Oct 18 2011
It seems strange that in 2011, nearly 2012, we have to give advice to authors on how to manage their websites. I think authors get worried about how to tackle the huge ordeal that is their website and become paralyzed by the idea of the time or cost involved. When I am looking at an [...]
Aug 18 2010
USA Today bestseller list is now counting ebook sales when compiling the list. Harlequin Books tweeted that Kristan Higgins made the USAToday list today at #102 for her ebook edition. It’s the ebook edition because of the (E) notation and the $6.99 price point (the paperbook is $7.99). There are other (E) editions on the [...]
May 12 2009
According to PublishersMarketplace (subscription needed), the data shows that there is close to 1 million Kindles out in the wilds of readerdom and that the previously provided statistic that if a book is available in print and Kindle, 1 out of 3 purchases is a Kindle purchase is confirmed by at least one major publisher. [...]
May 16 2008
Theo Black, web designer and husband of author Holly Black, took to criticizing the websites of his former clients. I think Black is a talented guy but his vision of website design is style over functionality. I much prefer the functional and generic websites that he disdains because these sites are easier to navigate and [...]
Jan 1 2008
I know that the change in look and feel here at Dear Author is the subject of some controversy. I can promise we will be addressing quite a few of the complaints (font size, glaring red color, lack of elegance), but much of the re-design is here to stay because of one important reason and [...]
May 11 2007
This is a special post by Bookseller Jolie after talking with some other booksellers and readers. Readers want to buy your books; booksellers want to sell your books. Even though this article is all about the peeves, it’s really about how to help authors get connected to readers. The only way to do that is [...]
Apr 11 2007
Sharon Shinn, author of such fabulously romantic fantasy novels as Archangel and Dark Moon Defender, has launched a website at http://sharonshinn.net. Shinn’s many fans will be pleased to learn that her new site includes the author’s news, biography, links and interviews, FAQs, contact information, and even behind-the-scenes details about her books for both adults and [...]
Mar 13 2007
Tor had one of the worst websites on the ‘net. It was probably worse than the meanest fan blog ever created. I never understood how an imprint devoted to publishing the best in science fiction and fantasy could be so unimaginative in the design and function of its site; not to mention the completely outdated [...]
Dec 12 2006
The advertising firm of Spiers New York conducted a survey which revealed that 18% of readers have visited a publisher’s website and 23% have visited an author’s website. So, I guess if you don’t have an online presence, you may be missing out on giving nearly a quarter of your potential readership information on your [...]
Nov 22 2006
It may surprise you, but the top visited publishing website is Spark Notes, a study guide publisher. Next up is Random House, ranked 8133 and then Harlequin (excluding non romance publishers). St. Martins is dead last and that’s because their website basically has no usable information. Nothing like failing to highlight your authors, St. Martins. [...]
Oct 23 2006
Dear Authors: This past week readers have been talking websites and how we really like them. Author websites provide us with information on what is next, what you’ve written in the past and whether we will like your books if you are new to us. Essentially, they are an online sales brochure which help convince [...]
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