Book Website

[bluntsword]

Hey guys.

Trying to get a feel for this website. Can you tell me what you think of it?

www.retrovertbooks.com

*After initial book launch I'll edit this to be the actual advert for the website.

Thanks!

[bluntsword]

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[bluntsword]

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[PhoenixFire]

I like it, but found one error so far. Drop down menu lets you access the Gilia Organizations page, but the link on the Gilia main page does not have navigation to it enabled..

EDIT: I think you should consider putting a link to the page that has the prices listed, somewhere on the page that shows the three books on it...

So, lemme try to make that clearer... Somewhere on This Page, make a link for This Page.

[tSwitch]

It's not bad...but it's a weebly.

[bluntsword]

I like it, but found one error so far. Drop down menu lets you access the Gilia Organizations page, but the link on the Gilia main page does not have navigation to it enabled..

EDIT: I think you should consider putting a link to the page that has the prices listed, somewhere on the page that shows the three books on it...

So, lemme try to make that clearer... Somewhere on This Page, make a link for This Page.

Yup, Thanks for the catch. I'll make that happen.

And I plan to do more for the books page. The pictures are just placeholders for time being.

It's not bad...but it's a weebly.

I agree.

But looking at the time and money I could possibly invest in a website (a ton) versus the return a website could get me at this point.

Meh.

If I start dishing out books like hotcakes I'll revisit and pay someone who knows what they are doing to make it awesome.

In the mean time: weebly.

[PhoenixFire]

If I start dishing out books like hotcakes I'll revisit and pay someone who knows what they are doing to make it awesome.

Well, I mean, I would do it for free...

[bluntsword]

I really appreciate the offer man. I guess my concern would be editing it at a later date. I know absolutely nothing about HTML.

Nor do I really want to ask a lot of you and take advantage of your offer without giving you proper compensation.

What are you thinking?

[tSwitch]

I really appreciate the offer man. I guess my concern would be editing it at a later date. I know absolutely nothing about HTML.

You'd want a site built on a CMS then.  Something like a Wordpress (gag), Drupal (slightly less gag), Expression Engine, or similar setup.  TBH my job is web programming and all I'll say is you get what you pay for, but if what I've seen is any example of Spirit's design work, it's ~not bad~ and it's probably better to have than a template weebly.

[bluntsword]

I know it's not preferable to have a website that's premade or template based, but I'm just looking at that time I'm going to invest in this.

It's a hobby at best, doubtfully one that will let me buy a summer home. More like take my wife on an extra date a month.

That being said, I don't want the website I'm on to have the cheese factor. I want it to look well put together.

Perhaps it would be good for me to look at other author websites.

Hmm, just a quick search for a couple authors and this is what I found:

I like the up top banner, but the website seems too cluttered otherwise.
http://www.georgerrmartin.com/

Again, content seems cluttered.
http://www.jkrowling.com/

I like the simplicity here, but I think he could do better graphics in spots. His maps particularly.
Http://www.danielarenson.com/

Granted, two of these authors are mega millionaires and Daniel at least has a dozen books under his belt.

I'm finishing my first.

Just trying to keep perspective.

Any other indie author websites you know of?

[bluntsword]

I'm also realizing how pretentious it is of me to critique authors who pay people ridiculous amounts of money to keep up their web pages.

Geez.

[tSwitch]

JKR's site isn't really cluttered so much as it is obtuse.  JRRM's and Daniel's are just old fashioned.

[bluntsword]

Found this website that featured some good author websites.

Unfortunately two are broken links.

But some of the others are working.

http://aptdesignonline.com/8-great-author-websites

[PhoenixFire]

Well, it really depends on the customer to be honest... I do as they ask. Yeah, WordPress is a bit bleh, and I do prefer other systems, HOWEVER, it is probably the absolute easiest to use, and if you have someone who knows what they're doing, they can make it look halfway acceptable. Since it's free, and easy to use, it's a great choice for someone to start a site with. In regards to Drupal... Meh... It doesn't really do it for me. I have also used Concrete5 before, and it's okay; also pretty easy, point and click style.

[bluntsword]

So i suppose then the question is this:

What would you look for in a author/book website?

I'd like to show off the maps and the great music to help immerse people into the world. Plus having the option to buy the book from multiple sources.

Is that shooting too low or am I just not a visionary?

[tSwitch]

Having sections for series-lore sounds like a good idea.  People interested in your books could learn something, and people who want to see if your writing is any good could peruse and get an idea of your vision.

Maybe a little info about you, places to find your work, perhaps a news reel if you're doing events, or expecting printing soon, or whatnot.

[PhoenixFire]

Having sections for series-lore sounds like a good idea.  People interested in your books could learn something, and people who want to see if your writing is any good could peruse and get an idea of your vision.

Maybe a little info about you, places to find your work, perhaps a news reel if you're doing events, or expecting printing soon, or whatnot.

^basically all of that.

[bluntsword]

For now I'll work on

A) finishing the book
And
B) creating content for website

Fancy design can be later I suppose.

[mouse]

Retrovert Books
Legends of Gilia
Wayward
The Sword Chronicles vol 1

Do you need so many titles?

[bluntsword]

I am a little title happy huh?

I guess I should explain.

Retrovertbooks because I already have a dedicated blog with my name and it's for student ministry. And I plan to write some scifi as well in the future.

Legends of Gilia because I want to write in this world more, but not necessarily around these characters or this time.

Sword Chronicles because I want this to be the name of the trilogy.

Too much? :p