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welcome…
…to all my secrets on life as a published author
(I’m 7 traditionally published books in and I’ve learnt some stuff 😉)
I blog weekly about author websites, newsletters and life as a writer…
New posts published every Monday 😊
Want to learn more about me and my own publishing journey first?
(includes info on how I landed one of those mythical six-figure book deals!)
Read all about my own journey to publication →
Or scroll down to read all my other posts!
most popular posts
most recent posts
What to do when you hate your book's cover
I can’t remember who told me that most authors hate their covers. Perhaps hate is too strong (I have a tendency towards hyperbole - hey I’m a storyteller! 😆).
22 author website examples to inspire you
As you’d expect, I have spent a LOT of time looking at author websites. And I genuinely love it. Seeing all the amazing creative ideas that different authors have for their websites lights me up.
Some honest thoughts on author blurbs
Another post that might get me into hot water but here we go anyway. The somewhat controversial topic of author blurbs. What do we think of them?
Why I use Squarespace (not Mailchimp!) for my author newsletter
Most of the authors I know use Mailchimp to send their newsletters. For a long time, it really was the only viable newsletter platform for complete beginners to email marketing. But in recent years, as people have come to see the incredible value in email marketing, more and more different platforms have emerged.
5 mistakes I made after getting a book deal
Like many authors, when I first got my book deal, I was completely overwhelmed. It’s such a huge goal - to get a book published - and for many writers, it takes so long to achieve that we often don’t look much past it.
How to add links to your Squarespace author website
I know this might seem like a bit of a basic post, but I’ve come to realise that I spend a lot of time talking about links with my author website clients! So I thought it was time to dedicate a blog post to them, because it’s not actually as simple as it might sound...
Some honest thoughts on book publication days
My seventh novel, After The Fire, was recently published in both the UK and the US, by a division of Bloomsbury (of Harry Potter fame). Even when I type that now, it amazes me that it’s true.
How to build an author website: a step-by-step guide for authors
Create a professional author website with my step-by-step guide. Learn essential tips to enhance your branding and connect with readers effectively.
The most nerve-wracking thing I've EVER done? 😱
I think writing this post might be even more nervewracking than launching a book. Maybe. Maybe not. Even so, I am super nervous to share something very exciting today, that I’ve secretly been working on for months!
Project Spotlight: chrislloydauthor.com
As usual, it’s been too long since I shared a recent client project on my blog - and so I’m very happy to be sharing with you a recent website project of mine that was a real joy to work on from start to finish!
Some honest thoughts about the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival
I’m back from Harrogate - my fifth trip to the annual Crime Writing Festival (not ‘Crime Festival’ as I have a habit of calling it and thus confusing/alarming my non-writing friends).
How to add text effects to your Squarespace author website
As authors, we often struggle to find good images for our websites. I find many of my author clients get in touch feeling worried that they don’t have any good photography for their website. Quite often they’ll only have their headshot, and their book’s cover, and that’s it.
How to format images for your author website
‘An image speaks a thousand words’ - this really does hold true on the internet. We much prefer to consume content online in image form, rather than text (obviously this saddens me, as a writer, but the evidence backs it up!).
5 amazing author website built by my students
I’m almost bursting with excitement to share this post with you! Since I launched the DIY Author Website Course last year, I’ve had some amazing feedback from students.
How to add a social sharing image to your author website
Another quick video for you today to show you how to add a social sharing image to your author website.
Behind the scenes: a mid-year studio update
I guess it’s a bit late for a spring update technically, as it’s already June (WHAT!) but I thought it would be nice (for me) and possibly interesting (for anyone reading) to do a little mid-year round-up of 2024 so far.
Life as an assistant editor - interview with Sophie Dawson
I’m really excited about today’s interview! Sophie Dawson is an Assistant Editor at publisher Head of Zeus. She also recently worked on my second Charlotte Rixon novel, which is coming out later this year, and she’s been a real joy to work with! So I’m thrilled that she agreed to answer a few questions about her work.
My number one Squarespace tip
I have a short and sweet trick to share with you in this post. One of the most useful features of Squarespace that I don’t think many people are aware of.
How to encourage visits to your author website
So, finally, your author website is live! Hurrah and hurray. No matter how you achieved this – whether through doing it yourself or getting someone else to help you or even handing over the whole project completely – you should feel very proud.
How to organise books on your author website
I work with a mix of authors, from debuts to longstanding writers with big backlists, but the majority of my work is with debuts, because it’s often when writers first get their book deal that they think ‘oh god! Now I need a website!’
✨ 30 things I’ve learnt from 5 years being published ✨
September 6 2023 marked 5 years since my first book was released 😲
To celebrate, I shared a new post about what I’ve learnt from being published EVERY DAY throughout the month.
Enjoy!
curious about my books?
click the covers to find out more
pssst! before you go…
Sign up to my newsletter to get access to my studio resource library and all my FREE guides exclusively for authors!
Look at all the great stuff you’ll get…
Essential Guide to SEO for Authors
17 page guide
The Debut Author’s Survival Guide
30 page ebook
Author Website Content Guide
14 page guide
Author Newsletters
- a Beginner’s Guide
30 minute video
Blogging for Authors
- a Beginner’s Guide
18 minute video