3 Author Website Examples to Inspire Your First (or Updated) Website

Explore three bestselling author website examples and get inspiration for developing your own site. 

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

• Overview
• James Clear: clean, book-centric design
• Sarah J. Mass: enchanting, immersive design
• Mark Manson: bold, life-centric approach
• Next steps

Overview 

Building an author website is a game-changer and a necessary step in growing your reader base. As I explore in my article, "Launch Your Author Website in 7 Steps," there are many benefits to having a website, even if your first site is simple and lean. Think of a website as a digital hub for your writing career, a dedicated space where you can showcase your work, connect with readers, and introduce them to who you are and what you write.

And remember: your site can grow as your writing career grows. As you build skills, complete projects, and build your audience, you can add content to your site that leads site visitors on an engaging journey through your work.  

In this article, let’s take a look at websites from bestselling authors: James Clear, Sarah J. Maas, and Mark Manson. These authors have developed polished, professional websites that are designed to attract, inform, and inspire readers. While you don't need every feature from the start, use these examples to spark ideas for developing your own site.

James Clear: clean, book-centric design 

JamesClear.com exemplifies effective, minimalist branding. As soon as you land on the homepage, you see a clean, inviting design without any flashy distractions. The homepage prominently features his bestselling book Atomic Habits, alongside a simple call-to-action to subscribe for the first chapter free—an immediate, valuable connection point for readers.

Just under the subscribe form, James introduces himself in the first person, making the site feel welcoming and approachable from the start.

Clear’s homepage also promotes his other high-value offerings, a newsletter, a mobile app that complements his book, and a free habits course, all accessible with ease. A concise navigation menu guides visitors to other pages for deeper insights, but the impression remains clear: James is here to empower as many people as possible to build habits that lead to a fulfilling life. This streamlined, value-focused approach makes the site feel both inspirational and practical for readers.

Sarah J. Maas: enchanting, immersive design

SarahJMass.com immerses visitors in the enchanting atmosphere of her fantasy worlds, with beautiful colors, book cover images, and quotes that represent her storytelling. The homepage prominently displays links to her books and an "About the Author" section, though it lacks a personal, first-person message to greet new visitors.

Her easy-to-navigate menu and clear layout allow fans to explore her body of work effortlessly. An Instagram carousel and subscribe form at the bottom add ways for readers to connect and stay updated, enhancing the experience with interactive and engaging touches.

Mark Manson: bold, life-centric approach

MarkManson.net begins with a bold call-to-action for site visitors to spark positive change and subscribe to his unconventional life advice. Like James Clear, Manson introduces himself in the first person, building an immediate connection through his trademark cheeky self-confidence. This informal yet direct style makes readers feel like they're joining an exclusive club of like-minded thinkers.

The homepage provides quick access to Manson's full range of content—articles, podcasts, courses, videos, and books—keeping life change as the central theme rather than focusing solely on his publications. While his books are accessible through provided links, the real emphasis is on expanding his influence through various media, giving his voice a dynamic presence that goes beyond the page.

Next steps

Seeing how bestselling authors create their digital spaces can be inspiring, and it’s exciting to know that you can start small and build up to a fully branded author website over time. Here are a few quick ways to take action now:

• Brainstorm your own ideal website layout. Consider the structure and feel you want for your own website. Ask yourself what features you want to prioritize, and jot down ideas about how you can engage your visitors, including a welcome page, blog, book excerpts, or an email sign-up form.
• Investigate how professional authors approach their craft and their brands and translate these elements to a functional author website. 
• Read my articles on building a professional writing career: "How to Become a Professional Writer: 7 Steps to Launch Your Career" and "How Much Do Writers Make? + How to Earn More."
• Stay tuned for my upcoming article on social media for authors, a great way to draw even more traffic to your pages. 

The important thing to remember is that an author website is an investment in your writing future, and you have the flexibility to create a site that works for you now while giving you room to grow.

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