25 Best Author Websites Every Writer Should Study In 2026

As an author, your online presence plays a key role in how readers discover you and engage with your work.

With a well-designed website, you can showcase your books, share your story, and connect directly with your audience in one central place.

This guide explores the 25 best author websites and highlights what makes them successful so that you can apply the same ideas to your own site.

Why Every Author Needs A Website

If you’re dedicated to building a long-lasting career as an author, setting up your own website is essential for connecting with potential readers.

Like the best artist websites, author websites are the central focus for your creative works and deep dives into your writing journey.

An author website can helpestablish your author brand, engage with fans, build email lists, and optimize for SEO.

It’s also ideal for setting up an online store, selling eBooks and physical books to a global audience, and offering exclusive promotions.

Combined with a comprehensive social media presence, author websites are integral to the success of both upcoming and bestselling authors.

Key Elements Every High-Performing Author Website Needs

Before planning a website for your books, it’s essential to understand the key elements commonly used for such sites.

Here’s an overview of the key elements you’ll need to include when creating a professional author website:

• Home page: A clean, professional homepage is essential, with a design that instantly conveys your writing style and genres while incorporating clear calls to action.
• Dedicated pages for books: Include a dedicated page for each of your published works, summarizing the content and providing links to purchase digital and physical copies.
• Author bio: Adding an author bio helps readers connect with your work on a personal level, and can be used to explore your influences and motivations.
• Media and contact page: Existing favorable media coverage should have its own dedicated page, with a contact page to help journalists reach out for information.
• Blog page: While a blog page is optional for an author’s website, including one can significantly enhance your site’s visibility through SEO-friendly content.
• Events page: If you’re planning a book tour or one-off event, including an Events page with all the relevant information will boost attendance.

As your books receive favorable critical and customer reviews, update your website to include these and add social proof.

Related reading: 25 powerful call-to-action examples.

How We Chose The Best Author Websites

With many different types of websites online for authors to choose from, there are plenty of diverse examples to draw on when designing your own website.

We’ve selected author websites that reflect the eclectic range of writers across various fiction genres and non-fiction special interests.

For each site, we’ve explored how the website’s theme and aesthetic inform the writer’s style and capture its essence.

We’ve also assessed the author websites for functionality and how they use direct links, social media, and other elements to engage readers.

The 25 Best Author Website Examples

Every writer has a unique prose style and topical interests that influence how they promote their books online.

The 25 best author websites demonstrate how thoughtful design and compelling content work together to connect books with the right readers.

25. Austin Kleon

Genre: Non-fiction guides and essays

Best-Known Books: Newspaper Blackout, Steal Like an Artist

The bestselling author Austin Kleon has a large body of work that is prominently featured on the homepage.

Complementing the attractive book covers are plenty of writing tips and other informative blog posts that draw on his experiences.

Additional noteworthy sections include a newsletter page, information about his speaking engagements, and social media icons.

24. Leigh Bardugo

Genre: YA/Adult fantasy

Best-Known Books: The Grishaverse

The fantasy genre is inherently visual, and Leigh Bardugo uses visually striking book covers to capture the visitor’s attention.

Presented in a carousel, these covers lead into the author’s broader universe, with excerpts from reviews by the New York Times.

There’s also an excellent online store that showcases how e-commerce can be integrated successfully into an author’s website.

23. Megan McDonald

Genre: Children’s literature, realistic fiction

Best-Known Books: The Judy Moody series

Megan McDonald, the author of the children’s book series Judy Moody, appreciates how lush illustrations serve as a distinctive selling point.

Her website features the character prominently on the home page, with bold text links to the books, creators, and teaching resources.

22. Emma Davies

Genre: Romance, chick lit

Best-Known Books: Little Cottage on the Hill

A prolific writer with many novels to her name, Emma Davies takes a personal approach to her site, connecting with her audience.

In addition to book links, the site includes news and musings from the author, with a dedicated writer’s corner for aspiring authors.

She also offers exclusive signed copies for fans, adding value to her work, and bespoke dedications for gifting.

21. Anthony Horowitz

Genre: Mystery, thriller, horror

Best-Known Books: Alex Rider series

The multi-talented writer Anthony Horowitz has worked in everything from literature to television, movies, and journalism.

His website focuses on his books, with his complete catalog listed on the homepage and supported with additional pages for works and events.

It’s an excellent website design with a clean, user-friendly layout and a clear menu system, making navigation a breeze.

20. John Green

Genre: Young Adult (YA), realistic fiction

Best-Known Books: The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska

Another New York Times bestselling author with a strong website design is John Green, who also vlogs on the educational series Crash Course.

His website blends new book promotions with a comprehensive blog and links to his podcast and notable media coverage.

There’s also a helpful FAQ section, a page dedicated to contact info, and an online store where readers can purchase his publications.

19. Kylie Howarth

Genre: Children’s books

Best-Known Books: The Chip series

The website for children’s book author and illustrator Kylie Howarth continues the themes of Judy Moody, placing a wonderful illustration front and center.

A strong call-to-action encourages visitors to subscribe to the newsletter, while teaching resources bring extra value for parenting.

Essential resource: Website project plan: A step-by-step guide.

18. Henry Neff

Genre: Fantasy

Best-Known Books: The Tapestry series

Another successful author and illustrator is Henry Neff, who has taken a significantly different approach that matches his style and audience.

The site opens with a professionally edited photo of the author, with a breakdown of his latest release beneath the carousel.

There’s a page dedicated to his artwork, an engaging About page with a brief description of his background, and a contact page.

17. Khaled Hosseini

Genre: Contemporary fiction, historical fiction

Best-Known Books: The Kite Runner

Author Khaled Hosseini broke into the mainstream with his novel The Kite Runner, reflecting his experiences growing up in Afghanistan.

His website places this iconic bestselling book front and center, with a short bio underneath for interested readers.

16. Malcolm Gladwell

Genre: Narrative non-fiction

Best-Known Books: The Tipping Point, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Essayist and entrepreneurial influencer Malcolm Gladwell has written many books and won multiple awards.

Named one of TIME’s Most Influential People, Gladwell’s About page explores this and more accolades from his illustrious career.

His website presents these accolades and more information clearly, thanks to bold fonts on a white background.

15. Tony Robbins

Genre: Self-help, personal development

Best-Known Books: Unlimited Power, Awaken the Giant Within

World-renowned self-help guru Tony Robbins uses the art of persuasion on his website, with compelling CTAs paired with engaging imagery.

A notable public speaker and author, he effectively blends information about his books with events and coaching resources on his site.

14. Salman Rushdie

Genre: Historical fiction, magical realism

Best-Known Books: Midnight’s Children, The Satanic Verses

An author with a rich body of work needs a website that clearly presents their releases, something Salman Rushdie’s site achieves well.

Load up the site, and his entire bibliography is displayed down the page, with the option to refine the results by category.

A firm believer in free speech, Rushdie’s writings have influenced the arts and culture, becoming touchstones for aspiring authors.

13. Rupi Kaur

Genre: Contemporary poetry

Best-Known Books: Milk and Honey, Healing Through Words

If you’re considering publishing your poetry, referencing Rupi Kaur’s website will inspire your layout and choice of elements.

It’s packed with colorful photographs and book covers, with effective “Buy Now” calls-to-action to convert traffic into sales.

There’s a newsletter sign-up form underneath her latest book of poetry, with a compelling About Me page and information on events.

Kaur also sells her works directly through an online shop, with an additional link to her Amazon Specials live performance for added value.

12. Veronica Roth

Genre: Young Adult (YA), dystopian fantasy

Best-Known Books: The Divergent series

The Divergent fantasy series by Veronica Roth broke into mainstream consciousness after a string of big-budget movies.

Roth’s site is an excellent source for more of her works, with dedicated book pages, upcoming events, and a Classroom section for resources.

If you’re looking for a dynamic website layout idea, Roth’s animated elements on the homepage are inspirational.

11. Ali Hazelwood

Genre: Romance novels

Best-Known Books: The Love Hypothesis, Love on the Brain

Some artist websites keep things simple, as Ali Hazelwood’s clean and minimalist site, which presents her novels, demonstrates.

Her book covers are broken into general categories, with a separate page for her novellas and a clear contact form.

10. Thomas Pynchon

Genre: Postmodernist literary fiction

Best-Known Books: Gravity’s Rainbow, Inherent Vice

Readers seeking complex, challenging literature have often turned to Thomas Pynchon, who writes with a style akin to James Joyce.

The author of Gravity’s Rainbow had adopted a blog-like format for his website, supplemented by cover artwork and a section for informative video content.

A critically acclaimed writer, Thomas Pynchon’s books have won numerous accolades, including a National Book Award.

9. Seth Ring

Genre: LitRPG, GameLit

Best-Known Books: Battle Mage Farmer, The Tower series

Author Seth Ring has taken an unusual approach to literature, emphasizing literary RPG and Western genres.

This eclectic writing style is explored throughout the site, with a compelling about section, book series overviews, and an advice page for other authors.

8. Rick Riordan

Genre: Detective fiction, mythology, fantasy

Best-Known Books: Percy Jackson and the Olympians

As with Seth Ring, Rick Riordan uses his fantasy-inspired settings to create bold, engaging imagery on his professional website.

The Percy Jackson author website features multiple CTAs encouraging readers to explore the series, with gorgeous illustrations throughout.

There are additional resources for teachers and parents to help with education, and a unique page dedicated to mythomagical concepts.

7. David Mitchell

Genre: Literary fiction, sci-fi, fantasy

Best-Known Books: Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas author David Mitchell understands the importance of social proof, presenting his accolades at the top of his homepage.

His latest book is outlined in detail, with many quotes from reviews in leading publications such as Entertainment Weekly and The New Yorker.

There are also social media icons for Facebook and X, which help the author promote their website to a broader audience.

6. Neil Gaiman

Genre: Fantasy, children’s books

Best-Known Books: American Gods, Good Omens

With major movie and television adaptations of his novels, Neil Gaiman has become one of the pre-eminent writers of fantasy fiction.

His body of work is covered on his website, along with personal musings and insights into the fantasy genre and general writing.

There’s a helpful community space where fans can discuss the themes of his book and find lots of downloadable resources.

5. J. K. Rowling

Genre: Children’s fantasy

Best-Known Books: The Harry Potter series

Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling needs little introduction, having become a household name through the movie adaptations of her works.

Her website homepage takes a distinct approach by splitting the content into general information and personal stories.

Rowling also leans heavily on her social media presence for promotion, with millions of followers across various platforms.

4. John Irving

Genre: Literary fiction

Best-Known Books: The World According to Garp

Animated page elements are an excellent way to capture and retain visitors’ attention, as John Irving demonstrates on his author website.

The site opens with a beautiful illustration, complete with falling snow animations that instantly convey his writing tone.

Discover more: Ultimate Website maintenance guide.

3. Haruki Murakami

Genre: Literary fiction

Best-Known Books: Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Shore

Japanese author Haruki Murakami has enjoyed a hugely successful career, with many notable works since he first began writing.

His author website offers another compelling reason to include animation: a geometric pattern that livens up the homepage design.

Murakami continues to receive prestigious awards and honors for his literary efforts, both in Japan and elsewhere.

2. George R. R. Martin

Genre: Fantasy

Best-Known Books: The Game of Thrones series

The popularity of Game of Thrones turned George R. R. Martin into an overnight sensation, extending well beyond the core fantasy fandom.

His website delivers a suitably fantasy-based aesthetic that recalls tabletop games, from the elegant fonts to the crest-like logo.

Martin also appreciates the importance of supporting your fans with a dedicated fan page that offers free giveaways and merchandise.

1. Stephen King

Genre: Horror, fantasy

Best-Known Books: The Shining, Carrie, It

Horror writer Stephen King needs no introduction, with millions of book sales and dozens of media adaptations of his works.

His website uses a dynamic banner carousel displaying a variety of his books, each linking to where it can be purchased.

Fans can also sign up for the newsletter to learn more about upcoming books and other topical news about King’s activities.

How To Make Your Own Author Website

An online presence is core to all book marketing, and making a website can significantly improve your overall book sales.

Here’s how to make your own author website that keeps visitors engaged and eager to learn more about your creative works:

1. Define Your Target Audience & Brand

The first step to creating an author website is to clarify your target audience and author brand, starting with your preferred genre.

Your writing style and readership will determine your visual branding and which demographics to target when launching campaigns.

2. Secure Your Own Domain Name

Once you’ve settled on a core brand, you’ll need to secure your own domain name before working on the site’s main pages.

Most authors use their own name for their website, so check for its availability before you start designing graphical elements.

Some website builders include domain names in their website hosting costs, so consider this before choosing a builder.

3. Choose the Right Website Builder

Selecting a robust, feature-rich website builder is essential for building a website and creating landing pages, contact forms, and other elements.

You should look for a builder that includes a straightforward drag-and-drop interface for page layouts and AI-assisted tools.

Additional website builder features that can help with your project include search engine optimization tools and online store functionality.

4. Decide on a Website Design

Once you’ve signed up for a builder, you’re ready to start bringing together design elements and finalizing your brand pillars.

An eye-catching logo and banner image will give a strong first impression, supported by consistent colors and bold, legible fonts.

You can use a range of tools for freelancers to create these assets, from free software like Canva to professional programs like Adobe Photoshop.

5. Create The Essential Pages

With your brand elements ready, it’s time to populate the site’s essential pages with compelling text and supporting images.

Include an author photo on your bio page, and consider adding a blog to share journals and insights into your writing process.

For each of your publications, include high-resolution book covers that showcase the artwork, with links for visitors to purchase copies.

6. Optimize Your Website for SEO

Optimization for search engines is necessary to reach a broad audience, using relevant keywords to drive website traffic.

SEO can be applied across the website, from page titles and meta descriptions to book overviews and online store products.

Make sure you include SEO best practices in your blog post checklist by researching keywords using resources like Semrush and Google Keyword Planner.

7. Market Your Author Website

Once your author website has been published, you’re ready to promote it to like-minded literature fans likely to purchase your books.

You can do this on a budget using social media to start conversations or advertise your business with paid ad campaigns.

Regular, up-to-date blogging will keep your website higher in search engine rankings, and all positive reviews should be capitalized on.

Recommended read: The 10 best marketing agency websites.

Common Author Website Mistakes To Avoid

Creating a new author website is an exciting process, but there are some pitfalls that you need to be aware of before you start.

Here are some of the common author website mistakes, and the measures you can take to avoid them:

• Cluttered and confusing design: Some author websites lack a clear layout and user interface, marred by excessive text and poorly implemented CTAs. You can avoid this by using a professional designer for your site or gathering feedback before publishing.
• Lack of mobile optimization: With most online traffic coming from smartphones, a lack of mobile optimization can significantly reduce sales. Ensure your content is correctly displayed on mobile websites to keep readers engaged and convert them to customers.
• Insufficient website management: Failing to update your site with SEO-friendly content and perform general website management can lead to serious issues down the line. When planning your site, schedule regular maintenance to keep everything performing smoothly.

By using a reliable website builder, you can avoid these and other obstacles, allowing you to focus on creating a stunning website design.

Summary

Building a successful writing career today requires more than great books, as it also depends on how you present your work online.

The best author websites show how thoughtful design, clear structure, and engaging content can help you attract readers and build credibility.

By learning from these examples and applying the same principles, your website can become a powerful tool for growing your audience and supporting long-term success.