Author Marketing Website
Maya Fisher
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Author
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Maya Fisher ✍🏽 Author *
MY ROLEClient Communication, Research, User Interviews, Mobile/Desktop Wireframing, Re-Branding, UI, Prototyping, Usability Testing
DELIVERABLESDesign a Responsive Website for Author — Maya Fisher
TIME FRAME2 Months (2025)
About Maya Fisher & the Project
Maya Fisher is a debut author who writes heartfelt stories with a thrilling twist. Her first novel, Reborn in Shadows, is a gritty, heartfelt romantic thriller that follows Miriam Ryder, a sharp-tongued, chain-smoking transgender amputee on the run from a violent past.
I collaborated with Maya to design a bold, emotionally resonant website that captures the spirit of her first novel, while meeting the user’s (the readers) needs.
I led the UX and visual design, focusing on crafting a responsive experience that feels as raw, honest, and magnetic as Maya’s storytelling. From mood-boarding and brand discovery to interactive content strategy, every element was built to reflect Maya’s voice: unfiltered, powerful, and deeply human.
Research Methods
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I interviewed:
5 Participants
Readers
Goal:
To understand how readers engage with author websites, what they expect from them, and how Maya’s site can effectively reflect her brand while fostering reader connection and engagement.
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Findings:
How readers discover books:
Instagram, TikTok (BookTok), and Facebook groups are top sources
Also common: Goodreads, Kindle Unlimited, bookstore browsing, and Reddit
Many readers follow indie authors and find books through their posts
Top purchase influences:
Blurb and cover design are crucial
Representation matters—readers seek diverse authors
Trusted reviews, friend recs, and active author presence boost confidence
Preferred ways to connect with authors:
Instagram and Twitter are most popular
Newsletters work if they’re engaging and not overwhelming
Live Q&As, podcasts, and signings are appreciated
Interactive content readers want:
Fan art, Spotify playlists, world-building extras
Quizzes, trailers, games, and scrapped scenes
Author notes and behind-the-scenes insights
Core content expectations on websites:
Book list with blurbs, reading order, and upcoming releases
Author bio, social links, shop, and event schedule
Content warnings and clear navigation
What makes a site engaging:
Strong visuals, clear UX, and personalized content
Multiple interactive sections—more than just a bio and book list
What turns readers off:
Cluttered layout, poor navigation, bland or outdated design
Minimal content that lacks personality or depth
What readers want more of:
Book recs from the author, discussion guides
Creative process details, personal letters, inspiration photos
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I analyzed 3 author’s websites:
Samantha Shannon
Sarah J. Maas
TJ Klune
Gaps/Opportunities
Limited interactivity—little engagement beyond book info
Generic layout and templates
Minimal personality or voice—sites feel branded, but not personal
Sparse behind-the-scenes or reader-centered content
Underuse of representation—themes like queerness, disability, or identity are not visually emphasized even when present in the work
Interview Quote
“I want to see an author’s true voice coming out and not some canned generic stuff.”
Interview Quote
“I will stay on a site and explore if there are places to go in the menu beyond the bio. Give me things to click and I'll go there! ”
Name | Evelyn (She/Her)
User Persona
Age | 38
Occupation | Marketing
Salary | $65,000
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Fiction books with strong characters and relationships, especially books with Queer characters
Discovering new authors via social media (Bookstagram, Goodreads, BookTube, etc.)
Collecting beautiful special edition books with stunning cover art
Engaging in online book communities
Meeting her favorite authors and getting signed copies of her favorite books
Book clubs and discussing books with friends
Creating and sharing fan art based on her favorite books
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A well-organized, engaging author website where she can easily find book lists, tropes, and upcoming releases
A visually appealing site that reflects the author’s personality and books’ themes
More interactive content like playlists, and behind-the-scenes details about characters
A way to directly connect with authors through social media, newsletters, or Q&As
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Discover and support diverse authors, especially women, POC, and LGBTQ+ writers
Find new books with well-developed characters
Buy books from indie authors
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She loves escaping into a book and wants an author’s website to reflect that sense of adventure
Enjoys the social aspect of reading—discussing books with friends, engaging in fan communities, and interacting with authors
Wants to feel like she’s part of a book’s journey, whether through seeing author insights, reading exclusive content, or participating in live Q&As
Finds book aesthetics important—from the cover design to the author’s online presence
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Plain, corporate-feeling author websites that lack personality
Difficult-to-navigate sites that don’t make it easy to find book details, reading order, or purchase links
Lack of interactivity—she wants something more than just a bio and book list
Author sites that feel outdated, boring, or visually unappealing
The Problem
Evelyn needs an author’s website that feels immersive and visually engaging because she wants to feel a connection to the author.
Feature Set
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Feature Set *
Engaging Homepage
A homepage designed to immediately capture attention, spark curiosity about the author, and guide readers toward discovering—and buying—her book.
Book Themes
A list of themes gives readers a quick sense of what to expect, helping them decide if this story speaks to them.
Mobile Design
LOW-FIDELITY WIREFRAMEHIGH-FIDELITY WIREFRAMEIn the earliest wireframe design, the book description can be seen on it’s own book page. After feedback, I decided to add the blurb to the homepage because Maya only has one book. This website introduces the user to Maya and her work, so having the book description on the homepage is a better fit than only including a blurb on the product page.
Desktop Design
LOW-FIDELITY WIREFRAME
HIGH-FIDELITY WIREFRAMEThe desktop wireframe started in light mode with a white background. To create more of an initial impact, I adjusted the first screen the user sees to dark mode, using a dark black and white image to play into the themes of and emotions of the book.
Additionally, the book cover was removed and placed under the hero section. I made this decision after discussing this design and receiving feedback that the homepage could play out more like a story to help the user get to know Maya and her book in a more interesting way.
Homepage * Desktop
Book Page * Mobile
Usability Testing & Findings
Positive Feedback
Participants love the moody textures and effects
It looks really professional and suits the author’s style
The listed themes is super helpful in getting to know the book quickly
It’s easy to navigate.
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The first iteration of the design did not include specific details about book page count and publication date. Participants indicated that that information would be helpful.
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The button to buy the book on the book page didn’t originally have an “add to cart” — it said “buy the book”. This was confusing to users.
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Participants indicated that the animations on the homepage were a little slow, so I increased the speed of them.
IMPROVEMENT SUGGESTIONS & FEEDBACKProject Reflection
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The users (readers of thriller, LGBT+ and indie books) wanted details about the book that went beyond a simple blurb. They wanted to understand who the author is and what themes they could find in the book, as well as any fun extras the author could provide on her website.
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I tried to keep the visual design as simple as possible, without sacrificing personality. Since this is an actual website that I wanted the client to be able to build and maintain on Squarespace, the design couldn’t be so extravagant that she wouldn’t be able to manage it herself.
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This project allowed me to work with a real client and meet their business needs as well as user needs. I was able to communicate with the client and work within real constraints to help her create a functioning site.