In a word - yes. In a tech savvy age, both the public and publishers expect published authors to have a media presence. This includes a website.

Website Name
Choose a domain name which is obvious when searching e.g. your name or the name of the book. Register your own name while it is still available, and park it until you need it. It costs less than $US10 per year.

Advantages of an author website –

Book Publicity
Supplement the publisher’s promotion of your book, during the marketing campaign and afterwards. You are your own best advocate.

Book Sales
Depending on your arrangement with the publisher, you can supply the books yourself, if you like, or direct customers to a stockist.

About the Author
Readers like to know about the person behind the book. This information is also useful for student author projects, children’s literature assignments and media.

FAQ
It’s a Catch 22. The more popular the author becomes, the more mail she receives. Fans want replies, but they also want more books. Most authors can’t afford the time away from writing to reply to answer all the fan mail. As many of the questions have a common theme, a page of regularly updated FAQ will answer most of these. This approach also saves time and money on stationery and postage costs.

Market Groups
Specific sections on your website can cater for market groups with varying interests e.g. For Kids; For Educators; For Parents; Teachers’ Notes for Educators can be printed from your website.

Press Releases
Media usually check this section first for information and contact details. If you are available for interview, promote this fact.

Author Schedule
If you do bookstore events, workshops or conference keynotes, let prospective clients know what they can expect, your availability, and your charges. Include your author calendar, so that people know about upcoming events, or can book you for their own events.

News & Updates
A website can be easily updated so that it remains current and interesting. You could also send out an email newsletter, and have back issues archived on the site.

Contact Details
Include your agent’s or publisher’s details, if you do not want to include your own. Some authors thrive on reader feedback and try to reply to readers. Readers’ questions and comments often spark ideas for future books. A website makes it easier for readers to find you and give you this feedback.

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