Small agency. Big impact.

Nearly 25 years designing for authors, publishers, and the brands that surround them — and we’re still as excited about it as day one.

We’re a small shop by design — not by accident. Staying small means every client gets one of us, directly, every time. No account managers, no outsourcing, no surprises.

What we take seriously

  • Your success — above all else
  • Strategic branding and design
  • Using the best tools for the job
  • Honest, long-term client relationships
  • The Oxford comma

What we don’t

  • Ourselves (life is too short!)
  • Fleeting design fads
  • Overhyped anything
  • Jargon for the sake of it
  • Padding a project to charge more

What you can expect

  • Transparency at every step
  • Years of hard-won experience
  • A genuine sense of humour
  • Our best work, every single time
  • And giving you our last Oreo

Our Approach

Pretty isn’t
enough.

We’ve been doing this long enough to know that beautiful design without strategy is just decoration. We bring both, every time.

A wealth of author website experience

With nearly 25 years designing websites for authors and publishers, we know what works — and what doesn’t. We’ve been trusted by hundreds of authors, major and independent publishers, and more small businesses than we can count to deliver impactful brands and sites that actually perform.


Design that works — and wows

We love making things that look stunning. But we know pretty isn’t enough. Your site needs to tell your story, connect with readers, and do it efficiently. That means balancing bold design with smart strategy and seamless functionality — so your readers get an experience they won’t forget.


We’ve got this, so you can focus on what you love

Whether you’re building a new website from scratch, struggling to articulate your brand, or just need an outdated site refreshed — we handle your entire online presence. Without the overhead of a big agency, we give every project the personal attention it deserves: smooth process, no jargon, and a site you’ll love.


One of us is a published author. The other an avid reader.

Books aren’t just a client category for us — they’re our world. That means we understand your audience, your craft, and what readers respond to in a way that generalist agencies simply can’t. We get it, because we love it.

“Being Wicked has ruined me forever working with any other web designers, ever. They were more literate than most writers I know, more responsive than 911, and more clever than anyone deserves to be. Miraculously, they also fail to overcharge.”

—STEPHEN J. DUBNER, CO-AUTHOR OF FREAKONOMICS

“Being Wicked transformed our website and exceeded our expectations.  The design is beautiful and easy to navigate.  Working with Lorissa was effortless.  I highly recommend Being Wicked!”

—CAROL JOHNSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, FOREWORD RETREATS

“If only everybody I worked with was as easy as Lorissa! She's smart, she listens, she knows what you want, and if you don't know what you want she'll help you figure it out. And whatever it is, she'll get it done on time, on budget, with style. I would recommend her to anybody.”

—LEV GROSSMAN, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

“Being Wicked did an absolutely fantastic job on my website. They listened to all my ideas, delivered designs and changes in a timely manner, and responded to every question I had. A dream partner!”

—LAILA LALAMI, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR & ESSAYIST

“Being Wicked is one of those hidden design gems that just gets it. If you can imagine it, they can deliver it (and take it to the next level). They’ve raised the bar with our digital (and print for retail) content and have made my team look like super stars. They’re also quick, easy to work with and super responsive. One of the best I've worked with and I would highly recommend them without hesitation.”

—LARA DESIGNOR, DIRECTOR, MEDIA & MARKETING, DE’LONGHI GROUP NORTH AMERICA

“Being Wicked created my website and has managed its evolution for well over a decade. In addition to loving the company’s name, I have found working with Lorissa Shepstone always to be a pleasure. She’s obliging, and prompt, and happily doesn’t hit you with a barrage of obscure techie terms. I’d definitely recommend her to anyone interested in setting up a new site, or in zhuzhing up an old one, or anything in between.”

—ERIK LARSON, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Wicked creative & wicked clever,
combined.

GORDON & LORISSA are the duo behind Being Wicked. We’ve been working together for over 20 years. If you contact Being Wicked, you’ll hear directly from one of us, and probably both! As a small agency, we are hands-on and directly involved in every project. There’s no outsourcing here.

Gordon, Coder

Makes it work.

Gordon has been coding since he discovered he could update games on his Commodore 64 using BASIC. He’s since graduated to more advanced languages but still has a soft spot for that old machine.

When not wrangling his fast-growing kids, he’s usually writing, coding, woodworking, or hiking.


Lorissa, Designer & Photographer

Makes it stand out.

Lorissa, originally from South Africa and now based in the U.S., has been designing websites since the ’90s (yes, those dial-up, GeoCities days). With decades of experience, she’s passionate about creating visually captivating, highly functional websites that balance beautiful design with a seamless user experience. She also specializes in crafting impactful brands that leave a lasting impression.

When she’s not deep in a design project, you’ll likely find her lost in a good book (her TBR pile is dangerously tall), savouring yet another cup of coffee, or logging miles on a run.


Spoiler: YES, you do! This free guide will show you how to craft a brand that connects with readers and sets you apart.