Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Inexpensive Web Design Services

One of the things new authors are always told, especially those of us in ebooks, is Get Yourself A Website. It's usually number one or two on the list.

Now, there's a lot of ways to go about creating a website:

You can do it yourself, using a free site and some web templates. I've seen some rather decent websites designed that way, but I've seen some dreadful ones too. I tried to go that route at first myself, because I have other sites I built on my own and they look pretty good. Not good enough, unfortunately, and I found the kind of site I wanted to build was beyond my abilities.

You can pay a fancy design service to do it for you. Sure, you'll have a flashy site and look marvelously professional. Unless you're like me and have no money. (Honestly, what brand new or aspiring author has money?)

Or there's a third option: Much like the fledgling e-publishers, who saw what was being done and knew they could strike out on their own as well, there are quite a number of new free lance web designers out there, just getting their start. For not a lot of money, they can design and maintain a serviceable website for you, hassle free.

I'm lucky. One of those people is a very good friend of mine, and she offered to do my website. She's done a hell of a great job. Not only does she keep it up to date whenever I send her new information, but she's full of great design ideas and usually all I have to do is give her an idea of what I want and she runs with it, making it better than I had imagined. And if I don't like something she's done? She's more than happy to change it.

I happen to know she's eager for more clients, and since a I know a number similarly strapped authors read my blog, I thought it would be a great idea to promote her here. Below is all her information, and samples of her work - if you're at all interested, please drop her a line, she's a dream to work with.




DawnChaser Web Designs
Dawnchaserwebdesigns@yahoo.com

Keeping it simple and straight forward, Laurie offers easy access to anyone who wants a fresh look for a reasonable price. Most webpages are just $50.00 and include Laurie's design services, domain registration and prompt updates as you need them. (More labor intensive and extensive web pages and designs will be slightly higher in price, based on requirements.) Laurie designs for individual, business/professional and for the fandom world and strives to make sure you are happy with your webpage.

Examples of some of her work can be seen at:

Business/Professional-
www.cnyyogacenter.com
www.positivelypinkpackages.org


Individual:
www.elleparker.com


Fandom (under the business name of MaD Web designs- Designs by Mel and DC)
http://www.tourofdutyvids.com/
http://www.doc2sjournals.com/

Monday, June 8, 2009

Romance Junkies Chat

Quick post!

If you were at the Romance Junkies Chat tonight, and you missed how to get your free cookbook, just send me an email and I'll get you a copy!

elle.parker@ymail.com


Thanks to all who were there, I had so much fun!


Elle

More Fun Events!

It's been a busy month for me, and I have more fun events to share!

Tonight I'll be joining Lyrical Press authors, Piper Denna and Savannah Chase for a live chat at Romance Junkies. There will be contests and giveaways.

The chat runs from 8:00-9:00PM U.S Central time.

Romance Junkies Live Chat


Next Week, I'll be Author of Week at Reviews by Jessewave, and she'll be putting up a fun interview.


Also, I have two new reviews to share!

Lydia has given Like Coffee and Doughnuts five stars at Rainbow Reviews

And Mystical Nymph gave a excellent review at Literary Nymphs

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Coffee Time Romance Chat Today!

COME JOIN THE GLBT EXTRAVAGANZA! Come and chat with Stormy Glenn, Alex Draven, Jaime Samms, Elle Parker, Amber Kell, and other GLBT authors all day in the Latte Lounge at http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/index.php

Today, ALL DAY!

Come read excerpts and blurbs, see covers, talk to your favorite GLBT authors. Please be sure to register for the forum asap! I'll be there, sharing excerpts from my new M/M novel, Like Coffee and Doughnuts. I also have a fun freebie to give away!

Any questions please feel free to email Stormy @ stormyglenn@hotmail.com

Friday, June 5, 2009

Friday Finds!

Friday Finds


I have a slew of these kinds of sites, but I'm always on the lookout for more, because sometimes you just need a little help coming up with just the right word

Mondoerotica Sex & Porn Thesaurus

and from Bren MacCarty - an online dictionary that doesn't censor "dirty" words

Hyperdictionary


Sensual Treats - a free magazine devoted to all things romantic


Lee Benoit pointed me in the direction of this new and ambitious effort - GLBT Bookshelf. I'm in the process of setting up my own page here as soon as I figure out how it all works

GLBT Bookshelf


From Elizabeth Craig via Twitter - A list of creative blogs too good not to pass along. It's arranged by category and there's something for everyone. This is a must see.

100 Creative Blogs


I'm especially thrilled with this batch, it's been a good week for link hunting! Plus I have a few gadgets I'm test driving, and if they're good, I'll be sharing them next week.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Spelling cutie

My husband has charmed me in many ways over the years, and all of them are quite wonderful. One, however, is also amusing...

His poor spelling.

He never did learn to spell properly, even though he's a smart guy. He's not really a words person anyway, he's more numbers and practical smarts.

Here are some of my very favorites:

Thys

Squerl


And most recent one, which inspired this post...

Ostrage


I love him so much. *g*

Monday, June 1, 2009

Reviews for Like Coffee and Doughnuts

I have reviews!

There are two reviews out for Like Coffee and Doughnuts, and both of them are very good.

The first is from Hayley of Fallen Angel Reviews, in her blog Admitting is the First Step:

Review of Like Coffee and Doughnuts

The combination of old fashioned Dino and happy go lucky Seth worked for me. The two were opposites but complimented each other to a tee.


The second is from Elisa Rolle, a highly respected reviewer in the M/M genre, and I'm just thrilled that she reviewed my work:

Elisa's Review of Like Coffee and Doughnuts

Coffee / Dino is old fashioned like the real Italian coffee (sorry, American coffee is not the same...), and like the coffee, you have to stop and savor it, you can't drink it while hurrying somewhere else; Doughnut / Seth is a burst of energy, hyper-calories that you have to run a marathon to digest. Can two men as different match and love? yes, as well and good as coffee and doughnut go together.



Thanks to both of you for such kind words, and I hope you know how very much the authors appreciate what you do.