Over at the ROR blog I did a post asking what male readers really wanted in a book? Feel free to chip in with your comments. I am really interested.
Which brings me to, what do readers really want to see when they come to a web site like this? I’ve been around looking at other web sites and some authors have an amazing amount of material on their sites.
Maps? I have maps. I’m as obsessive as the next writer.
Character bios? Well, no. But I do have family trees so I can keep track of who everyone is and how they are related.
Interviews with characters as if they are real people? Well, um. No, you see they aren’t real, except within the framework of the book. And then they are completely real. Confusing? Makes perfect sense to me.
Pod casts? I find this interesting and would really like to try it. I’m certain I can fit one more thing in, if I can just learn how to go without sleep.
So, what do readers want to see when they come to this site?
Hm, dunno really, as for maps I need those in the book or else I go insane
I like a map if the country is a bit different and I deliberately made the country different in King Rolen’s Kin because the shape of the land, shapes the people and their society.
Do you think I need the maps on the web site?
Well what I like on an authors are:
FAQ and/or question of the month, review section, author contact (email where a reader can drop you a line saying how much they love your books. don’t always have to reply though), blog section and a news section (where you can state when books are released, audiobook releases, general cool news).
Also, I would like to thank you for including a gay character in your book! They are so very few and far between in fantasy. I just hope he doesn’t die trying to save Byren in the third book and finds someone to love.
Kp Keane
Hi KP,
Thanks for the feedback I really appreciate it.
Orrie is one of my all time favourite characters!
I work in a book distribution warehouse and I decided I had to read your book after watching it fly off the shelves. I wasn’t disappointed! When I realized that I could snap up the second book… I started jumping up and down, in front of my supervisor. He laughed. Thank God he knows what a book nut I am!
One thing that I like to see from authors is email updates on new releases or links to new or important news. I don’t really actively visit author sites that often (too many favorites), so it’s nice to get a heads up that there is something worth checking out. Book tour info is especially good info to have.
Jonii,
You’ve made my day!
I’d feel a bit pushy doing a newsletter. I am on twitter. (There’s a link in the side bar). And I did join Eventful.
Are you in Melbourne? (I’m guessing you’re Australian?) I’m going to World SF Con in September.
Cheers, R
I wish I was Australian! I’m just a regular old vulgar American, unfortunately. 😉 I’m glad I could make your day with my book buying antics. Thanks for the comment on my blog too. That made MY day!
Jonii (I spelledt your name wrong, I realised it after I hit send on my comment on your blog – too late!)
If you live in the US then you have no trouble getting to a World Con, you lucky thing. We only get them down here in Australia once every 10 years.