tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post4736553983637495689..comments2024-03-17T02:20:03.772-05:00Comments on Riding With The Top Down: A Little Spring Cleaning Website StyleKathleen Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-55867322649002483802008-04-20T19:40:00.000-05:002008-04-20T19:40:00.000-05:00Great to see writers sharing thoughts on website f...Great to see writers sharing thoughts on website functionality and design. It's a competitive market out there and a professional interface with your public is vital.<BR/><BR/>At Bookhabit.com we've set up a community for readers and writers that aggregates a global audience of readers. Authors upload their e-books on to the site and get to test market reaction to their work. Authors retain ownership at all times and receive a commission on any sales.<BR/><BR/>Please do check out the site and launch competition and upload a book if you are able. We'd also love to get feedback on the site.<BR/><BR/>Thank-you for letting me share this.<BR/><BR/>Paul Spence<BR/>Community Development Manager<BR/>Bookhabit.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-11320506092988045712008-04-16T14:10:00.000-05:002008-04-16T14:10:00.000-05:00Helen, your work is begorgous! Very clean. You don...Helen, your work is begorgous! Very clean. You don't need a designer. Puts mine to shame. I still don't have my old website info brought over to the new one, and would love a much cleaner one.Cait Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18038913081786418823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-4974239401150590772008-04-15T09:07:00.000-05:002008-04-15T09:07:00.000-05:00Hey, wolfpackgirl and Virginia lady - thanks so mu...Hey, wolfpackgirl and Virginia lady - thanks so much for your input. Wolfie's plan seems very doable!Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-49268072440704843502008-04-15T08:32:00.000-05:002008-04-15T08:32:00.000-05:00I'll answer as a reader since I haven't gotten any...I'll answer as a reader since I haven't gotten anything published yet. I do look for author's websites after I've found an author I like, but I've also found authors from other author's sites and blogs. <BR/><BR/>A professional site makes a much better impression on me, but since so many people are new to HTML, etc I don't hold it against them if their site is amateurish. I agree a web presence is expected now for published authors, even if you only have one book.<BR/><BR/>I do love the look of your site and it doesn't look amateurish. :-)Virginia Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16641613214603672322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-39257148763805040232008-04-14T19:48:00.000-05:002008-04-14T19:48:00.000-05:00Your new website looks great!I do go to author web...Your new website looks great!<BR/><BR/>I do go to author websites, about once a month. I look for information on upcoming releases, past releases to find titles I haven't read yet, as well as news/information about WIP and to read excerpts. I also like to see if an author I enjoy reading has a blog that is linked on their website.<BR/><BR/>I don't think the webiste's look affects my perception of the author's books themselves. However if a site is not very user friendly or not updated very often then I tend to not visit that website as often as others. I think that updating about once a month or when there is new news to share is a good time frame. The updates don't have to be extensive; just a little update about what's going on that month such as releases, signings, things like that.wolfpackgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15109312833905109801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-36858866357548609872008-04-14T18:12:00.000-05:002008-04-14T18:12:00.000-05:00Exactly, Deb. I'm so glad I spent the money for a...Exactly, Deb. I'm so glad I spent the money for a pro. She was wonderful. The lighting, shading, etc. Worked miracles on me!Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-49553135207452535762008-04-14T17:00:00.000-05:002008-04-14T17:00:00.000-05:00Helen--You're a pretty woman but that's not the po...Helen--<BR/><BR/>You're a pretty woman but that's not the point of this picture and why it was worth every penny to the professional.<BR/><BR/>You're beautifully lit, warm, inviting, fabulous clarity. Really this is a great picture.Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-24440029485654430582008-04-14T12:57:00.000-05:002008-04-14T12:57:00.000-05:00Thanks, Deb. One thing I did splurge on was the p...Thanks, Deb. <BR/><BR/>One thing I did splurge on was the photos. I went to a photographer a couple weeks ago, after finding out about the RITA final. I figured it was time to retire the pictures my dh took of me at our neighborhood park. Not that they weren't nice, but I thought it best to get something more professional looking.Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-88101939403524379262008-04-14T12:55:00.000-05:002008-04-14T12:55:00.000-05:00I'm wondering the same thing, Helen.And that's why...I'm wondering the same thing, Helen.<BR/>And that's why I'm having the redesign. This is all such valuable info!Cindy Gerardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13311224531297908704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-69569927395781577802008-04-14T12:54:00.001-05:002008-04-14T12:54:00.001-05:00Thanks, Betina. Your comments bring up another qu...Thanks, Betina. Your comments bring up another question. I can add a "guestbook" to my website, giving visitors and readers a way to post comments without emailing me directly. I wonder if that'd be useful?<BR/><BR/>Keri, thanks for the feedback. This is all good! I would like to eventually put a research tab out there and put photos and webpages I've used. I've seen some authors with printable backlists. I don't have that many books. Yet! But I can see how that would be useful. <BR/><BR/>You're right, Keri, the website should primarily be about the books!Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-3887279320344378562008-04-14T12:54:00.000-05:002008-04-14T12:54:00.000-05:00Helen-- I love the picture of you.I love the cont...Helen-- I love the picture of you.<BR/><BR/>I love the content. I wasn't sure about the color combo, cut it's growing on me! :)<BR/><BR/>Nice job!Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-13292167968695815442008-04-14T12:50:00.000-05:002008-04-14T12:50:00.000-05:00Good to know, Flip. Thanks for the feedback.Cindy...Good to know, Flip. Thanks for the feedback.<BR/><BR/>Cindy, thanks! I checked out your site. Do you have too much info on your front page?? Maybe it confuses people?Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-10475386664504139032008-04-14T12:46:00.000-05:002008-04-14T12:46:00.000-05:00Kathy, front page content staying the most current...Kathy, front page content staying the most current makes sense too. See what I'm learning.<BR/><BR/>We had only 2 phone in the house, too! And 1 TV.<BR/><BR/>Amy, you mentioned something I struggle with - defining myself as a writer. Had a hard time trying to pick something that looked like me and my books. The old design didn't at all. Hopefully, I'm getting closer.Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-86152192786797177222008-04-14T12:42:00.000-05:002008-04-14T12:42:00.000-05:00Sorry. For some reason my system wasn't showing a...Sorry. For some reason my system wasn't showing any comments!!<BR/><BR/>Marilyn, I agree - it would be impossible to maintain a presence on all the outlets available these days. At least not without hiring someone. <BR/><BR/>Thanks Michele!<BR/><BR/>Limecello, you stated what I'd guessed/hoped. It seems to make sense that as long as a website/cover/whatever isn't horrendous, it's not going to make too much of a difference.Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-58990462023666053812008-04-14T12:32:00.000-05:002008-04-14T12:32:00.000-05:00Cindy, I saw your post and I thought, “What?” If m...Cindy, I saw your post and I thought, “What?” If memory served me correctly, it seemed like yours was clearly there with descriptions of the coming book! Went and checked it out…and yeah, it’s right there like I remembered! I don’t know why other folks are missing it, especially since there’s that link AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT PAGE CALLED ‘Books’.Keri Fordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03342480359177235075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-20253010366155338842008-04-14T12:30:00.000-05:002008-04-14T12:30:00.000-05:00Helen, your site opened it was like opening a wind...Helen, your site opened it was like opening a window! It's fresh and springy and pretty. the colors look fantastic!<BR/><BR/>From a reader standpoint, <BR/><BR/>I like the info about the books. that is what brought me there. I want to know what order they came in and DON'T take a book off just because it's old. I'm probably at your website in the first place looking for a backlist.<BR/><BR/>Since I started a regency a few months back, I really, really, REALLY enjoy writers who put research links on their site!<BR/><BR/>From the writer's chair,<BR/><BR/>Most of my comments are, I like your website, especially your 'about me' page. I assume they mean it since it usually comes out of the blue at me. For now, I do it myself, but said once I sell, I'll see about paying for it (course, I haven't checked into how much something like that costs either!). I think it is absolutely worth the cost. I am so amazed everytime I check my stats at how many people come to my site a day.Keri Fordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03342480359177235075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-62991474973302016012008-04-14T11:28:00.000-05:002008-04-14T11:28:00.000-05:00Beautiful, Helen! It's wonderful!I don't think ho...Beautiful, Helen! It's wonderful!<BR/><BR/>I don't think how a web site looks impacts how I think of an author's books, but it can influence how I see an author as a person. If a web site is personal and fun and gives me an idea of what the writer is like, then I probably let it influence me more than I realize. But to be honest, I don't spend a lot of time visiting author web sites. I have enough trouble keeping up with the few blogs I dip toes into regularly.<BR/><BR/>I do know that readers who like your books really like having a place to go to express their opinions and give feedback!Betina Krahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11379124690406269848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-51361486447275573492008-04-14T11:14:00.000-05:002008-04-14T11:14:00.000-05:00Great web page, Helen. Love the colors and look a...Great web page, Helen. Love the colors and look at beautiful you! What a fabo photo.<BR/>I like this question. I'm going to have my web page redone very soon but because I'm techno challenged, I'll hire it done.<BR/>One thing that really makes me scratch my head on my current site is that I CONSTANTLY get questions from readers who e-mail me from my site asking when my next release will be out because they didn't see anything on the site. This gives me a huge case of heartburn because I have new titles and pub dates listed on the HOME page. It begs the obvious question - why didn't they see it? And that begs the next question, what's wrong with the design that it was so easily missed? So, I'm as interested as you in what readers want to see on a website so that it resonates with them?Cindy Gerardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13311224531297908704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-38915287667035801472008-04-14T10:54:00.000-05:002008-04-14T10:54:00.000-05:00As a reader, it is pretty thrilling to find your f...As a reader, it is pretty thrilling to find your favorite authors online. I don't expect a polished professional page. However, the author should be sure to plug her upcoming novel. Seriously, I love Loretta Chase, but she is the worst at self promotion. I want to know when the next books is coming out...even if it is in the next decade. (any Laura Kinsale fans out there) Your page looks great. It has the most important info, what books you have published and your upcoming novels.fliphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16778574048526674171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-72716825317173134192008-04-14T10:43:00.000-05:002008-04-14T10:43:00.000-05:00I'm in the process of having my website designed, ...I'm in the process of having my website designed, and after trying to do it myself, we decided it was worth the money to have it done by someone else--I couldn't do it nearly as well as someone who works with code all the time, so we hired it out.<BR/><BR/>There are some websites of authors that I like and some sites I don't like. Does it affect my buying habits? No. But I'm less inclined to visit their site if it is hard to navigate, never updated or just painful to look at because it's overdark or hard to read or cluttered or whatever. <BR/><BR/>I do think sites should match the tone of the books the author writes, because it's part of the whole package, but as long as it looks nice and is easy to navigate and read (no tiny print please), I'll visit again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-51456286762560597202008-04-14T10:39:00.000-05:002008-04-14T10:39:00.000-05:00To clarify, we DID have a phone. One. I got the ...To clarify, we DID have a phone. One. I got the first extension in the house. I was in high school. <BR/><BR/>Facebook? That's like a yearbook, right? (Just kidding.)Kathleen Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-51495342099828009062008-04-14T10:35:00.000-05:002008-04-14T10:35:00.000-05:00OMG, limecello, you had a web page when you were i...OMG, limecello, you had a web page when you were in middle school?! I feel so ancient. I didn't even have a phone in my room yet.Kathleen Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-65595020279990362642008-04-14T10:32:00.000-05:002008-04-14T10:32:00.000-05:00What Michele said! Gorgeous, Helen! (Also: gorge...What Michele said! Gorgeous, Helen! (Also: gorgeous Helen!)<BR/><BR/>Our Wednesday guest, Cait London, is quite promo and internet savvy. Be sure to ask her thoughts on this subject.<BR/><BR/>As for my website, I'm dated. I do it myself, and I'm lacking in skills and knowledge, so I just do the best I can. My updates used to come regularly, but I don't get to it as often as I should anymore. I don't post on the MB so much, mainly because I spend the time here in the convertible.<BR/><BR/>One bit of advice I've gleaned from web managers a couple of times over is keep the front content current, but don't remove anything that could interest anyone or be picked up by search engines. Just move it around using internal links.<BR/><BR/>I do an e-mail newsletter a coupla few times a year. Don't want to be a pest, but my subscribers seem to stick with me for the occasional contact.Kathleen Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-14823291788778462242008-04-14T10:21:00.000-05:002008-04-14T10:21:00.000-05:00Hi Helen,Generally a website doesn't affect how I ...Hi Helen,<BR/><BR/>Generally a website doesn't affect how I feel about an author's writing- but I have seen a few that made me recoil. I like author websites, but I do expect it to look "professional" - not like a webpage I had when I was in middle school. I'm also rather simple. I like clear links - some webpages have so many bells and whistles it gets confusing, or annoying when everything is not easily accessible.limecellohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16331447498798826649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-61006297164352982052008-04-14T09:49:00.000-05:002008-04-14T09:49:00.000-05:00It looks great, Helen! Love the purple and green....It looks great, Helen! Love the purple and green. your author pic is very pretty. ;-)Michele Haufhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12255612473985897103noreply@blogger.com