The Bookshelf
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06/26/2026
Domain names...are they really that serious? 🤔
Quite frankly, yes! This is about more than just choosing a URL for your website because you have to. It’s about good branding, discoverability, and memorability—all important ingredients for building a successful author business in every way.
So take your time. Give it thought. Do some research. You’ll thank yourself later!
(and don’t forget to get your FREE domain when you sign up for an annual subscription with The Bookshelf! Learn more at thebookshelf.io) 📚 🦫
06/19/2026
We’ve rolled out some fun new updates at The Bookshelf! 🙌 We’ve:
🛠️ Revamped the way elements are built so customizing your site (or building it from scratch) is even easier
🔎 Added a Discoverability page where you can automatically link all your social media platforms across your website
🎓 Added an Overview page where you can learn, get support, and and keep up-to-date with even more updates as they come out
And we’re just getting started! 💥
If you need help navigating any of these new updates or want to learn more, reach out to us here or at thebookshelf.io/contact-us. We’d love to help! 📚🦫
Doesn’t matter if it’s 20, 200, or 2,000. Every word counts. Don’t get swept up in scrolling. It’s the perfect time to write 📓🖊️💻🖤
Your author website should do more than look pretty. It should boost your business.
That’s where your homepage hero comes in 💪
What’s the main goal you want your website to help you achieve? Is it:
📚 Selling your most popular series?
✉️ Collecting more newsletter sign-ups?
🙋♀️ Promoting your author brand or expertise?
📙 Showcasing your latest release?
Whatever it is, make it the star of your homepage hero. Then make sure it comes with a clear, clickable call-to-action.
Grab a reader’s attention first, then tell them exactly what you want them to do. You’ll be surprised by how well they listen 🤩
To learn even more about homepage heroes and other author website tips, visit thebookshelf.io/learn/author-websites/
05/15/2026
Owning an author business comes with all kinds of useful metrics to track...meaning things can quickly go from helpful to overwhelming.
If you're looking for just a few extremely beneficial numbers to start with, aim for:
💰 Revenue
🚦 Traffic
🖱️ Conversion Rate
✉️ Email Growth
📚 Read-Through Rate
..and you'll start gaining a great sense of what's working, and where you could stand to optimize.
Want to learn more helpful tips for running an author business? Check out thebookshelf.io/author-business/
Setting yourself up to sell books directly to readers is WAY simpler than you might think!
💡Learn more at thebookshelf.io/learn/direct-sales-for-authors/
📺 Watch this full video on our YouTube channel
04/16/2026
Did you know that you don’t have to become a storage facility or shipping machine in order to sell books directly to your readers? There are multiple options (even some free and easy ones) for getting started. Check them and other direct sales tips out at thebookshelf.io 📚
04/09/2026
Join us this Sunday April 12th for a great (and completely FREE) opportunity to connect with your favorite or new-to-you publishing service businesses! Hosted by the wonderful team at AUTHOR NATION, the options for exploration are incredible!
👉 Register at authornation.live/virtual-industry-expo
Chelsea and Monique from The Bookshelf will be there to answer questions and provide insights into the platform and to chat about all-things author websites and direct sales. We hope to see you there! 📚🦫❤️
We don’t call indie authors ‘book beavers’ for nothing! Here’s to a day all about the amazing things beavers do, and all the ways indie authors embody that same hard-working spirit 📚🦫❤️
Your author website shouldn’t be a “one and done” project…but that doesn’t mean it needs to be difficult to maintain.
A few check-ins and updates as your business grows can do the trick 📚💻❤️
Learn more about building and maintaining a great author website at the link in our bio 🔗
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