Best Writer's Web Site

I recently spoke with an author who said, "Writing my book was the fun part, the easy part."  Although I am talking to her on the phone, I see her stomach begin to tighten and as her body tenses, cool sweat cascades down her forehead.  She proceeds to tell me about her nineteen city book tour along with media obligations and evening speeches.  As if she was trying to go to the bathroom after a week long sabbatical, "Marketing your book and getting your name out is the hard part.  Publishers won't do that for you!"

The process of marketing one's book seems to be a source of constipation for many.  Although blogs are a most excellent laxative for authors, today I'd like to direct you to the blog's big brother, the common ordinary, flat, red rubber  with an attached thin white tube Web site.

Writer's Digest ran a Best Writer's Web Site contest which author Tim Bete won.  Timbete.com is so well put together that Tim's eventual publisher actually found him by it.  Now, before you start stockpiling your pantry with fiber based products, be advised, it wasn't that easy.

Tim originally wrote parenting humor columns for various publications.  He created the Web site in hopes of extending readership.  It took time, but it worked.  Here is what I like about his site:

How Tim's Book Got Published - Tim practically starts out at the keyboard and ends up telling us about sales figures related to the book.  In between you've got creating Web sites; book proposals; query letters; media kits and questions from readers on the process.

Sample Columns - Tim provides ten reader favorite newspaper columns.

Feedback - Under his In the News category, Tim pummels the site with reader / reviewer feedback.  The sheer volume of testimonials alone suggest there might be something going on with his book.

For Editors - There is a whole section dedicated just to those who control your world.  The gods-of-your-destiny only need stop here for everything they need to know about Tim. 

Subscription - Tim will e-mail you his column, free.  Although this might come at odds with the gods, it is a very forward thinking marketing mechanism.

Awards - Tim displays a tidy little trophy case.  One suspects Tim has an ego the size of his insult box .  This section is good business because it really is about  promoting others.

The Book - A page dedicated to the promotion of his book, of course!

Here is a list of the contest finalists:

ratrilpot.com
charlesatkins.com
deborahbouziden.com
kristenfischer.com
realmofshade.com
stephaniechandler.com
janeckles.com
familypoet.com
colleencoble.com

I first heard of Tim Bete from an aricle I read in Writer's Digest , written by Chuck Sambuchino.  I've been getting WD for years, it's a good magazine.