welcome…
…to all my secrets on life as a published author
(I’m 8 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 other 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
Top tips for taking your own author headshot
I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a good author headshot! So many authors I work with absolutely hate having their photos taken but you will need a decent picture of yourself to use on your author website, social media platforms and probably on your book jacket too.
5 things you CAN control as a traditionally published author
Most of my author friends are, like me, traditionally published, and one theme that comes up again and again in conversation is frustration. And a sense that we don’t have control over our careers.
5 lessons I've learned about book marketing
I was tidying up my Google Drive recently and I found this post! I originally wrote it as a guest post for someone else’s blog but I had a great Q&A session with my Debut Author group last week and a lot of these topics came up… so I thought it was worth a repost here!
Project Spotlight: geraldineroberts.com
I LOVE working with historical non-fiction authors - I have so much admiration for the amount of work and research that these writers have to put in.
10 thriller author websites to inspire you
Oh, thrillers… the twisty plots, the unreliable narrators, the heart-in-your-mouth pacing. What’s not to love?
5 things you must do when you get your first book deal
I want to start this article off by saying that if you have been offered a traditional publishing deal for your book, then this is a MASSIVE DEAL.
6 ways your author website can support your marketing
If you’re an author, it’s tempting to think of your website as a static thing. You build it once then leave it. A bio, a list of books, a contact page, job done!
Behind the scenes at a writing retreat: interview with Write & Walk
I’m so excited for today’s chat! Emma Christie and I go way back - we share an agent and I also built her website - and I’ve always admired her energy (and fitness too, this is the woman who walked all the way from Scotland to the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival?!).
How to back up your Squarespace author website
I had an email from one of my most recent website clients recently asking me if there was anything she should be doing to back up her new website.
My three words for 2026
Happy new year to you and welcome to 2026! I have just turned 45, which feels like a weird milestone. I turned 40 during covid so it was a bit of a non-event, but 45 really does feel… well, grown-up.
2025: my work year in review
I know I start this post the same way every year but I truly cannot believe that 2025 has almost come to an end! What a year.
Project Spotlight: sarahlavendersmith.com
2025 is nearly at an end and I am excited to be bringing you my last project spotlight post of the year - which also happens to be my very final website project this year too!
My favourite new Squarespace features in 2025
One of the things I love the most about Squarespace is the fact that the platform is constantly evolving. In fact, they add so many new features that often - even as a professional designer - I find it hard to keep up.
Why you should migrate your site from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1
If you have a site on Squarespace 7.0 and you have been quietly pretending that the newer version does not exist, trust me, you are not alone!
Some honest thoughts on the book that nearly broke me
My new suspense novel, Connie, is coming out in January - in just under two months’ time!
I'm a Squarespace Circle Platinum member!
I’m so excited to share that I’m now a Squarespace Platinum Partner - the highest level of Squarespace’s Circle partnership programme!
How many pages do I need on my author website?
If you’ve ever sat down to plan your author website and had no idea where to even start, you’re definitely not alone!
One of the most common issues I hear from authors is not knowing how many pages they need on their shiny new author website.
Introducing: Squarespace Fridays
I’m super excited today to be introducing a brand new service at the studio: Squarespace Fridays!
Managing your feelings as debut author
It’s an experience unlike any other, finally being told that your novel is going to be published. And because of that, it’s quite hard to work out how you should feel.
My #1 author website design secret
I speak to many authors about their websites and one of the things that often crops up is their lack of confidence when it comes to making design decisions, especially when it comes to colour.
✨ 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…
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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