Author Websites...

[Erin99]

I've been having a discussion with someone about author websites, since I'm currently making myself a more professional one than the last one I designed. This person's view is that sites for unpublished writers are pointless and won't attract agents, editors, or anyone of interest, and if you don't actually have any story sales to direct readers to, even just a couple of short stories, there's no point. They also said you wouldn't put up excerpts, because if the work is not published, people would soon forget you since they have no books/stories to buy after viewing your site...

I hope that makes sense. I'm quite tired... and waffling!

Now I'm wondering - should I wait and try to see if anyone will want my two short stories before buying a site and uploading my design to it? I don't want a site with hardly any content on it (I won't be doing a blog or anything like that, because it would take up too much of my precious writing time, since I can't spend a long time doing tasks*), so I'd have to fill it up with my photography and artwork, too. I'd have a "News" page, though, in case I did make any sales...

I'm really pleased with how my site's looking, but now I think I should keep it on my hard drive for the foreseeable future until I have sales worth showing, so the site's sort of like a place that lists all my credits. Anyway, I've also got a page of excerpts, which perhaps I should remove...

What's all your opinions? I'm keen to get more ideas on this. Any positive experiences? Negative? Should an unpublished writer bother if their novel WIP is a long way off completion?



*And people are taking cognisance of the fact that most bloggers don't get anything beneficial from it (I forget where I read that study), and it's time you could have spent improving your writing instead... Plus, hardly anyone comments on most mid-list author blogs I've seen.

 

[James Coote]

Blogging is still a kind of writing, it's just not novel writing.

Also surely designing your own website is a massive waste of time (under any circumstances) that you could have spent writing. Even if you don't want to write a blog, a wordpress site can be quickly adapted to make a professional looking site, and many web hosting companies provide a bunch of reasonable standard templates

 

[Gary Compton]

I disagree with the proffessionals

Fill it up with your art, photos writing etc, your aspirations, dreams.

At least Uncle Google will get to know you and no record is pointless

Once you become famous your fans can look back on a time you lived in Dundee, even though you will then own Barbados by then.

 

[The Judge]

I've got a site and some people even look at it! (OK. Only people from Chrons, but y'know, today Chrons, tomorrow... more Chrons... ) I don't get comments, it's true (anybody reading this -- comment next time!) but to me the only importance of that is to show other people that the blog is read. I know the site gets visitors and a few repeat visitors, so they're interested enough to come back.

I agree a site won't attract an agent -- but I don't see that as its objective. And if you send to agents there's a real chance they will look to see if you have a site. It might not hurt if you don't, but it might help if you do and it looks professional, as yours undoubtedly will.

Anyhow, will it cost you anything to have the site up? If not, what's the downside? Better to have a couple of people look at it and admire it than no one at all. You've lost nothing by their admiration, and possibly gained people who will remember when they see your name elsewhere.

If it will cost, then it's a question of whether you can afford it. But could you put it up on a free site?

Re content, I was told by an agent not to put up extracts from the novel I'm currently touting around, as publishers don't like it. Not sure of the logic behind that, but there you are. I have put up pitch-blurbs about the two SF books, and a short based on the SF world, as well as a short story I'd posted here so couldn't sell elsewhere, plus part of what I'm working on now. I've also put up stories from the Challenges here.

I do blog, but it doesn't take that long to do. The difficult part is trying to think of something every week and making it exactly the same length (the latter is a self-imposed problem, though, because of the design I've used, so wouldn't affect anyone who isn't as stupid as I am). What I get out of it is exactly the same as what I get out of any writing -- I need to have an idea, use my skills to put that idea forward, and make it clear, concise and readable. That's good training, as far as I'm concerned.

The other advantage for me is that I also write a book non-blog which I update every week or two. That forces me to read, so I've got something to write about, and forces me to sum up my feelings about what I've been reading in a few sentences. Again, good training as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Gary Compton]

The Judge is too shy to put her web address up:

Coughs www.damarisbrowne.com

And, I have commented. Got the t-shirt to prove it.

 

[Erin99]

James: IMO, blogging doesn't teach you about pacing, or improving your narrative language, or smoothing the flow for a particular story, etc. Only writing/editing your stories can teach you how to write better stories.

As for the site: I've already made 1/2 of it. I'm good with html/CSS/Flash, so it's no hassle for me. Yes, I could have used the time to write, but I'm leaving my story a couple of days so I can go back to it with fresh eyes (and I'm still planning ideas for my novel in my head, so I can't write that either). Plus, designing a site is a one-off thing, unlike writing a blog, which you'd have to keep up every week or so.

I've known writers who give up blogging because of the lack of response to their blog posts...


Gary - LOL! I don't think I'll put myself on Google yet, if I DO upload the site. I will just keep it so I can include the address when I send off submissions or want a website listed in my profile of various sites.



And, you know, I'd still live in Scotland even if I won the Lotto. I love Scotland. Can't believe I live here!

Judge: The site would cost, because I'd want my own domain name (I've designed my site with the name already, because free sites have too many ads - which looks unprofessional - or they usually let you use a template, which I don't need). It wouldn't be money well spent, I suppose, since who knows when I'll get published...

But this year I AM going to try to get my two short stories published. And after that, one day, there'll be a novel...

Sigh. I dunno!

Oh, and I've read differing opinions on whether to include sample. Most agents seem to say that one chapter uploaded is fine for a novel, or a tiny part (if any) for a short story, but no more. I'd like to think that the excerpts could attract people who may want to keep a look out for my name in the future...

Well, if the pieces are any good. At the moment I think I'm a better website designer than writer - I hate the ups and downs writers get!

TJ - nice site! You've gone for a Flash design. Hard to cache, but great to look at. I'll have to read through your samples and blurbs.

 

[Mouse]

I have a free Weebly one, but I have got my own domain name for it. (Domain names are cheap!) Although I don't like the domain name, I'm using it because I put it on bookmarks and insides of books and whatnot I did years ago, so it's out there somewhere and should probably go somewhere. I can use the Weebly site address too, and do, which is better.

I've got short stories published, so I'm ok on that front. They're all on there. I link to my blog too (although I've not written in my blog since October last year!). Does anybody look at it? Probably not. Mostly it's quite handy for me to see where all my short stories are!

edit: TJ you were in Lyme recently and didn't tell me?! I could've gone to see what you look like!

 

[James Coote]

I bought a .co.uk for £5 and my web hosting is £15/month (no adverts). If you're already struggling to pay your bills, I'd say it's a luxury you can't afford. Otherwise, it's well worth it when you compare it to say the price of a cinema ticket or a restaurant meal

 

[Erin99]

Well I can do hosting for life for free (no ads) after an initial $20 fee to a company, but it's the hosting that will sting. I'm after a .com, although perhaps I should have chosen a .co.uk since they're cheaper... I'd have to find a place that did cheap domains without inflating the prices when the renewal comes up.

So, hmmm. I'm not struggling too much with bills now, but sometime soonish I'm going to be so far down the money chain, I'll be looking to the sky for the metaphorical breadline D)... unless I win the Lotto...


...which I don't play.


Edit: Gary's lovely! He's just pointed me to https://www.123-reg.co.uk/ - those price look better than I remember them being 5-10 years ago! £8 for 2 years...........

I suppose a .co.uk would be just as good as a .com.

 

[The Judge]

Thank you, Gary - though it wasn't shyness, so much as I didn't want to start a free-for-all on poor Leisha's thread where everyone piles in with their sites! But thank you.

James: IMO, blogging doesn't teach you about pacing, or improving your narrative language, or smoothing the flow for a particular story, etc. Only writing/editing your stories can teach you how to write better stories.

It can't teach those specific skills, but it can refine others, so it isn't work that's wasted.

I've known writers who give up blogging because of the lack of response to their blog posts...

But writers give up sending their work out to agents because of a lack of response -- that's not a reason for you to do the same!

TJ - nice site! You've gone for a Flash design. Hard to cache, but great to look at. I'll have to read through your samples and blurbs.

Thanks! The flash thing wasn't a decision, since when I had the design started I didn't know the first thing, so you're definitely one up on me there. As I understand it there are problems with mobiles etc accessing it which is a potential problem, though whether enough of a one to make me move/redesign it, I don't know.

TJ you were in Lyme recently and didn't tell me?! I could've gone to see what you look like!

Tell my public where I shall be? No way! I intend to remain a woman of mystery...


PS Just thought. The site I'm with can be free, too. I got to it through a web designer, but later I found it does do different packages. It's called moonfruit http://www.moonfruit.com/

 

[Erin99]

Some mobiles can't read Flash (such as mine), so websites that are all Flash....

But I figure everyone has a PC/netbook/laptop these days, which is far better for browsing the internet on, so I haven't let myself be hindered by that. I've got some Flash elements on my page, but nothing important. Just a couple of extra things for prettiness.

And I know seeing people give up on blogs is not a reason to do the same, but I wouldn't be looking to invest that much time/energy into blogging. I don't have any great things to write about, and I already had to lessen coming here because of the amount of time and energy this place sucked out of my writing time. When I do allow myself time to write, I want to use it to improve the thing I love doing most - writing stories. After all, what good is blogging and having a website if you'll never be good enough to get published? (IMO.)

I've had a look at moonfruit, anyway, and they sell domains for £6 a year, with the renewal price at the same (finally! A site that tells you how much their renewal costs!). The price doesn't beat 123-reg, but if I find out that 123-reg charge a huge amount for renewals...

So moonfruit is an option, although their hosting IS limited to 15 pages and a small site link at the bottom of every page (the site I may choose doesn't have those limits).


Eek! Look at the time! Better get to bed. Night, all! And thanks. It's great to get opinions.

Edit: And it's fine to post your links, people, if you're contributing to the topic anyway.

 

[James Coote]

I used 123-reg. Had no problems so far, though I haven't done a renewal, only a domain transfer between accounts. For .co.uk's, if you're worried about sharp trading practices with domain names, check out http://www.nominet.org.uk/

 

[Gary Compton]

If anyone who is currently on my friends list as of today wants hosting. I will do it for Free - forever.

All you need is a domain name (about £8) and change the named server settings to my named servers. You get your own control panel with email, ftp etc etc

I can load Wordpress to this for free. You can then choose one of the 700 themes.

All I ask in return is a link on the footer of the website which if you choose Wordpress, I will do it.

PM me whenever it suits

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

I've tried freebie template sites in the past-I have absolutely no coding skill at all-but that was just for fun. I have no money to sink into Google or designing my own website or domain name.


So that's why I use Deviantart to showcase my "work." Some of it even has comments.



Mostly from one person, and on my crappier uploads, but hey. A couple of my decent poems have comments, and they've all had views...

 

[Brian G Turner]

So far as I understand it, the purpose of a website for an aspiring writer is to build up a general audience.

This can be done via reviews, links to useful resources (perhaps on writing), and other features that - if people find - may consider useful.

However, it can take a while to develop any kind of online presence, but that's okay because it's going to be a while before you have novel on the shelves even if you got a contract today.

Blogging may also help tighten up your writing, as you may be more aware of having an impatient audience, and therefore writing more succintly.

 

[Boneman]

Funny how differing (?) advice can be... I was told at Derby, I think it was, in a panel, that it's important for aspiring writers to show to publishers they were more than capable of promoting themselves and their own website was the best step forward (along with facebook and -shudder - twitter). I have got the openers for the two tomes I am writing, and I do blog on mine periodically, but not as regularly as I should (combination of Uni work and personal circumstances means it's gone down the list of 'important' things to do recently). I guess the facebook bit will be a necessary evil once published...

 

[Erin99]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

The thing about trying to build an online presence is that everyone is out there selling themselves. There's so much white noise. After a while, you become immune to it. How many people regularly go to a particular person's website? I don't, my partner doesn't... (And I'm not talking about giant authors, although I don't often go to author websites either.)

The same with Facebook. I'm on it, and while I've made a lot of good friends (and agent/publisher friends ), it's useless as a marketing tool. Some authors on my friends lists tout their novel a couple of times a day, and when you friend them they post up an ad for their work on your wall... I understand why they do it, but it doesn't work. The posts hardly get any commenters or likes. So, while FB is great for making friends, you shouldn't rely on it to market yourself, and I won't rely on my FB friends rushing out to buy my work should I ever get it sold. I'd probably get a load of "Likes" and some nice comments (which is great, that someone would want to congratulate me!), but I can't see how that would equal sales.

Perhaps I should get my website ready and not upload it until I'm ready to ship my novel off to agents, and then if an agent likes my work enough to go to the website link I include with the submission, they'll see the one I *just* uploaded. But, tbh, I can't see an agent rejecting a manuscript they like because the author doesn't have a site.


Anyway, regards cost: £10 for a 3-year .co.uk domain name (lcn.com*, which charges the same in renewal fees), and a one-off $20 fee for free life hosting. That means I could have a 3-year website for the princely sum of....

£23.

But it's probably not worth it yet. I would be a terrible blogger, too, since I can't guarantee I can be well enough to post interesting things regularly (and I certainly couldn't talk about me and my life, because I don't get outside that much!). When I feel well enough to write, I like to try improving my craft, looking at my text and seeing what new ways I can make it better. I feel that would be best for me personally, not blogging, or else I'm always going to be at the same level with my prose. And already through short story writing I've learnt brevity and clarity...

I've thought about having a page of writing advice and writing-book recommendations on my site, which might be useful to some people, but I wouldn't want to look egocentric; after all, if I didn't have a novel published, who would want to listen to what I have to say, writing-wise?

Hmmm. Lots to think about.



Edit: LCN.com is cheaper than 123-reg, and I remember from the past that their renewal fees stay the same as the original fee... unlike 123-reg, who, IIRC, charge about £60 in renewal fees. I could have remembered that wrong, though - it's been years since I made websites!)

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I looked into it, about a year ago, and didn't progress it, for much the same reasons: until you have something to hang it to, you're just a small site with no traffic. I thought of blogging, but really, what can you say? I wrote a chapter today and decided to check out the the's and a's were right. Riveting. I suspect if anything did get published - either trad or e - I'd think again about it.

*I stuck a hello up on AW a couple of weeks ago, and most of the replys I got were links to authors websites and blogs (and some very friendly hellos), I have to be honest I didn't check out any of them... so I'm not convinced it works.*

 

[Hex]

I haven't published much, and my current focus is on writing the story and then it'll be trying to find an agent, and then... well, probably writing the next story. I do intend to have a website sometime, though.

I noticed that in the Fat Girl in a Strange Land anthology thingie (where one of my stories was published) most of the authors had websites in their bios. Several of them did giveaways and a couple blogged about the issues of the anthology. Crossed Genres didn't pay lots, but they worked incredibly hard at publicising the anthology so a fair number of people saw it.

Several reviewers commented on the stories they'd liked and said something along the lines of 'these are writers I'll watch out for in the future'. It occured to me then that having a website would have allowed them to follow up on me and other stuff I'd published/ my fascinating thoughts on semicolons/ pictures of my cats.*


* I don't have cats.

 

[Mouse]

I didn't post the link to my site for the same reason as TJ. Besides, you can get to it through my user profile anyway.

Leisha, I've been with 123.reg for years and I've never paid them £60 for anything. I used to have both domain name and hosting, and renewal was never more than a few quid. I now only have the domain name and it's such a small amount that I don't even notice it coming out of my account.

* I don't have cats.

Good girl.