Thanks to an insightful post by the talented Yesenia Vargas, I decided it would be a good idea to create a separate website for my series. Yesenia does an amazing job discussing the pros and cons of creating a separate website, and even though she ultimately decided to keep one website, I decided that it would be best for me to create two for the following reasons (you know I love bullets).
- This website is a place to share my trials, triumphs, and observations with other writers. I need you all for support and advice, and hopefully, I might be able to help others as well.
- Every time I host a giveaway, market, run a promotion, or I’m featured in an interview, I don’t want to spam all my writer friends.
- If I had a few standalone novels then I would most likely keep them all here, but given that this is a four-book series, it’s probably best to create a separate site.
- My other site has less followers, but readers don’t seem to want to follow a writer’s blog. They want information about your books, background, promotions, and releases. It’s good to give them what they want. Instead of clicking around on your writer’s blog, lead them directly to your books.
- I wanted to separate each book on its own page, where I can list everything pertaining to that book (cover, blurb, historical background, and book trailer). That way, the reader only views information about the book they’ve read. I wouldn’t want to spoil the next book in the series for them.
- I also started additional pages on my other site where I feature fun things such as information about past lives and my favorite reviews left by readers and bloggers.
- I still have an Infinite Series tab at the top of this blog that leads you to my other site (and vice versa) so they are not completely separate.
Through WordPress site stats, I see that people who search for my books or author name go directly to the other website. This blog gets more views by people looking up writing topics. So I do think it was a wise choice.
Here’s the link if you want to stop on by. On a side note, I’ve released the cover to Infinite Loss, so go check it out!
laurenwaters 
All very good points. I think that is an excellent idea. 🙂 It’s true, it is a good for a writer to have a site designed for readers who want to connect more on books rather than read about writing. Your new site sounds great for fans because it will be reader friendly. I am going to check it out now!
Thanks, Sara! I still plan to spice it up a bit, but things are crazy around here with the holidays! Can’t wait for the January lull.
Same here. Yay for 2013! And you will be off to a great start by then with your third book being so close to being published and a snazzy-awesome new page. 🙂
All good reasons for separating! Nice job, Lauren.
Thanks, Diane!
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for the update and reasoning. Right now, I am pondering the idea as to whether to start a site or blog or whatever, but I just don’t have the time to keep something running on a regular basis. How do you find the time to keep your site fresh and insightful?
Matthew
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Haha…I’m not sure that I do, Matthew! When I first started blogging, I wanted to help others who were trying to figure out self-publishing. Now, I use it as more of a support group. I only blog here when something inspires me (or aggravates me), and I’ve been posting up on the other site whenever I run a giveaway on Goodreads or something involving my books crops up. Some people join reading/writing challenges and blogfests, but if I did that I could never get any of my writing done. Folks on Kindle Boards Writer’s Cafe (highly recommend) always make the point that you MUST write first. You need to get books out, marketing should come second.
I would recommend that you start a blog discussing what is important to you. Whether it’s a topic you write about, something you’re knowledgeable about, books that you review, or your journey as a writer, it all works if it inspires you to connect to others. Just be yourself, try to comment on others posts, and you will build a nice little following. Fans do find my blogs, but most importantly, this blog just makes me feel part of a writing family. I strongly recommend it!
I love, love, love the new site! What font is that? And the infinity symbol and background are great. You really did a great job with it. I’m glad that my post helped you figure this issue out. I’m still trying to think about what I want to blog about. I want to get blogging again in a few weeks, if less often. Meanwhile, I am going to work extra hard so I can get at least one book out in 2013. Maybe after that I’ll figure out what my blogging passion is. Thanks for the shout out! 🙂 I can’t wait until the third book comes out. What are you planning afterward?
Thanks, Yesenia! I LOVE your blog. You have so many great things there. I was just looking at it saying “Wow, this is so professional!” I think you are doing a fantastic job and I can’t wait to read Jimmy (begging to beta for you :))
I’m going to have to start immediately on book four because this last one is going to need extra attention. There’s a lot more pressure on the last book in the series since I need to pull everything all together and satisfy the readers who have stuck with me the whole way. I have some great things planned, so I better get started!
I just saw that I never answered your question about the font. Of course, I have no idea! I used one of the pre-made web designs. How can I find that out for you, oh techno-savvy one? 🙂
Thanks 🙂 And you definitely don’t have to beg! On the contrary LOL Consider yourself on the list, although I have another novel I’m putting out first. Maybe you can help me with that one first? And I’d be so happy to help you with the third or fourth book as well! I’m sure you’re going to do an awesome job. Have you been thinking of what you’re going to write after the Infinite series? As far as the font, do you know the name of the theme? I’m assuming it’s a WordPress site? Are you using a free theme or a paid one? (Feeling like a geek LOL)
Send it on over, Yesenia! I would be more than happy to read what you’ve been up to. You also don’t have to ask twice to read book 3, (although I’ll wait until the editor’s through or I’ll burn your editing eyes!)
I have such an exciting historical novel planned. I’ve been biting at the bit to start it, but I’ve promised myself not to touch it until I’ve finished the series. I even bought the stock images I want to use for the cover…lol!
I actually found where the theme is on my blog! It’s the forever theme and it was free. I’m so surprised I’ve even been able to figure all this out…haha. If I can do it, anyone can 🙂
Woo hoo! You’ll be the first one to get it AFTER I revise it myself though. Heavily LOL I don’t want to burn your experienced writer eyes. It’s my first novel, and I remember despising for months after. That’s how bad it is. I can’t wait to see what you have planned next. I also am itching to start on a new idea. Thanks for letting me know about the theme!
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Such a good idea! I just visited it and the site looks awesome!! 🙂
Thanks, Erin!