by Scott Lorenz | Book Marketing, Marketing a Book, Promoting a Book
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Communications
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 25’ 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.
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.
Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at https://WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at [email protected] or 734-667-2090 or fill out the form below. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net.
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!
by Scott Lorenz | Author Advice, Blog, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing, Marketing a Book, Writing a Book
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Communications
If you’re an aspiring author in search of the secrets to success, it only makes sense to ask those who have achieved it. After all, they’ve been in your shoes.
While you may not be able to speak to successful authors directly, you can read their quotes. I’ve done the heavy lifting for you and compiled these 20 quotes about writing, which are sure to inspire and intrigue you.
1. “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” – Jack London
2. “All a writer needs is talent and ink.” – J.K. Rowling
3. “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” – Stephen King
4. “Nobody buys a book that they don’t pick up.” – James Patterson
5. “You see a lot of young writers who have interesting ideas and a certain skill with words, but their story is not a story … it’s more of a vignette.” – George R.R. Martin
6. “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” – Robert Frost
7. “If you have no critics, you’ll likely have no success.” – Malcolm X
8. “You can make anything by writing.” – C.S. Lewis
9. “Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts.” – Larry L. King
10. “I don’t need an alarm clock. My ideas wake me.” – Ray Bradbury
11. “In order to write about life first you must live it.” – Ernest Hemingway
12. “Character is plot, plot is character.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
13. “Write what should not be forgotten.” – Isabel Allende
14. “If you don’t see the book you want on the shelf, write it.” – Beverly Cleary
15. “I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine.” – Emily Dickinson
16. “Write about the emotions you fear the most.” – Laurie Halse Anderson
17. “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere.” – Anne Lamott
18. “You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” – Jodi Picoult
19. “Done is better than perfect.” – Sheryl Sandberg
20. “Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.” – Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler)
The Bottom Line: Take these quotes and use them to push you forward. Remember, success as an author doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a great deal of dedication, passion, and hard work.
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.
Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at https://WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at [email protected] or 734-667-2090 or fill out the form below. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net.
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!
by Scott Lorenz | Blog, Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Promoting a Book
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Book Marketing
Getting a rejection letter hurt. I know because I deal with authors all the time, and I have seen first-hand how it can take its toll on the confidence and motivation of an author.
The harsh truth is most writers will face some form of rejection throughout their writing career, and even some of the greatest writers of our time had to deal with rejection letters.
A list of well-known authors who were rejected by publishers
I have put together a list of well-known authors who were rejected by publishers but went on to become immensely successful. Some of the names on this list may really surprise you.
1. J. K. Rowling:
A few years ago, J.K. Rowling posted rejection letters on Twitter that she received for her first novel, ‘The Cuckoo’s Calling’, a book written under her pseudonym, Robert Galbraith. “I wasn’t going to give up until every single publisher turned me down, but I often feared that would happen,” says Rowling. The book was eventually published and the author then went on to write ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, which was also initially rejected, this time by 12 publishers. When the book was finally published, however, it sold more than 120 million copies. The famous Harry Potter series has now sold more than 500 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling series of all time!
2. Stephen King:
Stephen King was told: “We are not interested in science fiction which deals with negative utopias. They do not sell.” for his book debut novel ‘Carrie’, which was rejected by 30 publishers. Later in his career, these rejections would inspire him to write some of his best-selling works. In his book ‘On Writing’, Stephen King says he pinned every single rejection letter he had received to his wall with a nail, “By the time I was fourteen, the nail in my wall would no longer support the weight of the rejection slips impaled upon it. I replaced the nail with a spike and went on writing.” Today, the best-selling author has published 63 books and sold more than 350 million copies.
3. Vladimir Nabokov:
Over a five-year period, forty editors declined the offer to publish ‘Lolita’. In his book ‘The Making of a Bestseller’, Arthur T Vanderbilt mentions that one publisher said to Vladimir: “I recommend that it be buried under a stone for a thousand years.” Yet when the book was eventually published it became a literary sensation.
4. Jack Canfield:
Canfield’s book, “Chicken Soup for the Soul” got rejected by 144 publishers! The book went on to become a bestseller. As of date, the series has sold more than 500 million books. Canfield said: “If we had given up after 100 publishers, I likely would not be where I am now. I encourage you to reject rejection. If someone says no, just say NEXT!”.
5. Dr Seuss:
For his first story, ‘And to think I saw it on Mulberry street’, Dr Seuss was rejected by 27 publishers. “Too different from other juveniles on the market to warrant its selling”, one letter said. Luckily, the author did not give up and continued to write. Today, his books have made over 300 million sales, and the author is considered one of the best-selling fiction authors of all time.
It is easy for writers to wallow in self-doubt and pity after receiving rejection letters from publishers or agents. That fear can be powerful, and it can deter writers from doing what they love. Sometimes, it can even be the reason they give up on their writing dreams altogether. I hope this list can help inspire you to keep writing and not give up.
It’s also easy to forget that writing a book is an incredible accomplishment, and the undertaking itself deserves great commendation. Receiving rejection letters doesn’t mean your book has failed or that it won’t succeed. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve the chances of your book becoming successful. If you have finished writing your book, make sure it’s properly edited and proofread before sending it out to publishers. Editing, copyediting, and proofreading can truly make your book shine.
Once your book has finished the editing stage, the next step is to market it appropriately. This stage can prove pivotal for success. Check out my article on how you can generate buzz around your book to help your book get the attention it deserves. Another important element of book marketing that is overlooked at times is the author website. I have previously compiled a list of top author websites which you can use as inspiration to design your own.
The Bottom Line: Receiving a rejection letter shouldn’t be the reason you give up on your writing dreams. Be inspired by the successful authors above who used rejection as fuel to keep going.
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.
Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at https://WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at [email protected] or 734-667-2090 or fill out the form below. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net.
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!
by Scott Lorenz | Author Advice, Blog, Book Publishing, Book Title Generator, Books to Read, Writing a Book
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Book Marketing
As a book publicist, I’m frequently asked to give advice on writing a book. The truth is, there are so many elements that can make a book successful—but one of the most important is that it be written well.
Writing well is the goal of every writer—regardless of where they are in their writing journey. It is also a skill that requires continuous practice. Even published authors continuously work to perfect their craft.
It can be hard to decide what advice is most relevant when so many books have been published on the topic. That said, reading books on the art of writing can sometimes be more helpful than an entire college writing course.
Five Books to Help You Become a Better Writer
The five books that I’ve listed below reveal the nature of writing life and the art of writing well in intimate detail. They offer everything from grammar rules to advice on publishing a book to personal narratives as they teach the ins and outs of writing and what it means to be a writer.
1. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. This memoir is a brilliant graphic tale of King’s life, and like all his stories, it does not lack imagination. The book is an invitation behind the scenes to his writing and career. It features moments that shaped King as an author and the various lessons he acquired from decades of practice and publication. It is a masterclass for aspiring writers.
2. The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. The Elements of Style is considered the gold standard on writing. Strunk and White outline basic linguistic and stylistic rules and instructions on how to write clearly and concisely. They also cover common mistakes that writers make and how to avoid them. This book is a classic for a reason.
3. On Writing by Ernest Hemingway. While Hemingway never wrote a treatise on the art of writing, he left behind passages in letters, articles, and books with opinions and advice on writing. In 1984, Larry W. Phillips compiled these into a book. On Writing is a collection of writing advice from one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century. Hemingway gives us a glimpse into the psyche and mental preparation of a writer and a clear definition of the difference between good and bad writing. The book is essential reading for any aspiring writer.
4. Several Short Sentences About Writing by Verlyn Klinkenborg. In this book, Verlyn Klinkenborg challenges writers to forget everything they have ever been taught about writing. The author uses a poetic prose style to make the point that the sentence itself is the most essential element of writing, and each sentence should do its share of the work.
5. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. In this delightfully witty and humorous piece on writing and family life, Lamott addresses the difficulties of writing and getting published. Bird by Bird is an anecdotal work full of wry observations about life and writing. Anne’s lessons are those she has shared in workshops over the years as she covers what she’s learned through trial and error. Bird by Bird is a must-read, for aspiring fiction writers especially.
Today, many books and courses are available to assist writers on their writing journey. Authors have abundant writing resources at their disposal to help them hone their writing skills. I’ve previously written on how editing and proofreading can make your writing shine—and on the power and art of brevity for authors. If you don’t want to read a book, you can watch the Masterclass courses on writing and receive author advice from some of the best writers of our day. There is a great masterclass by James Patterson on how to write a bestselling book.
The Bottom Line: Regardless of how long you’ve been writing, you can glean tips and techniques from authors who have succeeded in their field. Learn from them.
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.
Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at https://WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at [email protected] or 734-667-2090 or fill out the form below. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net.
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!
