In Today’s Journal
* Rethinking My Websites
* Tips for Author Website Design
* Of Interest
Rethinking My Websites
For probably ten or twelve years, I’ve had three primary websites: my author site, my publisher site, and the Journal website.
But only very recently I decided I need to publish a newsletter for readers, build a list, and all that. (Don’t be me; do this from the beginning.) That decision slapped me around a little and woke me up.
My focus has been all wrong on my author site (“author” site, duh) and on my Journal site, which for the longest time has been mostly static. I’m grateful the Journal site was at least closer to fulfilling its intended purpose.
The newest website, the publisher site, was always spot on with its role—to serve as a destination for individual readers and booksellers—but in 2026 thanks to direct-sales platforms like Payhip, Shopify, and Lemon-Squeezy (strictly for digital), that role has shifted dramatically.
So yesterday and today I’m rethinking and refocusing each site. When I finish,
- The author site will be strictly for readers,
- everything I offer for writers will be available through the Journal website, and
- StoneThread Publishing will exist only as a static website and a gateway to my discount store. I’ll update STP only when I have a new release.
As a first step in all of this, I revised my author website (my brand) to make the site more reader-centric. (Before, it was decidedly writer-centric.)
The biggest visible changes were trimming back the menu and vastly revising the Welcome page. Now the site is more welcoming, much less busy, and much more focused.
In the background, the changes were extensive. I went from seven pages of “pages” down to two.
By close of business yesterday, I was mostly finished with the transfer of writerly things from the author site to the TNDJ site.
So as you have time, check out the new, improved Journal website. Be sure to explore the menu tabs. If you’re fairly new to writing fiction, I suggest reading a few of the items under the On Writing Fiction tab.
But all of this was a LOT of work and it will continue for at least another full day. So now, while many of you are at or near the beginning of your journey, I thought I’d offer up this list of best practices:
Tips for Author Website Design
First, I suggest you read or re-read “Ten Important Things”, especially items 5 through 8.
Then add to those these things:
1. Remember to make the site reader-centric. That is, consider what’s most important to the readers who visit your site. (Think of what you look for or expect when you visit an author site because you like the author’s writing.)
2. To that end,
- make your domain name (website name) your author name dot com. Again, your author name is your brand.
- Keep your menu as clear and uncluttered as possible, and
- include a welcome page. Your welcome page should be the first thing the readers see when they visit your site.
Speaking of which, “above the fold” is an old newspaper term. Back in the day it meant what the reader would see without even flipping the paper over or unfolding it. At least the headlines of the most important news stories appeared “above the fold.” Smart marketing.
That hasn’t changed. Today, “above the fold” means what the reader sees when he first goes to your website (so before he scrolls down).
When any reader visits your site, he’s looking for
- what you have to offer, then
- information about who you are, then
- everything else.
So your website header, your menu, and what you offer readers (your genres? novels? short stories? all of the above?) should all come above the fold.
As the reader scrolls down on your welcome page, he’ll find the secondary and then the tertiary information.
(View my recently revised author site Welcome page as an example.)
3. More Tips—
- Don’t make your website “cutesy” or “artsy” at the cost of readability. (Again, it’s all about readers, not about you being creative.)
- White, yellow, red, green (etc.) font on a piece of artwork or on a black, red, blue, or otherwise colorful background SUCKS. It’s a strain to read, and it will dissuade readers.
- Do whatever you want in your header (as long as your name—your brand—is large and easy to read), BUT…
- in the body of your website—again, to make your site welcoming and easy to read—use black font on a white or maybe cream background.
- Also remember that everyone can read larger fonts, but not everyone can read tiny fonts. Find a happy medium.
- Don’t use annoying popups for any reason. Never come between the reader and what he’s trying to read on your site. (Also see my comment on the second item in Of Interest below.)
- In fact, as you encounter anything that annoys you on other people’s websites, don’t do those things on yours.
- Include either a contact form or your email address (prominently displayed and preferably yourname[at]emailprovider[dot]com) so anyone (readers, potential licensees, et al) can reach you. This can be as easy as adding a Contact Me menu item (see my revised author site).
- Set up a newsletter signup form (again, prominently displayed, but NOT in a popup) to help you collect the email addresses of fans of your work. Then, first and foremost, promote news about your writing, new releases, and interesting tidbits about your characters and worlds to that list. Let your personality shine through.
- Don’t make readers guess about or hunt for information. (For example, if you use the words “email me” they should always be highlighted as an active link or followed by “at” and your email address, which is highlighted as an active link.)
After all, the readers’ ability to contact you is more important to you than it is to them. Make it easy for them.
I also recommend having a sidebar on your website. It makes the site look more professional.
I hope this helps. What did I miss? As always, I’m open to comments and questions.at harveystanbrough@gmail.com.
Of Interest
Copyright [for] Works Made for Hire
What Makes Writing Good? Great little article.
25+ Best Podcasts for Writers & Self Publishers in 2026 You will encounter at least one and maybe two stupid pop-ups when you move your cursor. Sorry about that. If they annoy you, get a clue and don’t use popups on your own website.