Do you, an author or illustrator, need a website? I'm gonna say, YES! You don't really NEED a website until you have a book (or more) to sell -- but even as an aspiring author/illustrator, it's a good idea to start your web presence early so you can get the domain name you want, and you have less work to do later on. Think of it like a business card. If you are an author or illustrator (or both!) -- you are a small business owner. Business owners generally have business cards so that people can, you know, FIND THEM. This is the 21st Century, and we have the internet, which is what most people use to FIND THINGS. So why not help those people find YOU?
It doesn't need to be flashy or expensive. In fact, I'd argue that attractive, simple and clean is the best. As to what should be ON this website, it depends on where you are in your career:
Aspiring Author, Doesn't Yet Have An Agent or Book Deal:
You don't strictly speaking need to have a website yet. Don't stress about this at all. BUT if you want to get started, it might be nice. This way you begin your web presence, and if you are doing things like networking at conferences, people can look you up. Include:
* A brief bio
* What kind of books you write
* A picture of you. Doesn't have to be a "pro" headshot, but should look nice. Bonus for pet pics!
* Contact info
* Links to relevant social media, blog, etc. (Only what you actually USE -- don't link to blank twitter pages or ancient blogs)
Aspiring Illustrator, Doesn't Yet Have An Agent or Book Deal:
All of the above, plus:
* Portfolio. Make sure the portfolio images are crisp, clear, and easy to navigate. Include your favorite, most attractive work. I suggest that you include images that show movement, that show that you can tell a story through a picture, images of both kids and animals, color and B&W. But in short: Make it the kind of work for which you wish to be hired. If you want to draw baby books -- a portfolio full of sophisticated horror imagery is NOT going to help you. If you do both kids book art and editorial/adult style art, have two separate portfolios.
Author or Illustrator WITH an Agent:
All of the above, plus:
* Agent's name and email. I can't say this enough: You want people to be able to FIND YOU. They can't hire you or invite you to speak or do anything else for you if they can't FIND YOU. Don't make this a challenge!
Author or Illustrator with a Book or Books Coming Out:
When you have a book deal and you're about six months out from publication, when the jacket exists and pre-order links are live -- THAT is when you truly NEED a website. Remember that all kinds of people will be checking this website out: Teachers, librarians, booksellers, parents, kids, authors, agents, publishers, festival organizers, publicists, and possibly randos who got there by accident. So keep it professional, easy to navigate, informational, attractive -- but also make sure the look and feel of it fits the tone of your work. If you are an author of hilarious, zany chapter books - I'd expect some colorful, goofy fun from your website! If you are writing horror, your website would probably be... less goofy. ;-)
Your website will also serve as a "Press Kit." You will be invited to speak, to do school visits, to interview on blogs, whatever -- all these types of opportunities will require your biographical information, your headshot, your book jacket and info -- so instead of having to scramble to put all this stuff together every time somebody asks -- go ahead and make it easy on yourself and them by letting it all live in one place.
All of the above PLUS:
* Book info page with buy links to multiple sites. If you are American, that probably means Amazon, B&N, and Indiebound, plus your favorite local indie. It is crucial that you NOT just link to Amazon -- you will probably want to do events at your local indie, and they will be very annoyed if you act like there is only one book retailer in the world and it isn't them. ;-)
Don't forget to include your publisher's name, the ISBN, and credit the illustrator or jacket designer where applicable! And link to International editions when/if your book is available in other countries!
* Book reviews, praise and blurbs.
* Hi res downloadable images of your book jacket and author photo.
* Optional, but very encouraged: "More Resources": Think of this like "DVD Extras." Depending on the kind of book you've written, the contents of this page will vary. But in general, it's lovely to have resources that teachers can use to teach the book, and that parents and kids can check out if the book has inspired them. Curriculum guides, discussion questions, additional reading lists, links to more info about whatever cool topic or era you are writing about. Fun things you found out while doing research. If you have a very young book, maybe this page has downloadable coloring pages for kiddos. If it is a sophisticated YA about a hot-button issue, maybe this is a list of links for organizations that do work around that issue, so that teens can find them easily if they need support. Whatever YOUR book is will determine what kind of stuff you have on this page.
* Optional: Mailing List Subscription Link: Most websites - even free websites like the very one I am using here - allow you to set up a mailing list. You might think "hey, I'll never use or need or want a mailing list" -- and maybe that is true. BUT! If you ever think you MIGHT get to a point where you want to tell people about new exciting projects or events -- it's probably a good idea to start growing this list early. Remember: NEVER ADD PEOPLE TO YOUR MAILING LIST WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION. Not only is it rude, in some parts of the world, it is literally illegal.
* Optional: School Visit info: If you are available for school visits, skype presentations, etc - let people know!
* Optional: FAQ! -- If you start to get a lot of questions from students (or any readers) you might consider adding an FAQ page, so you can point people right there rather than repeating yourself ad nauseum. (Yes, I realize that I am typing this on MY brand new FAQ page! So there you go, see, they come in handy.)
It doesn't need to be flashy or expensive. In fact, I'd argue that attractive, simple and clean is the best. As to what should be ON this website, it depends on where you are in your career:
Aspiring Author, Doesn't Yet Have An Agent or Book Deal:
You don't strictly speaking need to have a website yet. Don't stress about this at all. BUT if you want to get started, it might be nice. This way you begin your web presence, and if you are doing things like networking at conferences, people can look you up. Include:
* A brief bio
* What kind of books you write
* A picture of you. Doesn't have to be a "pro" headshot, but should look nice. Bonus for pet pics!
* Contact info
* Links to relevant social media, blog, etc. (Only what you actually USE -- don't link to blank twitter pages or ancient blogs)
Aspiring Illustrator, Doesn't Yet Have An Agent or Book Deal:
All of the above, plus:
* Portfolio. Make sure the portfolio images are crisp, clear, and easy to navigate. Include your favorite, most attractive work. I suggest that you include images that show movement, that show that you can tell a story through a picture, images of both kids and animals, color and B&W. But in short: Make it the kind of work for which you wish to be hired. If you want to draw baby books -- a portfolio full of sophisticated horror imagery is NOT going to help you. If you do both kids book art and editorial/adult style art, have two separate portfolios.
Author or Illustrator WITH an Agent:
All of the above, plus:
* Agent's name and email. I can't say this enough: You want people to be able to FIND YOU. They can't hire you or invite you to speak or do anything else for you if they can't FIND YOU. Don't make this a challenge!
Author or Illustrator with a Book or Books Coming Out:
When you have a book deal and you're about six months out from publication, when the jacket exists and pre-order links are live -- THAT is when you truly NEED a website. Remember that all kinds of people will be checking this website out: Teachers, librarians, booksellers, parents, kids, authors, agents, publishers, festival organizers, publicists, and possibly randos who got there by accident. So keep it professional, easy to navigate, informational, attractive -- but also make sure the look and feel of it fits the tone of your work. If you are an author of hilarious, zany chapter books - I'd expect some colorful, goofy fun from your website! If you are writing horror, your website would probably be... less goofy. ;-)
Your website will also serve as a "Press Kit." You will be invited to speak, to do school visits, to interview on blogs, whatever -- all these types of opportunities will require your biographical information, your headshot, your book jacket and info -- so instead of having to scramble to put all this stuff together every time somebody asks -- go ahead and make it easy on yourself and them by letting it all live in one place.
All of the above PLUS:
* Book info page with buy links to multiple sites. If you are American, that probably means Amazon, B&N, and Indiebound, plus your favorite local indie. It is crucial that you NOT just link to Amazon -- you will probably want to do events at your local indie, and they will be very annoyed if you act like there is only one book retailer in the world and it isn't them. ;-)
Don't forget to include your publisher's name, the ISBN, and credit the illustrator or jacket designer where applicable! And link to International editions when/if your book is available in other countries!
* Book reviews, praise and blurbs.
* Hi res downloadable images of your book jacket and author photo.
* Optional, but very encouraged: "More Resources": Think of this like "DVD Extras." Depending on the kind of book you've written, the contents of this page will vary. But in general, it's lovely to have resources that teachers can use to teach the book, and that parents and kids can check out if the book has inspired them. Curriculum guides, discussion questions, additional reading lists, links to more info about whatever cool topic or era you are writing about. Fun things you found out while doing research. If you have a very young book, maybe this page has downloadable coloring pages for kiddos. If it is a sophisticated YA about a hot-button issue, maybe this is a list of links for organizations that do work around that issue, so that teens can find them easily if they need support. Whatever YOUR book is will determine what kind of stuff you have on this page.
* Optional: Mailing List Subscription Link: Most websites - even free websites like the very one I am using here - allow you to set up a mailing list. You might think "hey, I'll never use or need or want a mailing list" -- and maybe that is true. BUT! If you ever think you MIGHT get to a point where you want to tell people about new exciting projects or events -- it's probably a good idea to start growing this list early. Remember: NEVER ADD PEOPLE TO YOUR MAILING LIST WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION. Not only is it rude, in some parts of the world, it is literally illegal.
* Optional: School Visit info: If you are available for school visits, skype presentations, etc - let people know!
* Optional: FAQ! -- If you start to get a lot of questions from students (or any readers) you might consider adding an FAQ page, so you can point people right there rather than repeating yourself ad nauseum. (Yes, I realize that I am typing this on MY brand new FAQ page! So there you go, see, they come in handy.)
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