tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post2374305543070344327..comments2024-03-28T23:49:23.325-06:00Comments on Author Elana Johnson: What's In A Website?Elana Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-69558646040314755562009-12-01T06:49:13.561-07:002009-12-01T06:49:13.561-07:00I made my website on iWeb which makes it really ea...I made my website on iWeb which makes it really easy. But the only thing that changes on it is my blog. I've enjoyed reading other people's comments though for ideas!Sherrie Petersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11670339498152684137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-43367078170030137652009-11-30T21:53:09.639-07:002009-11-30T21:53:09.639-07:00Thanks for some great stuff to consider! I don'...Thanks for some great stuff to consider! I don't have a website yet, but between you and all the commenters, there's definitely a lot to take note of when I finally get started!Windyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07684298115679477705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-54522199734711680872009-11-30T19:55:26.795-07:002009-11-30T19:55:26.795-07:00I used to put news updates on my website but found...I used to put news updates on my website but found that looked too static, too. I added a Twitter widget to mine that scrolls through my tweets, but that's all the dynamic my website is.PJ Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602205868934777662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-79302485684252620842009-11-30T19:20:08.928-07:002009-11-30T19:20:08.928-07:00I think every site should have freebies like book ...I think every site should have freebies like book group questions, snippets and short stories. As a YA writer, think about what the kiddos would want.Aaron Polsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15173267932358617304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-83718774432364453102009-11-30T18:48:00.335-07:002009-11-30T18:48:00.335-07:00Great post Elana! I've always wondered the exa...Great post Elana! I've always wondered the exact same thing!lisa and laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18144863275895761642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-53941605735836121902009-11-30T18:12:18.231-07:002009-11-30T18:12:18.231-07:00I love to see snippets from the story, and artwork...I love to see snippets from the story, and artwork. Love artwork. :) Don't know if that helps. How fun to re-design your website! Good luck!Abby Annishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05543937393055900844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-3851013137153877382009-11-30T16:43:13.650-07:002009-11-30T16:43:13.650-07:00I wish I knew what to tell ya, but unfortunately, ...I wish I knew what to tell ya, but unfortunately, my website is incredibly lame-o. I've told myself that if I get a book contract, I'll fork up the dough to pay a professional to really do something with it.<br /><br />Can't wait to see yours are spiffed up!Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-65078047190359965842009-11-30T16:40:26.423-07:002009-11-30T16:40:26.423-07:00Interesting post. I don't have a website - jus...Interesting post. I don't have a website - just a blog. I don't visit many either, so I can't help much. I would think pages on: bio, each book, book signing info, virtual blog tours, ...<br /><br />Have fun :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-74139191706225215512009-11-30T15:42:40.587-07:002009-11-30T15:42:40.587-07:00I think it really depends on your audience.
I...I think it really depends on your audience. <br /><br />I've visited some websites of prominent YA authors and they are more graphic intensive/visually appealing.<br /><br />Some of them, like Cassandra Clare, Kelley Armstrong, and Rick Riordan even have separate sites for their YA series (versus the "official" site where they post their bio, contact, etc.). I highly recommend visiting those sites. <br /><br />I also like the design of Neil Gaiman's website and Jonathan Stroud if you're looking for something not as intense and flashy.<br /><br />In general, I'd think that a blog should be updated more often than a website. A website is like a portfolio to showcase your work, events, reviews, etc. Some authors integrate their blog with the website. It certainly seems like it would be easier to manage. And in a way, you'd be updating both your blog and website on a continual basis!<br /><br />If you want to get an idea of what to include, I'd take a look at what other authors currently have out there. Take some of your own favorite authors. Do their sites work for you or do they seem lacking? <br /><br />Good luck with the website building!shield maidenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03758091283778981848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-31952798450549586522009-11-30T14:08:09.490-07:002009-11-30T14:08:09.490-07:00Wow, great sites to visit! Thanks guys.
And Amie,...Wow, great sites to visit! Thanks guys.<br /><br />And Amie, I didn't really hire him persay. I actually went on a date with the guy in high school. That's right. He's one of "those." When I joined Facebook last summer, we "became" friends again. We went to the same high school, so it was natural. He happens to make websites (among other online stuff). I told him way back then that if I ever had a book coming out, I wanted him to do my website. And well, I don't have a book coming out yet, but it could happen. So we've been talking recently. And he asked some hard questions! Thus, this post. <br /><br />I have a website I run through 1and1.com. I've been happy, but there's no cool stuff. So yeah. <br /><br />:)Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-23801657304110750712009-11-30T13:03:35.981-07:002009-11-30T13:03:35.981-07:00My favorite author website is jasperfforde.com
It...My favorite author website is jasperfforde.com<br /><br />It's great. Check it out. He's got so much there. Some remains static, but some gets updated from time to time. I don't visit author websites too often so the static part isn't an issue for me.<br /><br />I don't have a website yet. Someday. And the first site I have will be designed through my Mac so I don't have to deal with code or any of that sticky stuff.Stephanie McGeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16507025637411479409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-28822787726506861032009-11-30T12:46:40.974-07:002009-11-30T12:46:40.974-07:00I love it when authors have "news" or &q...I love it when authors have "news" or "upcoming events" listed :). Also, I've heard it's good to have a Media tab w/ downloadable pics, contact info, FAQs, and stuff like that for the press to use if they'd like.<br /><br />This is really helpful reading what everyone else likes, too. Thanks for the post, Elana!Rebecca Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15214077952378770753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-14247493903181900382009-11-30T12:39:53.802-07:002009-11-30T12:39:53.802-07:00Jess's website is awesome (www.jessicaverday.c...Jess's website is awesome (www.jessicaverday.com). Diana Gabaldon's is very informative, lots of cool info about her books, etc (www.dianagabaldon.com). I like the ones that are just visually fun, cool effects are always nice (though pricey usually), and I like when there is fun info on the author and his/her books :)Michelle McLeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08730366330276974943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-33272400927868829502009-11-30T11:40:00.483-07:002009-11-30T11:40:00.483-07:00Unfortunately, I don't know much about them.
...Unfortunately, I don't know much about them. <br />I don't think you have to update regularly if your blog is attached. :-)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-87959883102535184822009-11-30T11:33:49.768-07:002009-11-30T11:33:49.768-07:00You definitely want the links to books, bio, conta...You definitely want the links to books, bio, contact to be easily identified and prominent. I don't like to go on Easter egg hunts when I visit author sites. I also am not fond of the scroll widgets that have bio in them. Maybe that's just me and other people don't mind it, but I want it on a page, not in a box I have to work.<br />I do like cool graphics and gif stuff. If a book is about fairies, vampires, werewolves, steampunk machines, I'd like to see images popping with it.<br />I suggest visiting a lot of author sites and noting what you like and don't. You are naturally funny, so I would hope you let that shine in whatever you do.Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-91696127776998162112009-11-30T10:22:03.437-07:002009-11-30T10:22:03.437-07:00Oh fun...I love Cassandre Clares websites...they a...Oh fun...I love Cassandre Clares websites...they are just cool. Good luck with everything!Christine Fonsecahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16986034666903054819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-49122512736380994802009-11-30T10:07:34.404-07:002009-11-30T10:07:34.404-07:00I recently read that saying "welcome" on...I recently read that saying "welcome" on the opening page is horrible, and since mine says that, I keep thinking I should change it up. I was nervous to be too out there, but it is MY site. <br /><br />As for updating content, I update my blog every day and wouldn't know what to update my site with.Melanie Hooyengahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08781235493983907234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-83730243333035009302009-11-30T09:43:27.766-07:002009-11-30T09:43:27.766-07:00I made my website in Wordpress so I can update it ...I made my website in Wordpress so I can update it whenever I want. I keep a separate blog on it and also try to add little things here and there. I haven't been doing too much lately though because I have been working on my writing more.<br /><br />Here's the web address if you want to check it out www.marybethsmith.com<br /><br />I'm in love with it!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05283503033516504436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-4921206022096022922009-11-30T09:34:30.162-07:002009-11-30T09:34:30.162-07:00I'm in the same boat, so I appreciate you post...I'm in the same boat, so I appreciate you posting this. I'm anxious to read other comments. I'm curious as to why you hired someone. Was it because of time or did you feel as if you couldn't do it yourself? I'm 50/50 and have considered paying someone too.Clementinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08745982305618408952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-86247587114232630572009-11-30T09:25:02.473-07:002009-11-30T09:25:02.473-07:00My writing group has told me to get a website, but...My writing group has told me to get a website, but I still haven't. <br /><br />But some of them have their blogs on their website, some don't. Some keep their site the same all year long, some...don't. I know, I'm a lot of help. Sorry.<br /><br />This is a very interesting question. I'll have to check back and see what others say. =)Carolyn V.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15456210036213016603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-71741865851038272732009-11-30T09:24:55.630-07:002009-11-30T09:24:55.630-07:00I'm in the process of developing a website but...I'm in the process of developing a website but here's what I have:<br />A bio with some photos, contact information, links to my blog and twitter account, some cover copy of my novel. It's pretty basic right now.<br />http://www.acsalaska.net/~paulgreci/Paul Grecihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11340974339238587138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-49095956043607193582009-11-30T09:23:01.248-07:002009-11-30T09:23:01.248-07:00I always love "extras" on websites. Part...I always love "extras" on websites. Parts of the story from someone else's POV, deleted scenes--that kind of stuff. :DDanyelle L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10366276085080565870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-20779936027905032802009-11-30T08:47:21.789-07:002009-11-30T08:47:21.789-07:00Mercedes Lackey has a fun welcome page. http://www...Mercedes Lackey has a fun welcome page. http://www.mercedeslackey.com/<br /><br />I think having a button for each of your books is a good idea and a "news" button as well.<br /><br />I do think keeping it simple is probably a good idea.<br /><br />Popophy is my verification word. Cool!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08616276555920544920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-66438030021678011272009-11-30T08:34:28.427-07:002009-11-30T08:34:28.427-07:00I would think that updating your website would be ...I would think that updating your website would be simpler and less work than updating your blog. I don't think it's something you would need to do daily. Just when new projects or new interviews or new reviews or new things happen in your writing life. It would suck to go to an author's website knowing they are coming out with a new book, but when you go there it says nothing about the new book... but I wouldn't expect it to change every day. Because unlike a blog, I don't visit author websites every day.Valerie Gearyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17165554338889917253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-59959657470612148732009-11-30T08:27:08.429-07:002009-11-30T08:27:08.429-07:00This is a great post, Elana, and timely, too. I wa...This is a great post, Elana, and timely, too. I was talking with my sister last night, who will likely design my website for me when the time comes. We discussed the must haves and the have nots, and I agree with your assertion that regular updates are necessary.<br /><br />For now, my blog does what I need. In the future, I'll have an all-encompassing author site.Janna Leadbetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06339705935553160673noreply@blogger.com