Comments on: Revising the Website: Books

By: Jackie

Jackie — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:37:42 +0000

Just the facts and the first chapters. date first published. versions available – HB, trade, MM, ebooks, audio. If books are part of a series – even if designed to be read independently – list them in order so those who care can approach them that way.
It might be kind to include links to non english editions as well. Reviews should be by link. I’m not too terribly interested in reviews. The whole other stuff area is so great, but it should only be by link.

I think the books section should be for the new reader. The other stuff is for after you read the book in many cases.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:00:25 +0000

Those are the things we’d put links to in the More Stuff section. It’s good to know what’s valuable and what isn’t, so thank you!

By: Sheena

Sheena — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:24:47 +0000

The things I love to read on the books section of your website are the backstories, and also any outtakes – like the conversation between Joey and Agnes about coleslaw, and the extra details of the phone call between Davy and Sophie in Faking It, which followed up on characters from Welcome to Temptation (still my all-time favourite of your books). Also, I love seeing pictures of real things you describe in the books, like the china in Fast Women and the jukebox in Faking It. I realise that these things are more tidbits for those who have already read the books, but they’re what I go back for.

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 04:15:03 +0000

You learn something new every day. No Select All, but you can select. It’s a little cumbersome, but when I need a fix… Thanks!

By: Reb

Reb — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 00:59:04 +0000

Karen, I know nix about Blackberries but is it possible to select all the text on a website? Like Ctrl-A on a PC. That might turn the text black.

By: Carol Anne

Carol Anne — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:28:54 +0000

Perhaps, they were being snarky? Doesn’t matter to me, I will find your books. Would it make a difference, in light of the MTT past post, if the publisher/bookstore knows you have a direct link to the book on your website?

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:30:13 +0000

One more thing… I think the website looks great on my computer, but it’s impossible to read on my blackberry. I don’t just mean that it’s hard to maneuver–that I expect from any non-mobile-optimized website–but it’s literally impossible to read. The black text comes out white on tan. I don’t know if that’s something that is peculiar to the blackberry software or can be changed without messing up the website, but I would love to be able to read the blog and the comments while I’m commuting.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:06:43 +0000

LOL. I figured those people would just say, “Eh,” and move along. I forgot the need to DO SOMETHING. Hang on, I’ll add it.

Done. Weird that the percentages aren’t showing up. But “add the buttons” is ahead 44 to 4.
Now I’ll worry about those four . . .

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:36:26 +0000

I agree with Sara, “doesn’t matter choice”. The minute the book release day is here, I am in the store. I have no patience for the mail. Especially when it is one of your books.

By: robena grant

robena grant — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:05:01 +0000

I’ve always enjoyed your website and found it both informative and easy to navigate. I don’t think there’s much to update, really. Seriously.
And one thing I’ve always admired about you is that you’ve kept the place friendly and never applied any pressure to buy. It reminds me of when I was in development for a non-profit and had to solicit major gifts, I never asked for money, but somehow always ended up with big checks. : 0

By: Sara C.

Sara C. — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:54:33 +0000

Could we have a response in the poll that is along the lines of “doesn’t matter to me one way or the other”?

By: Deborah Blake

Deborah Blake — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:38:14 +0000

Dates on the book list–definitely. And I’m in favor of small buy buttons, especially ones that give you options like Jennifer suggested.
Also prizes, and shiny awards, and stuff… Oh, sorry, I got distracted.

By: GatorPerson

GatorPerson — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:57:39 +0000

How about dates on the book list. First publication or first written or somesuch for people to know what to read first in the Temptation “series.”

By: Louis

Louis — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:51 +0000

I’d like to see a list of your books from latest to your first (Or vice-versa) with links to all the info about them. Or list with covers.

By: BJ

BJ — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:27:31 +0000

I agree with Kelly about a printable list of books (and clearly delineated linkages – as Heather said earlier). I always appreciate a list when I find an author I love, so I can check them off as I read them, and then go get the next one on the list.

By: BJ

BJ — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:13:45 +0000

I definitely agree with Heather on this – I want to know what books have the same characters or settings, and in what order they were written.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:44:17 +0000

I like the buy buttons, to avoid the clicking back and forth, like WapakGram pointed out. But there are buy buttons, and then there are buy buttons. Some are nice and discreet- there for your convenience, easy to see but not pushy, easy to ignore if you’re not purchasing at that time, and in no way guilt-inducing.

Then there are the other buy buttons that simply say “BUY!” They’re often obnoxious, HUGE and placed right in the middle of the page, sometimes with flashy lights. Those pushy buy buttons make you feel that you’re only welcome as a customer, and if you’re not buying you’re not welcome.

I particularly like when there are a couple of small buttons that give you choices, like “Buy at Amazon” or “Buy at Borders.com.” Those really don’t feel like buy buttons at all, more like helpful links.

By: WapakGram

WapakGram — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:25:50 +0000

I agree with Kelly who asked for a whole list and the “order.” When I am referred to a new author and read one and want more, I HAVE to get them in order and READ them in order if the brothers or sisters get their own books.I’m just like that. Maybe it’s just me?
If you are on Amazon, you have to click back and forth to make sure you have the right ones. I get cranky. Having all of your books in one place with a “BUY” button…. I’d do the Happy Dance for hours.
I’d also list the story before the review in your list. Thanks for asking.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:05:17 +0000

I’ve put responses to a lot of your questions up in the post as an addendum because I didn’t want to break the blog. And there’s a poll there to your right because Skye wanted one. No, because I really need to know if Buy buttons are annoying or off-putting or if they’d really be a convenience. I really don’t want to use the blog or the site to ask you to buy anything. Talk about stuff so you want to buy it, sure, but to say, “Hey, BUY THIS,” seems rude.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:46:50 +0000

Tell your mom I said thank you.
But if she can google, she can find us. I’m just warning you.