Why You Need an Author Blog on Your Website
Why you need an author blog on your website is simple: it helps new readers find you, trust you, and keep coming back. Your blog isn’t extra—it’s essential. It gives you a place to share what matters, build real connection, and let your writing speak before anyone buys a book.
If you’re relying on social media alone to grow your platform, you’re building on borrowed land. Your blog is where you take up space that’s fully yours—and where your voice works for you long after you hit publish.
So if you’ve been wondering whether blogging is still worth your time as a writer, here’s exactly why it matters (and how it can quietly power your entire author brand).
Before we dive in, don’t forget to grab my FREE author website blueprint here!
5 Reasons Every Author Needs a Blog
Drive Traffic to Your Website (Without Paying for Ads)
Your author website is your home base—but if no one’s visiting it, it’s not doing its job. Blogging gives search engines something to index (hello, Google!), which means more chances for new readers to stumble across your site organically. Share helpful, engaging content and use smart SEO tips for author blogs, and you’ll start to drive traffic to your author website without spending a cent on ads.
Grow Your Audience & Email List Organically
Every blog post is an opportunity to bring in new readers—and keep them coming back. End your posts with an email sign-up or freebie, and boom: now your blog is quietly doing the work of growing your audience as an author without screaming for attention. The best part? You’re connecting with readers through blogging in a way that feels natural and personal.
Showcase Your Voice, Expertise, and Personality
Books take time. A blog post? You can write and publish it in a day—and let your unique voice shine between book launches. Whether you're sharing writing tips, personal reflections, or process insights, blogging helps you build trust and credibility through consistency. It’s storytelling through blogging, and it reminds your readers why they love the way you write.
Bonus: this is where agents, editors, or clients can see how you think and what makes you different.
Give Readers Behind-the-Scenes Access They Crave
Let’s be real—readers love the extras. Think: how your characters came to life, why you scrapped that one ending, what your writing routine actually looks like. Blogging gives them that deeper connection, and posts like these are packed with behind-the-scenes author content that builds loyalty. Not sure where to start? Here are some blog post ideas for authors:
Behind the scenes: How I developed my latest character
10 books that inspired my writing style
What my writing routine really looks like
Deleted scene from [Book Title] (and why it got cut)
5 things I wish I knew before publishing my first book
A day in the life of an author (spoiler: it’s not all writing)
How I stay creatively motivated when I hit a wall
My favorite writing tools, playlists, or apps
What readers don’t see: the hardest part of writing this book
How I named my characters (and the Easter eggs you missed)
FAQs I get from readers—answered!
My biggest writing struggle and how I worked through it
The story behind my book cover design
Sneak peek: Excerpt from my upcoming release
How I organize my story ideas (plotting vs. pantsing)
What I’m reading right now (and what it’s teaching me)
Writing a series vs. a standalone: what I’ve learned
Why I chose self-publishing/traditional/hybrid (and how it’s going)
How I research for my books (yes, I Googled that weird thing)
Lessons I’ve learned from bad reviews (and how I handle them)
Create Evergreen Content That Sells Your Books for You
Your blog posts don’t disappear after a day like an Instagram Story. They live on, show up in search, and keep working for you—long after they’re published. Write a blog post that answers common reader questions, spotlights your book themes, or dives into your writing process, and you’ve just created evergreen content for authors that supports your book marketing 24/7.
What to Blog About as an Author
Not sure what to actually write about on your blog? The best blog content for writers is focused, intentional, and rooted in connection. Here are four categories that make it easy (and enjoyable) to share your voice without burning out:
Reader-Focused Content (Q&As, Character Deep Dives, Deleted Scenes)
Your readers want more than just the final product—they want to know your world. Create blog posts that let them peek behind the curtain: answer common questions, share character backstories, or post deleted scenes that didn’t make the final cut. These types of posts build loyalty and keep readers invested between book launches.
Writing Journey (Process Posts, Challenges, Wins)
This is where you get real. Talk about your drafting process, the plot hole you couldn’t escape, the moment you almost scrapped it all—but didn’t. Sharing your writing journey helps other writers feel seen and lets readers connect with the human behind the words. It’s honest, relatable, and totally on-brand.
Bonus: It makes great evergreen content you can repurpose into email or social.
Book Marketing & Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Document your book launch strategy, reflect on what worked (and what flopped), or show how you’re planning your next release. These posts are especially valuable if you’re an indie author or building your platform without a traditional publisher. It also positions you as someone who gets both the art and the business of writing.
Thought Leadership & Niche Topics
What do you want to be known for outside of your book titles? Maybe it’s the themes you write about, the genre you love, or the social issues you explore through fiction. Sharing your perspective on niche topics helps establish your voice in a broader conversation and invites new readers in—even before they’ve cracked open your book.
Related: How Do You Get a Book Deal? A Step-by-Step Guide for Writers & Authors
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Because done is better than perfect—and this template gets that.
How to Make Blogging Work Without Burning Out
Let’s be honest—writing books is already a full-time mental load. The idea of adding a blog to your plate might sound like a fast track to burnout. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right author blog strategy, you can keep your content flowing without draining your creative energy. Here’s how to make blogging work for you—not against you:
Start with 1–2 Posts a Month
You don’t need to publish weekly. You don’t even need a blog calendar with 47 content buckets. Start with one solid post a month—or two if you’re feeling ambitious. The goal is consistency, not volume. A small, sustainable rhythm is better than going all in... and ghosting your blog six weeks later.
Repurpose Content from Social or Newsletters
Already posting on Instagram? Sending out a monthly email? Great—don’t reinvent the wheel. Turn those captions, stories, or reader Q&As into blog posts. Most of your best content is already written—you just need to give it a longer shelf life.
Batch Write & Schedule in Advance
Got a free afternoon and a good flow going? Write two or three posts in one sitting and schedule them ahead of time. Batching content frees up mental space and gives you breathing room when life (or deadlines) get hectic.
Use SEO-Friendly Templates or Content Pillars
To make your blog easier to manage and more effective, use a few go-to formats—like “Writing Updates,” “Behind-the-Scenes,” or “5 Things I’m Loving.” These content pillars help you plan faster and keep your readers coming back for familiar, valuable posts. Add smart titles, keywords, and alt text to make each one part of your long-term evergreen content for writers strategy.
Tips to Get More Eyes on Your Blog Posts
You’ve written the blog post—now let’s make sure people actually read it. Blogging doesn’t stop at “publish.” A few simple tweaks to how you share and structure your content can dramatically boost your visibility as a writer and turn your blog into a powerful piece of your author platform strategy. Here’s how:
Share on Social with Purpose
Stop just dropping a link and hoping for clicks. Pull out a juicy quote, ask a question, or turn your blog post into a mini carousel. Make the content work for each platform. Social media is fast, your blog is evergreen—together, they’re magic.
Link to Your Blog from Your Email Newsletter
Your newsletter subscribers are your biggest fans—they want to hear more from you. Add a section that highlights your latest blog post, include it as a P.S., or use it as the main focus of your next email. One click from a loyal reader is worth 100 from strangers.
Use Keywords in Titles, Headers, and Image Alt Text
Want your post to show up in search? Keywords matter. Use them in your blog post title, your H2s and H3s, and don’t forget the image alt text. This helps Google figure out what your post is about and puts your words in front of the right audience.
Embed Blog Posts in Your Book Pages or Link in Bio
Don’t hide your blog in a corner of your site—put it everywhere. Add links to relevant posts on your book sales pages, mention your blog in your About section, and create a “Link in Bio” page that features your newest or most popular articles. Let your blog work across your whole platform—not just on your blog tab.
Your Blog Is the Bridge Between You and Your Readers
Your blog isn’t just a content box to check—it’s a way to build trust, deepen connection, and show up with intention. It gives your readers a reason to stick around between book launches, and gives you a platform you actually own.
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present. You don’t need viral blog posts or fancy content calendars. You just need to show up, write like yourself, and offer something real. Consistency beats perfection—every time!
The more often readers see your name, your voice, and your point of view, the more likely they are to buy your book, subscribe to your list, or share your work. Keep showing up, and your blog will quietly do the heavy lifting.
Ready to build a blog that supports your author career?
Start with a strategic website + built-in blog template on Squarespace—so you can focus on writing while your platform works for you.
