Welcome to the Novel House Studio blog! This has been a long time coming and I’m so glad you’re here. Whether you’re an author, a book blogger, or a bookish business owner, you know the power of stories. Your website is your story and brand’s digital home. And I want it to be one you absolutely love and are so proud of, that you can’t wait to share it with the world. That’s why I started Novel House Studio: to empower indie authors and bookish entrepreneurs with websites that are not just gorgeous, strategic, and professional, but also to give them the tools, confidence, and support, to create a site that feels uniquely theirs.

So grab a cup of something cozy, and get comfy while I share the inspiration behind NHS, why I believe every author and bookish business deserves a website, and what exciting things we have planned for our launch. Let’s dive in!

The Inspiration Behind Novel House Studio

My journey as a creative entrepreneur has always revolved around storytelling. After the birth of my third child in 2020, I found myself craving a mental escape and creative outlet, and began reading on my Kindle and creating bookish designs on my iPad. I eventually opened a sticker shop on Etsy, called Ink to Novel, inspired by my rediscovered love of books (back in the early days, it was actually Bookish Vibes Design). (Check it out here!) I soon expanded my offerings, began ARC and Beta Reading for indie authors, and started designing custom stickers for their books, falling completely in love with the bookish and indie author community. Over time, I realized how much I loved helping creatives bring their visions to life—especially when it came to design.

I began noticing indie authors and literary business owners struggling with websites that didn’t quite reflect their talent, and paired with my love of design and tech, I knew I could help. That passion led me to create Novel House Studio, a space where authors and bookish business owners can find beautiful, approachable, and affordable website solutions. I wanted to make it easier for creatives to own their online presence without breaking the bank or getting overwhelmed by tech.

Why You Need An Author Website That Feels Like Home

Your books are a reflection of your voice, life, passion, and creativity—shouldn’t your website be, too? A website is more than just an online portfolio. It’s a home base where readers can get to know you, learn about your work, fall in love with your fictional worlds, and stay updated on your latest projects, without worrying about missing your posts in an ever-changing algorithm controlled app. For indie authors especially, a professional and personable author website can be a game-changer, setting you apart in a competitive market.

Not sure where to start? Check out my post on 5 Reasons Why Authors Need A Website for actionable insights.

Empowering Bookish Businesses

If you run a bookish business, you’ve likely started on a marketplace platform like Etsy. While Etsy is amazing for starting your business and gaining initial traction, it comes with limitations—high fees, lack of customization, and dependence on algorithms. Not to mention the risk of your shop potentially getting shut down, or your payments being held, even if you’ve done nothing wrong. A standalone website lets you take full control of your brand, showcase your products the way you want, and connect directly with your audience.

At Novel House Studio, we specialize in helping bookish businesses transition to their own websites while offering tons of valuable tips and tricks from our own experiences along the way. While our initial offerings focus on Showit templates for authors and bookish businesses with little to no product offerings, we’re excited to announce that Squarespace templates designed specifically for bookish businesses will be coming later in 2025. These templates will cater to businesses needing robust e-commerce features and a seamless shopping experience, but who are also looking for affordability, and the convenience of an all-in-one platform. On top of a simple to use website and shop builder, Squarespace combines features like blogging, email marketing, and design tools without the need for numerous plugins, making it both affordable and user-friendly for growing businesses.

What Novel House Studio Brings to the Table

Novel House Studio is all about making website creation approachable for authors and bookish entrepreneurs. Here’s what we offer:

• Showit Website Templates: Thoughtfully designed with the literary community in mind, our templates give you a custom look without the custom price tag.
• Template Customizations: Need an extra touch of personalization? Or just not feeling the DIY route? We’ve got you covered.
• Resources and Tutorials: From setup guides to design tips and support, we’re here to ensure you feel confident and excited about your website every step of the way.

Later in 2025, we’ll also introduce Squarespace Templates tailored for bookish businesses. These templates will offer powerful tools for managing and growing your online store and bookish brand.

Looking Ahead: Launch Plans

We’re officially launching in Spring of 2025 with a collection of stunning Showit templates! But before then, we’ll be doing a soft Beta Launch—aka a chance for early access to our templates at a heavily discounted rate in exchange for your feedback. This feedback will help us perfect every detail and refine our systems, ensuring everything runs smoothly for our customers.

Stay tuned for updates on the Beta Launch and get ready to create a website that truly feels like home. And for bookish businesses, mark your calendars for late 2025 when we’ll roll out our Squarespace templates.

Let’s Build Something Beautiful Together

Every author and bookish business deserves a website that reflects their story. At Novel House Studio, we’re here to help you make that happen. Subscribe to our email list to stay updated on the launch, tutorials, and exciting offers.