Hello Ainsley! I am also an author/illustrator. My book was illustrated with acrylic markers and watercolors and published in about three weeks. I cannot wait to see what you are working on. Especially your book for America’s 250! That sounds exciting. I am also curious to hear how you take your traditionally illustrated pieces and move them into digital form. That was my biggest hurdle with choosing to do traditional illustrations over digital and I’d love to hear about your process.

Hello Stephan, welcome! Would love to hear more about your book.

@Trisha June had a similar question so I’m just pseudo copy-pasting what I said over in that thread. Personally, I do think having some sort of website is a very good idea. Even if you aren’t selling your book through it. It gives a landing page for readers to learn a little more about you, where they can buy your books and learn about anything else you want to share (activity pages, author events, etc) What kind of website is really up to you. I have a blog that I’ve been running for over 15 years and now I added a nav page that is specifically for my book and anything related to it, which will also expand as I create more books. My website currently includes my blog split by two topic contents my visitors look for, my book page, link to my podcast, an about me page, contact page, and shop. The store will include my book in both hardcover and ebook, special plastic bookmarks, art prints and stickers from some of the illustrations, and the freebie items like activity pages and education guides. I don’t think author websites even have to be as complicated as I have it. My blog has been my foundation and now I’m adding in my book to the mix. Author sites can simply have just one page where visitors can scroll down with information about your book, about you, and maybe an email sign up or section for your freebies. Think about how much you want to and are able to maintain the website. If you neglect it and it promises frequent updates, it could turn off visitors versus a page that presents its self as something with evergreen content (these are webpages that don’t change often as the information on them doesn’t require frequent updates).

Same same! This group has been a lovely thing to check in on every other day when I need some motivation or direction.