Alliteration is one of the most effective tools an author can use to make a book title unforgettable. Repeating consonant or vowel sounds at the beginning of words creates rhythm, resonance, and instant recall. A strong alliterative title rolls off the tongue, sticks in the mind, and becomes easier for readers to repeat. That is exactly what you want when promoting a book.
As a book publicist, I see how a well‑crafted alliterative title becomes a branding advantage. It is memorable, marketable, and gives your book a sonic identity before the reader even opens the cover.
How Sound Shapes Reader Engagement
The Rhythm of Your Title Drives Reader Interest
Alliteration creates a natural pulse that makes a title feel intentional and polished. It emphasizes key words, sets tone, and creates a memorable verbal pattern. Soft sounds add elegance; hard sounds add punch. Either way, the reader feels something before they read a single page.
This is why catchphrases like Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, brand names like Coca‑Cola, and slogans like compassionate conservatism endure. The sound pattern becomes the hook.
Real‑World Titles That Prove Alliteration Works
Classic literature has always embraced alliteration:
Pride and Prejudice
Sense and Sensibility
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wind in the Willows
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Modern publishing continues the tradition, especially in fantasy, romance, thrillers, and YA.
Recent alliterative titles include:
Rocket’s Red Glare by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann
The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
These titles show how alliteration adds punch, personality, and promotional power.
The New Wave of Short Alliterative Titles Capture Attention
Here are standout releases that use alliteration effectively:
Female Fantasy by Iman Hariri‑Kia
Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers
Mercy Makers by Tessa Gratton
Wind Weaver by Julie Johnson
Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews
Rebel and the Rose by Catherine Doyle
We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark
These titles demonstrate how alliteration elevates fantasy, romance, and romantasy, genres where sound, mood, and atmosphere matter.
To Maximize Your Book Marketing Make the Sound of Your Title ‘Sing’
Humorists often rely on alliteration because it shapes timing and adds rhythm. It creates a built‑in beat that makes readers smile before they turn the first page. A title like Banjos, Boats and Butt Dialing by Mike Ball gets a reaction instantly, and that reaction is marketing momentum.
The Mechanics of Alliteration Why Sound Matters More Than Spelling
Alliteration depends on sound, not spelling.
Know Nothing is alliterative.
Climate Change is not.
It is the echo of the initial sound that creates the effect, a crucial detail for authors and publicists shaping titles.
Your Book Title is a Marketing Asset Which Strengthens Your Brand
Alliteration is one of the most powerful tools in book marketing. It makes titles memorable, marketable, and musically appealing. It engages readers before they read the first sentence and gives your book a rhythmic identity that supports both storytelling and promotion. Because alliteration is so important, it has an entire chapter in my book Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book.” https://a.co/d/00v7Twv5
The Bottom Line
A great book title doesn’t just describe your book; it helps sell it. Alliteration is one of the simplest and most effective techniques for creating a title that’s memorable, easy to say, and hard to forget.
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Book Marketing, a leading book publicity and author marketing firm specializing in media relations, Amazon book promotion, author branding, and book launch campaigns. Lorenz has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?
Submit the form below with this information and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!
Most authors market a book backwards: they push the sale before they have earned it. Here is what actually moves the needle, from meeting the media where they are to finding the one angle nobody else spotted.
On a recent episode of the Game Changers podcast, Jess Todtfeld shared details about how Scott Lorenz helps authors get publicity.
The single biggest thing that moves the needle for a book is not a bigger push. It is meeting the media where they actually are, then handing them something so useful they cannot say no. After four decades of promoting authors across television, radio, print, and podcasts, I have watched the tools change and change back. The letter became the fax, the fax became email, email became noise, and now a well-timed piece of direct mail lands better than almost anything. What never changes is the thinking behind it.
I have been doing this since college, when I ran student activities at UNLV and brought in speakers like Leonard Nimoy, Carl Bernstein of Woodward and Bernstein, and Vincent Bugliosi, the prosecutor who put away Manson. Nearly every one of them had a book. That was the lesson that set the course for everything I do now.
Why a book changes everything
Without a book, you are just another person with an idea. A book focuses that idea and gives it a platform. Suddenly people want to interview you for TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines. They want to bring you in for a speech or a signing. You cannot have a book signing without a book. It is the foundation of a smart marketing strategy for anyone who wants to grow a consulting business, change their community, or make a real impact.
“Without a book, you’re just another guy or gal with an idea. A book brings it and focuses it all together.”
Scott Lorenz
Meet the media where they are
Everything in publicity comes down to reaching the right person in the way they actually respond. I use Twitter constantly, where I have more than 47,000 followers, many of them journalists and people in publishing, and I post for my clients several times a day. LinkedIn is strong too. But the beautiful thing about a platform like Twitter is that I do not need an existing relationship to reach out to someone. On LinkedIn, you kind of do.
And after years of email fatigue, direct mail is working again. I had a package going out just today: a book, a focused pitch, and the materials to go with it. When most people have abandoned a channel, the channel that still gets opened becomes your advantage. That is the whole game.
Do whatever actually works
I do not get attached to tactics. I care about results. If a carrier pigeon would work, I would use one. I have gone to remote studios and tracked down reporters, and once, for a client in New York whose insurance company would not pay a judgment after an oil spill, we dug up the ground and lit it on fire so the eyewitness news teams had something they could not resist putting on television. She finally got her judgment paid, more than a million dollars. There is no point winning a judgment you never collect.
“I just care about what works. If a carrier pigeon would work, I’d use that.”
Scott Lorenz
Build a press kit that does the work for them
Scott Lorenz, president of Westwind Book Marketing and author of Book Title Generator.
A producer or journalist might get five books a week and do five interviews a week. Nobody can read all of that.
So, the job of a press kit is to give them a taste, enough to sound smart and say yes. We write the press release, pull excerpts from the book, gather author blurbs, and, importantly, we write suggested questions. Journalists use them.
They are busy, the questions are good, and it quietly hands us a measure of control over the conversation.
Think of it like an hors d’oeuvre. Here, try this. You like it? Great, the whole meal is in the restaurant. The press release is the taste that gets you in the door.
Find the angle nobody else saw
The audience is always out there somewhere; my job is to find it. A children’s book about a business raccoon became a story about a first-time author on a kidney transplant list, which opened a door to talk about organ donation.
A gun-safety book for kids got booked all through June because we tied it to Gun Safety Awareness Month, a natural hook for a year-round subject.
A retired veterinarian’s memoir turned into a run of television because people love stories about dogs, cats, and horses. And a book about tattoos became a story about creativity, tied to a book trailer scored with a symphony orchestra.
What actually moves the needle
Meet the media where they are. Twitter, LinkedIn, and, right now, direct mail. Use the channel people still open.
Lead with the book, not the sale. The book is the platform that earns the interview, the speech, and the signing.
Make it effortless to say yes. A press kit with excerpts, blurbs, and suggested questions does the reporter’s work for them.
Find the angle. Tie the book to a moment, a cause, or a season the audience already cares about.
Earn real reviews. High-level, credible reviews are the punch in the punch bowl when readers arrive.
The above and beyond: reviews, trailers, and bigger swings
Reviews matter more than authors think. If your only two reviews are from your spouse and your grandmother, that is a problem. We reach genuine, high-level reviewers: library-journal types, Amazon Hall of Fame reviewers, PhDs who love to read. Inviting readers to your Amazon page with no good reviews waiting is like inviting people to a party with no punch in the punch bowl.
Then there are book trailers, sixty-second previews of coming attractions set to music, sometimes narrated by the author. And every so often a book becomes something bigger. One of my authors, Lucette Walters, who once worked for Mario Puzo and screened scripts for major studios, wrote Light of the Desert, a story about a woman escaping an honor killing. It now has a screenplay and a high-level director attached, and it is on its way to becoming a movie.
Relationships are still number one
I pay a serious subscription for a media database that is updated around the clock, and it gives me access to essentially every outlet in the world. But the database is not the reason people say yes. Relationships are. When I pitch someone, I know, they trust that I am not going to hand them a dud. What we bring is not a product to push. It is an idea, a story, a way to help or even change the world, and that is why people are receptive to the pitch.
“When authors come to me looking for a publicist, I say, ‘I have one guy. Don’t look any further.’ Scott was thinking about what I needed, even back when I was a producer.”
Jess Todtfeld, media trainer and former ABC, NBC, and Fox producer
I met Jess Todtfeld years ago when he was a television producer and I was pitching him. He was one of the few who was neither too pushy nor invisible; he was thinking about what the show actually needed. We became friends, and now we work together. When an author of mine needs to be sharp on camera, he is the one I send them to.
Watch the conversation
Jess and I sat down to talk through all of this in more depth. You can watch the full conversation here.
Scott Lorenz on what actually sells books, in conversation with Jess Todtfeld.
Book Title Generator
Before you publish, do the smart thing and get the title right. My book “Book Title Generator” walks through the techniques, from clichés and idioms to numbers and biblical phrases, that make a title findable and memorable. Do not put out a book with a stupid title.
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?
Submit the form below with this information and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!
Getting your voice heard off the page is essential for any author looking to expand their reach. While the college speaking circuit slowed down significantly during the pandemic, it has come back stronger than ever. Speaking gigs offer invaluable visibility, but what truly matters is who is in the audience. When it comes to influence, few audiences are more valuable than college students and university staff. So, how can authors break into the college lecture circuit?
Get Your Foot in the Door with NACA
NACA stands for The National Association for Campus Activities. It’s a nonprofit organization that “serves as the central hub for campus professionals, student leaders, entertainers, agents, vendors, and other entities involved in the planning and execution of campus events and activities.” While its mission may sound broad, NACA is one of the most effective pathways for authors looking to enter the college speaking world.
According to NACA Executive Director Jameson Root, “NACA helps bring the collegiate market to you. Through in-person conferences and an online directory, authors can access the largest network of campus activities talent buyers and decision makers. Additional opportunities to showcase your work include presenting educational sessions, getting published in Campus Activities Programming® Magazine or the peer-reviewed Journal for Campus Activities Practice & Scholarship, writing for the NACA Blog, or hosting webinars. NACA strives to foster environments where everyone belongs and can thrive in their careers.”
Membership opens the door to networking with universities across the country, and gives you direct access to decision-makers who book campus events. To join this community, simply visit their website, become a member, and take advantage of the contacts listed for questions or guidance.
Here are a few additional agencies and organizations that help authors book college talks:
Finding the specific audience interested in your book can be challenging, but colleges make this easier by organizing students into majors, departments, and clubs. Identify the group that best aligns with your message. Use platforms like LinkedIn as well as university websites to locate the right contacts. Once you connect with a professor, department chair, or student organization leader, tailor your talk to that specific group. Don’t wait for a prescheduled event; create your own opportunities! Step outside the box by proposing workshops and guest lectures. The speaking industry is competitive, so having a clear and compelling message can set you apart from everyone else and spark interest.
Speaking to the Future
Booking the college lecture circuit can be transformative for your book sales. Speaking directly with students allows you to get your book in front of the next generation of adults. Don’t hesitate to reach out to students and staff directly. Engage them by connecting your book’s themes to their academic and personal interests. Create a professional author page that you can send out to provide a short bio of who you are and what you want to say. When you’re speaking at colleges, your job is simple: inspire students. Whether students buy your book or start conversations about it, both outcomes help amplify your reach. Check out my article about media training tips here!
Speaking from Experience
Back in the day I was director of Student Activities at UNLV. Our committee booked all kinds of speakers, and many were authors. We booked people such as: Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek), Lee Bailey (OJ Simpon’s defense attorney), Vincent Bugliosi (Charles Manson’s prosecutor), David Frost (Nixon interview) and Carl Bernstein (Watergate). We were members of NACA and used booking agents to get our next big guest speaker. Not all were celebrities, but they all had a message and most had a book.
The Bottom Line
Want your book to reach the next generation? Get on campus. Speak. Inspire. Sell. The college lecture circuit is your launchpad, start now and make your message unforgettable.
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Book Marketing, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
Learn more about Westwind Book Marketing at https://www.WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s award-winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net. Then for Christian authors, check out Lorenz’s new book called Book Title Bible: How to Title Your Christian Book with Faith and Inspiration. www.BookTitleBible.com.
Would you like help promoting your book?
If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?
Submit the form below with this information and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!
Book festivals and fairs are held year-round all over the world. As a book marketing specialist, I am the first to impress on authors the new and powerful marketing avenues open to all authors on the Internet – from websites and book trailers to social networks like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. While these are excellent tools when used properly, authors should never overlook opportunities to meet the reading public face-to-face.
Consider visiting some of these Jewish book fairs and festivals
If you are a Jewish author or specialize in writing about Jewish issues, you should consider visiting some of these Jewish book fairs and festivals.
October 2025 – July 2026: 45th Berrin Family Jewish Book Festival of Alper JCC Miami (Miami, FL). Featuring 40+ renowned authors beginning in September each year. Whether you’re a book lover or simply interested in hearing from names synonymous with pop culture and bestsellers, there’s an event for everyone. https://www.alperjcc.org/adult-arts-programming/book-festival
November 2025 – March 2026: 26th Cleveland Jewish Book Festival (Beachwood, OH). In its 26th year, opening night kicks off a calendar of 13 events in November 2025 and March 2026. From fiction and non-fiction, books highlight Jewish life, Israel, American diplomacy, spirituality, art, mystery and more. Most events are free and open to the public. All in-person and virtual author presentations are accompanied by lively Q&A sessions. Books will be available for purchase at our partner Mac’s Backs-Books of Coventry in Cleveland Heights. https://mandeljcc.org/Book-Festival
December 1, 2025 – April 13, 2026: Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival (Naples, FL). Celebrating Eleven Years of Bringing Authors and Books to Our Community. The Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival brings a showcase of Jewish authors and books of Jewish content to our community. We strive to enrich, entertain and engage the members of our community while providing opportunities to come together for experiences that are both educational and social. https://www.jewishnaples.org/jewish-book-festival
September 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026: St. Louis JCC’s 47th Annual Jewish Book Festival (St. Louis, MO). The St. Louis Jewish Book Festival is an annual celebration of authors, books, and ideas during early November, with additional author events year-round. The range of author topics is vast: business, cooking, economics, family, fiction, history, music, religion, sports, and more. https://jccstl.com/arts-ideas/st-louis-jewish-book-festival/
November 2026: Marcus JCC Atlanta’s 35th Edition of the Book Festival of the MJCCA (Dunwoody, GA). Mark your calendars for the annual Book Festival of the MJCCA—featuring more than 40 renowned authors in November each year. Whether you’re a book lover or simply interested in hearing from names synonymous with pop culture and bestsellers, there’s an event for everyone. The Book Festival of the MJCCA is one of the most highly regarded cultural events in the Southeast. https://www.atlantajcc.org/our-programs/arts-authors/book-festival/upcoming-events/
January 8 – March 18, 2026: Books That Changed My Life festival (New York, NY). The Books That Changed My Life festival is a two-month celebration of literature, culture, and community. With over 50 events and more than 3,000 attendees each year, the festival explores the power of books to inspire and transform through author talks, writing workshops, story times, art exhibitions, concerts, theater, and film. Past guests have included Cynthia Nixon, Nancy Silverton, Ruth Reichl, Ann Napolitano, Chelsea Clinton, Jennifer Egan, Emma Straub, Gregg Andrew Hurwitz, Daniel Silva, and Gretchen Rubin. https://www.mmjccm.org/arts-film/books-life-festival#programs
February 22–29, 2026: Jewish Book Festival 2026 (Durham, NC). This year they’ve got a mix of in-person and virtual events planned for you to hear authors read excerpts from their books, answer your questions, and share their inspiration and challenges in writing these words. This series spotlights diverse stories from across the Jewish world. https://www.jewishforgood.org/book-festival
February 21–26, 2026: Cherie Smith JCC Jewish Book Festival (Vancouver, BC). The JCC Jewish Book Festival’s mandate is to showcase Jewish writers or non-Jewish writers with Jewish interest subject matter. There will be author talks and Q&As. This event usually attracts over 5,000 people of all ages. For more details, call 604-257-5156 or email jbf@jccgv.bc.ca. https://jccgv.com/jewish-book-festival/
February 28 – March 8, 2026: London International Literacy Festival’s Jewish Book Week (London, UK). Jewish Book Week is London’s longest running literary festival, attracting a pantheon of award-winning authors and thinkers every year for an exciting program of debates, talks, and performances at Kings Place, London and online. It will feature Jewish writers and themes and a number of interesting discussions. https://jewishliteraryfoundation.co.uk/jewish-book-week
March 25, 2026: 75th National Jewish Book Award Celebration (New York, NY). The celebration will feature remarks from a selection of the 75th winners in addition to special guests of Jewish Book Council. Each ticket supports Jewish Book Council’s efforts to enrich, educate, and strengthen the community through literature. https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/events/75th-national-jewish-book-awards-celebration
June 15–21, 2026: Yetzirah 2026 Jewish Poetry Conference (Chapel Hill, NC). For participants, Yetzirah’s third Jewish Poetry Conference will be held June 15-21, 2026, in the mountains of Western North Carolina, in partnership with the University of North Carolina—Asheville’s Center for Jewish Studies. Our time together will consist of a mix of generative workshops focused on Jewish questions and themes, discussion panels, craft talks, readings with Faculty and our Fellows, Scholars, and Contributors, as well as many shared meals and celebrations. https://yetzirahpoets.org/programs/conference/
Throughout 2026: United Jewish Federation of Tidewater & the Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival (Virginia Beach, VA). For over 40 years, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater & Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival has celebrated Jewish authors, illustrators, and books, providing opportunities to engage with bestselling and up-and-coming writers. For further details, contact Jill Grossman at 757-965-6137 or JGrossman@ujft.org. https://federation.jewishva.org/arts-ideas/book-festival
Book fairs typically seek out guest speakers. By volunteering to speak at a Jewish book fair, you will pique the interest of new readers, promote your book, and potentially gain a few new fans. Additionally, you can add the speaking appearance to your resume. Be sure to plan ahead because book fairs, speaking engagements and readings are all planned months in advance. For a complete list of book fairs and festivals visit https://westwindbookmarketing.com/
The Bottom Line: Reach out to the Jewish community and attend a book fair! You will be happy you did.
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?
Submit the form below with this information and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!
Your author website is a critical element for the promotion of your books. It’s where people turn to learn more about who you are and what you have to offer. Therefore, it’s important your website provides visitors what they are looking for… information about YOU, YOUR book and how to buy it. Don’t make people click on ten links to get to the buy button!
Key elements of an effective author website include:
Book Cover
Author Headshot
Blurbs from Reviewers
Book Trailer
Buy Buttons to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.
Excerpts or Quotes from the book
Media Clips & Logos
Book Awards
Your Backlist of Books
Option to sign up for your mailing list
If you’d like to create an attractive website that builds your brand and promotes your books, it’s a good idea to explore current author sites and ‘benchmark’ against them. Why reinvent the wheel right? They can give you some inspiration and help you take the right steps toward the ideal online presence. Here’s a list I’ve compiled of the ‘Top 28’ author sites for your review. Let me know what you think. If you know of an author website to add to the list, tell me in the comments section below.
James Patterson can afford to pay just about anything for his web design so what exactly is he doing? Take a look and find out for yourself. Fortunately, he has a mailing list you’re welcome to join. You can also tweet out all his books and check out his latest trailers.
When it comes to color, Anthony Horowitz nailed it. He was strategic about the colors he used. As you can see, the rustic orange highlights his top-selling books. Horowitz also displayed his Twitter handle prominently so you can follow him easily.
You can’t go wrong with a website layout like the one on Colleen Coble’s site. It boasts a clean look with features like a newsletter signup as well as designated pages for her current lineup of books, latest releases, and media coverage.
New York Times bestselling author Mitch Albom is one of the most famous authors of our day. He was a sportswriter with the Detroit Free Press and was perennially named best writer of the year by his peers. That’s saying something since many writers’ think they are the best!
His books, ‘Tuesday’s With Morrie’ and ‘Five People You Meet in Heaven’ catapulted him into bestseller stardom and into American culture. His website depicts his work, upcoming book tours, media clips, his work with charities, his radio show, favorites music, and advice to authors about writing. Study this website and Mitch Album.
Patrick Asare is the author of The Boy From Bodua and is one of my clients. His website exemplifies just about everything an author site needs.
You can see he’s got the cover on the top half of the page, buttons to buy the book, awards he’s won, a terrific author photo, a book trailer we created and media interviews. The website was created by Marketing Success.
William Truax, author of Reality 2.0 is a client. His website designed by Barak Granot, is a masterclass in authority branding: clean, confident visuals, a headline-to-CTA flow that makes the big idea instantly clear, and frictionless paths for book buying, media, and speaking inquiries. It projects credibility without clutter, loads fast on mobile, and keeps attention where it matters, on the message and the mission. One of the best examples I’ve seen for a high‑level author, speaker, and thought leader.
Tony Robbins’ website is catchy and compelling thanks to the emphasis on his tagline. From the moment you visit it, you want to “Ignite. Achieve. Excel.” His website makes it clear that his coaching services have the potential to change your life.
Jay Shetty’s website promotes his offerings which include his podcast and courses. It also highlights his impressive media coverage. Once you visit his website, you’ll know right away that he was featured on The Today Show, Red Table Talk, World Mental Health Day, and many others.
Malcolm Gladwell has a clean website that draws attention to one of his top books, “The Bomber Mafia.” The “Learn More” tab directs site visitors to take the next step and buy the book on places like Amazon and Apple Books.
In addition to the attractive design, Stephen King’s website features an informative frequently asked questions page (FAQ). Visitors can go there to find out why he became a writer, where he gets his ideas, and more.
When you go to Emma Davies’ website, you’re sure to notice the turquoise color scheme as it really stands out. There’s also a great picture of her as well as a welcome message that directs visitors to her social media outlets and contact page.
Daniel Gibbs knew what he was doing when he requested an interactive website. Visitors can enjoy a variety of unique pages like the map page, ship schematics page, timeline page, and robust universe encyclopedia.
There’s no denying that the close up of Jonathan Fields’ face catches your attention. His website also features a one-of-a-kind email signup that you’ll be directed to join if you state that you “totally agree” and love discovering stories and ideas that inspire you.
Henry Neff’s social media profiles stand out and draw visitors to become a follower or fan. Additionally, his website boasts a robust “About Henry” section with his biography, events, press and interviews, and school visits.
Kelly Minter’s website has a lovely picture of her and clearly conveys who she is: an author, speaker, and musician. We love the easy access to her bible study and email signup that lures visitors in with a free download.
Karen Kingsbury’s website is designed to get visitors to buy her New York Times bestselling book, A Distant Shore. Once you visit it, it becomes quite clear that she wants you to order it as soon as possible.
Julie Orringer’s website has dedicated pages on each of her books, which revolve around the experience of Jewish characters during World War II and current times. Each page includes a description of the book, reviews, and links that direct visitors to make a purchase.
Nicole Krauss’ website is unique in that the navigation is on the left rather than top of the home page. It also features pages that focus on each of her books about Jewish history, themes of identity, and family connections.
My wife loves Janet Evanovich and has read all of her books. On Janet’s website, her book “Game On” steals the show. The dark background really allows it to stand out. We also love the social media icons on the top left and subscribe button on the top right.
Michael Connelly’s website features a compelling about section that does a great job highlighting his key accomplishments. There’s also a space that gets visitors excited for his upcoming releases and dedicated pages for events he’ll be attending and podcasts he’s participated in.
Nora Roberts’ website has a rotating banner that draws attention to the various books she’s written. The books section is quite robust as it includes a release schedule, details on every book she’s written, and a printable full book list.
Jodi Picoult’s website is simple yet compelling. The white background makes the teal social media icons and lovely picture of her stand out. Her site also includes unique pages for all her books, each featuring a synopsis and video.
Brandon Sanderson’s website focuses on his latest book and gives visitors a status update on his projects. In addition, there’s a regularly updated blog and online library with sample chapters, free fiction, and annotations.
James Clear’s website is all about his top book, Atomic Habits. It allows visitors to download the first chapter for free in the hopes of luring them in to purchase a copy and keep reading. Visitors can also subscribe to his weekly newsletter.
JK Rowling’s website revolves around her new children’s book, The Christmas Pig, visitors will find her signature at the very top as well as a great picture of her. There’s also an ‘Answers’ page where JK Rowling answers common questions about herself.
Gary Vaynerchuk’s website is a simple black and white color scheme. The large text about his book, Crushing It really stands out. His website also includes a link to learn more about VeeFriends, his collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Tim Ferriss’ website was definitely created with a lot of thought and strategy. He owns the phrase ‘FOUR HOUR’ as he is the author of The Four Hour Workweek, The Four Hour Chef and others with Four Hour in the title. There’s a great picture of him outside and an embedded recording of the latest episode of his show. The search box and teal callouts that showcase his greatness are other great additions. But, content is king and there’s plenty of it on his website/blog.
Michael Grumley’s website has a “Next Book Meter” to show visitors how far he is into his next book. It also treats them with a free ebook and shares information about how they can support St. Jude’s Research Hospital by buying his books.
The Bottom Line
When you design your author website, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Take a look at other author websites to get an idea of what you like and what type of layout and features would work best for your particular goals.
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?
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