tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post8730358402802386796..comments2023-11-22T06:35:25.251-05:00Comments on POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS: Help! My website needs an updateJulia Buckleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10270211923343731659noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-7159249458075103992013-05-04T17:25:48.481-04:002013-05-04T17:25:48.481-04:00Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you&...Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you're working with? I'm planning <br />to start my own blog soon but I'm having a difficult time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I'm looking for something <br />unique. P.S Apologies for being off-topic Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-83628252440286557882013-03-03T10:53:26.099-05:002013-03-03T10:53:26.099-05:00I love your banner image, too. Mystery colors for ...I love your banner image, too. Mystery colors for non-cozies seem to be red, black and white. Sometimes a neon color is used, but usually only if humor or satire is part of the story, as with Carl Hiaasen or Janet Evanovich. The background for text should be white, because it's easier on the eye. Also, you might want to optimize your site for Mobile, perhaps using a plug-in. (You might want Rhonda Lanehttp://www.thehorseyset.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-10727948884610116342013-02-28T00:30:06.555-05:002013-02-28T00:30:06.555-05:00Dru, thanks for the reader's perspective!Dru, thanks for the reader's perspective!<br />Leslie Budewitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11942314846112875042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-4771948531790091782013-02-27T21:19:20.858-05:002013-02-27T21:19:20.858-05:00I'm afraid I don't write short stories, bu...I'm afraid I don't write short stories, but I have loads of nonfiction stuff I could add. I've been lazy about doing that. <br /><br />I think I need a sort of headline on the homepage, maybe a review quote that makes it clear immediately that I write suspense.<br /> <br />I've never seen anything wrong with including pets. If you're an animal lover, your pets are a huge part Sandra Parshallnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-44409609414045967052013-02-27T19:02:59.927-05:002013-02-27T19:02:59.927-05:00When I go to an author's website, I'm look...When I go to an author's website, I'm looking for more. More information about them. More information about their books. More information about what they are working on.<br /><br />I also think it should appear current. Someone mentioned that most don't update their website but once a year when their book comes out, and if you're like me who check an author's site multiple Druhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07978384022143035332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-82768111214329462592013-02-27T18:35:58.433-05:002013-02-27T18:35:58.433-05:00I don't think your site says "cozy" ...I don't think your site says "cozy" or any other writing genre, Sandra, but I do think it says "outdated." I say this only because it looks like the most basic thing that WordPress offers for websites.<br /><br />I'm not suggesting that you put so many images & links on the site that it becomes messy & disorganized (& I hate red on black backgrounds, too),Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-43182083436331578802013-02-27T17:06:55.970-05:002013-02-27T17:06:55.970-05:00Some writers only change their websites when they ...Some writers only change their websites when they have a new book out, which means at least a year and sometimes two or three with the same homepage, sadly outdated. ("Coming in August 2010!") What should we offer in between new books? How do you feel about blog posts on a website homepage? Some sites consist of little more than a scrolling blog and a ton of BUY THE BOOK buttons. Sandra Parshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17403144248962124138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-48792939822578887332013-02-27T16:51:46.077-05:002013-02-27T16:51:46.077-05:00Hi Sandra,
I think we discussed some of this on FB...Hi Sandra,<br />I think we discussed some of this on FB, but here's something important: At least your name's not as common as mine. If I had it to do over again, I'd choose authorstevenmoore.com. That extra m confuses but is so necessary to distinguish from other Steve Moores. Or, maybe I should have chosen a clever pseudonym...like Lee Child!<br />BTW, I think your site looks Steven M. Moorehttp://stevenmmoore.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-8114584504499583522013-02-27T15:43:00.014-05:002013-02-27T15:43:00.014-05:00Sandra, perhaps you can discuss with your web desi...Sandra, perhaps you can discuss with your web designer the problem of colors showing differently in different viewers and what you can do about it. I see the colors as you do and find nothing cozy about them, but if the text background appears for some as pink with the outer background more purple-y, I can see where that might not give the feeling you're aiming for.<br /><br />I also think Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-15397705835577443682013-02-27T11:44:10.374-05:002013-02-27T11:44:10.374-05:00Seems to me cozy writers have it pretty easy when ...Seems to me cozy writers have it pretty easy when it comes to website design. You can use lots of bright colors and fancy fonts and pet photos galore. Readers expect light and bright on a cozy writer's site. <br /><br />What puzzles me greatly is the way so many people associate the color blue with cozies. Even dark blue looks "too cozy" to some people. Sandra Parshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17403144248962124138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-73695941766925612632013-02-27T11:31:35.097-05:002013-02-27T11:31:35.097-05:00And yes, I agree readers are more likely to go to ...And yes, I agree readers are more likely to go to the site b/c they already know a litte about you than to randomly stumble on it -- but that doesn't mean they have already read a book. They may see a review or announcement, or a blog post, or hear your name from a friend and want to find out more before taking the plunge. Some use websites to find out what else you've written or researchLeslie Budewitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11942314846112875042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-27899843634822900952013-02-27T11:27:38.342-05:002013-02-27T11:27:38.342-05:00Sandy, perfect timing to bring this up -- I'm ...Sandy, perfect timing to bring this up -- I'm designing a site for my mysteries right now. A combination of pastels or light bright colors might say light and cozy, while a darker tone suggests a darker image. I love the blue and orange tones on Laurie King's site. Photos? They can do a lot to convey the setting and content, but they can also get cluttered. The B&W idea is a good one,Leslie Budewitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11942314846112875042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-65777999934674490182013-02-27T11:27:35.827-05:002013-02-27T11:27:35.827-05:00I think so, Sandy. I don't chance upon an auth...I think so, Sandy. I don't chance upon an author's site, I go there deliberately.<br /><br />I can see how someone says the site looks cozy and I can ALSO see how someone says the site looks edgy. Part of what one's sees is what one wishes to see (what one brings to the image), of course.<br /><br />Theresa<br />http://tinyurl.com/DLMemorable2012Theresa de Valencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11192010465755742673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-90181999590727110292013-02-27T11:07:12.273-05:002013-02-27T11:07:12.273-05:00I've always thought people go to a writer'...I've always thought people go to a writer's website after they've already become interested in that person's work. We don't browse the internet and just happen upon the website of a writer we've never heard of. We visit a site because we have some information and want more. Am I right about that?Sandra Parshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17403144248962124138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-9444052320927271262013-02-27T08:07:17.255-05:002013-02-27T08:07:17.255-05:00I will wait eagerly to see what readers have to sa...I will wait eagerly to see what readers have to say. Since I agree with your comment that some professional sites (or template sites) look generic, I like to keep control over my own, but I have to admit I have no training in website design or computer languages, so no doubt there are flaws and glitches. I do enjoy working on it, but I don't do it often enough and it can be a time sink.<br />Sheila Connollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05165644581595919711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056815460076050228.post-31116545377699503352013-02-27T06:55:00.742-05:002013-02-27T06:55:00.742-05:00Sandra, know the feeling. I just updated my websit...Sandra, know the feeling. I just updated my website for my new book. It's simple for me because I cheat and have the Yahoo small biz site. They offer various designs, the good part is that so much is done for you all you have to do is fill the spaces with copy. Of course, they are not as individual. But it works for me because I can edit whenever I want. And, I can actually handle this!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10151167876515389804noreply@blogger.com