Here's a question, to any and all:
What makes a good web page?
When you visit an author's web page, what are you looking to get out of the experience? What makes you come back for more? What do you absolutely hate?
I'm working on content for my upcoming page (looking to launch in June), and I'd love to get your thoughts on this.
Uber thanks, everyone!
Quoth Jackie at 8:36 AM
16 comments
Jackie
Kessler
Author of HELL'S BELLES
(Kensington, January 2007), a paranormal romance -- or a humorous urban
fantasy, depending whom you ask. Sex, strippers and demons. What's not to
like?
Buy Hell's Belles from Amazon.com!
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Jackie's Publishers Marketplace Page
A Newbie's Guide to Publishing
Writing to the End of the Word
Where the Hell Is the Really Cool Stuff?
16 Comments:
The biggest thing I look for is a sense of their personality. I want to feel like a friend who stopped by and was welcomed in with open arms. Personal touches...you know?
And free stuff doesn't hurt either. ;)
((Jackie scribbles furiously))
Personality, check. ((Note to self: acquire personality))
Free stuff, check. ((Note to self, part two: Steal stuff to give away on website...))
I look for news maybe about up coming books or events. I also think does this webspace represent the author's genera. You don't want to see bright yellow if the author writes horror.
And what Heather said.
((Jackie continues scribbling))
News, check. ((Note to self: Start doing newsworthy things))
Overall site reflecting chosen genre, check. ((And this, kids, is why I've hired a web designer. * rubs hands gleefully * She knows the overall look and feel I'm going for -- playful and sexy, without breaking any laws. We'll see how it goes...))
Here are just a few of what i'd like:
- Hide some Easter Eggs on your site and challenge the readers to find them and then offer some prizes.
- Chose a day of the month (or every fortnight) when you can have a live chat with your fans on the site and answer questions.
- Have a special section 'OnWriting' where you can talk about your methods of writing (with examples of your novels or current WIPs)
;o)Adriana
Personally I like sites that are entertaining and informative. Naked info makes my eyes glaze over.
(Insert naked joke here).
I also like to get to know the person through the personality and tone of their site.
Interactivity is good too. I find participatory things, like flash contests, more interesting than simple giveaways, which are easy to enter and forget.
Thanks, everyone -- your feedback is uber helpful!
Now, I might be out of the norm, but graphics don't grab me. If you are having an author web page, about all I want to see in graphics is book covers.
The rest of it is about the writing. Make sure the text is in a readable font with a reasonable background.
I like a webpage that's fun and/or elegant. I've visited a lot of authors pages with glaring colors, blinking lights, sparkle graphics that make one go momentarily blind and navigating the pages is a nightmare.
Less is more, simple is better, lovely is great as long as it's not overdone.
I like easy to navigate sites. You know, the kind where you can find things without too much of a problem.
I don't like flash, music, or animated stuff. It just seems pointless.
Oh, yeah, free stuff is always good, but I like to find out about the author and especially like it if the author is friendly and nice. :)
I like it when they let me know about their WIPs, tricks they have to inspire their muse, and how they approach writing in general.
Kit
One thing to keep in ming is also the age of the readers. If you're aiming at a wide age range (e.g. adults and YA) you'll have to remember to please everyone.
;o)Adriana
Thanks, folks -- these are all terrific suggestions.
>> The rest of it is about the writing.
Eek, don't I know it! I've been working on content, but so far, it doesn't strike me as particularly...I dunno, striking. I'll keep working on it -- and on the fun aspect too.
>> One thing to keep in ming is also the age of the readers.
Actually...okay, I'm probably insane. But I'm planning on having two websites: one for my Jackie Kessler work (adult fiction) and one for my Jackie Morse work (YA fiction). Maybe I'll do what Meg Cabot does, and have them link with a spiffy warning that for the adult ("grownup," not "prawn" don't ya know) site, the books are intended for adults and not children, or something like that...
This is me, overthinking it... :-/
I think having two sites is a good idea, Jax. Especially considering hot ~sizzling HOT~ HELL'S BELLES is.
Two words: Granny Trannies!
Thanks to all for your responses! I've been doing a lot of thinking about content. Will be posting more about this in upcoming, er, posts. :)
Y'all rawk.
First,
I disagree with Lisaburton38. What can be more horrifying than clicking on an author's page and seeing lots of bright, eye gouging yellow all over the place?
I mean just think: fans everywhere will spread your genre message when they say "That website is just *horrible*!"
Second,
What should there be in an author's website? I like the idea of blogs, that shows personality. I like the idea of news and events to keep fans updated. Perhaps a forum is a nice idea as well so other fans can chat with each other and feel as if they're a part of a community (and the author can sit back, read the posts and go WHAT THE...? Are these people actually READING my books or looking at the pretty cover pictures? BAH!)
But the MOST important part of any author's website?
Full on, no holds barred, full steam ahead complete and total promotion of anything MY fans can devour! After all, just because it's YOUR site doesn't mean it can't be all about me! ;)
Rabe...
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