An author's website is more than just a digital business card. It is a platform to establish your brand, connect with your audience, and showcase your literary prowess. And what's one of the most effective ways to do all these things? Regularly updated, engaging blog content.
Stop groaning. It works, and it is an opportunity, not a chore!
There are several compelling reasons why your author website should feature an active blog. Here are just a few, accompanied by examples of the kind of content that can help to supercharge your site:
1. Build and Engage with Your Audience:
Your blog can be a vibrant forum for interacting with your readers. Regularly posting allows you to create a community around your work, where readers can comment, discuss, and engage. This sense of community encourages loyalty and creates a platform where readers feel heard and valued.
Best Content Example: Discussion Prompts
Post about themes or characters in your books and invite readers to share their interpretations or feelings. An open-ended question about a plot twist in your latest book can spur lively discussion and build a deeper connection with your readers. I recently did a post on my blog where I shared my “casting call” for actors to play my series’ characters if it were a TV show or movie. People loved it! I got tons of responses when I shared the post on social media, and it resulted in my highest amount of traffic on my author site all year.
2. Showcase Your Expertise and Range:
As an author, your blog is a space to demonstrate your writing skills, share your knowledge, and explore a wider range of topics. This can attract a broader audience and pique the interest of readers who may not have been initially drawn to your primary genre or subject matter.
Best Content Example: Themed Articles or Series
You might write a series on the historical research you conducted for your historical fiction novel or create articles discussing different writing techniques and styles. This content can appeal to other writers, history buffs, or readers interested in your writing process.
3. Improve Your Website’s SEO:
An active blog with regular new content can significantly improve your website's SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Fresh content signals to search engines that your website is active, which can help improve its rankings.
Best Content Example: Keyword-Rich, Relevant Posts
Create blog posts around topics relevant to your books that also incorporate common search keywords. If you've written a dystopian novel, you could blog about "The Top Ten Dystopian Novels of the 21st Century" or "The Evolution of Dystopian Literature".
4. Promote Your Work:
Your blog provides a perfect platform to promote new releases, share excerpts from your upcoming work, or announce events like book signings or speaking engagements. It's an easy way to keep your audience updated and excited about your work.
Best Content Example: Sneak Peeks and Behind-the-Scenes
Offering sneak peeks of upcoming books or behind-the-scenes glimpses into your writing process can create anticipation and maintain reader interest. Revealing the cover of your next book or sharing a character's backstory that doesn't make it into the actual book can be intriguing for your fans.
5. Expand Your Network:
A blog can also open opportunities to connect with other authors, industry professionals, and potential collaborators. Guest posts (like this one!), interviews, and collaborations can bring in new audiences and provide fresh content for your readers.
Have a podcast? Many podcast aggregators have embed features, so you can post an audio interview or YouTube video right on your blog.
Best Content Example: Author Interviews and Guest Posts
Hosting an interview with another author in your genre or allowing guest posts from other industry professionals can provide unique perspectives while expanding your network and audience.
Remember, maintaining an active blog on your author website is a powerful opportunity to enhance your brand, engage and grow your audience, and improve the discoverability of your work. Happy blogging!
Quick quiz. Can you tell me the difference between a foreword and a preface? Or the purpose of an Epilogue versus a Conclusion? Maybe you can with a few internet searches to clarify the fine details, or maybe you are a literary expert, but the essential parts of a book are more than necessary texts when publishing. They can help authors better engage their readers too.
This is the first installment on the anatomy of a book, which will cover many of the confusing book elements, when to use them, and where they are located. We will examine the purpose and placement of these parts but will also find meaningful ways to use them to reach your readers. If you’ve recently finished writing your first draft, or have multiple best sellers under your writerly belt, this series can improve your connection to readers if you reflect on how these parts can best support your novel.
Author Notes and Afterword
An author can make a personal statement to their readers in a few ways when constructing a book. It is an optional part of a book, but it can deepen the reader’s experience as they get a window into the author’s world and mind. Think of it as a letter to your reader, in your voice, and adding your behind-the-scenes insights.
Writers can add their letter to the beginning or end of the main part of their novels. When included at the beginning, it is called a preface. When used at the end of a novel, the author’s note is called an afterword. There is no major difference between the two, except their placement.
The author can choose between the two types of author notes but wouldn’t use both because it would be redundant. Depending on the content of their book, some authors want to explain more after the conclusion of their story, to wrap up major questions readers might have. Other books may benefit from setting up the reader’s expectations or explain why they wrote the book before the readers engage with the story. We will go over what things to address in the afterword and you can decide whether an afterword or preface would be better in your novel.
Key Aspects Covered in an Afterword
The purpose of an afterword is to share the writer’s world with the reader and give them information about various aspects that would not be directly covered in the book's content. Common topics covered in this part of the book will depend on the type of story written, the underlying wow factor of these topics in the book's formation, and the author’s intent. It is up to the author to write about what they believe would be an additional treat to the reader, so choose wisely.
Common topics include:
the author’s background and why they are qualified to write this specific story
the sources used to form the book and their connection to story or the real world
the writing process used to create the book
the challenges and success moments the writer had writing the book
the elements of the story itself that may need clarification or further explanation
the intended audience and why the book was written with them as an inspiration
The afterword should have just enough background details to satisfy the readers’ questions about who wrote this book. Think of it as a cherry on top of a perfectly balanced banana split sundae with all the works. It should complement the story, and highlight key points, or underlying themes the author wanted to make clear.
Whatever content the author uses in an afterword, it should be short, as in a page or two. Short and sweet will keep the reader from wandering off. By picking only a few of the topics above that connect deeply to your ideal reader’s interests, and avoiding less juicy tidbits, this book part can truly tighten up a novel’s impact on a reader.
Writing About the Story
Writing about the story itself can add depth to the reader’s understanding of your work. Here are various ways to connect your readers to your story. See if any of these would work in your book.
Summarize the key points of themes to drive a main point home
Try a different format and share it with your readers. Maybe create a poem, news clip, or diary journal entry that speaks of the story and its characters.
Reference other works and point out parallels and intended nuances between your work and others
Explain any poetic leave-takings describing elements of your story that could be debatable. Show facts versus fiction, and when you relied on temporary-suspension-of-belief in order to carry the momentum of your story.
Identify and explain omissions, abridgments, simplifications, and inventions in your book.
Provide background on why your settings, timeframes, character flaws, and the like were chosen and perhaps share how omitting them would change the story you wrote.
Describe events occurring before or after the main content of your story to add context for the reader.
Talk to your readers about controversial themes or occurrences of sensitive material in your book.
Discuss the remaining questions or intentional mysteries in your work.
Open a conversation on the broader impact of stories like yours.
Writing Process
The way a writer writes fascinates many readers. Let them into your creative journey and tell them the personal struggles and victories you had along the way.
Pull back the curtain on your writing process and describe the logistics of where and when you are the most inspired to write your books.
Share how long it took to write your book. A decade, or all-at-once-from-a-dream, the time it took you to write your book could be an interesting fact to a reader.
Give readers a visual on a unique part of your writing process. Do you write the first chapter with a quill pen? Do you have a closet full of thumb drives from individual projects? Mood boards that cover all the walls of your living room? Show the readers an unusual aspect of your writing routine.
Tell readers about your challenges and disappointing moments. This can make the reader have empathy for you and your characters. It builds up their feelings towards the book and their own reader’s journey. These are the connections that keep readers coming back for more.
Give readers a laugh. Do you have a funny story or a mishap to share? Tell them in a blooper-reel style and let them know writers are human too.
Share something you learned while writing your book. Tell them about research you did or places you traveled to for background on characters, setting, and story. Take them along on your adventure and give them insight into your writerly curiosity.
Get deep and share a reflection you had while writing. Our stories may be made up, but they conjure up real revelations about important issues and personal understanding. Opening up to readers on topics shared in the book can add value to the content of your book.
Author Background
When talking about who you are as a writer in your afterword, you want to make it different from your author bio. This is the place to dive a little deeper into what makes you exceptionally qualified to write the piece you did. See if these ideas would be useful for your own afterword.
Add your background information that specifically connects to your story.
Tell your own powerful story that led to a striking aspect of your book, or of an experience that taught you about the tragedy or joy that one of your characters goes through.
Explain how your life experience has informed your story and why it gave you insights others might not have. What training, travel, or life lessons helped you write this novel? This is a great place to share it with the readers of your book.
Do you have credentials that make you an expert and are there unique reasons to share that with your readers? Tell them why you took that path and how it makes you a better writer.
How did events in history impact how you could tell this story? If you had first person engagement, perhaps this is a key to your authority to tell this story. For example, let’s say your father was in the Twin Towers on 9/11, learning from his perspective, or the family aftermath if he didn’t make it, would make an impactful story.
Do you have connections with someone affected by your book topic? A close friend, daughter, or parent who has a similar story? Here is a good place to add this inspiration to your book.
Is the tale closely related to a personal hurdle or a setback you overcame? Let your readers see how your own story influenced what you wrote. Share details about how your life was similar, but also how the story was dramatized.
Sources for the Book
Sometimes how a writer gets information to write a book is as interesting as the story itself. Tell the readers about where you got your sources, how you obtained specific pivotal information in your story, or why your sources were especially impactful for your tale.
Why did you use these sources instead of others?
Were there challenges that happened when trying to use these sources?
Were there interviews that changed the way you thought about your theme or topic?
Who was available or not available to share insights for your story?
What funny or ironic stories can you share about your sources?
Where could readers find out more about your topic or theme?
Could your readers reach out to or support the organizations or individuals that you used as sources?
List references and organizations that you found helpful. This gives your readers a point and a place to verify your ideas.
Intended Audience
Since the afterword is basically a letter to your readers, this is a good place to address their needs. Acknowledge your audience by pointing out reasons they would likely choose your story to read. Take time to address questions you think they would have. Thank them for their patronage, following, and support.
How would your audience like to be thanked? Think of style and voice and give them a personalized piece of your writing.
Talk about why you wrote the piece with them, the audience, in mind.
Express known concerns of your collective readers about pivotal or controversial aspects of your story. Does killing off your quirky side-character cause a stir? Explain why you did it, or hint at a prequel story that highlights the life of that reader's favorite.
Give readers a heads up if you are trying something new. Did you play with a new genre or POV? Talk about why you made those changes, and why you thought your readers might appreciate your new additions.
Make a gentle call-to-action and prompt readers to give feedback or reviews at your preferred source.
Post a question to your readers to have them think deeper about your theme or topic.
Grow this audience by leading them to your community connection place. For example, if you regularly hang out on #AuthorTok, Facebook, Instagram, or Threads, share that place for readers to interact with you on that topic (just be prepared to show up regularly, in order to chat with your fans.)
Final Thoughts
Writing an afterword is an optional opportunity to engage with your readership. Keep these suggestions in mind as you reach out to your readers with this part of the book.
Connect, connect, connect. Readers more than ever want added value to the books they purchase. They want to have a special connection with the author. A wise author would share personal aspects of their writing lives with their readers and build their fanbase in the process.
Be authentic. Be yourself and share your real self with your readers. Lift the veil on what makes you write.
Identify and address the concerns, insights, and bent of your ideal audience. Give them something to think about critically. Give them a promise, if you want, to continue providing thought-provoking stories.
Build a relationship with your readers. Stories flood the book market today in nearly every genre, so how can an author stand out in the sea of pages? By finding your own school of reader-fish.
Build an audience by adding personal touches to your marketing and author presence. Let the audience see who you are, offer opportunities to connect with you, and show them you are worthy of their readership.
Being an author is all about reaching readers and to better engage them in your books. Don’t overlook the small-but-mighty afterword when putting together your next project. With the right touches tailored to your specific audience, an afterword can be a bonus that solidifies how a reader feels about your story.
This is one tool that authors can use to build a more engaging book. Look for future posts from me on anatomy of a book and how to use them for more reader engagement. Until then, keep on reading and growing with our posts at WITS.
Have you used an afterword in your projects? What advice do you have for authors from your experience?
About Kris
Kris Maze is an author, writing coach, and teacher. She has worked in education for many years and writes for various publications, including Practical Advice for Teachers of Heritage Learners of Spanish and the award-winning blog Writers in the Stormwhere she is also a host. You can find her horror stories and young adult writing on her website. Keep up with future projects and events by subscribing to her newsletter.
Want to work with Kris? Find her office hours and book coaching service here.
A recovering grammarian and hopeless wanderer, Kris enjoys reading, playing violin and piano, and spending time outdoors.
And occasionally, she cruises on bike trails.
Want to try one of Kris’s science fiction stories? THIS WEEK ONLY! Her novella, Blue Foot, is available FREE at her website. Please leave a review in exchange to let her know what you think of it.
Wrongly accused and exiled, Ernestina Après faces the destruction of her family and life beneath the Dome. The Silver-Waters blessings are not in her favor, despite her warnings to the Counsel that the stream and its resources are running out. Caring for a stowaway, she may find solace and a silver-lining in her dire circumstances.
We all start life as creative people—you may have been discouraged during childhood or another time along the way to now, but creativity is within, waiting for you to rediscover it.
How can we cultivate our creativity to finally call ourselves ‘creative’?
Creativity is built into the system. It is part of being human.
Think of a time when you’ve:
Done something without being asked to.
Solved a problem.
Successfully communicated a point to someone.
All the above takes creative thinking.
Get to Know Yourself
Know yourself to find and use your creative voice—the special spin you put on everything you do. It makes your work yours.
Getting to know yourself will help you discover or recover that creative voice and put a little bit of you into all you create.
Questions to help you get to know yourself
What do you care about?
What is your passion? Which tasks on your to-do list are things that you actually want to do? What could you talk about forever?
The answers don’t matter. The point of these questions is to find things you love in order to know yourself better.
What are your fears?
Fears can be controlling. Think about the fears you have that might be holding you hostage. Common fears are:
Disappointing others
Failure
Inadequacy
Imperfection
Rejection
Success
Knowing your fears can help you better deal with those feelings when they rear their ugly heads and try to strangle your creative voice.
You can also use the emotions from fears and put them to good use in your writing.
What inspires you?
Search for what you like.
If you want to write a novel in a specific genre, be inspired by reading books written by authors you enjoy.
To create music, listen to the music from bands you love.
If you wish to paint, gather a collection of the artists whose works make your heart sing.
Copy the old masters, in any of the arts, for practice. It’s a good way to learn.
Inspiration cannot be forced and will often strike like a lightning bolt at the oddest times.
In the shower.
Folding laundry.
Daydreaming.
While meditating.
The muses seem to work best when our minds aren’t cluttered with thought. We can’t hear them if we are too tense or scattered. Since I am a “Look! There’s a squirrel!” type, I only hear the muse when I’m completely relaxed and have done my best to not think.
What motivates you?
What gets you into gear on any given day?
Achieving a personal goal or career milestone?
Do you need a deadline? Some people thrive under pressure.
Earning a living?
Setting an example for a team, being a leader?
Use your motivation to keep life’s plotline moving forward.
What are your work habits?
When do you prefer to do your creative work, early in the day, or late at night? Local customs can work into the mix. When we lived in Mazatlán, near the beach, the decibel level rose dramatically in the afternoon—like one big party—so I wrote in the morning.
Do you work best when you do use “chunks” of time? A writing group I meet with now and then has write-ins. We write for 45 minutes, socialize for 15, and repeat. I found them on MeetUp.com.
What writing environment brings out your creative side? Local coffee house? Beer garden? Library? Home office?
How about sound? Do you prefer quiet? Music playing in the background? Ambient noise?
Identifying your work habits will give you a clearer sense of how to build your days around your creative high points, and help you notice when your creative voice, your muse, is speaking.
Meditation Supercharges Creativity
Years ago, I took a Transcendental Meditation course at the urging of some friends. I found it useful, relaxing, but let it drift away after a few years.
During the pandemic I started meditating daily to help reduce stress. I found during that “down-time” it became easier to connect with the muse.
“As shown by a 2012 UCLA School of Medicine study, meditation cranks up the corpus callosum, making it bigger, stronger, thicker, and in-turn, more well-connected. Yes, very much like Einstein.
(Note: We aren't saying that meditation will make us the "next Einstein," it's more about being the best version of "us." Meditation helps you reach your potential better than any other medium.)”
Have you ever felt as though your creativity dried up? What do you do to get your creative juices flowing? When are you inspired?
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About Ellen
Author, speaker, and former teacher, Ellen L. Buikema has written non-fiction for parents, and The Adventures of Charlie Chameleon chapter book series with stories encouraging the development of empathy—sprinkling humor wherever possible. Her Works in Progress are The Hobo Code, YA historical fiction and The Crystal Key, MG Magical Realism/ Sci-Fi, a glaze of time travel.
