Lorissa Shepstone

Lorissa Shepstone – Web Developer

I offer creative branding and web design for authors and publishers, combining bold design, smart strategy, and seamless functionality.

Overview

I’ve been building websites since 1996 — back when the <blink> tag was tragically popular. The internet has evolved, and so have I. What hasn’t changed is my love of thoughtful, cohesive design and solving the right problem — not just the obvious one.

I specialize in branding and website design for authors and publishers who care deeply about their work. My approach blends strategy with creativity: beautiful design backed by structure, clarity, and purpose. Every site I create is built to be usable, sustainable, scalable, and aligned with your long-term goals.

I believe a website should feel like an extension of your voice — not a generic template with your name dropped in.

You can expect transparency, collaboration, and a calm, organized process from start to launch. I care about the details (yes, including the Oxford comma), and I take real pride in delivering work that feels as good as it looks.

Over the years, I’ve partnered with many authors (from debut writers to international bestsellers) and publishers including Abrams Books, Disney Press, HarperCollins, Hachette Book Group, Penguin Random House, Workman Publishing, Baker & Taylor, and the team behind Freakonomics. My broader client experience also includes brands such as DreamWorks, 20th Century Fox, Aveda, and De’Longhi.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Children's Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Young Adult
Works with
Shopify Squarespace WordPress
Awards
  • 2015 Webby Award - Entertainment
  • Shorty Award

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2002 — Present
A wickedly creative design studio building bespoke brands and websites for authors, publishers, & small businesses.

Projects

Website Design & Development for Author Sarah Mandel

Author website for psychologist Sarah Mandel, with a focus on her memoir, Little Earthquakes. Services included website design and responsive WordPress development.

Website Design & Development for Author Ru Freeman

Author website for Ru Freeman, an award-winning author and activist. Services included website design and responsive WordPress development.

From Ru: “Being Wicked has been my web design team for almost two decades now, turning my weirdly specific but often vague aspirations into elegant websites that mirror my work and personality without compromising user experience. I feel proud to direct people to my site, and consistently delighted to recommend Lorissa to others. Apart from being wickedly brilliant on the dreams-into-reality front, the follow-up services are far above industry standards. Having Being Wicked on your side is like playing with a deck full of aces!” - Ru Freeman

Website Design & Development for Author Kim Wickens

Author website for Kim Wickens with a focus on her long-researched book about the legendary racehorse, Lexington. Services included logo design, website design, and responsive WordPress development.

Website Design & Development for Author Jeff Hobbs

Author website for Jeff Hobbs, the author of the critically acclaimed "The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace", as well as a speaker related to access, entitlement, racism, classism, justice, and identity in modern-day America. Services included website design and responsive WordPress development.

Website Design & Development for Children's Author & Illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Author website for children’s author and illustrator, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Services included website design and responsive WordPress development.

Website Design & Development for Children's Author Tui T. Sutherland

Author website for children's author, Tui T. Sutherland, with a particular focus on her extremely popular, and fantastic, Wings of Fire series. Services included website design and responsive WordPress development.

Website Design & Development for Author Honoree Fanonne Jeffers

Author website for Honorée Fanonne Jefferson and her fiction debut, The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois, which has already earned great accolades. Services included website design and responsive WordPress development.

Publisher Website Design & Development for Other Press

Other Press publishes novels, short stories, poetry, and essays from America and around the world that represent literature at its best. Services included website design and responsive WordPress development, commerce functionality and API integration.

Book Website Design & Development for "Choose Your Own Autobiography" by Neil Patrick Harris

Book promotional website for Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris, published by Penguin Random House. Services included website design and responsive WordPress development.

Website Design & Development for Author Paula McLain

Author website for Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author of highly acclaimed historical fiction novels including The Paris Wife. Services include website design and responsive WordPress development.

Website Design & Development for Author Laila Lalami

Author website for Laila Lalami, an award-winning author and essayist. Her novel The Moor’s Account was on the Man Booker Prize longlist, as well as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Services include logo design, website design, and responsive WordPress development.

From Laila: “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

Branding & Website Design for Children's Author Laurie B. Friedman

Author website for Laurie Friedman, the author of over fifty critically acclaimed picture books, chapter books, and novels for young readers including the bestselling Mallory McDonald chapter book series. Services include branding design, website design, and responsive WordPress development.

From Laurie: “As an author of over 250 books for kids, when it was time for me to build a website, I knew I needed a company that could really get the job done. I did so much research and was so lucky to find and go with Being Wicked. They did an outstanding job listening to my needs and wants and then translating it all into a beautiful and functional site that makes me happy and proud every time I look at it. They were a pleasure to work with and have continued to advise and update the site when I've needed them to. I truly can't say enough great things about this team. If you're looking to build an author site, there's no one better.” - Laurie B. Friedman

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