March 15th, 2008
I have a few questions for you:
What do you like to see on an author’s website?
What makes you return to a particular website?
Which author websites are your favorites and why?
Do you like behind-the-scenes information for books? i.e. character profiles, where the story came from etc.
I’d love to hear what you think…
Well lets see, there’s your blog (although I have to admit I haven’t read any of your books!) and Lois Lowry’s blog. I like both because they are both a good mixture of book talk and randon/personal postings.
by pussreboots March 15th, 2008 at 2:23 pmI like blogs. I don’t need all that hype of book trailers. For me it’s neat clean layout. Easy access to a back list of books and links to buy.
I don’t like too much funky stuff going on, like flash stuff and everything. Bothers my eyes.
Whose sites do I like, yours, Lillian Feisty, totally shameless promo but mine!!! LOL!
Neat and tidy with clean cut edge and really no frills. That’s what I like.
I hope this makes sense.
by Amy Ruttan March 15th, 2008 at 2:58 pmMichelle Rowens another site I like!!
by Amy Ruttan March 15th, 2008 at 2:58 pmPussreboots - thanks! I’ll check out Lois’ blog.
Amy - yes I like a clean layout. Your site is easy to navigate, which I really like. I like Lillian’s site, too.
One feature on my site that I quite like is the ability to increase the font. I don’t like to squint! All you need to do is click on the larger A in the top righthand corner and the font increases.
I’ll check out Michelle’s site. Thanks for the hint.
by Shelley Munro March 15th, 2008 at 3:33 pmGreat question. And I can’t wait to read all the responses myself.
1. What do you like to see on an author’s website?
First and foremost, I want the site to be easily navigated. To be clean. By that, I mean not every inch of a site or blog needs to be filled with words or pictures. Too much is too much. Don’t overwhelm me.
2. What makes you return to a particular website?
The writer’s personality. Being recognized if I choose to take the time to make a comment. So–I want a blog, LOL. I also like it when a writer shares book excerpts. I’ve purchased three e-books based on excerpts.
3. Which author websites are your favorites and why?
There are two writer’s websites I’ve been returning to for over four years now: Holly Lisle and John Scalzi. I love Holly’s articles and workshops. I love John Scalzi’s spunkatude.
I’ve read one book of Lisle’s and have a Scalzi book in my TBR pile.
Oh! There’s another writer’s site I check out every so often: Jean Auel’s. I want to be one of the first to get my hands on the last of the Earth’s Children series.
4. Do you like behind-the-scenes information for books? i.e. character profiles, where the story came from etc.
I would be interested in this kind of information only AFTER I’d read the book (and liked it enough to delve further).
by Unhinged March 15th, 2008 at 5:55 pmHi Unhinged - thanks for the great feedback! I like Holly’s articles etc myself and have two of her books on my to-read pile after visiting her website a few times.
Note to self - I MUST find time to attack that to-read pile!
by Shelley Munro March 15th, 2008 at 6:01 pm-lots of content.
-sale stories (my very fav thing)
-a big bio, first chapters to read
-a news section (that is updated!!)
-information on upcoming books.
Unforch, it’s too early in the morning for me to think about what websites I like the best.
by amanda ashby March 16th, 2008 at 11:45 amLOL - I’m feeling a bit that way myself this morning, Amanda. It must be Mondayitis.
I definitely want information on upcoming books. I’ve visited a couple of books recently where I’ve known there’s a new book coming and there’s been nothing. As a reader I find that frustrating.
by Shelley Munro March 16th, 2008 at 1:17 pmAmanda beat me to it! I was going to say about sale stories and an updated news page (I don’t think it’s because I’m just very nosy…) I’ve been website hopping over the last week getting ideas on what to put on mine. Great fun!!
by Christina Phillips March 16th, 2008 at 7:38 pm