You might think an author’s website is all about flogging books — a digital shopfront with flashing “Buy Now” buttons and not much else. Some are, I’ll admit.
But the better ones (and I like to think mine’s one of them) are more like a comfy lounge where readers can wander in, have a stickybeak, and maybe learn something about the strange creatures who write books for fun.
A good author website gives you the stuff that doesn’t fit on a back cover. You’ll find the right order to read a series (so you don’t meet someone in Book 3 who died in Book 2), a peek at what’s coming next, and sometimes a few free chapters to see if the style suits your taste.
You might also stumble across background stories — where certain ideas came from, who inspired a character (spoiler: never the person who thinks it’s them), or how an odd headline in a newspaper turned into a plot twist. That’s the sort of thing I enjoy sharing.
What you won’t find here are recipes. No scones from a fictional aunt, no “mood playlists” and no step-by-step guides to making stew from Chapter 8. I’m a writer, not a lifestyle coach. Left to me, my kitchen is where good intentions go to die.
The beauty of an author’s website, from a reader’s point of view, is that it’s quiet and reliable. Social media is like a noisy pub — fun, but full of interruptions. The website’s the quieter corner table where you can actually hear yourself think, read what you came for, and maybe leave a message if you feel like it.
So next time you finish a book you enjoyed, don’t stop there. Visit the author’s website. It’s usually the one place they’re being themselves — no algorithms, no pop-ups, no motivational quotes. Just stories, insights and the occasional bad joke.
And if you ever find a recipe on mine, you’ll know I’ve been hacked.
JOHN MARTIN 