About 15 years ago I sold my first book to
Harlequin Superromance and proudly launched my author website with a gold and
orange banner and blue lettering spelling out my new pen name “C.J.
Carmichael.” It was an exciting time for me, as I had been writing and trying
to publish for about ten years.
35 Harlequin and 4 Indie-published books
later I am launching a brand new site, this time with a more restful blue
background.
I’m sure a lot of marketing experts would
say that after 15 years I was definitely due for a website remodeling. But it
turned out the new site was well timed for another reason, and it’s one I just
noticed last night. The thing is, all three featured books on my site are Indie
published.
These days I’m working on two series, both
of them author collaborations. My Carrigans of the Circle C novels are part of
the Montana Born series—an Indie venture started by my very good friend, author
Jane Porter. I published the first book
in this series, Promise Me Cowboy,
in October. Good Together—a love
story, but also a falling-out-of love story—will be available in a matter of
weeks. These stories feature four sisters who grew up on the Circle C ranch in
Marietta, Montana. As usual with my family sagas you can expect lots of
gut-wrenching drama, family secrets, and heartwarming resolutions.
The second series—which we bill as “sweet
romances with a sprinkling of mystery”--is set in Carol Falls, Vermont, and my
writing partners are friends from Calgary, authors Roxy Boroughs and Brenda M.
Collins. This fall we published three books in the Frost Family Christmas
series: What Child is This, Home for Christmas,
and The Holly &The Ivy. We plan
to continue writing stories and are rebranding the series: “Cozy In Carol
Falls.” I’m currently working on the next story, which should be available in
March.
So, two exciting new directions, and a
re-invented website to make it all clear to my readers! The time has come for a
few thank-yous and a celebration. First I want to acknowledge the creative team
of Waxcreative Design—primarily
Emily and Max—who designed the site and made it happen. They were such great
people to work with. Thanks also to JodiO, the photographer who managed to shave a decade off me with her fabulous
studio shoots.
And now the celebration! I’d like to offer
a cozy winter reading package of 3 books, tea and yummy chocolate to one random
winner who: (1) checks out my new site and (2) tells me one thing they’d like
to see on the “Extra” page. (Or any other comments you’d like to make.) We’re
still tweaking and want to make the website as interesting and user friendly as
possible!
***CJ's winner is Cindy Hamilton! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing address. Thanks!***
***CJ's winner is Cindy Hamilton! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing address. Thanks!***
17 comments:
Your new website design is impressive, well thought out, clear and delightful, filled with interesting and special areas. I enjoy the maps, recipes and character guides which help with the wonderful novels and their locales and individuals. Your books provide me with great enjoyment and are unique and very well written. Extras has so much of interest for me. It seems complete and beautiful. Best wishes.
The new website looks fabulous. I love the colors. It's easy to look at and navigate. honestly can't think of anything else that needs to be added.
The new website looks wonderful.looking forward to reading Good Together.Have a great week .I enjoy reading your books.
Love the new site. Can't think of anything that needs changing. Easy to navigate and find what you want. Love that you have all the books listed on one page and it's easy to understand.
The new website is bright, and the colors are all appealing and perfect. The features are interesting and the books displayed in a very artistic manner. I like this website very much and it is a winner.
CJ - I love the updates on your site and one of the things I loved the most was the "Bookshelf" page! I love how bright it is and it's so easy to find a book you might have missed in one of your favorite series! I loved that you gave your readers to read an excerpt there and then with just a click on the keyboard be taking to the ordering options!
I like the easy navigation and when changing from one to another... it doesn't take forever to load. It's very crisp and clean looking.
The new website is great, so easy to maneuver around it. A lot of good info on it. I like how series are grouped together on Extras page!
Wow - Excellent website. You've got what I always look for - a printable book list (so I can keep track of what I've read and which I still need to read), and a nice display of what books connect. I like the extra page with the town layouts and you even have recipes!
sallans d at yahoo dot com
That is a beautiful website. What I would like more in extras? You list a couple of recipes and I would love to see more of those.
Thank you all so much for your feedback! I'm glad you like the site! And Lil--I hear you on the recipes. More coming soon, I promise! Lee and I will be picking a winner for the cozy winter reading package soon!
Cheers!
CJ
new site looks great. maybe you could have a Montana-based recipe or two on the Extras page?
Love the new site! To be perfectly honest, I can't think of anything else to add :) Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE maps, always have, & then what do I find on the extras page??? Well done. I agree about recipes. I like regional recipes. They add flavor. Couldn't help myself - blame the maps.
I'd love deleted scenes and places you've discovered during research(their history, pictures)
I think you've covered everything very nicely! I like the whole website!
I enjoyed reading your author's bio page. It's fun learning about where you came from both logistically and emotionally. It's interesting seeing what career path you chose and how you started your writing career.
I liked seeing pictures of you with your husband and seeing that you like hiking and biking.
I'd love to learn more about Canada and also the places you've visited (Austria).
As for what to add to your extras.. most of this has already been said.
I like the recipe tie in. It's always fun to connect to an area through the regional foods. I like to try new recipes. Maybe readers could submit their stories about their experiences if they've visited or are from the area where the story took place.
I like it when you include how the books are connected if they are connected. Info about the research behind the book is interesting too.
Love the maps.
Thanks.
Laurie
johnslake at usa dot com
I'm jealous with all of you who can create a blog, because I can't :(. And specially a blog with so many feature, color, etc. And extra page is more fabolous :)
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