Portfolio
See the steamy brands, websites, and online stores I’ve designed for indie and small-press writers just like you during my signature Design Quickie intensives.
Case Study #1: Adrian J. Smith
Adrian J. Smith (aka AJ) is a queer author who has been publishing sapphic fiction for more than a decade. Best known as a romance author, she writes 10-12 novels a year, and has published romance, speculative fiction, and thriller novels. Total, her catalog includes more than 40 books, the vast majority of which feature ice queens and age gaps. While some of Adrian’s series are traditionally published with small presses, most of her novels have been indie published.
When Adrian and I first connected, her website really didn’t do her career justice. Functioning more as a blog, it lacked the personal branding and visibility a prolific author like her deserved.
The personal branding was practically nonexistent, hiding her witty, passionate personality behind a generic, low-impact design. Her book info was buried behind a barely-visible tab, and readers had limited ways to connect with her beyond blog comments.
Because her website wasn’t set up for direct sales, Adrian was also losing out on revenue by relying on third-party platforms for her indie book sales — a significant hurdle towards full-time authorship for someone balancing full-time work, parenthood, and a packed writing schedule.
We started Adrian’s project with a two-day Design Quickie to establish a brand and website that reflected her personality and her growing reputation.
We started by developing a mood board, outlining new logos, icons, brand colors, fonts, imagery samples, and brand words — all designed to be visually memorable and instantly recognizable. We focused on balancing professionalism with a fun and approachable vibe, matching her daring characters and the rich worlds she brings to life.
Using those assets, I designed a website that puts Adrian’s books front and center. Visitors can easily explore Adrian’s body of work but also get a closer look at who she is, including links to her social media accounts for deeper engagement.
The new design feels like a true digital home for Adrian and her characters; a place where readers can connect with her, discover her stories, and feel part of her journey.
In late 2024, we then added e-commerce functionality, and she is now selling paperbacks and eBooks directly to her readers, keeping more revenue, and moving closer to her goal of full-time authorship.
Before – Adrian J. Smith
After – Adrian J. Smith
In Adrian's Words...
“I definitely recommend working with Kelly Noel.”
Kelly Noel was so easy to work with. My brain doesn’t speak design work at all, and they made it easy to find a design that would work for my business and beyond, setting me up for the future rather than just the here and now.
I definitely recommend working with Kelly Noel, and will gladly share their name with anyone who is asking for a website designer.
Case Study #2: R.B. Simon
R.B. Simon was an award-winning poet based in Wisconsin. Prior to working with me, she had a DIY Squarespace site that looked straight out of 2008. The design did not reflect her intense, lyrical poetry, and the functionality was lacking. She expressed that she wanted to be able to add people to her email list and also sell signed copies of her books, her original artwork, and merch on her site, too.
Design: We created a custom logo and icon for R.B. and determined new brand colors and fonts based on our knowledge of her, speaking with her about her design aesthetic, and using her artwork as inspiration for the design. We also designed a new website in WordPress using Divi.
Messaging: We repurposed most of the existing copy on R.B. Simon’s old site, but we developed copy for her product descriptions using our knowledge of her brand and her products.
Systems: We set up a WooCommerce store for R.B. that allowed visitors to purchase products on her website, track inventory, and receive payment. We also added “Events” and “Tickets” plugins to the site so R.B. Simon could advertise events like poetry readings, or sell spots to her art therapy workshops.
Please note: This website isn’t active as R.B. Simon passed away in early 2025.
“I felt like it was truly a good online reflection of myself and my work.”
I had the pleasure of meeting Kelly Noel Zeva through mutual acquaintances as I was looking for assistance with my online presence. As an emerging poet and artist, I felt I was not very visible online, nor did I have a good way to market my books and art effectively. Kelly Noel was immediately full of questions about my style, my work, and the kind of presence I wanted online.
From there, they absolutely ran with ideas and suggestions to craft me an amazing artist website complete with e-commerce, a calendar of events, and a mailing list engine for future newsletters. Kelly Noel was open to suggestions and feedback at every turn, so I felt like it was truly a good online reflection of myself and my work.
They also took the time to train me on the basics of my site so that I can update to add upcoming events, new art, and my forthcoming book, so the website is truly dynamic. I will forever be grateful to them for helping me present a truly professional face on the internet, and I know this is just the beginning of me being a more productive and present force online.
Case Study #3: Shari Mikels
Shari Mikels is a paranormal romance author who typically publishes novellas. Prior to working with me, she had a DIY WordPress website that hadn’t been updated in nearly a decade. Shari wanted a new design that allowed her visitors to “choose their own adventure” and that reflected her mysterious aesthetic.
We completely overhauled Shari’s branding, and I designed a new logo that captured both the romance of her stories, and the in-your-face directness of the paranormal genre. We then applied that new branding to her website and expanded it. The new website is mobile-responsive, follows current design best practices, and is ready to support Shari as she writes and publishes more novellas.
Real-Time Client Feedback
Case Study #4: Lainey-Jo Charles
Lainey-Jo Charles (LJC) is an erotic writer who indie publishes short, steamy novellas. Prior to working with me, she had a DIY WordPress website that hadn’t been updated in nearly a decade that didn’t reflect the Southern sinfulness of her brand. She wanted an updated platform for her writing as she planned to indie publish stories that had previously been included in anthologies.
To create a website that fully communicated the steamy nature of her brand, I spent ample time selecting sexy images that correlated with the intimate nature of her brand. We chose pinks and purples for the colors, something that was rich and sensual. At first glance, it’s immediately evident who LJC is and who her readers are.
Shall we seal the deal?
If you’re ready to elevate your online presence, attract (and reward) loyal readers, and boost your book sales, I would love to help you create a brand and website you’re head over heels for. Let’s make it official! 💍😍
Once you’ve selected the number of Design Quickies you want, you’ll be asked to agree to the Design Quickie Terms of Service and complete payment — either 50% down or paid in full, your choice!
Prefer to discuss your project (or a custom payment plan) first? No problem — click here to book a free, no-obligation discovery call.
Kelly Noel Zeva is an expert in author branding and website design for LGBTQIA+ romance writers, dedicated to amplifying queer voices and creating inclusive, authentic brands. Through their spicy Design Quickie intensives, Kelly Noel helps romance authors build strong reader connections, grow their reach, and increase their book sales.