Do You Really Need an Author Website Before You’re Published?

Our Guiding Philosophy for Emerging Authors

Writers often ask: 

When is the right time to create a website? Should it wait until a first book is published, or can it serve a purpose earlier?

It can feel like a chicken-and-egg dilemma.

I’ve written a practical guide on when to get an author website, but this piece is more about the philosophy behind it.

Our view is simple: every writer deserves a place to stand. Even before your first book, you can claim a corner of the web that says you are here, you are serious, and you are building toward something.

A website at this stage is not about hard selling or heavy promotion. It is about presence. It shows that you take your craft seriously, it gives people a way to find you, and it provides a foundation you can build on as your work grows.

Why it feels like a chicken and egg problem

Publishing can feel like a chicken and egg cycle: do you wait until you have a book to build a site, or do you start before? The truth is, the earlier you begin to shape your online presence, the stronger your footing when opportunities come.

What publishers really look for in new authors

The reality is that publishers increasingly look for authors who already have an established profile. Just look at the shelves filled with celebrity cookbooks. It is not the recipes that sold those deals, it is the existing audience. For new authors, an online presence signals professionalism and helps tip the balance in your favour.

The illusion of publisher marketing

There is also a common illusion that once your book is published, the publisher will take care of the marketing. The reality is that publishers are focused on the business to business side such as bookshops, distributors, catalogues. They rarely do sustained business to consumer marketing. That work, reaching actual readers, usually falls on the author.

How to start small and grow in stages

That is why we believe your website should grow in stages:

• Early on: A simple, flexible page that signals you are serious and gives people a way to find and contact you.
• At launch: Expand it to showcase your book, reviews, events, media coverage, and make sure it can be easily found on Google.
• As your career grows: Build out a full site that can adapt to multiple books, series, or even audiences.

Why Instagram is not a website

A website is not just decoration. It is permanence, ownership, and calm in the noise of social media. Instagram is not a website. Social platforms can help with bursts of attention, but they are built on distraction and can vanish or change overnight. Your site is the one place you truly own, and it is your conversation with readers when you are not in the room.

What Do I Need to Get Started?

If you are still pre-published and wondering what to put on a website, the good news is you do not need a full press kit or a finished cover. A simple foundation is enough to begin. Start with:

• A short author bio — a couple of paragraphs about who you are, your background, and the themes you write about
• A teaser or logline for your current work-in-progress — just a few sentences in “back of the book” style
• A clear headshot — this can be a simple, well-lit photo, it does not need to be studio professional at this stage
• Contact details — a way for people to reach you, such as a contact form or a dedicated email address
• Optional extras — links to social media you intend to use professionally, or a short note about your writing journey

That is all you need for a professional starting point. With these basics, you will be ready when an agent, editor, or reader looks you up.