Shannon Stacey


Website neuroses…free book!

Every time Romancelandia turns it’s attention/love/claws to website design, I start getting a complex.

I know…me? A complex? Never. *listens for peals of laughter from those who put up with me on a daily basis*

I start looking at mine thinking…OMG is it good enough or should I have a static home page because new readers shouldn’t have my blog be the first thing they see and are my book pages okay or does the navigation suck and what about my sidebar it’s too busy right now with two book covers plus the Talons banner and the ATV pics and OMG OMG OMG I suck!!!

Yes, welcome to my stream of consciousness. Fun place, isn’t it?

So…I’ll give y’all the floor. What’s good? What’s bad? Should I change things up…leave it alone? Does it still reflect “me”? Is it passe now to have the blog as the front page?

I’ll randomly draw from the comments (tomorrow night, probably during NCIS) to win a download of one of my available books!

17 comments to “Website neuroses…free book!”

  1. Jessy
    Comment
    1
      · October 23rd, 2006 at 6:22 pm · Link

    well, you gave too much for me to respond to…. so I will only say that I much prefer not to see a blog on the homepage…. the homepage should always be the entry page…. and the blog should only be linked to….



  2. Beth Ciotta
    Comment
    2
      · October 23rd, 2006 at 6:44 pm · Link

    I don’t think it’s passe to have the blog as your front page, Shannon, but I don’t know that it’s something every author should do. I think it depends on blog content. An author who expresses strong political or religous views, well, actually, anything controversial, may stand the chance of running off readers who don’t share their opinions. If that happens on the blog/home page they may never make it to the author’s other web pages, the pages featuring their books.

    On the other hand, an author who blogs in a more casual or entertaining way might find that they actually hook readers because of their blog posts, reeling them in for a closer look at additional pages.

    Just my thoughts. I don’t think there’s a right/wrong answer here. Just that one avenue is riskier than the other.

    Personally, I really like the colors here, vibrant yet pleasing, and I like the graphic as well–sexy. Overall, a sharp professional look. You should be proud! :clap::clap:



  3. DawnM
    Comment
    3
      · October 23rd, 2006 at 7:16 pm · Link

    Hi Shannon, personally I’m not a fan of going from blog to website, though a lot of authors seem to be doing this. I’d rather it be the other way round. It’s not a problem here, because the siite links are clear but there have been a few blogs I’ve been sent to where you had to hunt for the author’s website, and that’s self-defeating, by that time I’ve gotten ticked off and gone elsewhere.
    It’s a nice clean looking, well organised site and so far everything seems to be easily navigable. The header’s a nice dreamy graphic the only niggle I would have is with the lack of contrast between the blue, grey for the words and the background of the image. Also the drop shadow is too far offset for my tastes that I find it distracting. The two combined made it relatively diffcult to read.



  4. Jaci Burton
    Comment
    4
      · October 23rd, 2006 at 7:19 pm · Link

    You? Complex? :lmao:

    Only and hourly one :rofl:

    However in this instance I’m obsessing over the same damn thing and I’ll be blogging about it probably tomorrow. But I love your website and blog and wouldn’t change a thing.

    As one who puts up with you daily. :love:



  5. Maya
    Comment
    5
      · October 23rd, 2006 at 8:42 pm · Link

    I like your blog as website. I don’t know of many authors who use this format so in my mind it’s different than every other author site out there. And since admittedly, you’re a schizo when it comes to genres, I don’t know how you could encapsulate a genre feel to a website :rofl:

    As long as you have a place where I can read about upcoming books, complete with blurbs and excerpts, I’m a happy camper. Throw up a book cover without any info on the book and piss me off for life. (I have personal grudges against authors who do that shit) :lmao:



  6. Lori
    Comment
    6
      · October 23rd, 2006 at 8:48 pm · Link

    Contest? That was enough to bring me out of lurkdom! :lmao:

    I think you do the blog to website very well. Since your redesign, your links are very clear, and all your pages are easy to find.



  7. Jennybrat
    Comment
    7
      · October 23rd, 2006 at 9:43 pm · Link

    I don’t have a problem with the blog being the opening page if it’s updated frequently. I see it as a News section that can give more detail than a traditional News section can. Your site is simple but has everything there–didn’t you have some behind-the-books info previously though? What happened to that? The only improvement I would suggest is a stronger thrust in terms of the overall concept that integrates your mainstream and erotic pen styles.



  8. Meg_Allison
    Comment
    8
      · October 24th, 2006 at 12:09 am · Link

    You know what? It really doesn’t bother me one way or the other. I don’t mind the blog up-front — especially when it’s a blogger/writer who is interesting and witty. (No, not trying to brown-nose, just being honest. :cool: )

    I think your website is fine! It looks very classy… and I really love the eye-candy covers at the top. :thumb: Wish I had the knowledge/money/whatever to make my website a bit more…professional? :crazy:

    Hey, aren’t writers supposed to be neurotic? :shrug::write::rofl:



  9. Ali
    Comment
    9
      · October 24th, 2006 at 12:16 am · Link

    I like the look of your site…it was different walking into the blog first, I thought I took a wrong turn somewhere :crazy: lol
    But, I like it, and for now, I think it goes with you :clap:



  10. Jennybrat
    Comment
    10
      · October 24th, 2006 at 12:46 am · Link

    I found the behind-the-scenes section but maybe you can do something to make the link more noticeable. As your list of books grows, it gets pushed all the way down.



  11. May
    Comment
    11
      · October 24th, 2006 at 6:05 am · Link

    I wouldn’t change anything, I don’t think.

    I actually like that it’s your blog I see first thing.



  12. Tammy G.
    Comment
    12
      · October 24th, 2006 at 6:52 am · Link

    Keep it the way it is. I don’t see any changes to be made.



  13. Amy S.
    Comment
    13
      · October 24th, 2006 at 8:26 am · Link

    I like it the way it is!



  14. Kelly
    Comment
    14
      · October 24th, 2006 at 8:35 am · Link

    I have a short list of blogs I check daily…yours is one of them. I enjoy reading it and am disappointed when you don’t post something (like when you take time with your family…I understand really but I miss you :wink:).

    As for it being the first page of your website…I think it’s great (especially for someone that posts pretty regularly with interesting comments and thoughts). If they don’t already have your book, after reading a bit of your blog they will want to check out your books to enjoy more from you.

    As for navigating your site…I think it’s easy to find everything a new-to-you reader would look for, and from someone that has followed you for a while (not stalking really I’m not…too much anyway)…I haven’t had a problem finding what’s going on with your upcoming books and reviews.

    And while I’m commenting…make Turkey Dinner early in the week, then take left-overs with ya’ll so everyone will get what they want on your Turkey Day Away from home…:wink:



  15. Mahaira
    Comment
    15
      · October 24th, 2006 at 1:40 pm · Link

    Well, I have no problem with blogs if they are updated regularly, same goes for websites. You have an excellent blog, Shannon :love: why change it? Alison Kent keeps a very active blog and I don’t even look for her website now. My advice is that you choose one and stick with it. We can always click on the books page to find about the new relases so don’t worry about the busy sidebar. :write: Just keep on writing excellent books and that will make us visit your blog or site regularly. :thumb:



  16. Billie L
    Comment
    16
      · October 24th, 2006 at 3:23 pm · Link

    I say as long as the homepage has a way to get to the rest of the site and tells me a little about why I would want to be here (your books of course) then I dont see why it would matter what else is on your homepage. I think the blog is great. It lets people get a little sneak in when they first enter about what kind of person you are and things you do. Besides, who wants to be just like everyone else? From what I see I think you should just keep it the way it is.



  17. Shannon
    Comment
    17
      · October 24th, 2006 at 9:39 pm · Link

    Okay, I’m running late. NCIS was a repeat and we ended up watching a DVR’d episode of The Nine. First episode rocked, second was blah, third…picking back up.

    Anyway, I’m working on a post now to finish this off. (You know…for now. :rofl:)



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