20+ Free WordPress Themes for Novelists

In today’s digital landscape, a compelling author website is no longer a luxury – it’s your virtual bookshop, your reader connection hub, and your platform to ignite imaginations. But don’t let budget constraints dim your digital dreams! The WordPress universe is brimming with stunning, professional-looking free WordPress Themes for Novelists just waiting to bring your literary world to life online.

Forget hefty price tags; we’ve curated a treasure trove of the top free themes designed specifically to showcase your books, connect you with readers, and establish your unique author brand. Get ready to discover your perfect digital stage – without spending a single chapter’s worth of royalties!

Why Novelists Need a Captivating Website (And How to Get One for Free!)

As a novelist, your words are your world. But in today’s digital age, your website is your stage – the place where readers discover your books, connect with you as an author and delve deeper into your literary universe. A well-designed website is crucial for building your author platform, and the good news is, that you don’t need to break the bank to achieve a professional look. WordPress offers a treasure trove of free WordPress themes for novelists that can help you shine online.

What Makes a WordPress Theme Perfect for a Novelist?

Before we dive into our top picks, let’s outline what makes a WordPress theme particularly suitable for a novelist:

• Emphasis on Readability: Clean typography, ample white space, and a layout that doesn’t distract from the text are paramount.
• Blog-Centric Design: A prominent blog section is essential for sharing updates, and excerpts, and connecting with readers.
• Book Showcase Capabilities: Ideally, the theme should allow you to easily display your book covers, descriptions, and purchase links.
• Author Bio Section: A dedicated space to share your background, and inspirations, and connect with your audience on a personal level.
• Contact Form: Making it easy for readers, agents, or publishers to get in touch is crucial.
• Clean and Minimalist Aesthetics: Often, a simple and elegant design allows your writing to take center stage.
• Responsiveness: The theme should look great on all devices, from desktops to smartphones, ensuring a seamless experience for every reader.

Best Free WordPress Themes for Novelists

Now, let’s explore fantastic free WordPress themes for novelists that can help you build a compelling online presence.

1. Author

Page Builder Supported: Elementor, Beaver Builder, Gutenberg
Plugin Integrations: WooCommerce, Contact Form 7, Mailchimp

Author is a meticulously crafted free WordPress theme for novelists designed to put your literary works front and center. Its elegant and uncluttered layout ensures readers focus on your storytelling. This theme often features a prominent header image – perfect for showcasing your latest book cover – and dedicated sections for your author bio and book catalog.

Technically sound with clean code, Author offers a responsive design guaranteeing a seamless experience across all devices. Novelists seeking a sophisticated yet simple online presence will find Author an ideal choice to establish their digital footprint.

Do You Know: InstaWP’s Template feature allows novelists to launch new WordPress sites in seconds from pre-built designs—saving creativity for storytelling.

Best Features:

• Prominent header image/slider area
• Dedicated book showcase section
• Clean and readable typography
• Responsive design
• Author bio section
• Social media integration
• Contact form compatibility

User Interface: The user interface of Author is intuitive and easy to navigate for both the author managing the site and the readers exploring it. The layout is logical, with clear sections for different content types, ensuring a smooth Browse experience.

Why We Loved It: We loved Author for its straightforward focus on the author and their books. It’s a free WordPress theme for novelists that understand the core needs of writers looking to build an online platform without unnecessary distractions.

2. Fewer

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: Compatible with various standard WordPress plugins

Fewer WordPress theme presents a clean and opinionated design, making it a fantastic free WordPress theme for novelists who appreciate excellent typography and a distraction-free reading experience. Built as a Block Theme with Full Site Editing capabilities, Fewer empowers novelists to customize their site’s layout and design directly within the WordPress editor.

Its inherent versatility allows for the creation of both engaging blog sections for sharing excerpts and updates, and sophisticated portfolio pages to showcase published works. With its focus on clear presentation and ease of use, Fewer provides a solid technical foundation for any novelist looking to establish a professional online presence.

Must Read: The Ultimate Guide to Full Site Editing (FSE) in WordPress – InstaWP

Best Features:

• Clean and opinionated design
• Excellent typography for enhanced readability
• Style variations for easy customization
• Highly versatile for blogs and portfolios
• Full Site Editing (FSE) capabilities
• Built as a Block Theme
• Easy content management through the Block Editor

User Interface: Fewer leverages the intuitive WordPress Block Editor, offering a streamlined and visual way for novelists to manage their content and design their website. The clear structure and straightforward options within the editor make it easy to create engaging pages without needing coding knowledge.

Why We Loved It: We loved Fewer for its commitment to clean aesthetics and exceptional typography, which are paramount for a WordPress theme for novelists. Its embrace of the Block Editor provides a modern and user-friendly approach to website creation, allowing authors to focus on their writing and easily present their literary work in an elegant manner.

3. Hola

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: Compatible with various standard WordPress plugins

Hola is a simple yet vibrant free WordPress theme for novelists looking to establish a personal and engaging blog. Its colorful character adds a touch of personality to your online presence, making it ideal for authors who want to connect with readers on a more personal level.

Ensure your readers always enjoy a smooth reading experience—InstaWP’s integrated Performance Scanner ensures every free theme you choose is optimized for speed and reliability.

As a Block Theme with Full Site Editing capabilities, Hola allows for easy customization of your blog’s layout directly within the WordPress editor. The theme’s configuration focuses on showcasing recent blog posts, with the latest entry highlighted at the top, making it perfect for novelists who regularly share updates, insights, or excerpts. This WordPress theme for novelists also supports RTL languages and is accessibility-ready, ensuring a broad audience can enjoy your content.

Best Features:

• Simple and colorful design
• Focus on personal blogging
• Unique homepage layout for recent blog posts
• Full Site Editing (FSE) capabilities
• Built as a Block Theme
• RTL Language Support
• Accessibility Ready

User Interface: Hola’s user interface, powered by the WordPress Block Editor, is clean and intuitive. Novelists can easily create and manage their blog posts, customizing the layout and appearance with the familiar block-based system. The theme’s straightforward design ensures a pleasant and uncomplicated experience for both the author and the reader.

Why We Loved It: We loved Hola for its cheerful personality and its clear emphasis on blogging. It’s a free WordPress theme for novelists who want to create a welcoming and personal space to share their thoughts, engage with their audience, and provide regular updates on their writing journey. Its simplicity doesn’t sacrifice character, making it a delightful choice for authors.

4. Poesis

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: Compatible with various standard WordPress plugins

Poesis offers a distinctive and artistic approach, making it a compelling free WordPress theme for novelists, particularly those specializing in poetry or short stories. Inspired by the “Six Tuscan Poets” painting, its main feature is a captivating split layout. One column, spanning the full height, houses a sticky header and footer, while the other provides a scrollable space for your literary content.

As a Block Theme with Full Site Editing capabilities, Poesis allows for creative control over your site’s appearance directly within the WordPress editor. This unique design provides a visually engaging way to present shorter works and create a memorable online experience for your readers, setting it apart as a truly unique WordPress theme for novelists.

Do You Know: You can launch your novelist site, built using Poesis WordPress free novelist theme from staging to live with just a single click using the best managed WordPress hosting —turning your writing ideas into reality faster than ever before?

Best Features:

• Unique split layout design
• Ideal for showcasing poetry and short stories
• Full-height column with sticky header and footer
• Dedicated scrollable content column
• Full Site Editing (FSE) capabilities
• Built as a Block Theme
• Inspired by literary figures and art

User Interface: Poesis presents a visually striking user interface with its distinct split layout. Readers will find the navigation intuitive, with the key elements anchored in the sticky columns. Novelists will appreciate the ease of managing their content and customizing the layout through the WordPress Block Editor.

Why We Loved It: We loved Poesis for its bold and artistic design that truly caters to a niche of novelists. The unique split layout offers a refreshing alternative to traditional blog formats, making it a standout free WordPress theme for novelists who want to present their poetry or short fiction in a visually captivating and memorable way.

5. Pierian

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: Compatible with various standard WordPress plugins

Pierian is a free WordPress theme for novelists that embraces minimalism and puts your words in the spotlight with its strong focus on typography. Its low-key styling ensures a distraction-free reading experience, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in your stories.

This Block Theme utilizes a thoughtful column-based layout to elegantly divide navigation, your blog posts, and a dedicated profile block – perfect for showcasing your author bio. With Full Site Editing capabilities, Pierian offers novelists the flexibility to customize their website directly within the WordPress editor, creating a clean and sophisticated online presence centered around their writing.

Best Features:

• Minimalist and clean design
• Strong focus on typography for optimal readability
• Low-key and understated styling
• Column-based layout for organized content
• Dedicated profile block for author information
• Full Site Editing (FSE) capabilities
• Built as a Block Theme

User Interface: Pierian offers a clean and intuitive user interface, both for the author managing the site and the readers exploring it. The minimalist design ensures easy navigation, and the emphasis on typography creates a comfortable and enjoyable reading experience. The Block Editor provides a straightforward way to customize the layout.

Why We Loved It: We loved Pierian for its dedication to typography and its minimalist aesthetic, making it an ideal WordPress theme for novelists who want their writing to take center stage. The unique column layout provides an elegant and organized way to present different aspects of an author’s online presence, all within a clean and distraction-free environment.

6. Bibliophile

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: Compatible with various standard WordPress plugins

Bibliophile is a free WordPress theme for novelists crafted with a singular focus: delivering an impeccable reading experience reminiscent of holding a physical book. Its distinctive layout features a fixed header in a left sidebar, providing context, while your blog posts and content are elegantly presented in the right-hand column.

Inspired by the design of printed books and featuring carefully chosen font sizes, this theme ensures comfortable reading across all devices. As a Block Theme with Full Site Editing capabilities, Bibliophile offers novelists a unique and user-friendly platform to showcase their literary work in a sophisticated and reader-centric manner.

Best Features:

• Designed for an impeccable reading experience
• Inspired by the layout of printed books
• Unique left sidebar header for context
• Elegant display of posts and content on the right
• Carefully chosen font sizes for readability
• User-friendly and seamless navigation
• Full Site Editing (FSE) capabilities

User Interface: Bibliophile offers a clean and intuitive user interface that prioritizes the reader’s experience. The clear separation of the header in the sidebar and the content on the right provides a unique and organized feel. Navigation is seamless, allowing readers to easily delve into the author’s writing.

Why We Loved It: We loved Bibliophile for its unwavering dedication to the reading experience. This WordPress theme for novelists truly captures the essence of enjoying a physical book in a digital format. The unique layout and thoughtful typography make it a standout choice for authors who want their readers to feel completely immersed in their stories.

7. Vivre

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: Compatible with various standard WordPress plugins

Vivre is a bold and opinionated free WordPress theme for novelists seeking a visually striking online presence inspired by the world of fashion and lifestyle magazines. Its distinctive design features a pairing of large, heavy sans-serif fonts with a light and elegant serif, setting a tone of refined readability perfect for showcasing your literary work.

As a Block Theme with Full Site Editing capabilities, Vivre offers novelists the creative freedom to customize their blog’s appearance directly within the WordPress editor. This theme is ideal for authors who want their blog to make a statement with its stylish and magazine-like aesthetic, ensuring a memorable reading experience for their audience.

Best Features:

• Bold and opinionated design
• Heavily inspired by fashion and lifestyle magazines
• Unique pairing of large sans-serif and elegant serif fonts
• Aims for a refined reading experience
• Full Site Editing (FSE) capabilities
• Built as a Block Theme
• Visually striking and stylish aesthetic

User Interface: Vivre presents a visually impactful user interface with its bold typography and magazine-inspired layout. Readers will immediately notice the stylish design, while novelists will appreciate the ease of customizing the look and feel of their blog using the intuitive WordPress Block Editor.

Why We Loved It: We loved Vivre for its confident and stylish design that stands out from typical blog themes. This WordPress theme for novelists offers a unique opportunity to create a visually engaging online space with a focus on a refined reading experience, making it perfect for authors who want their blog to have a strong and memorable personality.

8. Storia

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: Compatible with various standard WordPress plugins

Storia is a stunning free WordPress theme for novelists who want their website to tell a story visually. Designed to showcase creative work, its minimalist aesthetic ensures your visual content, particularly featured images, takes center stage, creating an engaging experience for your audience.

As a Block Theme with Full Site Editing capabilities, Storia offers novelists the freedom to craft visually compelling layouts directly within the WordPress editor. While text remains paramount for authors, this theme provides an excellent option for those who want to weave visual elements into their author brand or highlight aspects of their book’s world.

Best Features:

• Stunning visual story theme
• Designed to showcase creative work
• Engages your audience visually
• Emphasis on prominent featured images
• Clean and minimalist design
• Full Site Editing (FSE) capabilities
• Built as a Block Theme

User Interface: Storia offers a clean and visually driven user interface. Readers will be immediately drawn to the prominent featured images, creating an immersive experience. Novelists will appreciate the simplicity of the minimalist design and the flexibility offered by the WordPress Block Editor for visual storytelling.

Why We Loved It: We loved Storia for its unique focus on visual storytelling. While primarily a text-based medium, this WordPress theme for novelists offers a refreshing way to engage readers through compelling visuals, making it a standout choice for authors who want to add another layer to their online presence and captivate their audience from the moment they land on the page.

9. Novel Writer

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: WooCommerce

Novel Writer is a versatile and user-friendly free WordPress theme for novelists created to provide a complete online platform for showcasing literary works and connecting with readers. Designed specifically for authors, writers, and publishers, this theme boasts a clean and visually appealing presentation perfect for displaying books, novels, and other literary creations.

Gutenberg-ready and SEO-optimized, it ensures your website is both easy to manage and discoverable. With features like a dedicated book display module to showcase novels with descriptions and purchase links, and seamless WooCommerce integration for direct sales, Novel Writer is a powerful tool for any author looking to establish a professional online presence.

Best Features:

• Designed specifically for writers, authors, and publishers
• User-friendly showcase for literary works
• Gutenberg Ready for easy content creation
• SEO-optimized architecture for better visibility
• WooCommerce Integration for selling books
• Dedicated Blog Section for reader engagement
• Book Display Module with descriptions and purchase links

User Interface: Novel Writer offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface for authors to easily manage their website and showcase their books. Readers will appreciate the visually appealing and well-organized layout, making it simple to discover new works and learn more about their favorite authors.

Why We Loved It: We loved Novel Writer for its comprehensive feature set tailored specifically to the needs of novelists. It’s a fantastic WordPress theme for novelists that not only provides a professional and visually appealing design but also integrates essential functionalities like book showcasing and e-commerce capabilities, all within a user-friendly environment.

10. Independent Publisher 2

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: Social Media (via Custom Menu), Widget Ready

Independent Publisher 2 is a clean and polished free WordPress theme for novelists who prioritize readability and an immersive experience for their audience. With its light color scheme and bold typography, this theme ensures your content looks crisp and is easy on the eyes, perfect for lengthy blog posts or excerpts. The theme supports full-width featured images, allowing you to visually enhance your writing.

Designed with the personal blogger and writer in mind, it offers options for a Gravatar profile image and a social menu to connect with readers across platforms. This responsive WordPress theme for novelists adapts seamlessly to various devices, ensuring your work looks fantastic on any screen.

Best Features:

• Clean and polished design
• Bold typography for excellent readability
• Immersive reading experience
• Supports custom header and full-width featured images
• Option for Gravatar profile image in the header
• Built-in Social Menu integration
• Responsive design for all devices

User Interface: Independent Publisher 2 offers a clean and straightforward user interface. Readers will appreciate the uncluttered layout and the emphasis on readable typography. Novelists will find it easy to customize the header, menus, and utilize the widget areas to personalize their site.

Why We Loved It: We loved Independent Publisher 2 for its clear focus on readability and its elegant simplicity. This free WordPress theme for novelists provides a fantastic foundation for authors who want their writing to shine without unnecessary distractions. The built-in social menu and profile options are also great for connecting with readers.

11. NovelLite Theme

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: WooCommerce, Contact Form (via Contact Us section)

NovelLite is a popular and versatile free WordPress theme for novelists who might prefer a modern, single-page website or a streamlined multi-page presence. While marketed as a multipurpose theme for businesses, its clean design and focus on showcasing information make it adaptable for authors. With a live customizer, novelists can easily personalize their site and see changes instantly.

This responsive theme is also WooCommerce compatible, allowing you to sell your books directly. Leveraging the WordPress Block Editor, NovelLite offers various useful sections like services (adaptable for book series), testimonials (for reviews), and a Contact Us section for reader engagement. Its drag-and-drop section scrolling enhances the user experience, making it a unique option among free WordPress themes for novelists.

Best Features:

• Popular Parallax single-page design option
• Live Customizer for easy personalization
• Responsive design for all devices
• WooCommerce compatible for selling books
• Multiple useful sections adaptable for author content
• Supports widget areas in the sidebar and footer
• Features drag-and-drop section scrolling

User Interface: NovelLite offers an intuitive user interface with its live customizer, allowing novelists to easily tweak the design without coding. The single-page layout provides a unique and engaging Browse experience, while the clear sections make it easy for readers to find the information they need.

Why We Loved It: We loved NovelLite for its modern single-page option, offering a unique way for novelists to present their work and author information in a visually engaging manner. The live customizer makes it incredibly user-friendly, and the WooCommerce compatibility is a great bonus for authors looking to sell their books directly.

12. Novel News

Page Builder Supported: While not explicitly stated, its versatile design suggests potential compatibility with popular page builders alongside Gutenberg.
Plugin Integrations: Compatible with various standard WordPress plugins, particularly those for news and blogging.

While primarily designed for news and magazine sites, Novel News offers a sleek and minimalist aesthetic that can be surprisingly effective as a free WordPress theme for novelists who want a strong, blog-centric online presence. Its responsive and adaptable design, coupled with multiple layout options, allows authors to create a clean and organized platform for sharing updates, excerpts, and engaging with readers.

Optimized for performance and SEO, this theme ensures your content loads quickly and is easily discoverable. Novelists seeking a professional and uncluttered blog design with robust customization possibilities will find Novel News a versatile option to build their author platform.

Best Features:

• Sleek and minimalist design
• Responsive and adaptable layout
• Multiple layout options for flexibility
• Optimized for performance and fast loading
• Excellent SEO optimization
• Versatile customization options with color changes and widgets
• Translation ready for a global audience

User Interface: Novel News offers a clean and intuitive user interface for both authors managing their content and readers navigating the site. The minimalist design ensures a focus on the written word, while the various layout options provide flexibility in how content is presented.

Why We Loved It: We loved Novel News for its clean and professional design, coupled with its focus on performance and SEO. While not specifically built for novelists, its adaptability and multiple layout options make it a strong contender as a WordPress theme for novelists who want a fast-loading, easily navigable blog to connect with their readers and promote their work.

13. Titan Bookseller

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: WooCommerce

While primarily designed for online bookstores, Titan Bookseller offers a robust and feature-rich platform that can also be highly beneficial as a free WordPress theme for novelists looking to sell their books directly to readers or create a comprehensive catalog of where their works are available. Its clean and modern design ensures a professional presentation, and the seamless WooCommerce integration provides all the necessary tools for e-commerce.

Novelists can leverage features like author profiles to connect with their audience and book review sections to showcase reader feedback. This responsive theme offers a user-friendly interface and the ability to customize the site without coding knowledge, making it a powerful option for authors taking control of their book sales.

Best Features:

• Designed for showcasing and selling books online
• Clean and modern design aesthetic
• Fully responsive layout for all devices
• Seamless WooCommerce integration for e-commerce
• Dedicated author profile sections
• Built-in book review functionality
• Customizable without requiring coding skills

User Interface: Titan Bookseller provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface for both the author managing their online bookstore and the readers Browse for new reads. The clear categorization and search functionality make navigation easy, while the product pages are designed to effectively showcase books.

Why We Loved It: We loved Titan Bookseller for its powerful e-commerce capabilities and its clean, professional design. For a WordPress theme for novelists interested in selling their books directly, the WooCommerce integration and dedicated author profile features make this a compelling and practical choice. It offers a complete solution for authors looking to manage their own online bookstore.

14. Baskerville

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: ZillaLikes, Widget Ready

Baskerville is a beautiful and responsive free WordPress theme for novelists who want to showcase their blog posts and other content in a visually engaging masonry layout. Its retina-ready design ensures your website looks sharp on any screen. With support for all post formats, you can easily share not just text but also videos, images, galleries, quotes, and links.

Novelists will appreciate the customization options, including custom header and logo uploads, allowing them to personalize their site. The inclusion of a contributor template is also a unique feature for collaborative writing projects. Built with Block Editor support, Baskerville offers a modern and flexible way to manage your website’s content.

Best Features:

• Beautiful and responsive design
• Retina-ready for crisp visuals
• Engaging masonry layout
• Supports all nine WordPress post formats
• Full Block Editor (Gutenberg) support
• Custom logo upload
• Includes a unique contributors page template

User Interface: Baskerville offers a visually appealing and dynamic user interface thanks to its masonry layout, which arranges content in an aesthetically pleasing way. Navigation is intuitive, and the clear presentation of various content formats keeps readers engaged.

Why We Loved It: We loved Baskerville for its visually striking masonry layout that offers a refreshing way to present blog posts and diverse content. This WordPress theme for novelists is perfect for authors who want a dynamic and engaging online presence that goes beyond simple text-based blogging, making it a unique and attractive free option.

15. Writer FSE

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: WooCommerce and many popular plugins

Writer FSE (also referred to as “Write” in its description) is a modern and creative free WordPress theme for novelists designed specifically to empower authors, publishers, and readers to connect online. This theme provides a powerful yet user-friendly platform to showcase your literary works, share excerpts, and interact with your audience through engaging blog posts and comments. Being compatible with WooCommerce, it allows novelists to sell their books directly from their website.

Built as a Block Theme, Writer FSE offers extensive customization options through the WordPress Block Editor. While this is a free WordPress theme for novelists, it also offers commercial upgrades for those seeking additional features and support, making it a versatile choice for authors at any stage of their career.

Best Features:

• Modern and creative design tailored for authors
• Specifically designed to showcase books and literary work
• Facilitates direct connection with readers through blogs and comments
• WooCommerce compatible for selling books online
• Highly customizable through the WordPress Block Editor
• Built as a Block Theme with Full Site Editing capabilities
• Compatible with many popular WordPress plugins

User Interface: Writer FSE offers a clean and intuitive user interface, making it easy for novelists to manage their website and present their work professionally. Readers will find the design engaging and the navigation straightforward, enhancing their experience of discovering and connecting with their favorite authors.

Why We Loved It: We loved Writer FSE for its dedicated focus on the author’s needs, providing a comprehensive set of features to showcase work, connect with readers, and even sell books. This free WordPress theme for novelists, with its modern design and WooCommerce compatibility, offers a fantastic starting point for building a strong online presence, with the option to upgrade for even more functionality.

16. Writermuse

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: Social Media (via theme options)

Writermuse is a free WordPress theme for novelists designed to be a source of inspiration for your story writing journey. With a clean and uncluttered aesthetic, this theme puts the focus squarely on your words. Its responsive layout ensures your website looks fantastic across all devices, allowing readers to immerse themselves in your narratives wherever they are.

Novelists will appreciate the custom logo and background options for personalizing their site, as well as the built-in social media profile integration for connecting with readers. Optimized for performance, Writermuse provides a smooth and fast Browse experience, making it an excellent choice for authors seeking a distraction-free platform powered by the WordPress Block Editor.

Best Features:

• Clean and inspiring design
• Responsive layout for all devices
• Built-in Social Media profiles integration
• Custom logo upload option
• Custom background option
• Optimized for website performance
• Translation ready for a global audience

User Interface: Writermuse offers a straightforward and intuitive user interface. Novelists will find it easy to customize the basic elements of their site, while readers will appreciate the clean and distraction-free design that allows them to focus entirely on the written content.

Why We Loved It: We loved Writermuse for its clear and direct focus on writers. This WordPress theme for novelists provides a clean, responsive, and performance-oriented platform that truly puts the spotlight on storytelling. The inclusion of social media integration and basic customization options makes it a great starting point for authors looking for an inspiring and functional free theme.

18. Popularis Writer

Page Builder Supported: Elementor, Beaver Builder, SiteOrigin, Thrive Architect, Divi, Visual Composer, Gutenberg
Plugin Integrations: WooCommerce

Popularis Writer is a fast, clean, and modern free WordPress theme for novelists who value both performance and design flexibility. This responsive multipurpose and blogging theme is incredibly lightweight and SEO-friendly, ensuring your website loads quickly and is easily discoverable. A standout feature is its seamless compatibility with a wide array of popular page builders like Elementor and Beaver Builder, giving novelists complete control over their site’s layout without needing to code.

Furthermore, it’s WooCommerce-ready, allowing you to easily set up an online store to sell your books directly. With its user-friendly nature and free demo import option, Popularis Writer offers a fantastic starting point for any author looking to establish a professional and engaging online presence.

Best Features:

• Fast and lightweight for optimal performance
• Clean and modern design aesthetic
• Fully responsive and looks great on all devices
• Compatible with multiple popular page builders
• WooCommerce ready for easy online book sales
• SEO-friendly to improve search engine rankings
• Easy to use with free demo import

User Interface: Popularis Writer boasts a clean and intuitive user interface that is easy for both authors and readers to navigate. The compatibility with drag-and-drop page builders makes customization a breeze, allowing novelists to create a unique website without any coding knowledge.

Why We Loved It: We loved Popularis Writer for its impressive speed and the sheer flexibility it offers with its compatibility across so many page builders. This WordPress theme for novelists is a fantastic choice for authors who want a fast-loading, SEO-friendly website with the freedom to design it exactly as they envision, plus the added benefit of WooCommerce integration for direct sales.

19. Writers Haven

Page Builder Supported: Elementor, Brizy, Gutenberg, Visual Composer, Divi Builder, Beaver Builder
Plugin Integrations: WooCommerce

Writers Haven is a fashionable and elegant free WordPress theme for novelists seeking a clean, modern, and highly customizable online presence. As a child theme of Sonoran, it inherits a robust foundation while offering a minimalist design perfect for showcasing your literary works. This responsive theme is incredibly fast and SEO-optimized, ensuring your website loads quickly and is easily discoverable.

Novelists will appreciate its compatibility with a wide range of popular page builders, including Elementor and Gutenberg, providing ultimate flexibility in designing their site. With added features like color options, dark mode, and WooCommerce compatibility, Writers Haven offers a versatile haven for authors to build their dream websites and even sell their books directly.

Best Features:

• Fashionable and elegant minimalist design
• Responsive layout for all devices
• Lightning-fast loading speeds
• Highly optimized for search engines (SEO)
• Compatible with multiple popular page builders
• WooCommerce compatible for e-commerce functionality
• Includes color options and a dark mode

User Interface: Writers Haven offers a clean and intuitive user interface, enhanced by the flexibility of various page builders. Novelists can easily customize the look and feel of their website to match their personal brand, while readers will enjoy the elegant and distraction-free reading environment.

Why We Loved It: We loved Writers Haven for its stylish and modern design combined with its impressive speed and SEO optimization. This WordPress theme for novelists provides exceptional flexibility through its page builder compatibility and offers the added benefit of WooCommerce integration, making it a fantastic and versatile free option for authors looking to create a professional online home.

20. MrWriter

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: Compatible with various standard WordPress plugins

MrWriter is a strikingly minimalistic free WordPress theme for novelists who believe less is truly more. If your clients are authors seeking a clean, uncluttered space to let their writing shine, this theme is a fantastic choice. Its dark-mode style offers an immersive reading experience that’s easy on the eyes, perfect for showcasing lengthy book excerpts or blog posts.

Novelists will appreciate the included blog archive and contact page patterns, making setup a breeze. Built as a Block Theme, MrWriter leverages the power of the WordPress editor for straightforward customization. Plus, the option to feature a sticky blog post ensures your client’s most important content grabs immediate attention. This theme is all about simplicity and focus, making it an ideal digital canvas for any wordsmith.

Best Features:

• Clean and highly minimalistic design
• Specifically tailored for bloggers and writers
• Immersive dark-mode style for comfortable reading
• Includes pre-designed blog archive pattern
• Offers a ready-to-use contact page pattern
• Ability to set a featured blog post as sticky
• Built as a modern Block Theme

User Interface: MrWriter presents a clean and intuitive dark-mode interface. For authors, managing their content and customizing the layout within the WordPress Block Editor will feel straightforward and efficient. Readers will appreciate the distraction-free environment, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the written word.

Why We Loved It: For WordPress agencies catering to novelists, MrWriter’s dedication to minimalism and its immersive dark-mode reading experience are major wins. It’s a WordPress theme for novelists that understand the importance of letting the writing speak for itself, offering a clean and focused platform without unnecessary bells and whistles. The included patterns are a nice touch for quick setup.

21. Kenta Writer Hub

Page Builder Supported: Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)
Plugin Integrations: WooCommerce

Description: Kenta Writer Hub, part of the feature-rich Kenta theme, is like a Swiss Army knife for your novelist clients. Need a sleek blog to share writing insights? Done. A captivating portfolio to display their published novels? Absolutely. Want to sell books directly? Boom, WooCommerce compatibility is baked right in. What makes Kenta a winner for your agency? Those incredible Starter Sites! Imagine setting up a fully functional author website with just one click – no more starting from a blank canvas.

Plus, with tons of customization options right in the Block Editor, your clients can tweak every detail without touching a single line of code. It’s all about empowering them to create their dream online hub, and making your job a whole lot easier.

Best Features:

• Versatile design suitable for blogs, portfolios, and online stores
• Rich library of Starter Sites for one-click website creation
• Extensive customization options within the Block Editor (no coding needed)
• Full WooCommerce compatibility for direct book sales
• Built with the modern WordPress Block Editor in mind
• Responsive design ensures websites look great on any device
• Optimized for performance and SEO (implied through versatility for various website types)

User Interface: Kenta Writer Hub offers an incredibly intuitive user interface. The Block Editor makes content management and basic customization a breeze for authors, while the Starter Sites provide a quick and visually guided path to launching a professional-looking website. Your clients will love how easy it is to manage their online presence.

Why We Loved It: For you, the agency, Kenta Writer Hub is a game-changer. Its versatility means you can confidently recommend it to a wide range of novelist clients. The Starter Sites are a massive time-saver, allowing for rapid website deployment. And the extensive, code-free customization ensures client satisfaction without bogging down your development team. Plus, the WooCommerce integration opens up e-commerce possibilities for authors wanting to sell directly – a huge value add. It’s a win-win!

22. Writers Weekly

Page Builder Supported: Elementor, Divi Builder, Beaver Builder, Gutenberg, and more
Plugin Integrations: WooCommerce

Writers Weekly is a versatile and free WordPress theme for novelists looking for a clean, elegant, and SEO-friendly online home. This responsive theme offers a modern minimalist design that’s perfect for showcasing their writing, whether it’s blog posts, excerpts, or even a portfolio of their published works. What makes it agency-friendly? Its compatibility with popular page builders like Elementor and Divi means you can build stunning, custom layouts without breaking a sweat.

Plus, with WooCommerce integration, your clients can even sell their books directly! It’s optimized for search engines right out of the box, translation-ready for a global audience, and super easy for clients to manage. Writers Weekly is a solid, feature-packed free option that delivers sophistication without the hefty price tag.

Best Features:

• Versatile and completely free to use
• Responsive and elegant minimalist design
• Meticulously optimized for search engines (SEO)
• Compatible with popular page builders like Elementor and Divi
• WooCommerce compatible for e-commerce functionality
• Translation-ready for a global audience
• Mobile-friendly and easy to use

User Interface: Writers Weekly offers a clean and intuitive user interface that’s a breeze for both you and your clients. The compatibility with various page builders allows for visual customization, while the overall design remains uncluttered and focused on the content.

Why We Loved It: For your agency, Writers Weekly is a winner because it offers a fantastic blend of versatility, ease of use, and essential features – all for free! Its compatibility with multiple page builders gives you the flexibility you need, while its SEO optimization and WooCommerce integration provide real value for novelist clients. It’s a reliable and feature-rich option that won’t break the bank, making it a smart recommendation for a wide range of authors.

23. The Creative Writer

Page Builder Supported: While not explicitly stated, its easy customization suggests good compatibility with various page builders alongside Gutenberg.
Plugin Integrations: Google AdSense (implied for advertisement space)

The Creative Writer is a free WordPress theme for novelists who prioritize speed, SEO, and a versatile platform to showcase their work. For your agency, this theme offers a solid foundation with its responsive design and lightning-fast loading times – crucial for keeping readers engaged and search engines happy. It’s designed for bloggers and writers, making it a natural fit for authors in any niche, from fiction to non-fiction.

The easy customization options allow for branding and tailoring to individual author styles. Plus, the ample advertisement space provides opportunities for monetization if desired. If your clients need a high-performing, adaptable theme that won’t slow them down, Velocity Writer is a strong contender.

Best Features:

• SEO-friendly architecture for better search rankings
• Fully responsive design that adapts to all devices
• Lightning-fast loading speed and great page performance
• Easy to customize for any author’s specific niche
• Offers ample advertisement space for monetization
• Multipurpose design suitable for various website types
• Ideal for bloggers, writers, and journalists (including novelists!)

User Interface: The Creative Writer offers a clean and straightforward user interface focused on speed and readability. Authors will find it easy to manage their content, and readers will enjoy a fast and uncluttered browsing experience.

Why We Loved It: For WordPress agencies, Velocity Writer stands out for its core performance benefits – speed and SEO. These are crucial selling points for any website, especially for authors looking to build their online presence. Its adaptability and ease of customization make it a versatile choice for a range of novelist clients, and the potential for monetization is a nice bonus. It’s a reliable, high-performing theme that delivers where it counts.

24. Writers Edge

Page Builder Supported: While not explicitly stated, its customizability and compatibility with popular plugins suggest it plays well with various page builders alongside Gutenberg.
Plugin Integrations: Google AdSense, Affiliate Programs

Writers Edge is a free WordPress theme for novelists who crave a modern, minimalistic, and SEO-friendly online presence. For your agency, this theme offers a fantastic foundation with its responsive design, ensuring it looks stunning on any device. Its fast loading speed keeps readers engaged, and its SEO optimization helps your clients’ content get noticed.

Whether they write fiction, non-fiction, or anything in between, Writers Edge is versatile enough to fit any niche. Plus, it’s built for monetization with easy integration for affiliate programs and Google AdSense – a great bonus for authors looking to earn from their platform. It’s also GDPR compliant, giving you and your clients peace of mind. Writers Edge is a user-friendly, high-performing theme that lets the writing truly shine.

Best Features:

• Responsive design that looks great on all devices
• Clean and elegant minimalistic aesthetic
• Highly optimized for search engines (SEO)
• Lightning-fast loading speeds for optimal user experience
• Suitable for any writing niche, including novelists
• Built for easy monetization through affiliate programs and AdSense
• GDPR compliant for data privacy

User Interface: Writers Edge offers a clean, modern, and user-friendly interface. Authors will find it easy to manage their content, and readers will appreciate the uncluttered design that puts the focus squarely on the writing.

Why We Loved It: For your agency, Writers Edge is a winner because it nails the essentials: speed, SEO, and a clean design that appeals to writers. The monetization options are a great value-add for clients, and GDPR compliance is a crucial consideration. It’s a reliable, performant, and easily customizable theme that you can confidently recommend to your novelist clients.

Found your ideal novelist theme? Quickly test drive it risk-free using InstaWP’s instant staging environment—because great stories deserve a flawless, frustration-free digital canvas.

Your Story Starts Here: Choosing the Right Free WordPress Theme

Finding the perfect free WordPress theme for novelists is about identifying one that aligns with your personal style, the tone of your writing, and the features you need to connect with your readers. Explore the demos, try out a few options, and remember that many of these themes offer customization options to make them truly your own. Your digital stage awaits – go forth and share your stories!

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