Comments on: A website of one’s own…

By: Claire Fogg (Publisher, Yearbooks)

Claire Fogg (Publisher, Yearbooks) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:34:04 +0000

Hi Phil, Tom and Lanre – I’ve just been checking out all these great sites and I hope others do too! Dorothy Koomson has lots of Top 5 writing tips from a range of authors – well worth a look.

By: Lanre

Lanre — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:27:42 +0000

Just joined here so thought to add my 2 cents. An internet presence is necessary in this day and age and yes some site have you captured that you can’t help but keep coming back.

I am currently working on mine. I love Dorothy Koomson and Lola Jaye’s site

By: Tom Colohue

Tom Colohue — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:00:27 +0000

http://www.robinhobb.com/

This is the website of my favourite author, coded by the woman herself.

I am planning to put together my own website once I have the money to do so, but I’m also planning to add an extra element to it that’s actually similar to this one. I want to make an area that not only helps writers in the right direction, but enforces their knowledge of the discipline behind writing.

That’s my intention anyway. Since I began writing I seem to have made a lot of new writing friends.

By: Authoright.com

Authoright.com — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:42:58 +0000

This absolutely right. A website is crucial these days, for any author.

But, and it’s a big but, you have to get it right. Little design flaws, such as a ‘jumping’ image, outdated colour schemes and layout or inferior resolution images all make a site (and thus your book) look amateur.

It’s worth getting a site designed properly – don’t be tempted to DIY your website. Equally you don’t have to spend a fortune, and don’t be tempted to get too clever with Flash images and moving design. Keeping it simple is key.

Having a marketing professional as part of the design team is also important because you want to keep the branding consistent from book to domain name, from cover / genre / feel to design of the site.

By: Phil G

Phil G — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:10:04 +0000

I think a website can be a useful way to help promote yourself to an agent or publisher (at least I hope so!). Why not try something other than the standard brochure site (bio, extracts, contact details)? I’ve tried to make my own website another creative exercise – it’s written in role by characters from the book, though it is also possible to read extracts and listen to audio clips. You can interact with characters in the forums. The novel – Juice – is about door to door sales, so that explains the cheesy look and feel of the website, and the slightly nauseous tone!

If you’re interested, do take a look at http://www.juicebythat.com. I hope people don’t see this as a shameless plug (though it is in part!). I think having your own website is a way for us writers to control our own publicity and build a relationship with readers.

Phil

By: Cressida Downing (Editorial Consultant)

Cressida Downing (Editorial Consultant) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:06:12 +0000

I really like Margaret Atwood’s blog – which always includes advice for the aspiring writer.

A friend of mine is a committed fan (or should that be ‘need to be committed’ fan?) of a boy band – to spare her blushes I won’t mention which one. The band members have a very strong online presence, including Twitter and blogs, and general contact with their fans. Much more rewarding that hanging around outside a mansion in the pouring rain waiting for a quick glimpse!

Cressida