YOUR WEBSITE: ESSENTIALS TO INCLUDE ON IT!!!

[Jan Fischer Wade]

Most of us know what basic information we should have on our author or book website, but there are some other items that can be helpful - for journalists, reviewers, organizations, readers and others.

 

~Contact information for:

  1) yourself - some way to get ahold of you, email is probably best

  2) your literary agent

  3) your publisher, especially an email address

  4) your publicist (for media requests only); definitely email address

  5) the person responsble for scheduling your speaker engagements / events

(you might make a special "Contact" page and put all of that above info on that page)

 

~A 'media kit' which can include high resolution pictures of you and your cover, a press release and excerpt, and contact info, all of which could be downloaded by journalists.

 

~Extended information about you and the book (add a prepared Q&A, an expanded bio, information behind the book, etc.)

 

~A catchy excerpt from your book

 

~Postivie reviews (or a portion or comment from each) with the reviewers permission

 

~One click links to where the reader can buy the book - in print and ebook!  Online and actual storefront! The more the better!  Is your book on sale anywhere?  Make sure to mention it!

 

~Your book trailer and / or pictures that capture characters, places, themes and items of interest in your book (make sure it is okay to use the pics on your site, watch out for copywrites!)

 

~An Events listing - provide dates of book signings, speaker engagements, launch party, tour schedule (online or inp person) etc.  Also include with this info the person responsble for scheduling your speaker engagements / events.

 

~Keep your wesite focused on YOU - the professional you!!!

 

Some hints on what NOT to include on your site:

~too many bells and whistles

~music

~too many personal photos (remember, this is your professional site)

~somethinig that takes a long time to load (ie: flash)

~dark background & small / multiple fonts

~unused features

~book trailers that start on their own

 

And last, browse some of your favorite author's sites.  Do they have any interesting, fun, or informative features you could utilize?  Remember, your website is YOURS - so make it work for YOU!!!  Cheers, Jan

 

[Jan Fischer Wade]

Thanks for visitng ES!  Best of luck on your book!  Jan

[E. S. Lark]

Wonderful tips. I don't have a lot of these items on my website just yet as I'm waiting to hear back from an agent. Fingers crossed for an offer of rep, but if not, I'll be self-pubbing. Been querying agents for about two years now, so I think it's time to switch gears for some of my older works.

[Jan Fischer Wade]

Another tip:  post something new every week on your website'!

[Jan Fischer Wade]

And thank you for stopping by Sarah!  Jan

[Sarah Billington]

Great post, Jan. Thanks for sharing.

[Jan Fischer Wade]

Hi Cambria - Have a great weekend and thanks for commenting!  Jan

[Cambria Hebert]

Great tips!! Never thought about the prepared Q & A! Its a great idea thoough!

[Jan Fischer Wade]

Thanks for your nice comments Jenny!  Jan

[Jenny Milchman]

Fantastic tips!! Thanks so much!