Our Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025: The Content Romance Authors Couldn’t Stop Reading
Well, we made it.
2025 is almost over, and honestly? What a year it’s been.
I’m sitting here with my coffee, looking back at everything we published this year, and I’m kind of blown away by which posts you all loved most.
Some of them I expected. Some totally surprised me. And a few made me go “wait, THAT one? Really?”
But that’s the beautiful thing about writing for romance authors – you tell me what you need by what you read, share, and come back to over and over again.
So before we close out 2025 and dive headfirst into 2026 (with all the new releases, goals, and plans that entails), I wanted to do a roundup of the posts that resonated most with you this year.
Think of this as your ultimate resource list. The posts that other romance authors found so helpful they bookmarked them, shared them, and referenced them months later.
If you missed any of these (or need a refresher), now’s the perfect time to catch up.
And if you’re new here? Welcome! Consider this your greatest hits collection – the essential reading list for romance authors who want to build sustainable careers online.
Let’s get into it.
#10: 5 Branding Mistakes Romance Authors Make (And How to Fix Them)
URL: swoonworthydesigns.com/branding-mistakes-romance-authors-make
Why It Resonated:
This one started more conversations than almost any other post this year. Apparently, a LOT of romance authors are struggling with their branding (or didn’t even realize they were making mistakes).
The post that sparked the most “oh crap, that’s me” responses? The section about inconsistent visual identity across platforms.
So many authors had different profile photos on every platform, different color schemes, different fonts… basically looking like five different people depending on where readers found them.
What You’ll Learn:
- The 5 most common branding mistakes (with examples)
- Why consistency actually matters for sales
- How to fix each mistake without starting from scratch
- When to DIY vs when to hire a professional
- Real examples of before/after brand fixes
Money Quote from the Post:
“Your brand isn’t just your logo. It’s every single interaction a reader has with you – your website, your social media, your newsletter, your book covers. If those things don’t speak the same visual language, you’re confusing readers instead of attracting them.”
Why You Should Read It:
If you’ve been wondering why your author platform isn’t converting browsers into readers, your branding might be the culprit. This post will help you figure out what’s broken and how to fix it.
Bonus: Includes a free brand consistency checklist you can download and use.
#9: Romance Author Email Marketing: 5 Proven Ways to Turn One-Time Readers into Series Superfans
URL: swoonworthydesigns.com/romance-author-email-marketing
Why It Resonated:
Email marketing posts always do well (because email is the ONE thing that doesn’t disappear when platforms change), but this one hit different.
I think it’s because we focused specifically on the romance author experience – not generic email marketing advice, but tactics that actually work for our genre and our readers.
The section about automated series sequences got shared like crazy. Authors were literally copying the exact email template I provided and adapting it for their own series.
What You’ll Learn:
- The 5 email sequences every romance author needs
- How to automate “book 1 to book 2” promotions
- Subject lines that actually get opened (with examples)
- What to send when you’re NOT launching a book
- How to segment your list by subgenre and tropes
- Real open rate benchmarks for romance authors
Money Quote from the Post:
“The authors making full-time income? Most of them aren’t just selling on Amazon and hoping. They’re building email lists of people who actually want to hear from them. People they can reach directly, anytime, without asking an algorithm for permission.”
Why You Should Read It:
If you’re still treating your email list like an afterthought, this will change how you think about it. Email is hands-down the most valuable asset in your author business, and this post shows you exactly how to use it.
Related: Pairs perfectly with post #3 on this list.
#8: 7 Must-Have Features for Your Romance Author Website in 2025
URL: swoonworthydesigns.com/romance-author-website-features-2025
Why It Resonated:
This one was published way back in January, and it’s STILL getting consistent traffic.
Authors kept coming back to it when they were planning website updates or redesigns, using it as a checklist to make sure they weren’t missing anything critical.
The section about email list integration got the most saves and shares – lots of authors realized their websites weren’t actually set up to capture subscribers effectively.
What You’ll Learn:
- The 7 non-negotiable features every author site needs
- How to set up email capture that actually works
- The difference between “nice to have” and “must have”
- Mobile optimization requirements (most people get this wrong)
- Book page organization strategies
- Newsletter integration best practices
- Real examples from successful romance author sites
Money Quote from the Post:
“A beautiful website that doesn’t capture email addresses or sell books is just an expensive business card. Pretty to look at, but not actually doing anything for your career.”
Why You Should Read It:
Whether you’re building a new site or updating an existing one, this is your checklist. It’ll help you prioritize what actually matters versus what’s just nice to have.
Pro Tip: Use this in combination with post #7 to audit your current site.
#7: 15 Website Design Mistakes That Are Costing You Readers
URL: swoonworthydesigns.com/website-design-mistakes
Why It Resonated:
Okay, full transparency: I almost didn’t publish this one because I thought “who wants to read 15 mistakes?”
Turns out? EVERYONE wants to read about mistakes. Especially when they recognize themselves in them.
This post got so many “oh no, I’m doing #7” and “wait, #12 is actually bad?” comments. Authors were screenshotting specific sections and sending them to their web designers.
What You’ll Learn:
- 15 specific mistakes that kill conversions
- Why each mistake matters (with data when possible)
- How to fix each one (specific actionable steps)
- Which mistakes to prioritize fixing first
- Real examples of good vs bad implementations
- Mobile-specific mistakes (there are several)
Money Quote from the Post:
“Your website might be losing you sales every single day, and you’d never know it. Because readers don’t email you to say ‘your site was confusing so I left.’ They just… leave. And buy someone else’s book instead.”
Why You Should Read It:
If your website isn’t converting as well as you’d like, chances are at least one of these 15 mistakes is happening. The good news? Most are fixable in an afternoon.
Reader Favorite: Mistake #8 (confusing navigation) resonated with SO many people.
#6: 6 Proven Strategies to Stand Out When Romantasy Is Everywhere
URL: swoonworthydesigns.com/romantasy-marketing-strategies
Why It Resonated:
This was a bit of a wild card – I wrote it in response to SO many romantasy authors feeling drowned out by the explosion of the subgenre.
After Fourth Wing and ACOTAR made romantasy mainstream, suddenly everyone was writing it. Which is great for the subgenre… but hard for individual authors trying to be seen.
This post gave practical, specific strategies for standing out in a crowded market. And apparently, that’s exactly what romantasy authors needed to hear.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why “write good books” isn’t enough anymore
- 6 specific positioning strategies that work
- How to find your unique angle in a saturated market
- Trope stacking and unique combinations
- Visual branding for romantasy specifically
- How to leverage your author brand as a differentiator
Money Quote from the Post:
“Standing out in a crowded genre isn’t about being louder. It’s about being different in a way that matters to the right readers. You don’t need to appeal to everyone. You need to strongly appeal to your specific readers.”
Why You Should Read It:
If you’re in any popular or crowded subgenre (not just romantasy), these strategies work. It’s about positioning and differentiation, which matters regardless of what you write.
Bonus: Includes a worksheet for identifying your unique positioning.
#5: Design Trends 2025: Writing Your Digital Chapter
URL: swoonworthydesigns.com/author-website-design-trends-2025
Why It Resonated:
This was our annual design trends post, and it always does well because authors want to know if their websites look current or dated.
But this year hit different. I think because we focused specifically on what trends actually matter for author websites, not just general design trends.
The section about mobile-first design and minimalist layouts sparked the most conversation. Lots of authors realized their sites were too busy and overwhelming.
What You’ll Learn:
- Which design trends actually matter for authors
- Which trends to ignore (some are just hype)
- How to update your site without a full redesign
- Mobile-first design principles
- Color psychology for different romance subgenres
- Typography trends and what works for readability
- Real examples of trends done right and wrong
Money Quote from the Post:
“Trends come and go, but functionality never goes out of style. Your website needs to work first, look pretty second. If those priorities are reversed, you’re losing sales.”
Why You Should Read It:
Even if you’re not planning a redesign, this helps you understand whether your current site looks current or dated – and what quick updates might modernize it without starting over.
Design Nerds: The deep dive into color psychology for romance subgenres was apparently very popular.
#4: Romance Author Marketing Calendar: 12 Steps to Sell More Books This Year
URL: swoonworthydesigns.com/romance-author-marketing-calendar
Why It Resonated:
Authors are busy. Like, SO busy. Writing, editing, marketing, social media, family, life… it’s a lot.
This post gave authors a month-by-month breakdown of what to focus on marketing-wise, taking the guesswork and decision fatigue out of the equation.
The number of people who printed this out or saved it to refer to monthly was kind of amazing.
What You’ll Learn:
- Month-by-month marketing focus areas
- Seasonal opportunities for romance authors
- How to plan around major release months
- Email marketing calendar included
- Social media planning by month
- What to promote when
- How to balance marketing and writing time
Money Quote from the Post:
“You don’t have to do ALL the marketing ALL the time. You just need to do the RIGHT marketing at the RIGHT time. Having a calendar eliminates the overwhelm and gives you a plan to follow.”
Why You Should Read It:
If you’re constantly feeling behind on marketing or never quite sure what to prioritize, this gives you a framework. You can adapt it to your specific situation, but having the skeleton makes everything easier.
Pro Tip: Use this with post #9 to create your email marketing calendar for the year.
#3: How to Build a Romance Author Platform That Converts Readers into Fans
URL: swoonworthydesigns.com/romance-author-platform
Why It Resonated:
This was our comprehensive guide to platform building, and it resonated because it wasn’t just “be everywhere and do everything.”
It was strategic. Focused. Specific to romance authors.
The framework about focusing on 2-3 platforms instead of trying to be everywhere got the most engagement. Lots of authors felt permission to stop trying to do TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Threads, AND everything else all at once.
What You’ll Learn:
- What “author platform” actually means
- The 3-pillar platform strategy (website, email, one social platform)
- How to choose which platforms to focus on
- Platform building without burning out
- How long it actually takes (realistic timelines)
- What to prioritize when you’re just starting
- How to build on each platform strategically
Money Quote from the Post:
“Your author platform is basically your online real estate. Your website and email list are property you own. Social media is rented space. Build on land you own first, then expand to rented spaces strategically.”
Why You Should Read It:
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by platform building or not sure where to focus your energy, this breaks it down into manageable, strategic steps.
Reader Favorite: The “choose your platform” decision tree was apparently life-changing for many.
#2: Why 2025 Is the Year to Finally Master Your Author Website
URL: swoonworthydesigns.com/master-author-website-design-2025
Why It Resonated:
This was published in January as a “new year, new website” type post, but it kept getting traffic ALL YEAR LONG.
I think because the title resonated with so many authors who’d been putting off website work for years. 2025 was their year to finally deal with it.
And based on the number of Meet Cute calls we got from people who read this post… it worked.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why author websites matter more than ever
- The shift happening in author marketing (away from relying on social)
- What makes a “good” author website in 2025
- DIY vs professional – how to decide
- Budget expectations and options
- Timeline for building or updating a site
- Case studies of successful author websites
Money Quote from the Post:
“Social media is amazing for connection and discovery. But your website is your business headquarters. It’s where the magic happens – where browsers become email subscribers, and email subscribers become buyers.”
Why You Should Read It:
If you’ve been putting off website work, this is your wake-up call. It breaks down exactly why websites matter and what yours should include.
Bonus: Includes a comprehensive website planning worksheet.
#1: Shopify for Authors: How to Create Your Own Literary Boutique
URL: swoonworthydesigns.com/shopify-for-authors
Why It Resonated:
This was our #1 most-read, most-shared, most-bookmarked post of 2025. By a LOT.
And honestly? I’m not surprised.
Direct sales was THE trend this year. Authors realizing they could keep more money, build direct relationships with readers, and not rely entirely on Amazon.
But most authors had no idea how to actually set up a store. This post walked through the entire process specifically for authors.
The number of stores that launched after reading this post? I lost count.
What You’ll Learn:
- Complete Shopify setup walkthrough for authors
- What to sell (beyond just books)
- Pricing strategies for direct sales
- Fulfillment options explained
- How to make direct sales work with your existing platforms
- Marketing your store to your readers
- Real numbers and expectations
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Money Quote from the Post:
“Every sale through Amazon puts about $2-3 in your pocket per paperback. Every sale through your own store? $8-10+. Same book. Same reader. Triple the profit. That’s not just ‘nice to have’ money. That’s career-changing money.”
Why You Should Read It:
If you’ve been curious about direct sales but didn’t know where to start, this is your step-by-step guide. It’s comprehensive, specific, and actionable.
Reader Success Stories: Multiple authors commented that they set up stores after reading this and were already making sales within their first month.
Related: Pairs perfectly with post #2 on this list (our direct sales playbook).
The Patterns: What These Top Posts Have in Common
Looking at these 10 posts together, some clear patterns emerge about what romance authors actually need and want:
1. Actionable Over Theoretical
Every single one of these posts gives you specific steps to take. Not just “this is important” but “here’s exactly how to do it.”
You told us with your clicks and engagement: you want practical, implementable advice. Not just inspiration or information.
2. Specific to Romance Authors
Generic marketing advice is everywhere. But advice specifically for romance authors? That’s what resonated.
You need people who understand the genre, the readers, the specific challenges romance authors face. General author advice doesn’t always translate.
3. Focused on Sustainable Business Building
Not quick hacks or tricks. Not “go viral” strategies. Real, sustainable business building.
Email lists. Websites. Direct sales. Branding. Platform building. The stuff that lasts.
4. Honest About Reality
Every post on this list included real talk about timelines, budgets, challenges, and what to actually expect.
You appreciated honesty over hype. And I appreciate that you appreciate that, because sugarcoating isn’t my style anyway.
5. Comprehensive Resources
These weren’t 500-word fluff posts. They were comprehensive guides you could reference again and again.
Several of you told me you printed posts out, saved them in folders, or bookmarked them to come back to multiple times.
That’s exactly what I hoped would happen.
The Posts That Almost Made the List
These didn’t quite crack the top 10, but they deserve honorable mentions:
“The Romance Author’s Complete Guide to Website Navigation”
Apparently navigation is more confusing than anyone wants to admit.
“How to Write About Page Copy That Actually Connects”
About pages are HARD. This helped a lot of authors finally write theirs.
“Instagram vs TikTok vs Facebook: Which Platform for Romance Authors?”
The platform decision paralysis is real, and this helped people choose.
“What to Do When Your Website Isn’t Converting”
Troubleshooting post that got a lot of private emails from readers.
“The Complete Checklist for Launching Your Author Website”
Referenced constantly by authors in the website building process.
What’s Coming in 2026
Based on what resonated this year (and what you’ve been asking for), here’s what we’re planning for 2026:
More Direct Sales Content:
This trend isn’t slowing down. We’ll be covering advanced strategies, case studies, and specific platform comparisons.
Deeper Branding Guides:
How to refresh your brand, when to rebrand completely, DIY branding strategies, and more.
Platform-Specific Guides:
Deep dives into individual platforms – Instagram for romance authors, newsletter strategies, reader group management, etc.
Technical Tutorials:
More step-by-step technical guides for common author needs (email automation, website updates, store setup, etc.).
Case Studies:
Real examples of author success stories – what they did, how they did it, what results they got.
Video Content:
We’re finally adding video tutorials for visual learners. Coming Q1 2026.
Interactive Resources:
More worksheets, checklists, templates, and tools you can actually use.
What Else Do You Want to See?
Seriously, tell us. Drop a comment, send an email, slide into our DMs. The best content ideas come from you telling us what you’re struggling with.
How to Actually Use These Resources
Here’s my recommendation for getting the most value from these posts:
If You’re Brand New to Author Platform Building:
Start here:
- Read #2 (Why 2025 Is the Year to Master Your Author Website)
- Then #3 (How to Build a Romance Author Platform)
- Then #8 (7 Must-Have Features for Your Website)
That gives you the foundation and framework.
If You Have a Website But It’s Not Working:
Start here:
- Read #7 (15 Website Design Mistakes)
- Then #8 (Must-Have Features)
- Then audit your site against both posts
Fix what’s broken first, then optimize.
If You’re Ready for Direct Sales:
Start here:
- Read #1 (Shopify for Authors)
- Then #2 on week 2’s list (Direct Sales Playbook)
- Then audit your platform readiness
Make sure you have the foundation (email list, traffic) before adding a store.
If Your Email Marketing Needs Work:
Start here:
- Read #9 (Email Marketing: 5 Proven Ways)
- Then week 3’s post (From Zero to Superfan)
- Then implement one strategy at a time
Don’t try to do everything at once. Pick one thing, do it well, then add more.
If Your Branding Feels Off:
Start here:
- Read #10 (5 Branding Mistakes)
- Then week 4’s post (Making Sure You’re Ready for 2026)
- Then audit your current brand
Be honest about what’s not working. Then make a plan to fix it.
The Resource Library We’re Building
All these posts live on our blog, but we’re also creating a resource library where you can:
- Download worksheets and checklists
- Access templates and swipe files
- Watch video tutorials (coming soon)
- Find organized by topic or challenge
Coming January 2026. Sign up for our newsletter to get notified when it launches.
Before We Go Into 2026…
I want to say thank you.
Thank you for reading. For engaging. For sharing. For implementing the strategies we write about and then telling us how it went.
Thank you for the emails asking questions, sharing success stories, and letting us know what you’re struggling with.
Thank you for trusting us with your author businesses – whether that’s through blog posts you implement yourself or projects we build together.
I’ve been doing this for over 10 years (since before my boys were in high school – they’re all grown now, time is weird). And I genuinely love it.
Building websites and brands for romance authors isn’t just a job. It’s getting to be part of your career journey. It’s helping you build something that lasts.
That’s pretty cool.
Your 2026 Reading Plan
Here’s what I want you to do before we ring in the new year:
This Week:
- Pick 3 posts from this list you haven’t read yet
- Actually read them (not just skim)
- Bookmark the ones you’ll reference later
- Implement at least ONE thing from what you read
January 2026:
- Go back through the posts relevant to your current focus
- Create action plans based on what you learn
- Join our newsletter for new content
- Check out the resource library when it launches
Throughout 2026:
- Come back to these posts as you need them
- Share them with other romance authors who’d benefit
- Implement the strategies at your own pace
- Tell us how it goes (we love hearing from you)
Want to Work Together in 2026?
If you’ve been thinking about getting professional help with your website, branding, or store, 2026 is the year.
We’re booking projects now for Q1 and Q2.
What We Offer:
Websites:
Custom romance author websites built to grow your email list and sell your books
Starting at $2,200 (2026 pricing)
Stores:
Complete Shopify store setup with all the bells and whistles
Starting at $2,800 (2026 pricing)
Branding:
Full brand identity development (logo, colors, fonts, guidelines)
Starting at $800
Combined Packages:
Website + Store together for a cohesive online presence
Starting at $4,200 (2026 pricing)
Plus:
- Hosting and maintenance packages
- VIP Days for quick projects
- One-off services (landing pages, email templates, graphics)
How This Works:
- Schedule a Meet Cute Call – 30-minute discovery call to discuss your project
- We Send Our Services Guide – Complete details, pricing, timelines
- Custom Proposal – Specific to your needs and goals
- We Build Something Amazing – Usually 4-8 weeks depending on project
We only take on a limited number of projects each month (because I also write my own books, parent my grown boys who still need stuff, and actually sleep occasionally).
Quality over quantity, always.
If you’re ready to stop DIY-ing your way through website stuff and work with someone who actually knows the romance author space, let’s talk.
Schedule Your Meet Cute Call for 2026
Final Thoughts (I’m Almost Done, I Promise)
2025 was a good year for content. For helping romance authors build better businesses. For being part of your journeys.
2026 is going to be even better.
We’ve got new content planned, new resources launching, new ways to help you build sustainable author careers.
But mostly? We’re just going to keep showing up. Writing helpful posts. Building beautiful websites. Creating brands that actually work.
Because that’s what we do.
And apparently, based on these top 10 posts, it’s what you need.
So here’s to 2026.
May your websites be fast, your email lists be engaged, your stores be profitable, and your books be bestsellers.
(And may you actually take time to celebrate your wins along the way.)
See you next year,
Stacey