Build an author portfolio page that hooks literary agents in under 30 seconds

Literary agents skim dozens of writer sites every day. Follow this step-by-step guide to design an author portfolio page that captures their attention, proves your craft, and triggers a request for pages—all in half a minute.

Why 30 seconds is your real audition

Eye-tracking labs show web users form an opinion in 50 milliseconds and decide to stay or leave within 10 seconds. Agents are even faster because they know what signals they need. Your portfolio must load quickly, present a clear value proposition, and guide the visitor's eye toward proof of talent in under half a minute.

1. Nail the first viewport

Present a one-sentence hook

Write a single, bold sentence that blends genre, unique angle, and social proof: “Thriller writer blending forensic science with West African folklore—featured in CrimeReads.” Place it in large typography above the fold.

Keep hero visuals purposeful

Use one high-resolution photo or book cover mock-up. Compress it to WebP and lazy-load below 0.7 seconds. Add alt="Author portfolio hero image showing book cover and writer portrait".

Insert instant credibility badges

• Award logos (Readers' Favorite, Wattys)
• Memberships (SCBWI, Crime Writers' Association)
• Press mentions with favicon-sized icons

2. Curate a lightning-fast excerpt section

Show agents your voice, not your whole draft. Embed 300 words that end on a cliff-hanger. For deeper guidance, read how to choose the right excerpt.

Formatting tips

1. Use 16–18 px line height for comfortable skimming.
2. Highlight key sensory verbs in bold to create pulse.
3. Add a “Read full sample” button pointing to a PDF—opens in new tab.

3. Showcase finished works and work-in-progress

Label each project with a clear rights status: “World English rights available.” That phrase answers a top agent question without extra email back-and-forth.

4. Add social proof that seals trust

Testimonials from editors, beta readers, or writing mentors can clinch the deal. Place two to three quotes in a carousel or stacked boxes. Need copy ideas? Check this social proof guide (article available soon).

Quantify your audience

Include mailing-list size and average newsletter open rate. Even a modest, engaged list signals marketability.

5. Guide the agent toward action

• Primary CTA: “Request full manuscript” button anchored to a short contact form.
• Secondary CTA: “Browse backlist rights catalogue” PDF link.
• Tertiary CTA: “Follow my latest portfolio drops” pointing to Artfolio's new author portfolios feed.

Display the primary CTA in a contrasting colour (#b3a16a works well against neutral backgrounds). Repeat it at the bottom of the page.

6. Load speed and SEO: invisible yet decisive

Agents bounce if a page lags. Compress every asset and keep total page weight below 1 MB. Use schema metadata tailored for authors. For deeper optimisation tactics read this SEO playbook.

Core Web Vitals benchmarks

• Largest Contentful Paint < 1.8 s
• Total Blocking Time < 150 ms
• Cumulative Layout Shift < 0.1

7. Measure and refine

Embed free analytics such as Plausible or Matomo. Track time on page, CTA clicks, and scroll depth. For a full walkthrough see how to track portfolio performance (article available soon). Iterate monthly: adjust headline wording, swap hero images, and A/B test CTA colours.

Quick self-audit checklist

1. Page loads in < 1 second on 4G.
2. One-sentence hook visible without scrolling.
3. Excerpt ends on unanswered tension.
4. Rights status clearly tagged.
5. Primary CTA appears twice.
6. Core Web Vitals in green.

Need a seasonal refresh plan? Dive into this 2025 update checklist (article available soon).

Test your portfolio instincts

FAQ

Do I need a separate website if I already have a Goodreads profile?

Yes. A controlled portfolio lets you track data, present excerpts, and manage rights information—all features Goodreads lacks.

What file type should my sample chapters use?

PDF ensures layout consistency across devices and preserves page numbers for agent references.

How often should I update my portfolio?

Monthly tweaks keep algorithms fresh and show agents you are active. Swap hero images quarterly.

Is a blog necessary on the same page?

A blog can attract organic traffic, but keep it in a subdirectory so the main portfolio stays distraction-free.

Should I display follower counts?

Only include numbers that strengthen credibility—newsletter subscribers and engaged social platforms work best.

Next steps

Set a timer for one hour, implement one section at a time, and test your page on mobile. Once live, share the link in your query letters. Agents appreciate writers who respect their time—your optimised author portfolio proves you do.

Ready to build? Open your site builder now, follow the checklist, and delight the next agent who clicks.