What to Include on an Author Website (With Real Examples)
· 8 min read
Knowing what to include on an author website is half the battle. Think of it this way: Your author website is more than just a digital business card—it’s a central hub for connecting with readers, showcasing work, building a unique brand and selling your books. Whether you’re newly published or well-established, the right elements on your site can make the difference between casual visitors and loyal fans. From a compelling bio to clear book information and ways to engage, knowing what to include ensures your website works as both a professional platform and a welcoming space for your audience.
In this guide, we break down the essential pages and sections every author website needs, plus the optional features that can give you an edge. We also show you a few real examples so you can see what works in practice.
The Essential Pages Every Author Website Needs
Think of your author website like a bookstore. Just as a bookstore needs a front window, a checkout counter, and a way for customers to find what they’re looking for, your website needs clear structure.
Here are the non-negotiables:
- Homepage — Your front window. Introduces visitors to who you are and what you write. It also puts your highest priority in the foreground—that might be your forthcoming book or a particular series you are working on.
- Books Page — Your inventory. Lists all your published works with buy links.
- About / Bio Page — Your story. Helps readers connect with you as a person.
- Email Sign-Up — Your mailing list capture. Often embedded on the homepage.
- Contact Page — Your open door. Shows you’re accessible and professional.
Your events calendar, blog and other custom pages are a bonus. Let’s dive into each section.
Your Homepage — First Impressions Matter
Your homepage is like your book cover. Within three seconds, a visitor should understand:
- Who you are (your author name)
- What you write (your genre or niche)
- What they should do next (usually “buy my book” or “join my email list”)
What to include on your homepage:
- Your author name, prominently displayed
- A professional author photo (headshot)
- A headline that captures your writing value (e.g., “Award-winning mystery novels for fans of Agatha Christie”)
- Your most recent or best-selling book, featured with a cover image and CTA button
- A brief description of what makes your books unique
- Navigation links to your other pages (About, Books, Blog, Contact)
- An email sign-up form or incentive
What NOT to include:
- Testimonials about your day job
- Unrelated hobbies or interests
- Cluttered design or too many colors
- Autoplay video or music (readers hate this)
Keep it clean. Your reader’s focus should be on your books, not distracted by design.
Example: Juergen Barbusca’s author homepage — a compelling headline, featured book with buy buttons, author bio, and clean navigation all above the fold.The About / Bio Page
This is where readers get to know you, not just your books. Your about page should answer:
- Who are you? Name, location (optional), and a bit of personality.
- What do you write? Your genre, themes, and audience.
- Why do you write? The personal motivation behind your work.
- What’s your background? Relevant credentials, awards, or life experiences that give you authority in your genre.
A good author bio is 150–300 words. Long enough to build connection, short enough to keep attention.
Example structure:
“I’m Sarah Johnson, a suspense thriller writer based in Portland, Oregon. For the past ten years, I’ve been fascinated by the psychology of crime. My novels explore what drives ordinary people to extraordinary acts. When I’m not writing, I volunteer with the local community garden and drink way too much coffee. My debut novel, The Last Alibi, won the 2024 Readers’ Choice Award.”
Notice it includes personality, credibility, and specifics. That’s the sweet spot.
Your Books Page
This is your digital bookshelf. Every book you’ve published should have:
- The book cover — High-quality image
- The title — Obvious, but make it prominent
- Description — The back cover copy or book blurb (50–100 words)
- Genre and word count — Helps readers decide quickly
- Buy links — Where readers can purchase (Amazon, your direct store, Apple Books, etc.)
- Reviews or quotes — Reader testimonials or awards (builds credibility)
Organize your books page logically:
- Featured / Latest Release (prominent)
- Standalone Novels
- Series (grouped by series name)
- Short Stories (if applicable)
If you’re on Tertulia or another author platform, you can also embed a direct purchase option right on your page—which means readers never have to leave your site.
Want to sell books directly from your website? Tertulia makes it simple. List all your books, set your prices, and readers can buy instantly without leaving your site. Plus, every buyer automatically gets added to your reader email list.
Start your free author website with Tertulia →A Blog or Articles Section
A blog isn’t required, but it’s powerful. Here’s why:
- SEO boost. Blog posts rank in Google, driving organic traffic from people searching for topics in your genre. Increasingly, your blog content will also get picked up in answer engines like ChatGPT as well.
- Reader engagement. It keeps people coming back and gives them reasons to subscribe to your email list.
- Authority building. Sharing writing tips, behind-the-scenes insights, or genre commentary positions you as an expert.
Good blog topics for authors:
- Writing process and craft tips
- Behind-the-scenes book development
- Book recommendations in your genre
- Advice for aspiring writers
- Character spotlights or world-building insights
- Updates on new releases and future books
Post consistently—even monthly is better than sporadic posts. One well-written post every month will serve you better than five rushed posts.
Email Sign-Up / Reader Magnet
Email is your superpower. Every visitor who doesn’t buy today is a potential reader tomorrow—if you can stay in touch.
Your email sign-up should offer a reader magnet—a small, valuable freebie in exchange for an email address. Popular options:
- A free short story or prequel chapter
- A writing guide or genre-specific tips
- An exclusive character profile or story snippet
- Early access to your next book
Keep the sign-up simple: just name and email. Don’t ask for phone number or address—that’s friction you don’t need.
Place your email sign-up prominently on your homepage and at the end of every blog post.
Contact Page and Media Kit
A contact page tells readers and media that you’re accessible. Include:
- A contact form (so you don’t publish your email directly)
- Your email address (optional, but helpful)
- Links to your social media
A media kit page is optional but professional. It’s a one-page PDF that journalists, podcasters, and event organizers use when considering featuring you. Include:
- Your author photo (high-resolution)
- Your bio (100 and 200-word versions)
- Book covers and descriptions
- Your accolades and awards
- Social media following numbers
This makes you look like a pro and makes journalists’ jobs easier.
Optional But Powerful Additions
Events Page — If you do book tours, speaking engagements, or festival appearances, a calendar of events helps readers find you in person.
Sample Chapters or Excerpts — Give visitors to your website the chance to read a few pages of your work, just as they would try before they buy at a bookstore.
Podcast or Video Page — If you create audio or video content (interviews, readings, writing tips), feature them here. You can create custom pages to feature this content.
Merchandise Store — Beyond books, you might sell branded items (mugs, t-shirts, bookmarks). You can feature these items and link out for visitors to purchase them.
Testimonials or Reviews Page — Collecting reader reviews and testimonials on your own site builds social proof.
Example: Will Hoffman’s author website — books, excerpts, reviews, blog, and contact all accessible from one clean homepage.
Example: Scarlet Ibis James’s author website — a clean homepage showcasing her latest release with clear navigation to Books, Events, Short Stories, Reviews, and a Book Club page.Ready to build a professional author website with all the right pages? Tertulia includes templates optimized for all these sections, plus built-in email lists, direct book sales, and analytics to track what's working.
Start your free author website with Tertulia →Frequently Asked Questions
How many pages should my author website have?
Start with the essentials: Homepage, Books, About, and Contact. You need at least 4 pages. A blog adds value but isn’t mandatory. Most successful author websites have 5–8 pages total.
Should I write a long or short bio for my author website?
Create a 300-word version for your bio page, which can be excerpted or teased on your homepage. Create a 50-word “elevator pitch” version for social media and media kits. Different situations call for different lengths.
Do I need to include a blog on my author website?
It’s nice to have because a blog can help with discoverability and give readers a reason to return—but only if you update it with consistency. If not, focus on building your email list instead, which is very reliable for staying connected with readers.
Can I sell books directly from my website?
Yes. Platforms like Tertulia, Shopify, and WooCommerce let you add a bookstore right to your site. This keeps readers on your page, captures their emails, and lets you keep higher profit margins. Tertulia has the advantage of managing your external retail links and offering an exceptionally easy interface for setting up direct sales.
What if I don’t have a professional author photo?
One option is to include a high-quality compelling candid photo that really gives readers an idea of who you are. If you don’t have that, invest in a professional author photo. Even a simple headshot from a local photographer or professional photographer costs $50–150 and instantly elevates your credibility. Your readers want to see your face. Ideally, you can incorporate both types of photos into your website in appropriate sections.
Should I include sample chapters on my author website?
Yes—include a sample chapter. It lets readers preview your voice and story, builds trust, and can significantly boost interest and conversions. Keep it polished, easy to access, and end with a clear call to action (e.g., buy or sign up).
