Redesigned my website

A fresh new website:

http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk

Apparently, Google likes new stuff, so I added some more.

Ooh - I like that. It's very simple, balanced, and to the point. I like seeing the covers across the top, and as you move down the page, you get more and more details. It really hooked me into scrolling down and staying engaged.

Good work!

Thanks Ann! I focused on adding links to places where the books are on sale, and avoided links to information sites (my blogs, network sites).

I've been thinking maybe I should do something like that, and am trying, at least, to move in that direction - a site with no distractions, just focused on the products.

10/27/2012

Shelagh...

Looks fantastic ! What sight or company did you use ?

I should re-create my books, " Dusty," is now mine...YEAH !"

Cheers.Joe.......

I designed the website from scratch, Joe. There are several free website editors you can download. This is the one I used:

http://www.pagebreeze.com/

If you design your own website, you will have to pay for hosting the site. I use easily.co.uk:

http://easily.co.uk/

10/27/2012



Shelagh...

Thank You !

Cheers..Joe...

Hiya Shelagh,

I love the page and have put the page editor into my favorites. When I get ready to try myself at making a website I will give the program a whirl.

Under your LINKS, I have noticed that some oft he thumbnails are not rendering... and when I followed the link for MUSICBOX that did not open at all.

That was as far as my clicking went this morning. I did not click on any of the other items (not awake enough yet), but I will make my way back over there later.

Huggles,
Katja

Hi Katya,

The links page was set up in 2005. The missing covers belong to books that are no longer available, although the links to the authors' websites still work. The Music Box page does seem to be missing, but the pages with music are still around:

http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/daveiddon.html

http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/spirit.html

Hiya

I figured that is what happened to the thumbnails for the books, but thought I would let you know what I saw while fast clicking through it.

I have also played around with my avatar and my signatures for the forum today... hope I did not mess it up too bad. Let me know what you all think.

Remember I am new to this

Huggles,
Katja

I like the signature! The book looks good. Yes, the old pages you pulled up are from years back when we were all just trying to attract as many visitors onto our sites as possible. I remember having just one book to plug, so I filled my website with artwork, music, poetry, opening chapters, a puzzle page:

http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/puzzlepage.html

All these things now take visitors away from the direction I am trying to take them. I left the links page for visitors who are looking for something other than my books!

I saw the puzzle page and clicked on it. It was not too bad, but I did not click on the puzzles. Not sure if I would keep that one...

I did like the page where you have linked the art and think that could be expanded on or tied in. It would be interesting to link it with something that has to do with books and writing.

I have started to build my page with google. It is pretty easy, but I still pulled my hair trying to figure out which direction I want to take it. It should become more than just an add page for my book... so I will have to do some more brainstorming on that.

One of the things that I am considering (since I liked your art page) is to link some work from some graphic artists. Since I have worked with Ace (name of the artist that I have hired through Odesk... remember?) I have met quiet a few others and am considering some networking in that area... and figured that creativity goes with creativity.

Thanks for the nice comment about the cover I put it together with the rough layout that Ace has sent me... he made me promise that I will update it to the final as soon as it is done (I will make sure to link the final to the forum once I have it).

BTW, if any of you need covers for your books, the Odesk experience that I have had and am still having was/ is great. I can only recommend it.

Huggles,
Katja

I have artwork on FineArt America (as does Joe) and I've pinned the work onto Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/shelaghwatkins/artwork/

I could add a link to it on my website since all the work is on sale. I think interested parties just download the drawings and print them out at home. Everything I produce seems to appeal only if it's free. Even my mother thinks that my work in books I haven't published (my poems and short stories) have more credibility than work I publish myself. Sort of "never mind the quality, feel the width." Today, during a telephone conversation, she asked me if I make any money out of my writing or does it just fill my time.

Your excellent site reminds me that I need to update mine. :-)

@DK ... sigh... at least you have a webpage... one day I will catch up

@Shelagh I followed the link to your art. Very nice. I am sadly not the artsy type when it comes to drawing. Now, if there were a way to upload a mental pic... maybe.

When I started writing I pretty much kept it to myself - until now. So, as far as making money from my writing that has not really happened (yet?).

Well, I could probably buy 2 Happy Meals from the sales so far, since I have put SB up there I had 10 paid downloads, but that is not really the motivator behind it for me.

What I find amazing is that there are folks out there in the world who might curl up with my words the same way that I curl up with the words of others.

Now, that is not to say that I am not going to try to earn a little bit of money with it who knows, time will tell.

Huggles,
Katja