I love a good web site.
For me, the best web sites have a design and theme that conveys an overall feeling that compliments the author’s voice.
Web sites are on my mind now as I start the process of re-vamping mine — an overwhelming chore! 
(I am hiring a designer, but I still have to write content, decide what information to have/not have on the site, all while having back-to-back deadlines … not that I’m complaining.)
I’m still trying to decide what information to put on my site, so I think about why I go to author’s sites and what pages I check out first.
For me, I always first check out new releases, then backlist (if it’s an unknown author), then the bio. Sometimes I’ll go to the “articles for writers.”
So as I’ve been reviewing websites trying as I put together mine, a few have stuck out as particularly noteworthy because of the tone they convey, or the information they impart. I can’t possibly list all my favorites here, but I wanted to share a few.
Michele Jaffe writes romantic suspense. Which isn’t really that unusual nowadays, but I’m checking out all the RS authors 
. What appealed to me about her site was that it was all about her characters. It was unique, different, and I spent way too much time surfing the site. 
Which is exactly what you want to have happen, right? Another interesting thing — Michele also writes historicals, and when you click on her historicals link, it brings up a completely different look and feel to compliment her historical voice.
Lisa Gardner is a site I’ve visited many times. I’ve been a fan of hers for years. But what draws me back are her articles — I’ve read her synopsis workshop notes at least twice, and regularly check out to see if she has something new. The overall feeling of the website says “suspense” and it’s well presented.
Carly Phillips writes nothing like I do … she’s fun and hip and humorous. Her site conveys that, which is important to get across to readers — if you went to a pink web site with satin sheets and flowers, bought the book, and ended up with a dark paranormal, you might be a little disappointed! I love that Carly has blended her voice with her web site, as well as combining all the important elements on the main page.
Rachel Gibson has a fabulous little flash on her site that loads fast and is worth visiting to see it. And when you get there, can’t you just tell that she writes romantic comedy? Even her photo is fun and different.
Speaking of flash, Tess Gerritsen has dark and suspenseful animation on her page. Everything you could want is right there on the main page, and there’s no doubt she writes dark medical thrillers. Branding done right. (She also happens to be one of my all-time favorite authors!)
Charlotte Dillon is an unpublished writer who has compiled a wealth of information for writers. What writer hasn’t visited her page, knowing she’ll have a link to that article they really, really need? The site is straight-forward and loads fast — exactly what you want when you’re trying doing research.
These are by no means the only really good websites out there. But my RTB columns always tend to get a little long, so I’m cutting it off here. 
Your turn.
What’s one site that you particularly like, either because of the way it looks or the content it shares? Why do you go to an author’s website? To check out excerpts? Find out when their next book comes out? Read their blog or articles? Is there an author you continue to return to and why?
No related posts.
I visit new author sites a lot for excerpts and reviews usually before I choose to buy her book. I return to author websites for content, such as Deanna Carlyle’s where she spotslight Chick Lit books and articles. And of course revisit my favorite author sites for latest releases or fun contests.
I visit author websites to find out about upcoming releases, see cover art and just find out about the author.
I really impressed with http://www.kayhooper.com, http://www.debrawebb.com, http://www.barbaradelinsky.com and http://www.lynnemery.com
Wayne
I go to Stephanie Bond’s website because her articles and information are SO worthwhile. I visit Sherrilyn Kenyon’s website a lot because I’m totally fascinated at the complex, interactive world she’s created for fans. I’m one of those fans and love being part of that world. I now visit more authors’ websites on a regular basis because I’m hooked on reading their blogs, so I like reading more about their upcoming and previous books, etc. For my own website, I wanted fun, tropical and easy to navigate. I don’t have lots of fancy elements, but people seem to like it and that’s the point for me — that a site be one that people easily enjoy so that they’ll come back.
One of the most comprehensive author sites I’ve come across, for either readers or writers, is Holly Lisle’s (http://www.hollylisle.com). She has sections for readers, writers, and everyone in between. For writers, she has a wealth of articles and workshops available for perusal. For readers, she offers preview chapters and a gallery of cover art. Her weblog, where she thinks through the creative process, discusses items of interest to her, and chronicles her life as a writer, is also available on the site for anyone interested. And perhpas best of all, it’s done without a hint of commercialism, but you can easily find out about any of her past or present work within a mouseclick or two.
The author websites I like best usually have some element of the personal to them–a blog or interviews or something of that nature. I like to hear an author’ “voice” on his or her site. A lot of times if I read an author’s interviews or blog and like his or her whole…vibe (for lack of a better term), I’ll pick up his/her novels.
I also always appreciate writers who take time out to post about writing. I originally started reading Holly Lisle for just that reason. I was impressed with HER before I was impressed with her actual work, if that makes any sense.
I love P.C. Cast’s website. It is gorgeous and humorous.
http://www.pccast.net/
One of my favorite author sites is Kelley Armstrong’s. Lots of content with plenty of tidbits for fans of her series. She recently changed the look (I prefered the old version), but the site is still easy to navigate and well-organized.
As always, I imagine I’m in the minority but…I dislike Flash (animation) and splash pages whose sole purpose is to be…pretty (pretty animation and graphics, no content/links.) With regard to Flash, my browser, Firefox, doesn’t always play nice with the stuff. Splash pages strike me as pointless, since they are interesting (maybe) the first time around, but not-so-much to the returning visitor. Even with an “opt-out/continue” option, I find it annoying. (Remember, some readers might be sneaking peeks at work and the glitzy, content-free splash page just gets in the way of content.)
But if I like an author enough, I’ll check back for new release info, no matter what their site looks like.
I go to an authors websites for the following:
1) email address so I can gush
2) list of books previously published to assist the glom (a printable list is awesome)
3) future books and expected publication dates so that I have something to look forward to
4) excerpts
5) connections between book
All the rest is nice but the above is a must for me. I also don’t like much flash. It’s a waste of time, IMO
Really great article–thanks for all the great site leads! If anyone wants to offer feedback on my web site, I’d love to have it. I’m listed on the left, but you can visit me at:
http://www.crdodson.com
I think the challenge is definitely to find a way to find a unique way to keep people stopping by, when there are so many out there to visit! I know I haven’t figured that one out yet!
Usually I go for basic information – maybe there’s been a rave review and I want to know more, or I’ve read a great book and I want to see what else the author has written, or I need the order of a series. I appreciate excerpts – if it’s an author who has been recommended to me, an excerpt allows me to judge if I like her voice – excerpts sell me books.
In a sense, everything else is extra – I might look happily at photos of the author’s recent holiday, or follow up an interesting link, but I don’t think it would be more likely to make me buy the book. [Mind you, I wouldn't think positioning on the supermarket shelf would influence my coffee-buying decisions - it's hard to know what's happening subliminally.]
Cutting off my nose to spite my face, I have reservations about links to blogs and MBs. I like reading blogs, and post regularly on an author’s MB, but I think they can be double-edged swords. If you think of a website as a virtual shopfront – I’m not sure it’s the place for furious rants or inane drivel. That is, if you’re running the website to forward your career, shouldn’t it only display your professional persona to the customer? If I surf past some author’s blog, and they’re in full-fledged multiprofanity rant, I’m just going to make a mental note not to go back, and not to read their books. The party line seems to be that it’s wrong to judge authors by the contents of their blogs – but I still do.
I think Laurie R King’s blog on her website is good. It’s just so well-written. If I hadn’t read her, the quality of the writing would make me want to.
You talk about an author having different looks for different genres. Dorothy Bodoin writes cozy mysteries and romantic suspense. Her site has two sections, one for romantic suspense/gothic romance
and one for her cozies, which are set in the fictional town of Foxglove Corners.
The Foxglove Corners background is kind of slow loading, but it really sets a different tone. I’m looking at redoing my own site, because I write in different genres, too, so I’m always pleased to see good examples of this kind of planning.
I just came back from a trip to L.A. for a family reunion/baptism and can’t wait to check out all the websites everyone recommended! Have to wait to get the car unloaded, kids fed and put to bed . . . back later.
(Oh, and Mary Stella, I’ve been to Stephanie Bond’s a couple times to read her articles–they are fabulous–also Deanna Carlyle who has some great articles. I’ll find the link somewhere and post it . . .)
I usually visit my favorite authors’ websites first. Just to read the latest news, releases, excerpts, etc. I also read their blogs, if they have one. As far as web design and content, I like sites that are easy to navigate and have extra info regarding the industry. I especially read their “for writers†section for tips that I’m sure I can use considering that I’m unpublished. Stephanie Bond is the name that first springs to my mind. She has tons of helpful hints and other info. A theme design that reflects their books is extra for me. Have fun with your site makeover.
I agree with what Jenx10 says above, she lists my reasons for visiting. I’ll also add I go to sign up for newsletters and contests too.
Jaci Burton has a fabulous website – one of my favourites. She has everything, and it’s presented in a nice tidy form.
http://www.jaciburton.com/
Allison, your post inspired me to check out Susan Donovan’s website. She has an article section with LOL articles. I ended up reading all of them when I should’ve been writing my own book.
Though it’s plugging my own author, and it’s not strictly an author site, I have make mention of Jenna (Jesse) Petersen’s Passionate Pen site (www.passionatepen.com). She’s been maintaining it for over five years and it contains a wealth of information for aspiring authors. I think it’s this kind of site, a site that provides content that people are really looking for, that keeps people coming back. I’ve been asked on a number of panels whether it makes sense for an unpublished author to maintain a site and I’ve always held Jenna up as an example of the sort of audience building that can be done even before you have a book contract in hand. Now that she has that contract it serves a way for people to find her more straightforward eponymous author site.
Thanks Jaynie, for the plug for my website.
I love to visit http://www.suegrafton.com, http://www.elizabethadler.com, http://www.carolleabenjamin.com, and http://www.staciwilson.com. These ladies do good website!