Help! Building an author's website

[Bernard Stacey]

With my fairly basic web editing skills I'm about to rebuild my author website from scratch. Apart from a short bio and information about recent/available works (probably with some excerpts) what else, if anything, would you like to see on a decent site?
And more importantly, what would you not like to see?

 

[David Steele]

It may sound silly but, if I visit a writer's website, I want to know what the writer has written and where to find those pieces.
If you write shorts, I'd like to see links to them. If you write books, I'd like to see easy-to-read blurb pages with links to discounted copies.
Most writers tend to write essays about writing. Most readers don't care. They are as interested in what you have to say about writing as they would be to listen to a mechanic talk about aligning spark plugs.
If I was a visitor to a site, I would welcome a place to leave some sort of message or comment.
I'd like to see new stuff every time I visit, which would be every couple of weeks.

 

[Carol Rose]

See the websites in my signature. I update Tara's site less frequently these days but Ravenna's has something new posted every single day. I don't wax on about writing. I concentrate on promoting my own work and on featuring fellow authors as guest bloggers, to promote their work and our mutual publishers. I get far more hits on those kinds of posts than when I ramble on about whatever.

 

[Nicole Wilson]

I want to hear from the author. Whether that means a bio page or a blog (or both), I want to hear the author's voice that I've come accustomed to hearing in his books. I had a lot of fun putting my website together (I enjoy web design), so I included a lot. You can see my website here: nicolewilsonauthor.com

 

[Carol Rose]

And by the way, if any of you want to feature a book of yours (self-pubbed or pubbed with a publisher) on one of my websites, just let me know. Send me a private message here, or email me at ravennatate@gmail.com. I'm be happy and proud to feature Litopians!!

 

[Brian Clegg]

If you do talks, it doesn't do any harm to publicise those. But the books have to be at the heart of it. I guess the key question to ask yourself is what is it for? Do you want it primarily as an author store or primarily as a way to have a conversation with your readers, for instance?

 

[Paul Whybrow]

Authors' websites can be off-putting if they are too self-centred. Constant plugging of one's own writing is as irritating as being sprayed with a fragrance in a department store or having a market researcher approach in the street. Showing one's vulnerabilities, and confessing to the writing mistakes that we all make, is a good way of gaining sympathy and followers - no one likes a smart arse, and there's plenty of those around offering advice on how to write a book. Sharing your enthusiasms is a great way of showing who you are, and it can be about more than books. People love to be introduced to new stuff. It's something that the authors of the writing handbooks that I've read recently did, with Stephen King and Lawrence Block in particular, praising writers, musicians, cities and food.

 

[Frances Gow]

Agree with David - a clear link to where you can buy your books or links to stuff published/free stuff. As Brian says - books are the heart of it. As Nicole says, a bio page is really important - readers like to know a bit more about you. And Paul is absolutely bang on - a blog that just plugs your own writing can be off putting and irritating. The mechanics of writing is only interesting to other writers. Best of luck!

 

[Amber Zade]

Bio - As a reader/writer I'm always interested in hearing about other authors writing 'journey'. I also like personal details. Although, I don't necessarily want to hear you complain about the traffic - unless you're really funny.

Works in Progress and/or Published works - I want to see links, book covers, a short blurb

I do like writer websites where something 'extra' is offered. Whether's it's a Q & A Faq or writing tips - I like those things. To me, it offsets the commercialism of a lot of the fights.

A way for people to contact you.

A blog if you like writing that sort of things.

Events, conferences etc you plan to go to.

Facebook, twitter feed.

Don't forget to have a way to join your newsletter and/or receive blog updates - a way to join the twitter feed - and a way to join the facebook feed.

I'm actually in the process of putting up a design website where I'll be offering website design, graphic work, book covers, memes, social media etc. Eventually I hope to branch out into ebook formatting. I'm still working on the details of what and how I am going to offer services on my website. I'm really busy right now but contact me if you need any help and I will do what I can.

 

[Bernard Stacey]

Well, thank you for all these replies! I've been fully occupied helping out at my daughter's theatre gala weekend so we're all a bit tired out now - and I return to find all these really helpful pieces of advice and suggestions.
Next step is to mull them over and try and create something that fits as many of the common theme ideas as possible, using only my web design skills and a pencil. No pressure!
Thanks again!

 

[Marc Joan]

One other thing - please, no photos of the author in a conceited pose, gazing dreamily into the middle distance (that's not aimed at you in particular, just a comment on some of the kack-handed attempts at creating an image that I've seen on some author websites).

 

[Karen Gray]

One other thing - please, no photos of the author in a conceited pose, gazing dreamily into the middle distance (that's not aimed at you in particular, just a comment on some of the kack-handed attempts at creating an image that I've seen on some author websites).

OMG I hate that too!!

 

[Nicole Wilson]

One other thing - please, no photos of the author in a conceited pose, gazing dreamily into the middle distance (that's not aimed at you in particular, just a comment on some of the kack-handed attempts at creating an image that I've seen on some author websites).

Though you do need an author photo. Your audience wants to know what you look like!

 

[Marc Joan]

Though you do need an author photo. Your audience wants to know what you look like!

Oh sure, I was just whining about people who use it as an opportunity to pose. See here for some examples which are being gently brought down to earth...http://jezebel.com/woman-mimics-self-serious-male-writers-with-cigarettes-1596589053

 

[Jennifer Stone]

Oh sure, I was just whining about people who use it as an opportunity to pose. See here for some examples which are being gently brought down to earth...http://jezebel.com/woman-mimics-self-serious-male-writers-with-cigarettes-1596589053

Kind of reminds me of looking through my wedding pictures, there's not many pics of my husband without a cigarette in his hand, however well hidden lol.
In all seriousness, I wouldn't say it's an attractive attribute for readers, 'oh look there's that author I like, with a fag in his gob.' Mmm professional.
P.S. excuse my colloquialisms.

 

[Alistair Roberts]

One other thing - please, no photos of the author in a conceited pose, gazing dreamily into the middle distance (that's not aimed at you in particular, just a comment on some of the kack-handed attempts at creating an image that I've seen on some author websites).

Aww lol

 

[Marc Joan]

Aww lol

OK, you get an exemption. So long as you are wearing a camel costume.

 

[Alistair Roberts]

One hump or two? It better be one!

 

[Jason Byrne]

Oh sure, I was just whining about people who use it as an opportunity to pose. See here for some examples which are being gently brought down to earth...http://jezebel.com/woman-mimics-self-serious-male-writers-with-cigarettes-1596589053

Yeah, that's pretty bad. Be more like Terry Goodkind. He's like, eff your tie and blazer. I write books in a tee shirt.

 

[Jason Byrne]

See the websites in my signature. I update Tara's site less frequently these days but Ravenna's has something new posted every single day. I don't wax on about writing. I concentrate on promoting my own work and on featuring fellow authors as guest bloggers, to promote their work and our mutual publishers. I get far more hits on those kinds of posts than when I ramble on about whatever.

I like Ravenna Tate page — it has the look of a lot of the literary agency pages. I'm thinking that's probably a good standard to which to compare.

 

[Nicole Wilson]

Yeah, that's pretty bad. Be more like Terry Goodkind. He's like, eff your tie and blazer. I write books in a tee shirt.
View attachment 161

My favorite is Stephen King's photos.

 

[Carol Rose]

I like Ravenna Tate page — it has the look of a lot of the literary agency pages. I'm thinking that's probably a good standard to which to compare.

Um, thank you.

 

[Jason Byrne]

My favorite is Stephen King's photos.

You can tell that guy writes, cigarette or no. Also, he looks like my dad. Never noticed that.

 

[Bernard Stacey]

Oh sure, I was just whining about people who use it as an opportunity to pose. See here for some examples which are being gently brought down to earth...http://jezebel.com/woman-mimics-self-serious-male-writers-with-cigarettes-1596589053

Ha ha - excellent!
She looks like she's trying to smoke a lollipop!

 

[Monique GOLAY]

Yes, a bio is interesting. I often think that the lives of authors are more interesting than their works.

 

[1408]

I made a website because all you cool kids had one. Then I realized I didn't have anything to put on it (I haven't decided to self-publish yet) and so now I just feel dumb. But these are great tips for when I do!

 

[Carol Rose]

I made a website because all you cool kids had one. Then I realized I didn't have anything to put on it (I haven't decided to self-publish yet) and so now I just feel dumb. But these are great tips for when I do!

Please don't feel you have nothing to put on it. I had one for a year before I had any books published. I wrote about all sorts of silly things, and also re-blogged publishing industry articles I found. I used it to feature guest bloggers for other authors, and had a nice following by the time I had any writing news of my own to place on it.

 

[1408]

@Carol Rose Thank you! That is encouraging and I'll think about what I can put on there. I've read that a few Litopians are looking for coverage for their self-published books, I'm hoping I can help and that might be a way!

Edit: I just realized who I was talking to! Love all the advice you offer around here. You're the best.

 

[Carol Rose]

@Carol Rose Thank you! That is encouraging and I'll think about what I can put on there. I've read that a few Litopians are looking for coverage for their self-published books, I'm hoping I can help and that might be a way!

Edit: I just realized who I was talking to! Love all the advice you offer around here. You're the best.

Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate them. Yes, Agent Pete granted my request to change my user name back to the one I had on the former Litopia site.

 

[Jason Byrne]

Please don't feel you have nothing to put on it. I had one for a year before I had any books published. I wrote about all sorts of silly things, and also re-blogged publishing industry articles I found. I used it to feature guest bloggers for other authors, and had a nice following by the time I had any writing news of my own to place on it.

I'm going to appeal to your wisdom once more, Carol. Do you think a Twitter following is sufficient as an online presence, while I fight my way through the slush pile?

My plan is to begin building a website and marketing when I get a literary agent, and the book release is then presumably a year or two off.