The Best Author Websites for Inspiration

The success of any writer or author is impacted by the exposure their work receives. And having an effective, professional website is one of the best ways to reach more readers.

In this article, we’ll look at real-world examples of excellent author websites. If you’re looking to build your own author website or working on one for a client, these sites are sure to inspire you.

Creating Your Own Author Website

You can create your own basic website without hiring a designer or developer if you’re an author. We recommend using Squarespace as a website builder for a few reasons:

• Squarespace offers a large selection of beautiful templates to use as a starting point for your site.
• Creating a professional website with Squarespace is easy. No technical skills are required.
• Updating and maintaining your site is easy, and Squarespace provides customer service if you need help.
• Squarespace includes functionality for online shops, members’ areas, blogs, podcasts, and more.
• You can build your audience with email marketing, social media, and search engine optimization thanks to tools provided by Squarespace.
• Squarespace offers a free trial, so you can build your site without commitment.

Author Websites Showcase

Now, let’s look at some of the best author websites. These sites should provide inspiration and examples of what you should include in your own site.

Rhiannon Navin

Built with Squarespace

Rhiannon Navin’s author website uses a beautiful, clean layout and design. The homepage features two book covers and two endorsements above the fold, including one from the New York Times. Additional testimonials and endorsements are placed below the fold, providing even more social proof.

A brief bio of the author and a photo are located lower on the homepage and the “Author” page. The site’s primary navigation menu is split into left and right sides (desktop browsers).

James Clear

Built with WordPress

The homepage of James Clear’s site puts his most popular book, Atomic Habits, front and center. Social proof is provided by mentioning that over 9 million copies have been sold and that it’s a #1 New York Times bestseller. Visitors can download the first chapter for free by entering their email addresses, an effective marketing technique used to build an email list.

This custom WordPress theme uses a clean layout and design. It’s a beautiful site that’s user-friendly and effective at promoting the author’s work. It’s one of the best examples of book marketing that you’ll find.

Sarah Bessey

Built with Squarespace

Sarah Bessey’s homepage features a full-screen black and white photo. Many Squarespace templates make excellent use of photos, so this can be a great approach if you have a quality photo.

The site uses Squarespace’s e-commerce capabilities by selling digital downloads through the shop. The “books” page also links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other places where Sarah’s books can be purchased.

Social media links are included in the header.

Stassi Schroeder Clark

Built with WordPress

Stassi Schroeder Clark’s homepage features a large photo of Stassi and a bio. The “books” page includes another big photo of the author, plus details about each of her books. Potential readers can click through to Amazon to buy a book.

The site is also home to Stassi’s podcast and a press page with brief contact details. Overall, this author’s website example is fairly simple regarding the content included, and it looks great.

R.L. Maco

Built with Squarespace

R.L. Maco’s website has a professional appearance and uses a somewhat muted color scheme. The homepage includes an image of the author and a call-to-action button promoting her latest book. The site links out to Amazon and Barnes & Noble so readers can make a purchase.

The site is also home to her podcast. There are links to Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where the podcast content is hosted.

John Clarkson

Built with Wix

John Clarkson’s black website has a standout design. The homepage includes a colorful photo and a promo for John’s latest book. The “buy now” button links to Amazon. You’ll also notice some nice effects as you scroll down the page, and there’s plenty of social proof in the form of endorsements and testimonials.

There’s a dedicated page on the site for each of John’s books. These pages include a book summary, an author bio, and a link to buy the book.

Emma Gannon

Built with Squarespace

Emma Gannon’s website features a colorful illustration of Emma. There’s also a photo of Emma on the “About” page. Visitors can connect with Emma through the social media icons in the site’s header.

This content-heavy site includes info on Emma and her books, a blog, a podcast, a shop, and promotion of Emma’s courses available at Skillshare.

Sophie Haydock

Built with Squarespace

Sophie Haydock’s site looks different than most author websites. Four illustrations are featured on the homepage above the fold. There’s also a brief statement about the book and a call-to-action button.

This is a one-page website. The navigation links in the header lead to information lower on the page. The page includes details about the book, an author bio, social proof, and contact details.

Julie Solomon

Built with WordPress

Julie Solomon is an author, speaker, brand expert, and coach. Her site includes information about her books, but that’s just one part of the site. Julie’s site also includes her popular podcast. Visitors can listen to the most recent podcast episode from the site’s footer.

This beautiful site uses the popular Salient WordPress theme. Julie’s book is featured just below the fold on the homepage, and there’s also a landing page dedicated to the book.

Eileen Garvin

Built with Squarespace

The orange background stands out as soon as you visit Eileen Garvin’s website. The bee illustration on the book cover is carried over to the site’s background. Clicking on the book leads to a page with details about the book and links to order from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and others.

Aside from info about the author and her books, the site also includes a blog. The site’s layout is simple, clean, and attractive.

Charlotte Duckworth

Built with Squarespace

Charlotte Duckworth’s site is unique because she writes under two different names for two different genres. Her homepage links to another site, CharlotteRixon.com, for those who want information on her book club fiction writing.

The homepage layout is simple, with some basic info and a photo of Charlotte. The rest of the site uses a professional but basic layout that features her books. Readers can click through to order from Amazon or BookShop.org.

Marty Neumeier

Built with Squarespace

Marty Neumeier’s website uses a black and white color scheme with a full-screen photo of him on the homepage. The “books” link in the header navigation menu opens a dropdown with links to ten different books. Each page includes details about the book and a link to Amazon for readers who want to purchase it.

Since Marty is also a professional speaker, his site includes details about upcoming events, workshops that he offers, and a list of past events.

Mary Walker

Built with Squarespace

Mary Walker’s homepage features a full-width photo of Mary. The “Books” page allows readers to order Mary’s recent book directly from the site. Links are also provided for those who want to buy from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others.

One of the most unique aspects of this site is the page where visitors can listen to Mary read her poems. There are 15 poems available.

Another interesting feature is the offer of a free course on writing poetry. The site uses Squarespace’s membership capabilities, and visitors can register for the free course.

Daria Salamon

Built with Squarespace

Aside from being well-designed, Daria Salamon’s author website is also exemplary for the content provided on the site. You can find information about the author, photos of Daria and her family, details on her two books, testimonials, an Instagram feed, and a blog.

The site offers a free travel planning guide and packing list as a lead magnet to build an email list.

Kimberly Stuart

Built with Webflow

Kimberly Stuart’s website includes information about the author and her books. But she’s also a speaker, podcaster, and coach, so visitors can find all of the relevant information as well (the “Coaching” link leads to a separate domain).

The site uses a simple design and layout, including a basic text-based logo and navigation menu. Big photos are used throughout the site to provide plenty of visual appeal.

Bronnie Ware

Built with WordPress

When you visit Bronnie Ware’s website, you’ll immediately notice familiar logos of places where she’s been featured, including The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Elle Magazine, and many others. A testimonial from Marie Forleo is shown lower on the homepage, providing further social proof. Other testimonials are sprinkled throughout the site.

The site includes both a blog and a vlog. Of course, visitors can also find details about Bronnie’s books and her bio. The “About” page includes several photos of Bronnie and beautiful nature photos.

Eunice and Sabrina Moyle

Built with Squarespace

The Moyle sisters’ website is a perfect example of a simple and professional author website (Sabrina is the author, and Eunice is the illustrator). The layout is clean and simple. The navigation is clear and logical. And the site includes photos that provide visual appeal.

Of course, the site includes information on their books. Readers can purchase through Amazon or other sites, including their own shop at Hello Lucky.

Debbie Macomber

Built with WordPress

Debbie Macomber’s homepage includes a slider that showcases several of her books. Each book is shown on a different full-screen background image. Debbie has written many books, so readers can view them by series (from the dropdown menu) to find what they’re looking for.

In addition to books, Debbie also produces a magazine. Website visitors can buy magazine issues right from her site. The site also includes a blog, as well as a “News” section that’s displayed in a blog post format.

Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Built with Squarespace

This great author website features a full-width photo of the author, Yassmin Abdel-Magied. This is not a one-page site, but the links in the navigation menu lead to specific locations lower on the homepage.

If you click on one of the book covers lower on the page, you’ll arrive at a page with details about the book and links to buy it. There’s also a page dedicated to speaking testimonials.

Bethan Woollvin

Built with Squarespace

Bethan Woollvin is a children’s book author and illustrator, and the website looks like a designer’s portfolio site. Each book has a dedicated page with details, including links to buy at several online retailers.

The site also includes a shop powered by Squarespace where visitors can buy prints. The books are not available for purchase directly through the shop.

Brené Brown

Built with WordPress

Brené Brown is an author and podcaster. Her site uses a beautiful custom WordPress theme. The mega menu makes it easy for visitors to find exactly what they want.

The “Books” page includes a cover image, a brief description, and links to buy each book. The “learn more” buttons lead to pages with slightly more information about the books.

Michelle Nijhuis

Built with Squarespace

The homepage of Michelle Nijuis’s site features an illustration of several animals, which goes along with her most recent book, Beloved Beasts. The site also includes articles published in a blog format.

Overall, the website design is fairly simple, allowing the photos and illustrations to stand out.

Jonathan Bender

Built with Squarespace

Jonathan Bender’s site includes information about all three of his books, with links to order from several places. Of course, there’s also a bio of Jonathan on the “About” page.

The site also includes a “News” section in blog format. Aside from the news articles, it’s a fairly small website with only a few pages. But it has a professional look and all the necessary information.

Lizzy Barber

Built with Squarespace

Lizzy Barber’s site features bold colors. Of course, the site provides information about Lizzy and her books. The “Press” page includes clips of where she’s been featured.

Website visitors can also connect with Lizzy on Instagram or Twitter. Her Instagram feed is included lower on the home page.

Constance Hanstedt

Built with Squarespace

The homepage of Constance Hanstedt’s website features information about both of her books. The books can be ordered through a few online retailers.

Constance’s bio is provided on the “About” page. The site also includes a blog and a news page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do authors need a website?

How do I get an author website?

Should an unpublished author have a website?

Final Thoughts on Author Websites

Every author needs a website, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. You can build your site with Squarespace and use one of their many templates to quickly create a professional site that provides information about you and your books. Gather inspiration from the sites showcased in this article and create your own.

Sign up for a free trial to build your website with Squarespace without commitment.