First things first. Everyone's been posting their photos from San Francisco and RWA so I have to share one.Here I am with Jennita Low, Kylie Brant and Susan Connell, right after we fell down the rabbit hole and landed in wonderland.
Okay. Got that off my chest.
Now to the purpose of this post. It’s no secret on the blog that I’m computer challenged. Oh sure, I can get my blog post up and running (usually) add photos (most of the time) and make it look pretty (some of the time). But I figure if God wanted me to be a computer expert, I’d have been born with a mouse in my hand – instead, I believe I came barreling out holding a slice of pizza.
Any-hoo, many of the Top Down crew are super fabo at creating their my space pages, and keeping the convertible’s dash board running smoothly. Some of them even create and maintain their own websites. Me – I HAVE to hire most of my stuff done ‘cause, like I said, I’m challenged.
Which brings me to ….. (drum roll) I have an entire new website look! I loved my old site but the new one is really rockin’. And yes, of course, I want you to all go check it out, okay? Check out the new book trailer too for Show No Mercy. It's pretty cool - at least I think so. www.cindygerard.com
After you've looked around, would you please come back and let me know what you think? BUT, first, while you’re there, make sure you leave me a comment or make a post on my message boards (‘cause I NEED someone to talk to me) and if you’re of a mind to, sign up for my newsletter (which ONLY goes out when I have a new release or, as was the case this month, when I have a new website design).
And yes, there’s something in it for you. If you sign up for my contest, you’re eligible for some cool prizes. Also just by posting here today and letting me know what you think of the new website look, some lucky winner will get to select a book of their choice. Win-win all around, right?
So, what do you think? Good? Better? Miss the old one? Anything you'd like to see on the site that isn't there? And I'm up for ideas for my special features section. What would you like to see there? Puzzles? breaking news? upcoming projects? I'm all ears.
43 comments:
The website is AWESOME!!! I love the music in the background- it's very James Bond. One of my favorites, along with the hot cover designs, is the photo gallery- you certainly research the cool way. The shooting looked really fun and I'm asking my husband to take me to the range. I like the color scheme because it fits the whole dark and dangerous thing. What makes the website work is the originality. The entire site ties in with the books you are writing, the music is thrilling, and the attention to details makes visiting worthwhile. Your site shows that you care about the readers. I'm hoping (hint hint) that the special projects section might offer sneak peeks... or maybe even some kind of fake dossier (sp?) on upcoming characters or assignments. No matter what though, I'm keeping your site in my bookmark folder!
I love the new look. The trailer was great and I really appreciated the excerpts for Black Ops Inc. series. The layout and color scheme are nicer.
The new website looks AMAZING!!
I love it! I was dying for some more information on the Black Ops and with the new website I'm thorougly satisfied!
Love everything else too *grin*
I liked the old site but the new one is really awesome. Fits the tone of your books, I think.
Cheryl S.
What a stunning picture of you and your three gorgeous friends ;) Especially the one on the left, LOL!
You know *I* love the new site. Much darker and edgier and gives a good feel for the new books. And of course the covers are to die for!
Hey - you guys are up early.
Thanks for the great comments and I love that you're loving the site.
And Kylie - yeah, yeah, yeah, I do have gorgeous friends :o)
Keep the comments coming. Especially the ones about what you'd like to see on special features. I'm WIDE open on that front.
Hey Cindy, your new like looks stunning!! I'll have to really check it out later, but there is so much great stuff to look at.
Love the website and love the picture, Cindy!
Yes, defininitely a dark, edgy look to the site that's great, Cindy! Those bullet holes are awesome.
Hey, where did you find the big chair?
Wow! The trailer is terrific. I need to pull out the copy of Show No Mercy I got in SF and read it. Of course it's buried in my office along with a bazillion other things I brought home from San Francisco. LOL! Maybe you could send one of your Black Ops guys to help me find it? And I'm particular to guys with dark hair and dark eyes. ;-)
The website is stunning and very much reflects your books. I signed up for the newsletter and contest and commented on the message board. So all of those are working properly.
Great new presence on the web!
I loved the new site. Great edgy design to it. Really fits the feel I get from the traier and the new books. I loved the trailer too, they always get me excited for a book. Can't wait for these books!!!
I love that big chair! Wouldn't that be cool to have in your backyard? :-)
Gorgeous sight and very sexy. Fits your stories perfectly!
Awesome website...dark and sexy! It fits the tone of your books. You are offering great prizes in your contest, and I loved looking at the photo section. Everything looks very professional on the site!
Cindy, your new look is perfect for your current series! And the music is a good fit--not too heavy, but with a bit of a pulsing beat :) And a great trailer--very slick!
I definitely love that you've included your complete backlist--I've been reading some of your Desires, and am glad to be able to figure out what else to look for!
Thanks, guys. And thanks for the nice comments and for posting.
Still need feedback on what I should put in the special features section.
Any ideas??
Oh - forgot. The CHAIR. We rented a car while in SF and drove to Sonoma and the wine country. The chair was sitting along the side of the road advertising a furniture store. We just couldn't resist it. Couldn't resist having my photo taken with a pirate on Pier 39 either but I'll save that for another blog :o)
I think the new website rocks. Love the graphics, and easy access to blurbs and excerpts. Adding breaking news and upcoming projects would be fun.
Cindy, wow!! Your website is so cool, my system refused to play with parts of it. But I lllllllooooooove your homepage. Really gorgeous!
Fabulous Site! Love the trailer.
::clapping:: ::clapping::
Wasn't the Sonoma Valley wonderful? My gang and I went to several wineries. I can't drink because of the meds I take, but glory be, one winery also had an olive press and made their own fresh olive oil. While the others were getting tipsy on fine wine, I was learning the subtle intricacies of fine EVOO. Also shipped nearly $100 worth of the stuff back home. It'll make for great cooking.
Marilyn
Thanks Lois and Deb!
Marilyn - I didn't sample much but did buy some yummy basil and smoked mozzarella dips at one stop. Pretty country.
I was thinking that the special projects section could also have some deleted scenes.
The new website design is great! And love that picture you posted today. Reminds me of Lily Tomlin, right?
Deleted scenes - GREAT idea. Or maybe scenes from books that I never finished or never got around to pitching.
D Twomey - YEAH! It's little Edith in the chair. Great memory. thanks for jarring it loose.
Cindy-- Deb Smith has some "started" books on her website. Little ideas that are germinating and weren't right for NY. People love them. We get email all the time asking when she's going to finish them. LOL!
Cool, Deb. I think I'll do it
Ooh yes, deleted scenes, or little extra short stories with characters that might not merit a full book (like you need more work, right?) Or I think someone suggested little dossiers on the main characters or books. Or for the hard core, links to some of your research? :) And I can't remember if your site already has this, but maps of how your books are connected (for those that are).
The new website is great! Loved the trailer.
Great website! It's fantastic! Love the bullet holes and the dripped of blood out of the links! I agree with deleted scenes or beginnings to books you started but stopped for whatever reason. Or maybe updates from some of our fav. characters.
Thanks again, everyone. Because of your comments I'm already working on something with my web person so I can post some things.
I tried to leave a comment but I had problems with the log in. I liked your new site, especially since I got off dial up and can finally enjoy trailers etc.
Ok, ignore the part about the log in - I just needed to be verified :)
Ok, ignore the part about the log in - I just needed to be verified :)
I'm sooooo sorry - I don't know why it posted twice :(
Catslady - no worries - I LOVE it when someone is potentially as inept as me on the computer. Not that i think you're inept - but you did have a moment :o)
The site looks great...Visit us over at www.chasingheroes.com. we all are struggling with our website too...But this looks fun.
HI Lee
I'll be sure and drop by. Misery loves company right?
Love the new site!
I just thought of another idea for the special projects section. You could include a fun facts section (sort of a "did you know" thing)- maybe facts you uncovered during research, changes you made to names and places, or story arcs you had planned but revised because they didn't fit with the story anymore. Just a thought.
Hey Anna - you're really getting into this. thanks for the great ideas! We'll see what I can accomplish once I get my new deadline schedule firmed up.
Wow, Cindy! I just got to the blog and saw your post and your web site!
I am blown completely away.
Wow. Just fabulous! The music and the graphics and the photos. . . all create a sense of urgency and desire to know more. . . to become an observer of the story(or a participant!).
Did you do the web site yourself or did you have someone do it for you? Did you think up the elements or choose from "suggested elements"? I'm dying to know because I'm in the midst of working on a new web site. . .
Hey Betina
No - I'm challenged, remember? Shelley Kay of Webcrafters does my page for me. She's great. I make suggestions and she runs with them.
Based on yesterday's comments - some that I got privately - I've changed the settings on the main page so that when you open it up, the music is OFF and you have the option to turn it on instead of the other way around.
I'll also be adding some elements to my features page - like deleted scenes, scenes from unsold books etc. Yesterday's comments were really productive!!
Hi Cindy! Your web is simply...¡fantástica! I love it from top to bottom. I just miss some news about your books being released in other countries (may be soon in Spain? mmm...sweet dream...;-P )Looking forward for the BO series.
Saludos desde España amiga.
Raquel (still on holidays but I could't help myself and needed to check my favourite web sites!)
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