[MDP]

Hi all,

tell me please...
What do you like to see when you visit authors websites?

MDP

[MDP]

Oh, and has anyone spoken to Jacquin lately?
MDP

[Hobbit]

Well.... if it's a writer, it's always good to know about works in progress or work just completed. Background to stories is always good.

And then there's the personal stuff. Things like 'Favourite books' and things of value - sometimes these can give people an insight into the writer. Failing that, it also satisfies the need for a person to be nosy.... :)

Photos and images are good.

Flashy graphics are sometimes good but can distract.

Words..... thoughts on current topics, ideas, either based in reality or not (have you ever wondered whether....?)

Hobbit

[MDP]

Thanks Hobbit.
I've just joined Amazon connect. Do you know of it?
MDP

[Hobbit]

Nooo... that's a new one to me.

I do spend a bit of time at Amazon.... tell me more, Marianne!

Hobbit

[MDP]

Once you've proved yourself to be a legitimate author you can post messages to anyone who has bought your books.
You also have a profile page that people can look at.

At least I think that's how it goes.

If you click on 'amazon connect' on the amazon page you can search through and see if your favourite authors are members.

MDP

[Hobbit]

Well, it's an interesting idea. Can't see it on the Amazon.co.uk site, though it may be there....

Do you (or anyone!) think this is the next stage forward with websites? Is it going to be soon when the author can email fans as well as vice versa?

Sort of like around here, I guess, but with a commercial aspect to it?

Opens lots of possibilities, if what I've understood here is correct!

Hobbit

[KatG]

I think it may become that, because it is sort of a safer way for authors to interact with fans and leads them right to retailers.

Here's what I like to see on an author website:

1) A clear bibliography with titles of publications listed in order, with books in series clearly delineated as to what series they belong and what book number they are in the series, with full color images of at least one cover version for each book, and brief descriptions of the contents of each book in their own separate paragraphs, not all mushed together. I should be able to run down a list of books, with cover images, and know exactly what the books are, what series they belong to if any and in what order in a series. A lot of authors don't do this for some reason and it's incredibly frustrating.

2) A brief bio of the author, but it doesn't have to contain much personal info if the author doesn't want to. Letting people know what country the author resides in, however, is helpful. Letting people know who the author's publishers are in different countries, at least the English-language ones if possible, is also helpful.

3) A calendar of the author's signings, appearances at conventions and the like, with locations.

4) Authors and works that the author recommends to her fans.

5) A list of short fiction publications, if any.

A site can also have a way for fans to ask the author questions and the author to answer them, such as the Amazon thing. However, this isn't critical if the author doesn't have the time to do it. But I do think fans like it when possible, and I think it can be helpful.

[MDP]

Thanks guys,
that is very helpful.

I think Amazon connect might be only amazon.com not uk.
It's in the side bar. I've just sent my first message but no replies to date. I'll let you know how it goes.

Do you like reading blogs in preference to scanning sites?

MDP

[Phedre]

I found your Amazon-blog space, but it's kinda hard to leave a message. You need to log in. But after logging in, they told me to get a real name (but I WAS logged in). And you can't do all the stuff if you never purchased on Amazon.

Maybe that's the reason for your blog being a bit quiet..:-)

Things I would like to see on a author's blog:
- all of the above
- publications in other countries (Feist does that nicely)