Good morning, fellow Mamas ~
First off, I’m thrilled to be here with you guys today. It’s giving me something to do on my Release Day other than obsess over how the new book is doing!!! 
That’s right… it’s Official Release Day for A HIGHLANDER’S HOMECOMING, the sixth book in my Daughters of the Glen series. Naturally, I’m hoping you’re all making plans even now to hurry down to your favorite local bookstore TODAY to pick up your very own copy!! J
Meanwhile, back in the real world, I’ve spent the last few days buried up to my elbows in my website. Darn thing ALWAYS seems to need updating! And every time I check it, I can’t believe how out of date it is! Has it really been two months since I did this last??? Seems like just last week!! J And how did so much change in just two months?!?! Every time I think it’s absolutely perfect, I find something else I want to change!
The whole process started me thinking… And that led to some questions I’m bringing here to all the MamaWriters … and MamaReaders!! Feel free to answer any that strike your fancy. I’m just curious as to how far off the norm I really am!!! J
Writers – how many of you do your own website updates? And if you do use someone else, do you still have the ability to tweak your site when you want to add or change something? Are you happy with the way you’re doing it now? If not, what would you like to be able to do differently?
Readers – which pretty much takes us all in, now doesn’t it??? – What do you like to see on the Home Page of an author’s website? I know most of us don’t have much time to spend surfing our favorite author’s pages — we’d rather be reading their books!! But when you do, what are you looking for? Is there anything you find particularly annoying on authors’ websites? And what sorts of things do you like to find buried in the meat of the site?
Personally, I like to see book lists right up front… especially newest and upcoming books. Makes it so much easier for me to pre-order if I know what’s coming out from my favorite authors and when!
Okay, Mamas… I’ll be checking back today to see what you have to say. For now, maybe I can distract myself with some mindless Twittering… *sigh*
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MELISSA MAYHUE writes award-winning paranormal romance for Pocket Books, all set in an imaginary world of Faeries and Mortals. Her sixth book, A HIGHLANDER’S HOMECOMING, hits stores TODAY!
You can visit her on the web at: www.MelissaMayhue.com or come Twitter with her at www.Twitter.com/MelissaMayhue



I use Microsoft’s FrontPage and upkeep my own stuff. For now, since I haven’t sold a novel yet, its the cheapest thing for me to do.
However, once I get published…I’ll be paying someone to at least come up with graphics. I’m not very good at drawing or manipulating images. But I think I’d like to retain the right to make my own updates. Adding reviews or contest info is not something I need a web designer to do.
As a reader, I like seeing the new release information upfront and a backlist. Excerpts are nice. Lately, I’ve seen authors make special sections for each ‘world’ they’re working on if they write multiple series. That’s kind of nice getting some background on the world.
A link to their blog is nice but not as necessary for me. I visit primarily for the book information. Free reads are always nice but I know with regular deadlines that’s not always possible.
Good points, Beth! Thanks for stopping by today!
I have wonderful ‘graphic’ ideas…I just don’t have the ability to translate them onto the web page! hehehe… I have a great WebDiva. But I also like having the ability to tweak and update when I want. I just wish I were better at it!
~ Melissa
Congrats Melissa! And yup, I will be rushing out to grab the book!
I do my own website, and it does take a lot of updating. Which is annoying, but I don’t have to wait for anyone either… I’m curious to see what everyone says too, because I’d really like to work on making mine more appealing.
Happy release day!!!
Thanks, Eliza! Yep, it’s always that pull and tug, isn’t it? I think it’s part of the Author personality to want to be able to do it ourselves – so it’s done how and when we want. But some of us [like me!] don’t necessarily have the ability to make it look like I want it to. And ALL of us seem to have that old TIME issue!
Like you, I’m really looking forward to hearing what everyone has to say!
~ Melissa
Happy release day, Melissa!
Thank you, Helen!!!
Hi Melissa!
Happy release day! I enjoyed your interview over at Micole Black’s blog! Don’t you just love her questions?!
I don’t have a website, but it is one of my goals this year. I’d love to have it up and running by Dec. Just managing my blog seems to take forever! I’m kind of scared to see what an actual website would take. Yikes!
I really adore a feature on Monica McCarty’s website. She has a “Special features” page where she shows the pics of her trips to Scotland researching the castles and lochs mentioned in her books. It was very fascinating!
Another page element I really liked was on a mystery writer’s site. She had pics taken of her critique group in action. She even listed their names and genres. Very cool!
Great post, Melissa! Let’s face it, a website or blog is just another place for us to feed our need to accessorize. LOL But, oh, what fun!!!
So true, Sarah. I seriously think people with blogs work much harder than people with websites. Especially considering how I whine about having to update my website every couple of months!!!!
~ Melissa
Melissa, Congratulations!
My B&N was OUT, so I’m headed to the next town down the road to get your book tonight. It’s on hold.
As for websites, I haven’t changed mine since I put it up. My bad. And my favorite author’s site is Julie Garwood’s. I’m told it was done with a pretty pricey program, so one day, if I ever get to that book six contract, I’m going to have mine done in a similar way.
Love yours, too. How could I not love something with plaid?
Also, I’d rather you spent your time writing for me instead of updating your website. Let go and Let a pro, baby–at least for the updates.
“Let go and Let a pro, baby” I LOVE that!!!! I think I’m adopting it for my very own new motto!!!
~ Melissa
Twitter: rebelatheartbellsouth.net
says:
Congratulations, Melissa! What a wonderful day for you. It’s too late in the day to get your book, but you can bet I’ll be getting as soon as I can. Last year, I started a MySpace blog, BUT did not keep it up. It took too much time! And I felt guilty dong it. Same thing with Facebook. I was go ing to concentrate this year on learning to set up a web site, but most times I feel guilty—like I should actually be writing instead of doing the ‘business’ end of it. Kind of like putting the cart before the horse. Julie
Oh my gosh, Julie! That’s it exactly!! All the “I SHOULD” stuff!! I wonder if that’s part of our genetic female makeup or part of the Writer Personality? I SHOULD be blogging. AND writing. AND *fill in the blank with the thousands of other things we feel guilt over when we aren’t doing them!*
~ Melissa
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
Melissa~
Woot!! I forgot today was release day! Mega congrats!!
I definitely have someone do the design and basic creation, but I really like to do the updates myself, for a few reasons. Being a total computer idiot, though, it’s talking us some time to come up with a system that I am able to use easily.
I agree re: what I want to see on a home page, I want books covers and easy links to excerpts.
I always like to read who gave quotes and what they had to say, too, but I don’t know if that’s because I’m a writer.
I do NOT like fancy graphics and whatnot that take a long time to load.
Congrats on another what I’m sure will be another wonderful release! I’m off to the store tomorrow to pick it up.
Thanks, Kris!