The Well Designed Writer

A monthly design newsletter for authors 🎨

💬 In This Month’s Issue

→ Word of the Month

→ Trending IG Reel Audios

→ Author Design Inspiration

→ Why I’m Moving Web Clients to Squarespace and Canva

Hi Creatives

My word for last month was: CONFIDENCE 💪

I visited Parliament House in Canberra where there were so many examples of women using craft to amplify the issues that mattered to them.

Here’s how I lived it:

✨ Officially launched my Substack: My aim is to make it a valuable resource for authors.

✨ Rebuilt my website: And put my face on it (yes, that was a big step for me).

✨ Submitted a proposal: Proposed a research project on women’s craftivism throughout history.

✨ Posed nude with over 5,500 people: For Spencer Tunick’s art installation at the MELT Festival. It was equalising and humbling. We are all human.

✨ Set boundaries and said no: Had to let go of some personal things that didn’t align with me.

✨ Said yes: Made room for some exciting writing-world projects that felt perfectly right!

We’re writers, we know words have power. What’s your word of the month? Share it in the comments – I'd love to hear.

📈 Trending IG Reel Audios

1️⃣ Pet appreciation post: Writers and their pets go hand-in-hand! Use this trending audio to feature your furry writing buddy. Example.

2️⃣ Announcing book news: Whether it’s a launch, a contract, or exciting news, this audio is perfect for big reveals. Example.

3️⃣ Fun Booktok audio: Encourage readers to buy books instead of flowers. Example.

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🎨 Author Design Inspiration

1️⃣ Emma Grey’s cover reveal for PICTURES OF YOU.

What I love: Glitter and animation make this Canva-created reveal reel really pop. Simple but effective.

2️⃣ Bookstr Review of LEAVE THE GIRLS BEHIND.

What I love: A creative review layout with a dream cast, book trope page, and more.

3️⃣ Behind the scenes of THE BOOKLOVER’S LIBRARY.

What I love: Madeline Martin’s use of real-life research photos brings her book to life in this reel.

Why You’ll Regret Choosing WordPress for Your Author Site 👀👇

I was once a WordPress devotee—after spending $2000 and completing an in-depth course, I was convinced it was the platform for authors. But things have changed. Now, almost every author I work with is moving to more manageable platforms like Squarespace and Canva. Here’s why:

🛠 Ongoing Maintenance – Regular updates, backups, and security checks are a must.

🔌 Too Many Plugins – They’re needed for basic functionality, but they often slow things down or cause conflicts.

😟 Complex Interface – WordPress isn’t as user-friendly as it seems, especially if you’re just looking to write and share your work.

💸 Hidden Costs – Hosting, premium plugins, and themes add up quickly.

🚀 Faster Setup – Other platforms let you hit the ground running with less fuss.

📱 Mobile-Friendly Design – Responsive design is built-in and easier to adjust on platforms like Squarespace and Canva.

So what do I recommend?

• Squarespace – Ideal for multi-book authors or those with a service-based business.

• Canva – Perfect for debut authors or those who need a simple, one-page site.

• Shopify – The best option for indie authors wanting to sell directly to readers.

Skip the hassle and focus on writing with a platform that’s easy, reliable, and designed to grow with you.

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Case Study: Kim Lock’s Author Site 📚

When Australian author Kim Lock approached me, she needed a minimalist, professional site as a digital business card. Initially, we started on WordPress, but it quickly became clear that achieving her vision would mean extra costs and complexities. By switching to Canva, we built a clean, elegant one-page site that met her needs—at less than half the cost. You can view it here to see what Canva can do.

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Looking for a website that’s easy to manage and secure? I’m now taking bookings for early 2025, with a few discounted spots available for late 2024.

Visit my website to book a free, no-obligation call, and let’s discuss how we can create a site that meets your needs—without the WordPress maintenance.

PS Want to see my design process iteration for this Substack Header Image? Just like writing, design is a drafting process. Check out the GIF below to get an idea of what mine looks like 👇