigation: Straightforward access to her works.
  - Multimedia Integration: Video interviews and social media feeds.
  - Comprehensive Bibliography: Detailed listings of novels, poetry, and essays.
Colson Whitehead
https://www.colsonwhitehead.com
- Why It Works:
  - Visual Identity: Bold typography and sharp images.
  - Intuitive Layout: Easy navigation for events, contact, and press.
  - Engagement Channels: Social media and newsletter links.
Stephen King
https://www.stephenking.com
- Why It Works:
  - Extensive Content for Fans: Chronology of works and discussion forums.
  - Multi-Platform Links: Audio clips, movies, and merchandise.
  - News and Updates: Regular posts keep the site fresh.
Roxane Gay
https://www.roxanegay.com
- Why It Works:
  - Personal Connection: Candid essays and reflections.
  - Media Integration: Links to podcasts, columns, and interviews.
  - Accessibility: Thoughtful design and easy navigation.
John Green
https://www.johngreenbooks.com
- Why It Works:
  - Youthful Appeal: Bright, playful visuals.
  - Community and Interaction: Links to YouTube, forums, and social media.
  - Transparent Updates: Announcements on books, tours, and charities.
Brandon Sanderson
https://www.brandonsanderson.com
- Why It Works:
  - Fan-Focused Approach: Book timelines and project progress bars.
  - Community and Engagement: Forums and newsletter sign-ups.
  - Rich Extras: Annotations, reading orders, and behind-the-scenes content.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
http://www.chimamanda.com
- Why It Works:
  - Clean, Sophisticated Design: Minimalist layout.
  - Multimedia Integration: TED Talks, interviews, and essays.
  - Global Perspective: International media coverage and event listings.
James Patterson
https://www.jamespatterson.com
- Why It Works:
  - Comprehensive Book Listings: Organized by series and audience.
  - Interactive Elements: Contests and reading group guides.
  - Frequent Updates: News on books, adaptations, and initiatives.
Dan Brown
https://danbrown.com
- Why It Works:
  - Thematic Cohesion: Sleek design reflecting mystery and intrigue.
  - Engaging Media: Interviews, audio samples, and puzzles.
  - International Accessibility: Multilingual support and global events.
Seth Godin
https://www.sethgodin.com
- Why It Works:
  - Email-Centric Engagement: Newsletter-driven content.
  - Minimalist Design: Clean and uncluttered interface.
  - Consistent, Valuable Content: Short-form blog posts.
Erin Hunter (Warrior Cats)
https://warriorcats.com
- Why It Works:
  - Immersive Universe: Maps, character profiles, and lore.
  - Community Interaction: Forums, fan art, and events.
  - Multi-Platform Appeal: Merchandise, reading guides, and social links.
Rick Riordan
https://rickriordan.com
- Why It Works:
  - Extensive Series Guides: Character lists and reading orders.
  - Reader Engagement: Blogs and event announcements.
  - Family-Friendly Design: Reflecting his adventurous stories.
Sarah J. Maas
https://www.sarahjmaas.com
- Why It Works:
  - Visually Striking Interface: Elegant, fantasy-inspired imagery.
  - Clear Book Listings and Extras: Reading orders and merchandise links.
  - Strong Social Integration: Email and social media sign-ups.
J.K. Rowling
https://www.jkrowling.com
- Why It Works:
  - Organized, Accessible Content: News, FAQs, and project updates.
  - Strong Brand Connection: Links to Wizarding World and thematic imagery.
  - Multi-Platform Ecosystem: Pottermore, social channels, and merchandise.
Diana Gabaldon
https://www.dianagabaldon.com
- Why It Works:
  - Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Notes on research and writing.
  - Q&A and Essays: Personal essays and FAQs.
  - Engaging Fan Community: Inspiration for readers and writers.
Nora Roberts
https://www.noraroberts.com
- Why It Works:
  - Author Branding: Professional site reflecting her work.
  - Organized Bibliography: Comprehensive series information.
  - Reader Engagement: Announcements and events.
Claire Keegan
https://www.clairekeegan.com
- Why It Works:
  - Literary Focus: Emphasizing quality over quantity.
  - Simplicity & Elegance: Minimalist design.
  - Insight into Craft: Interviews and event listings.
Stephenie Meyer
http://www.stepheniemeyer.com
- Why It Works:
  - Global Branding: Showcasing Twilight and spin-off projects.
  - Fan Engagement: FAQs and multimedia.
  - Adaptation Insights: Leveraging film adaptations.
Colleen Hoover
https://www.colleenhoover.com
- Why It Works:
  - Contemporary Appeal: Vibrant, modern visuals.
  - Reader-Centric Approach: Personal connections through guides and events.
  - Social Media Integration: Highlighting active interaction.
Hugh Howey
https://www.hughhowey.com
- Why It Works:
  - Behind-the-scenes insights into his writing process.
  - Engages readers through exclusive updates.
  - Fosters community and excitement.
Mark Dawson
https://www.markjdawson.com
- Why It Works:
  - Reader acquisition through free content and newsletter integration.
  - Includes resources for indie authors.
  - A professional, resource-rich site.
Bella Andre
https://www.bellaandre.com
- Why It Works:
  - Early access to books and exclusive updates.
  - Romance-centric design.
  - Focuses on fan engagement.
Tim Ferriss
https://tim.blog
- Why It Works:
  - Valuable content like experiments and exclusive podcasts.
  - Minimalist design aligns with his productivity brand.
  - Practical resources hub.
David Gaughran
https://davidgaughran.com
- Why It Works:
  - Actionable advice for indie authors.
  - Free resources and community engagement.
  - Trusted, educational platform.
James Clear
https://jamesclear.com
- Why It Works:
  - Habit-building content aligned with his brand.
  - Results-focused site.
  - Weekly updates mirror email value.
Rachel Hollis
https://msrachelhollis.com
- Why It Works:
  - Motivational content and event updates.
  - Bright, approachable design.
  - Fosters inspiration and community.
Michael Hyatt
https://michaelhyatt.com
- Why It Works:
  - Productivity and leadership content.
  - Tools for time management and growth.
  - Professional coaching platform.
Marie Forleo
https://www.marieforleo.com
- Why It Works:
  - Creativity and business advice.
  - Offers courses and tools like B-School.
  - Resource-rich platform for entrepreneurs.
Elizabeth Gilbert
https://www.elizabethgilbert.com
- Why It Works:
  - Inspirational and personal storytelling.
  - Updates, essays, and resources.
  - Fosters intimacy and creativity.
Ryan Holiday
https://ryanholiday.net
- Why It Works:
  - Reflects Stoic themes with daily wisdom.
  - Minimalist design.
  - Results-driven platform.
Gretchen Rubin
https://gretchenrubin.com
- Why It Works:
  - Happiness tips and podcast updates.
  - Practical tools for growth.
  - User-friendly positivity hub.
Jeff Goins
https://goinswriter.com
- Why It Works:
  - Resources for writers.
  - Tools for creative professionals.
  - Value-driven site.
Lisa See
https://www.lisasee.com
- Why It Works:
  - Insights into research and writing.
  - Elegant design for historical fiction fans.
  - Deepens reader connections.

What Have We Learned?

Here is what all of these websites have in common. I’m linking you back over to the “Author Websites” page so you can see a comprehensive list of website resources we’ve created over the years. Because there are just so, so many.

1. Brand Consistency and Aesthetics:
Your site’s visuals—colors, fonts, imagery—should mirror the tone, style, and themes of your writing. A cohesive brand identity instantly welcomes visitors into your narrative world, enhancing recognition and trust.

2. User-Friendly Navigation:
Keep layouts simple and intuitive. Clear menus, search functions, and logical organization ensure readers can quickly find books, event details, media appearances, or contact information without feeling overwhelmed.

3. Rich, Updated Content and Email Signups:
Fresh content (blog posts, interviews, event announcements) encourages repeat visits. Offer an email signup option for newsletters and release alerts, giving readers a convenient way to stay informed. Embedding social media feeds and podcasts keeps your site dynamic and further signals that you value ongoing engagement.

4. Comprehensive Bibliography and Engaging Extras:
Present a detailed, organized list of works with summaries, excerpts, purchase links, and related resources. Enhance the reader experience with reading guides, behind-the-scenes notes, and interactive elements like quizzes or puzzles to draw visitors deeper into your literary universe.

5. Interactivity, Community Building, and Global Reach:
Foster a sense of community and inclusivity. Offer Q&A sessions, comment sections, forums, and multilingual support. Highlight international events, press coverage, and encourage readers from diverse backgrounds to participate—turning your site into a global meeting place for fans and followers.

6. Multimedia Elements:
Integrate videos, audio interviews, high-resolution book covers, and embedded media appearances. An immersive multimedia environment appeals to various learning styles and engages visitors longer, strengthening their connection to your work.

These combined principles offer a comprehensive framework for creating an engaging, reader-friendly, and globally appealing author website. By applying these principles—anchored by a strong brand identity, intuitive navigation, updated content, a compelling bibliography, interactive community features, multimedia elements, and strategic email signups—you can craft an author website that not only stands out visually and functionally but also builds lasting relationships with readers around the world.

Book Marketing

Biggest Mistakes of Self-Publishers

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By Mercedes Tabano

Did you know that most self-published books won’t sell more than twenty copies in their lifetime? That’s a depressing statistic. Numbers like that aren’t’ even enough to buy a decent dinner for two, let alone build the life your dreams.

So what mistakes are they (and you) making that could kill your indie author career?

No Editing

There’s an old saying among authors that great books aren’t’ written, they’re rewritten. Once you type, or mentally say the words ‘the end’ the real work is just beginning. Now, it’s time for editing. No matter what kind of grammar Nazi you are, you should not edit your own book. After all, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of not seeing your own mistakes. Because you know what you are trying to say, you assume you said it. Your readers will notice if your book is improperly edited. This will affect your credibility and your ability to sell future books.

Unprofessional Book Cover

It’s often been said that you can’t judge a book by its cover. I’m not sure who said that, but whoever it was, was not in the business of selling books. In the modern world, (and probably long before that) people judged books by their covers all the time. If the cover looks boring or amateurish, no one will ever want to read it. In fact, most people won’t even read the description to decide if they want to read your book.

It should be noted that Amazon offers templates. Though many of the templates are good, so many indie authors use them that they scream ‘I’m a self-published book.’ Devout readers, the kind you want, recognize an Amazon template at a glance.

No Marketing Strategy

‘Build it and they will come’. No worse advice was ever passed off as truth. Because of this ingrained mindset, many indie authors believe that they can sell a million books just by writing them and publishing them on enough sites. The truth is it takes a lot of marketing to get readers to find your book. It’s all about building platforms. The best time to build a platform is prior to publishing your book. The second best time is today. The difference between a successful writer and one who is not has more to do with marketing talent than writing talent.

No Platform

It all starts with a platform. A platform is a site dedicated to finding readers for your books. A successful indie author needs at least three platforms, one of which should be their own self hosted site. The other two platforms can be a social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter YouTube, or a book site like Goodreads.

Not Planning For Your Next Book

Planning for your next book is part of your marketing strategy. No indie author ever managed to live the life of their dreams by writing a single book. Having multiple books not only gives you a chance to be found by more readers, it also gives you the chance to improve your craft. Even famous writers improve with every book they write. If all you ever write is one book, then you are doomed to fail.

Everyone wants to be the next Amanda Hocking, but most authors never will. However, thinking like a publisher about editing, covers and marketing will help launch your indie publishing career. With a little time and money invested in the right places, your books can enjoy a long and prosperous life, and so could you.

Until Next Time,
Mercedes Tabano

http://www.SelfPublisherToday.com

Author Websites

Letters from the Real World: When Your Author Website Needs an Update

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Monday morning. Browsing website themes. One cup of coffee into my day.

Go to http://caitreynolds.com. Take a look. Then wait a week and go back next Monday. It’ll be different by then.

Why? Because I actually took the time to go look at my own website, and I realized one very important thing: the font is completely unreadable.

Oops.

The layout is clean, the links all work, blah blah blah. The font looks great for titles and headers, and when I was setting up the website, that’s all that mattered. Except now, I have content, and the font for the content is awful. Truly, it makes it impossible to read with any ease.

When I write posts, I click preview mostly to make sure the pictures are up and links are in their proper place. On a whim, I decided yesterday to just go and look at my site from the perspective of a reader, and there is no way I would stay there more than 30 seconds, if that long, because of my font.

I then spent an hour trying to figure out if I could change the font before realizing no mere mortal can do it without being a programmer. Ugh.

Looking at my site again, I realized it was also not using space very well. I’m now on the hunt for a layout that won’t be busy, but will allow a little more content to be seen right up front. The layout also has to have an easy sans-serif font (like Arial) to read.

When I was doing graphic design as part of one of my old dot com marketing jobs, I read that because of pixelation, sans-serif fonts are easiest to read online, while serif fonts are easiest to read on paper. It then clicked with me that this is the reason Amazon and Barnes & Noble spent all that time and money researching the best way to present “print” books graphically in an e-format.

So, my website has a sans-serif font, but I think it went a little extreme with the sans-serifing. Plus, I think the text needs to be black against white. Not grey.

The other problem I found was that some posts didn’t have a lead-in picture, and in order to set the “featured image,” I had to have a picture that conformed to a specific height and width. I’m not a great photographer to begin with, and to have to worry about that while trying to take slightly-better-than-crappy pictures was just not going to happen. I need a format that will feature my photos but will also feature text because writing is my specialty, not photography.

This morning, I spent a dizzying 45 minutes browsing themes, downloading, and live-previewing them. I’m down to three options. I’ll play with them all this week and then hopefully unveil the new look on Monday.

Visiting your own author website on a regular basis—about once a month or so—helps ensure that it remains current, accurate, and engaging for your readers. Treating your site like a dynamic piece of your author platform rather than a static business card can strengthen your brand, improve the user experience, and even provide new reasons to communicate with your mailing list.

Why It’s Important to Check Your Site Regularly

Catch Errors and Broken Links:
Links, embedded videos, or images may break over time. Regular visits let you spot outdated content, missing images, or broken links before potential readers encounter them.
Keep Content Fresh:
An updated website feels lived-in, signaling to readers that you’re active and committed to your writing career. Adding recent interviews, new blurbs, fresh blog posts, or upcoming event info shows that you’re engaged and encourages return visits.
Ensure Accuracy of Information:
Your website should always reflect your current publication status, speaking events, and professional details. Regular check-ins help you confirm that your bio, book list, event calendar, and contact info are up-to-date.
Boost Search Visibility:
Search engines favor sites that are regularly updated with new content. Even small changes—like adding a new testimonial, swapping out images, or updating your news page—can signal freshness to search engines, improving your online visibility over time.

How to Make Updates

Add New Content:
Post a new blog entry, highlight recent reviews, share news about upcoming books, or post behind-the-scenes tidbits. For non-fiction authors, add resource links or case studies; for fiction authors, consider sharing a short story excerpt or character Q&A.
Update Pages and Layout:
Tweak your homepage copy, refresh your headshot, or reorganize the navigation menu. Subtle shifts—like highlighting a new release on the homepage—keep the experience fresh for returning readers.
Update Themes and Plugins
This mostly applies to WordPress users, so if you’re on something like SquareSpace, Wix, or Weebly feel free to skip as they will (hopefully) do your updates for you. Keeping your themes and plugins updated is essential for maintaining your website’s security, as developers regularly release patches to fix vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. Regular updates also ensure compatibility with the latest WordPress core versions, prevent feature breakage, and improve site performance for a seamless user experience.
Integrate Social Proof and Media Mentions:
If you receive an award, a notable review, or a mention in a well-known publication, add that to your site. This keeps your “Press” or “News” page relevant and builds credibility.
Revise Your About Page and Author Bio:
As your writing career evolves, so should your bio. If you’ve published a new book, spoken at a conference, or shifted genres, update your bio to reflect these accomplishments.
Check Your Analytics
While you’re in the back-end of your website, be sure to pop over and check your Google Analytics for your website (in WordPress-based sites you will access this using the SiteKit plugin). Regularly checking your Google Analytics helps you understand how visitors interact with your website, allowing you to identify popular pages, user behavior, and potential issues like high bounce rates. Plus, it is super interesting to see what search terms people are using to find your website!

How Updates Can Become Newsletter Content

Announce Changes to Your Readers:
When you’ve made updates, share them with your mailing list. Send an email saying, “I’ve just refreshed my website!” and highlight what’s new—like a new excerpt, an upcoming event schedule, or a special resource page.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights:
Turning the update process itself into a story can be engaging. For example, “I just added a new reading guide for my last novel on my website. Here’s why I included these particular questions…” This provides your subscribers with an exclusive window into your creative and marketing decisions.
Promote Special Features or Downloads:
If you’ve added a free chapter sampler, a character profile, or a reading guide to your site, tell your subscribers. “Head over to my updated website to download a free chapter from my upcoming book!”
Solicit Feedback:
Ask readers what they think of the new layout, the updated bio, or the resources you’ve shared. “I’ve just refreshed my recommended reading page. Let me know if you find it helpful or if there’s something else you’d love to see!” Involving readers in the process makes them feel heard and keeps your updates relevant.

Regularly visiting and updating your author website isn’t just housekeeping—it’s a dynamic marketing and engagement strategy. By consistently refining your content and layout, you keep the site relevant, offer fresh value to visitors, and create opportunities to re-engage your newsletter subscribers. Over time, these small, steady improvements build reader loyalty, authority in your niche, and an author brand that feels vibrant and ever-evolving.

Book Marketing

Reputation Management for Authors

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Reputation management is the process of monitoring and influencing how an individual, brand, or business is perceived online. For authors, it involves shaping the way they are seen by readers, publishers, and the public through search engine results, social media profiles, and other digital footprints. This proactive effort ensures that when someone searches for you or your work, they find information that aligns with the image you want to project.

Why Authors Need to Master Reputation Management

Authors are public figures, even if only within their niche or genre, and their reputation directly impacts book sales, collaboration opportunities, and reader trust. A poorly managed online presence—or worse, a negative reputation—can make it harder to attract readers and establish credibility.

Here’s why getting a handle on your reputation is critical before writing or selling a book:

First Impressions Matter:
When someone hears about you or your book, they’re likely to Google you. If they find outdated information, irrelevant content, or nothing at all, it can create doubt about your professionalism.
Credibility and Trust:
Readers want to connect with authentic, trustworthy authors. A clean, professional online presence builds confidence in your work and expertise.
Search Visibility:
Ensuring your name and books appear in search results means readers can easily find and buy your work. If your online presence is weak or nonexistent, potential readers might not find you at all.
Avoiding Negative Associations:
Without proactive management, unrelated or unflattering content about you could surface in search results, distracting from your work and tarnishing your reputation.
Professional Opportunities:
Publishers, event organizers, and collaborators often research authors before reaching out. A polished online presence can open doors to new opportunities.

Steps to Master Your Reputation and Google Results

1. Audit Your Online Presence

Google Yourself: Search for your name, variations of your name, and your book titles to see what comes up.
Review Social Media: Check all your profiles for professionalism, consistency, and any posts that could be misinterpreted.
Claim Your Name: Secure your name as a domain (e.g., YourName.com) and on major social platforms, even if you don’t plan to use them immediately. I have a whole post about why I think this is so very, very important.

2. Create a Strong Online Foundation

Build a Professional Website:
Include an author bio, book details, a blog or news section, and links to social media. This acts as your central hub.
Optimize Social Media Profiles:
Use professional photos, clear bios, and links to your website or books. Post a few updates so profiles look active.
Set Up Author-Specific Accounts:
Create profiles on Goodreads, BookBub, and Amazon Author Central to control book-related search results.

3. Control What Shows Up in Google

Publish Consistently:
Create and share blog posts, articles, or videos that showcase your expertise. Search engines favor fresh, relevant content.
Leverage SEO:
Optimize your website, blog posts, and social media profiles with keywords like your name, book titles, and genre.
Claim Profiles:
Ensure you have control over your profiles on platforms like LinkedIn, Goodreads, and Amazon. Fill them out completely.

4. Handle Negative Content

Proactively Build Positive Content:
Push negative or irrelevant results further down by creating high-quality, positive content that ranks higher.
Request Removal (If Appropriate):
Politely ask the platform to remove false or outdated content, if possible.
Respond Thoughtfully:
If you encounter criticism, respond professionally and constructively—or not at all, depending on the situation.

5. Monitor Your Reputation Regularly

Set Google Alerts:
Get notifications when your name, book titles, or related keywords appear online.
Use Monitoring Tools:
Tools like BrandYourself or Mention can help you track your digital footprint.

6. Engage and Stay Active

Be Consistent:
Regularly update your website, post on social media, and interact with readers. This builds a positive, ongoing presence.
Foster Community:
Engage authentically with readers, bloggers, and other authors to build goodwill and strengthen your reputation.

In today’s digital world, your reputation often precedes you. For authors, managing this aspect of your career is as important as writing a great book. By being proactive and deliberate about your online presence, you can ensure that when readers and industry professionals search for you, they find exactly what you want them to see: a polished, professional author ready to captivate their audience.

Social

What’s An Author Platform Anyway? A Quick Overview

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Authors come to me many times frustrated and confused over this concept of ‘author platform.’ I felt the same way before I learned to market my books, so I’ll break it down here with a brief explanation. In future articles, I’ll discuss each component in much more detail.

Before your book ever hits the shelves—or even lands in an agent’s inbox—it’s crucial to have an organized author platform in place. Think of it like laying a solid foundation before you build a house. When you have an email list, a well-structured website, and an engaging social media presence all set up ahead of time, you’re giving agents, publishers, and readers confidence that you’re serious about your writing career—and that your book will find an eager audience. It also means that once your manuscript is ready to share, you can hit the ground running with promotions, newsletters, and social posts that already reach people who care about what you’re doing. In short, getting your platform organized early shows you’re not just creating a story—you’re creating a sustainable ecosystem that will help your book thrive.

1. Brand Identity

Why it’s #1: Your brand is the cohesive “voice” and visual style that ties everything together. It helps readers instantly recognize you—whether they land on your website, see your posts on social media, or come across your Amazon author page. Even if you just start with something like a great photo and a nice color palette you can extend over all of your website and socials, something is better than nothing here. You just want to look like you’re together and are taking your writing career seriously.

2. Email List & Newsletter

The Direct Line: Having a mailing list lets you bypass social media algorithms. You can share announcements, book previews, or behind-the-scenes goodies with people who genuinely want to hear from you. A reader magnet (like a free short story) can be a great way to entice signups. Read more (so, so much more) about that here.

3. Author Website/Blog

Your Home Base: This is where you showcase your books, author bio, and news—often the first place readers will visit to learn more about you.

4. Social Media Profiles

Community Building: Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, or LinkedIn give you a way to interact with readers and fellow writers in real-time. See my article about my “all, then one” strategy before you get overwhelmed and send me a message that there’s “NO POSSIBLE WAY YOU CAN DO ALL OF THIS AND STILL WRITE BOOKS OMG.”

5. Presence on Book Sites

Key Platforms:
- Amazon Author Central: Make sure your profile is up-to-date with a bio, photos, and links to your titles.
- Goodreads: Engage with the reading community, collect reviews, and run giveaways.
- BookBub: Build a following so readers get notifications about deals and new releases.
- Other platforms like Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo, depending on your distribution.

6. Published Work & Guest Appearances

Proving Expertise: Articles, interviews, or guest posts on other websites, podcasts, or blogs boost your visibility and credibility.

7. Events & Speaking Engagements

Face-to-Face Connections: Book signings, readings (in-person or virtual), and workshops let you connect with readers on a personal level.

8. Networking & Collaborations

Cross-Promotion: Building relationships with other authors, industry pros, and influencers opens doors to new audiences.

9. Media & Publicity

Getting the Word Out: Podcast interviews, news features, and press releases introduce you to readers who might not have heard of you otherwise.

10. Consistent Engagement

Staying Top-of-Mind: Regularly interact with your audience—whether through social media updates, blog posts, or newsletters—so your name and work remain fresh in their minds.

Nuts and Bolts

Using Music To Promote Your Book

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How readers find books has changed dramatically in today’s digital, mobile, social world. One recent study indicated that consumers now discover books in up to forty-four different ways! With this in mind, I want you to think about introducing readers to your work through music.

Why music? It’s a fun, creative, new medium that introduces you and your writing to an entirely different community of potential readers. To show you how and why it’s done, here are three authors who are introducing readers to their work through music:

Ed Hancox, author of Iceland, Defrosted – Ed is the author who first put music playlists on my book-promotion radar. His non-fiction travel book about his passion for the people, places and music of Iceland, has a truly unique playlist that he created using Soundcloud. Not only was his soundtrack one of the creative tools that helped push Ed’s book to the top of the Amazon bestseller list for books about Iceland, but it made book promotion an extension of his creative process. Here’s how Ed describes the experience: “I really enjoyed doing it. It was like making a cassette tape for a friend in the 1990’s. I then shared it with everyone. The response was amazing! People from all over the globe got in touch to tell me how much they enjoyed it.” Ed’s “how to” article about how he made his playlist for Iceland, Defrosted is worth a read.

Susan Rodgers, author of the Drifters novels – Susan has just begun creating a playlist for her books, which are in the women’s fiction and romance genres. Her lead character, Jessie Wheeler, is a singer and songwriter. The title of each book in the series is a signature song within that book. “All along I’ve known what Jessie’s ‘music’ voice sounds like,” says Susan. “But it wasn’t until a serendipitous find online led me to Eva Cassidy that it hit me how clearly Eva’s style and voice reflected what I’ve been hearing in my head. She just fit as Jessie’s voice. Sarah McLachlan’s Wintersong also inspired me.” These are a few of the songs Susan will be adding to her playlist. She’s exploring Bandcamp to host the soundtrack she’s creating.

Roz Morris, author of My Memories of a Future Life – As in Susan’s book, the character in Roz’s award-winning novel is also a musician. However, Roz has taken a very different approach to music and writing. Her blog project, “The Undercover Soundtrack,” has become a popular place for writers to discuss how music influences their creative process. If you listen to music while you write, that’s a playlist worth sharing with your readers as well.

There are so many ways authors can use music to introduce readers to their writing. As you can see from the three examples here, making a music playlist doesn’t “feel” like your typical book promotion project. Rather, it’s fun and imaginative. That creative energy and enthusiasm conveys to readers and encourages them to engage with you and your work. Ultimately, that’s what effective book promotion is all about.

How have you used music as an author? I’d love to hear your ideas.

Kathy Meis is founder and president of the social book discovery platform Bublish. She is a professional writer, editor and editorial manager with more than twenty years of experience in the media and publishing industries. Kathy was also a founding editor of Forbes MediaCritic and is a founding partner of PubSmart, a new author-centric publishing conference being held in Charleston, South Carolina this spring. She ghostwrites business books and is a frequent blogger on the subject of book promotion, author branding, social media and discoverability. In 2012, Kathy won the People’s Choice Award at the Startup Showcase at O’Reilly’s Tools of Change Publishing Conference.

Nuts and Bolts

Kindle Countdown: What’s the Deal?

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Just some further explanation for Kindle’s “Countdown Deal,” following Katherine’s excellent article. We strive for complete coverage!

I got this awesome summary in a newsletter called “Self Publisher Daily,” which is put out by James Jones. James is the inventor of eBook Niche Explorer, an Amazon-specific keyword tool that I can’t recommend highly enough, so I’m not surprised that he also has a super-awesome newsletter.

James gave me permission to reprint this article, which I super appreciate. Enjoy!

Kindle Countdown Deals
By Ashley Zee

Want to entice potential customers to buy your book(s) with a great deal that only lasts for a limited time? Amazon recently announced the arrival of Kindle Countdown Deals, a type of sale that allows publishers to arrange for their books to be discounted for a set amount of time.

The Kindle Countdown Deals can last up to a week and are a very targeted kind of sale that is designed to boost conversion and purchases (the success of various flash-sales sites across the internet are testament to this sales model) but it has some stipulations. While the Countdown Deals definitely have the potential to be effective weapons in your marketing arsenal, here are some things to be mindful of…

First and foremost, there are two big KDP Select criteria your book must meet. The book MUST be enrolled in KDP Select for at least 30 days prior to the promotion. You can’t publish a book and then give it a Countdown Deal on the same day. The other KDP Select requirement is that the last day for your Countdown Deal must be at least 14 days before the KDP Select 90-day period ends.

Here’s your timeline…

Publish your book and enroll it in KDP Select. Wait 30 days. Out of your 90-day KDP Select enrollment period you now have 60 days remaining. For Countdown Select scheduling purposes completely disregard those first 30 days since you can’t do anything during that time. It’s like they don’t even exist….

Effectively, you have 60 days to use Kindle Countdown Deals when it is in KDP Select.

Your Countdown Deal must be over before the last two weeks of the KDP Select enrollment period, so out of those 60 remaining days 14 of those days must be subtracted immediately. You now have 46 days to utilize the Countdown Deal.

But wait! The promo must end on day 46, and since each Countdown Deal can last 7 days (it can be shorter, but let’s assume you want it to run the maximum amount of time), the latest you can initiate a week-long Countdown Deal would be on day 39 (of the remaining 60). If you want a shorter Countdown Deal you can initiate it after this time, but once there’s 14 days left in the KDP Select enrollment you cannot use Countdown Deals. So you have a total of 39 days to initiate a weeklong campaign for Kindle Countdown.

If you kept the first 30 days of Kindle Select in the equation, the last day to start a weeklong Kindle Countdown Deal would be day 69 of the 90 day period. If you want a shorter Countdown Sale these figures change a bit.

And one more curveball, just for good measure: According to Amazon, if “…you renew your book in KDP Select for another consecutive 90-day period, the latest end time of your Kindle Countdown Deals may be the last day of your current KDP Select period.” If this is your plan of action you can start your Countdown Deal with two weeks left to your current KDP Select period. You have a bit more freedom in when you want to initiate your Countdown Deal, but the trade-off is that your book will only be available on KDP Select for a longer period of time.

If you plan on continuously enrolling in KDP Select, keep in mind that you can only do one Countdown Deal every 90 days.

Here’s an informative example of how Kindle Countdown Deals work…

Let’s talk about the price criteria for Countdown Deals. To qualify for this sale, your book’s normal price must be $2.99 – $24.99. If your book is listed on the UK domain it must be priced from £1.99 – £14.99. Unfortunately only books listed on amazon.com or amazon.co.uk are eligible for Countdown Deals at this time. Don’t be surprised when Countdown Deals becomes available for Amazon marketplaces. It’s only a matter of time.

You cannot have a free promotion and a countdown promotion within the same 90 day Kindle Select period. Furthermore, the price of your book cannot have been changed for 30 days prior to the sale commencing, and you cannot change the regular price of your book for 14 days after the Countdown Deal has ended.

These are fairly strict rules but they are in place to prevent people from gaming the system – if a book is always on sale, it cheapens the perceived value of the book and of the entire Countdown Deal process. Once you set the parameters for the sale (duration and price changes) and start the sale you cannot stop or change it.

The minimum discount you can give your book is $1 (though if you are only offering a dollar off your normal price don’t expect to see a boost in sales. That’s stingy and it won’t be rewarded). You can arrange for 5 different prices over the course of your Countdown Deal, but each price must be “live” for at least one hour.

Yet despite these rules and quirks there are some huge potential benefits to participating in Kindle Countdown Deals.

The biggest reason is that you get the full 70% commission, even on books that are discounted to 99 cents (which is the lowest price you can discount to, by the way). That’s a nice commission rate for a deal which should generate lots of traffic and conversions.

Furthermore, Amazon will make sure the Countdown Deal is clearly visible on the sales page. One of the best buying-triggers for potential customers is to see the sale “countdown” price in relation to its normal retail value. It forces people to act quickly.

Amazon has also mentioned that some of the books featured on the Kindle Countdown Deals page will have automated Amazon campaigns too.

Stay tuned for more information regarding this – Amazon hasn’t said too much more on the subject yet, but if it is possible to increase your chances of getting your book featured in this way we at Self Publisher Today will definitely let you know.

Until next time!

Ashley Zee

http://www.SelfPublisherToday.com

https://www.facebook.com/SelfPublisherToday

Book Promotion

Free Promotional Tools For Authors

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Promoting your work as an author doesn’t have to be expensive. Below is a list of free promotional tools, apps, and platforms that can help you build your audience, market your books, engage with your readers and stay organized effectively. You don’t have to do all of these– just try them out and delve deeper into one or more that appeal to you!

Social Media Platforms

Facebook:
Create an author page to post updates, engage with fans, and share events. Join relevant groups (e.g., genre-specific, writing groups) to network and promote your work organically.
Instagram:
Use it to share visually appealing book covers, behind-the-scenes writing moments, or quotes from your work. Engage with hashtags like #Bookstagram or #AmReading to reach readers.
Twitter (X):
Engage with writing communities and readers using hashtags like #WritingCommunity or #BookTwitter. Host Q&A sessions or participate in genre discussions.
TikTok:
Share short, creative videos about your books, writing process, or related topics. Use #BookTok to tap into a massive audience of enthusiastic readers.
LinkedIn:
Ideal for non-fiction authors to build authority and connect with professionals interested in your niche. Share articles, excerpts, or speaking engagements.

Reader and Community Platforms

Goodreads:
Set up an author profile and list your books. Host giveaways, answer questions, or participate in reader discussions.
BookFunnel:
Share free book samples or full books to build your email list. Create reader magnets to encourage signups.
Reedsy Discovery:
Submit your book for review and gain visibility among avid readers.
Wattpad:
Share chapters or short stories to build a following, especially for YA or genre fiction.

Email Marketing Tools

EmailOctopus:
Build an email list and send newsletters about new releases, events, or giveaways. Free for up to 2,500 subscribers with great beginner-friendly tools.
MailerLite:
Great for beginner-friendly email campaigns and landing pages. Free for up to 1,000 subscribers.
GetResponse:
Offers a free plan for up to 500 subscribers, including landing pages, email campaigns, and automation tools. Great for authors seeking advanced email marketing features.
AWeber:
Provides a free plan for up to 500 subscribers with basic email templates, sign-up forms, and automation. Ideal for authors just starting to grow their email list.

Content Creation Tools

Canva:
Design professional-looking graphics for social media, bookmarks, or blog posts. Create promotional content like book teasers or event announcements.
BookBrush:
Make custom book covers, 3D mockups, and ads tailored for authors.
Lumen5:
Convert blog posts or excerpts into engaging video content for social media.

Apps and Productivity Tools

Trello:
Organize your writing projects, marketing plans, and to-do lists with boards and cards. Ideal for tracking progress on book drafts or promotions.
Evernote:
A versatile note-taking app for storing ideas, outlines, and research. Syncs across devices for easy access anywhere.
Notion:
A customizable all-in-one workspace to manage writing schedules, research databases, and task planning.
Scrivener (Free Trial):
While the full version is paid, the free trial offers a rich writing tool for managing long-form projects like books or screenplays.
Focus@Will:
Enhance focus with background music designed to improve concentration during writing sessions.
Clockify:
A free time-tracking app to help you monitor how much time you spend writing, researching, or marketing.
Grammarly:
A free grammar and spell-checking tool that ensures your writing is polished before you share it.
Forest:
A productivity app that gamifies focus sessions by growing a virtual tree for every uninterrupted work period.

Free Author Website Builders

WordPress.com:
Create a simple, professional author site. Use it for blogging or hosting your portfolio.
Wix:
Easy drag-and-drop builder to create an attractive site. Good for showcasing books and events.
Carrd:
Create a single-page website perfect for highlighting your books and links.

Media and Outreach Tools

PodMatch:
Connect with podcast hosts for guest appearances to promote your book and expertise.
PressKitHero:
Build and share a professional press kit to provide journalists, bloggers, or event organizers with everything they need to feature you.
Substack:
Publish newsletters, essays, or serialized stories directly to your subscribers.

Marketing and Analytics Tools

Google Analytics:
Track visitor activity on your website to understand what’s working. Monitor traffic sources, bounce rates, and page performance.
Hootsuite:
Manage up to 3 social media accounts and schedule posts in advance.
Bitly:
Shorten links and track clicks to measure the effectiveness of your promotions.

Event Promotion Tools

Eventbrite:
Host free virtual or in-person events, like book launches or writing workshops. Promote the event via their platform.
Zoom:
Host virtual book readings, writing Q&A sessions, or workshops.
Meetup:
Create or join writing-related groups for networking and event promotion.

Free Tools for Review Generation

Prolific Works:
Offer free book copies in exchange for reader reviews. Build your mailing list with reader signups.
BookSirens:
Distribute review copies to interested readers.
NetGalley (Co-Op Options):
Some co-ops offer free or discounted NetGalley slots for authors seeking reviews.

Networking Tools

Discord:
Join or create servers with book lovers, genre fans, or writing communities. Engage directly with fans and potential collaborators.
Reddit:
Participate in writing subreddits like r/Writing, r/SelfPublishing, or r/Books. 41.
Facebook Groups:
Search for relevant groups like “Indie Authors” or “Book Review Groups” OR (super secret strategy) create a genre/ niche specific group. Think about it– if you write cozy mysteries, it makes perfect sense for you to be the creator/ admin of a popular cozy mystery Facebook Group (and Page). You will be able to promote your work to your heart’s content, plus you’ll have a fun place to discuss your own genre/ niche! Get on it!

By leveraging these free tools, you can create a robust promotional strategy without spending a dime. The key is consistency—show up regularly on these platforms, engage with your audience authentically, and keep refining your approach as you learn what resonates with your readers.

Book Marketing Good Question Questions

Wattpad’s Dark Side!

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In comments to my first Wattpad post, I was asked about the age demographic on Wattpad and whether it is appropriate for all content. It is true that the age group most heavily represented on Wattpad appears to be the younger readers, in specific young female readers. This is not by any means ALL of the users, but it is a large number. As a result, Wattpad has (wisely) taken steps to ensure the content is clearly labeled and managed such that under-age eyes are not given access to inappropriate materials in a willy-nilly fashion. The restrictions are clearly listed out in their Content Guidelines but are pretty simple if you are familiar with the movie/TV rating system. Ratings can be G, PG, PG-13 or R. Yes, you have correctly noticed that there is no X rating. Erotica is prohibited on Wattpad at present. So let’s look a little closer at Wattpad’s dark side.

Writers are asked to rate their content as it is being uploaded, however, it is clear based on what I read on the support forum that Wattpad systems often police the content, and will adjust the rating accordingly.

Additionally, should a certain post or content be deemed in appropriate, it will be removed, or locked down. Locked down content can only be seen by the followers of an author, and/or sent to followers privately. In other words, largely negates the entire point of being on Wattpad as no one can find the content without having already found it.

From a conversation I had with the Wattpad crew, my understanding is that content not suitable for all eyes will also not be chosen as featured content. If it is truly considered adult, it will not even be discoverable, and will only be accessed by a direct link (assuming it is allowed to remain in the system at all).

All of which means to me, that like almost anything we advise regarding book marketing, there is no one size fits all here either: not all books or all authors will be happy and successful on Wattpad. Certain material will do better than others, and certain people will be more successful than others.

Additionally, material that is deemed as copywritten (copywrited?) by someone other than you, will also be deemed unsuitable. I am not speaking to plagiarism here (which is obviously also not permitted), I am referring to phrases and/or product names. One example I found in the customer service forum indicated that a user had used the term “Emerald City” in their piece, and the post was not permitted. In fact, she did not mean the Oz version at all (so changed it), but algorithms are only so smart, after all!

Perhaps it goes without saying, but certain content is completely restricted and will be removed – details are here per the Content Guidelines:

RESTRICTED MATERIAL:
Do not submit any material that is unlawful, obscene, defamatory, libelous, threatening, pornographic, harassing, hateful, racially offensive, or is otherwise inappropriate. We will promptly remove any such material submitted to the service.

So, what happens if you go in not understanding all the rules and/or choose to do what you do, regardless? Well, I will let author Duke Miller tell you in his own words. Duke has, by the way, found his niche there and is having a grand time, regardless of stumbling into a mature restricted status! If mature content does not offend you, I highly recommend checking him out.

Duke Miller Says:

Wattpad has nothing labeled “Adult” it is only “Non-teen” and everything else is TEEN. So if you are writing about(for) teens, welcome to the ice-cream parlor. My abnormal uploads quickly earned me a “restricted mature” status. I was put into a box with all the other degenerates. It is hard to find me on Wattpad. My name and title produce “no matches”….

Two essential ingredients to a successful foray into Wattpadland are good content and time. When you go to upload your stupendous work, ONLY LOAD LITTLE CHUNKS, this is an ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT. Attention spans are low, particularly on Wattpad. The reading font is simple text. So, build a following first, leave bits of cheese by the hole and then when the mice are milling around, let the cat attack. Time is more problematic. In the beginning, if you can’t devote at least 2 or 3 hours a day to Wattpad, your effort will be questionable. I would recommend scheduling a full week to get the account up and running and then an hour or so per day for maintenance. You are going to war. Wash your hair, wear a cap or helmet, get things in order before you sit down in front the computer. You must play music. It is REQUIRED. Also keep the drinks and food nearby. Once you get going, stick with it. Wattpadians quickly suss out dead accounts and nobody likes to be dead. After 9 days, I’m up to 520 reads, 86 comments, 25 Followers, 33 Following, and 55 Votes after eight days of turmoil. Buzz: it’s all about the exponential buzz of social networking. There is a price to be paid.

So, come look for me on Wattpad. If you can find me, tell me how you did it. It is a mystery to me how new people just entering the vast land of Wattpad can even find their own butts, much less a specific, toxic, restricted, mature only account like mine. Anyway, I am the guy handing out death like party invitations; looking for death in the corners of my room and knowing that it comes to me in small doses, in the flashes of my past. “Living and Dying With Dogs” is the way I die and I am dying in fragments, just like all of us: by the breath, heartbeat, thought, and word. It’s all there, on Wattpad, waiting for somebody to read the f—ing thing and vote.

Here, I will make it easier – Duke can be found here: http://www.wattpad.com/user/ddduke

What about you, what has your experience on Wattpad been?

Self-Publishing

Why Authors Must Use Amazon Author Central

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By now I hope most writers know that Amazon provides a valuable “home page” for authors of books they sell. And you also know that Amazon probably now has in excess of 50 million customers (not all of whom are shopping for books of course) and by now sells something more than 25% of all books sold in America. And a significant percentage of Amazon’s customers want to know about the writers whose books they shop for.

Amazon’s Author Central provides authors with a great opportunity to let writers to connect with readers through the resources Amazon enables you to post there. Just like any other marketing opportunity for books and authors, it will take some of your time and effort to set up and maintain your Author Central presence, but the effort is well worthwhile. The hardest part really is that you must visualize what Amazon shoppers are looking for, and then make sure you give them the kinds of information they will find compelling, engaging and useful – and which will draw them to buy your books.

For example, if you are a nonfiction writer, assume that many Amazon customers are looking for books and authors for business, hobbies and personal development. So make sure your profile demonstrates how much you know about your subject. Make sure it’s clear that you are an expert in your field. A great Author Central page might even gain you more than book sales – we’ve heard of writers getting offers for speaking engagements and writing assignments through Author Central – which makes sense – what better source to find an expert for an event or conference than Amazon, with thousands of author experts available just by clicking!

Fiction writers have a chance to provide background about your work and the kinds of personal details that readers love to learn about their favorite writers. You can post all kinds of information that will engage and involve readers who already know your work and attract readers who have not yet read one of your books.

It’s a no brainer to assume that book shoppers on Amazon are looking for a reason to buy a book, so why not make it easier to choose yours? Author Central gives you a chance to show why they should pick your book, right now. And for authors with multiple books, it’s the perfect showcase for a reader who has read one of your books to find out why she should want to buy and read more of them.

There are some really powerful practical benefits for authors to use Author Central as well as personal marketing. For example, your Amazon book search results are enhanced by content that appears on your author page. More content, more key words, all create more opportunity for readers to find you. And when you have an Author Central account, if there are problems with your book listings, you can reach out to Amazon directly. That can be very valuable when a customer reviewer gives you a low ranking for an unfair reason. Or when your print book and ebook versions are not linked as they should be.

The best benefit that authors get from Author Central might well be access to sales data. Publishers pay Nielsen Bookscan a tidy sum every year for reporting of retailer sales data for their books. Authors and agents are always desperate to know how well their books are selling. When you know your current sales data, you can have a much better understanding of how effective your marketing is (or isn’t), and you can also see where in the country your books are selling. Author Central also gives authors access to their Amazon sales data, including ebooks, which is very useful indeed.

Having access to this information ought to be reason enough to sign up for Author Central right now.

So in short, if you are not already using Amazon Author Central, go here now and sign up. Since Author Central is really more part of the “setup” process of self-publishing rather than the promotional process, we have moved the actual “What to put on an author central page” material over to the Self Publishing Checklist. Go on over there and check it out!

Go have some fun building connections with readers!