By Nicola Warner
Creative Hats Press

Hi, I’m Nicola, and for several years I’ve been working as a writer, editor, and promoter of both my own writing and the work of other authors.

At Creative Hats Press, we know that promoting yourself as a writer can feel overwhelming, especially when you are newly published or working on your first collaboration project. That is why we wanted to share a short series of clear, no-nonsense posts designed to help authors take confident early steps in building their public writing presence.

In this post I recommend taking these two or three simple steps to begin putting yourself out there online to gain valuable presence.  These guides are designed to be short and practical.

Don’t feel it might be “too soon” to claim the title of published author.

The truth is, this early stage is exactly the right time to begin. Establishing your author identity now helps you build visibility, confidence, and momentum long before your work reaches a wider audience. And if you are already established and published but haven’t yet tackled these, what are you waiting for? Make 2026 the year of ‘doing’.

1) Amazon Author Central – Official Author Page

Essential if your book is listed on Amazon (Kindle or print) – it gives readers a central place to learn about you and your books.

Why use it: Boosts legitimacy, groups all your books in one place, shows bio + photo + follow option.

Step-by-Step

1. Go to author.amazon.com and click “Join for free.”
2. Sign in with your Amazon/KDP account (or create one).
3. Add your author name then choose the book Amazon lists for you.
4. Verify your account (Amazon may email you or your publisher).
5. Go to the Profile tab: upload a professional author photo (square, 300×300+ px).
6. Write a compelling author bio.
7. Add all your book titles in the Books tab.
8. Check your +follow settings so readers can follow you.

2) Goodreads Author Profile

Goodreads is a massive book community where readers track reads and review books — having an author profile here boosts credibility and engagement.

Why use it: Readers can find + review your books, explore your bio, follow you, and join discussions.

Step-by-Step

1. Create or log in to your Goodreads account (goodreads.com).
2. Search for one of your published books.
3. Open the book page and click “Is this you? Let us know!” under the author name.
4. Fill out the author page request form and submit it.
5. Once approved, add a bio, profile photo, and links to your other sites.
6. Join Goodreads groups relevant to your genre and participate (not purely self-promotional).

3) Medium (For Non-Fiction Essays, Authority Pieces)

Medium, similar to WordPress – lets you publish articles, essays, and thought leadership to a broad audience.

Why use it: Positions you as an expert/voice in your niche; great for essays about writing, craft, and related topics.

Step-by-Step

1. Sign up at medium.com.
2. Complete your profile with a photo and bio.
3. Publish articles related to your books, craft, or genre.
4. Link back to your website and book pages.

About the author
Nicola Warner is a writer and editor with extensive experience supporting authors at every stage of their creative journey. She combines her passion for clear, engaging writing with practical know-how in promoting creative work online. Nicola has helped writers shape and share their stories, build confidence in their author platforms, and navigate the early stages of establishing their author identity. Her insight and approachable style make her a trusted guide for writers looking to expand their presence and connect with readers.

You can reach out to Nicola@creativehats.co.uk with any questions about the services she offers. Nicola loves to champion, support and promote new writers.