Are you an author with one or more websites? You might ask, why would an author need more than one website? If you have one book to promote or a line of books, and you offer nothing more than these books for sale, one website is probably enough.<\/p>\n
I interviewed an author a few weeks ago who told me that she has numerous websites. She has books, services, an organization, classes and a business each of which she promotes on separate sites. I am in the process of designing my second website and I can tell you why I\u2019m doing it.<\/p>\n
If you go to my current Matilija Press website, you will see that it functions on many levels. It is where I showcase and sell many of my books. It introduces me, the author\u2014but also me, the editor, teacher, speaker, workshop presenter and article-writer. At the Matilija Press site, you can sign up for online courses, search an extensive resource list for writers and authors, visit either of my two blogs, study numerous articles on writing and publishing, learn more about my qualifications and experience related to my writing and editorial work, follow my speaking schedule, read testimonials and reviews for my work and my books and, of course, you can buy books. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a> <\/p>\n That\u2019s a lot of work to expect one website to do. And that\u2019s why I\u2019ve decided to create a Patricia Fry site\u2014one dedicated to my editorial work. I hope to be able to invite you there soon.<\/p>\n There are a lot of decisions, choices and considerations to be made when designing a website. I had in mind just splitting Matilija Press in half and creating PatriciaFry.com. But my webmaster (and friend), over a gourmet cookie and bottle of water one windy March day at a California park, explained to me that Google doesn\u2019t like it when you take away from an existing site. \u201cBetter,\u201d she said, \u201cto create a new site using new material.\u201d <\/p>\n She also warned against using flash on my website\u2014if I do, to keep it simple. Actually, I had no intentions of getting that fancy. But I asked her why. She said that some of the new gadgets, such as I-Phones, while they are capable of pulling up websites, cannot handle flash. I guess that technology is coming, however. But I\u2019m still not interested in all of that glitzy stuff. Some of my clients and potential clients have trouble with attachments. Their computers are old and they\u2019re still on dial-up and they can only handle the most simple of sites. <\/p>\n The only fancy dancy thing I might do at some point is add a couple of book trailers to my Matilija Press site. I would love to do a book trailer promoting Catscapades, True Cat Tales<\/em><\/strong>. I think site visitors would enjoy seeing a slide show of charming cat and kitten pictures. In the meantime, though, I\u2019ve increased the frequency with which I post to my Catscapades blog and I always post a new kitty photo, as well. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades<\/a> <\/p>\n By the way, are you gearing up for Mother\u2019s Day? Consider purchasing an autographed copy of Catscapades, True Cat Tales <\/em><\/strong>for your mom, wife, daughter, mother-in-law and\/or grandmother! It really does make a lovely, lasting gift. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades.html<\/a> <\/p>\n So, here I am in the midst of creating website pages in order to attract more editorial work. I\u2019m sure there are people out there who know me as an author, teacher, speaker, but who don\u2019t know that I edit books. In fact, book editing has become my specialty. And yes, I edit fiction as well as nonfiction. I edit young adult manuscripts, but not those for young children.<\/p>\n While my new website is in progress, I have decided to drop my editorial fees to my 2000 rate. It is now $40\/hour instead of $50. You can save $300 to $600 or more on your editing job if you come to me this spring. Mention this offer when you email me. PLFry620@yahoo.com.<\/p>\n