Does an author need a website?

Does an author need a website? Today, I posted a question on my facebook page, asking for input...opinions on a particular website provider called "Squarespace." As I consider a myriad of options, I return to the question,"Does an author need a website?"

My initial instinctual answer is, "No."

    


To frame the question I will point out that unlike many other industries, authors, even indie and self-published authors have a ready- made storefront in Amazon and other online venues. My indie novel, "Proximity" stands right next to other great action/war novels like "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien or ''Killing Rommel" by Steven Pressfield. I read and thoroughly enjoyed both novels, and have visited Pressfield's site, but I did not buy a book there.

Clearly, using a website to sell books is not the only purpose. Still, pragmatically, it is to create a connection to one's audience...and, even better, potential readers. Today, I have a facebook page and a blog (you may be reading one of these right now!) to create such an online presence. These have a large, though limited footprint. I suspect that my followers in each are already readers. Additionally, I have spaces carved out on Goodreads, twitter (@eodauthor), and Amazon. I need to mature my approach on each one. As I do so, I am interested in book lovers' and authors' thoughts on employing a website to promote my writing and interact with others.

The Recipient's Son on blogtalkradio this Sunday!

This Sunday 5:00-6:00pm EDT I will join Navy bloggers CDR Salamander and EagleOne on their program "Midrats" on blogtalkradio to discuss The Recipient's Son. Their program can be found here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/midrats

I previously joined them on Midrats for Episode 40 along with CDR Lippold who was the CO of USS Cole when she was attacked in Aden Harbor. Then, I was able to discuss Proximity. You can listen to that program here: Episode 40.

The Recipient's Son is available as an eBook!

The Recipient's Son is now available as an eBook through Amazon.com for Kindle users and through iTunes for Apple's line of iPhones, iPads, and iPods.

Annapolis Area Authors Highlighted in The Capital

 

Theresa Winslow wrote a very nice piece about four Annapolis -area Naval Institute authors to include Claude Berube, author of The Aden Effect, and myself for The Capital. It features in Sunday edition in the Lifestyle section. http://www.capitalgazette.com/lifestyle/

The Recipient's Son - now in stores

The Recipient's Son is now available in brick and mortar stores. It can be found at Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million retailers. If your local store does not have a copy they can easily obtain one for you. Naturally, it is available on line through B&N, BAM! and Amazon websites.

I've had many inquiries as to when the eBook versions will become available. All I can say is "soon." I expect those who prefer Kindle, Nook, and iPad will have a copy by Thanksgiving, maybe Halloween. I will announce their publication here.

I'd also like to share a review from The Galveston Daily News written by Mark Lardas. If you don't mind one or two minor spoilers, check out "Author tells stirring tale of man's maturity."

If you just want Lardas' summary...he kindly wrote, "Sensitively told, 'The Recipient’s Son' is a stirring tale of a young man achieving maturity under trying circumstances."