I’m back, prepared to destroy yet another myth perpetuated by the “promo or perish” crowd.
Unfortunately, I’m short on time today, so I’m going to just ask a single question of our readers. Next week, I’ll interpret those answers into proof my hypothesis that unpublished writers do not NEED websites.
READERS: Why and when do you visit an authors website?
I don’t know about you guys, but I go for one reason and one reason only–to find out more about their latest book. The first info I want is WHEN IT WILL BE RELEASED. The second might be an excerpt. Third, bio information because I’m looking up something specific (for instance, where they live because I’m going to suggest my TARA chapter invite them to speak or perhaps I need to email them about guest blogging at Plotmonkeys, so I check them out there.)
Why do you visit an author’s website? And when?
Three commenters get a signed copy of DIRTY LITTLE LIES, my second book in the Marisela action-adventure series…just because.
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
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Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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I go for most of the same reasons. To check out new releases info but also to check out the backlist and see if the other provides a “connected” list as well! I call myself a series whore so it is a big thing for me if the author shows the order/connection of books.
If it is a new author that I have never heard of, I will look to visit their site immediately. If it is an established author, I have all their websites bookmarked and I check them out about once a month. This is mostly to update my Excel Spreadsheet that I keep of upcoming books. :Irish2:
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Julie I am with you and Aly it is nice to go there and check out a new author and see what kind of books they write and see when the new ones come out and read a little about a book if there something up there.
Very good way to connect with the author.
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Hey Jules, yet another thought provoking day for me. I love to visit an authors website for most of the reasons you listed for yourself, but the third reason I have is to find email addy so that I can get in touch with them and tell them how I feel about their books. If they do not have blogs that give regular updates, I also go to check out their backlist books as well as look at pictures, etc.
For unpubbed authors, it helps me to learn more about them as well, but it is better if they have a blog because that would have most update information. However, I wouldn’t find a blog addy if I didn’t check their website beforehand. That said, I think that the answer to your questions is yes and no. Some unpubbed authors aren’t very good about updating information on said sites, but neither are some pubbed authors, so I don’t hold that against them.
Hopefully this helps. Have a wonderful day today! I am off to my chapter meeting, can’t believe I am saying that…woohoo, then I will check back in when I get home.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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I go to their website to see what other books they have written which I might like to read.
Lots of reasons really. 
If they get a new book out any time soon or what I need to look for when shopping for books.
To see if they have a blog that I could enjoy.
Sometimes also to learn a bit more about the author self & if they have a contest I might enter.
Other books or writers they might recommend.
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I’m with Brenda. If a friend suggests a book I go to the authors website to find out what they are like and what kind of writer they are.
If it is an author I know and love I will check out signing schedules to see if they will be visiting anywhere close. I recently started a reading club with my greatnieces and a friend and we have met two authors this way. If not for the web site we would not have gotten to hear Lois Lowry’s talk.
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I also think all authors should take a page from the plotmonkeys. I love this site and other than my e-mail this is the only other place I visit on a daily basis. Keep up the good work.
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Thanks, Pat! The key to a successful website, IMO, is NEW CONTENT every day. Not once a week. Not intermittently. People have limited surfing time and Plotmonkeys readers know that when they come to the site, there will be something new to read…whether it’s a post, a contest, a joke, a quiz or a guest author.
New content. Every day. We committed to that and I think it works. Happily, most of you think it works, too!
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I go because I just finished a book or short story that I really liked and I want to see if there any other books like it on the authors website.
I do the same thing see if there is a new book coming out read the taste about it the first chapter if available and then I know what to order.
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Hallelujah! I’m so glad to hear this, and it just confirms what I was thinking. This has been a topic of conversation on other RWA sites lately.
I do visit published authors’ sites, and all I want is to be able to find information easily, and hope that they have a newsletter sign-up. I like newsletters, especially ones that tell me when new releases are coming out.
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Hey Julie! I’m a newbie author, with my first book due to be released next month. And I have to tell you, if I’d spent the money on a website before getting that first, all-important contract, I’d have wasted my money. I always thought I’d have to use a pseudonym for my writing, and had a dandy one picked out. I’d even reserved all the domain names to support it. But my publisher preferred that I write under my own name (with a slight spelling change.) So, if I’d put all that time and effort and money into establishing a ‘brand’ and name-recognition beforehand, it would have been a wasted effort.
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I go to author websites to see what books they have coming out, and to see what I’ve missed on their backlist. I love series books and I like to read them in order so I will usually go check the list to make sure I’m doing just that. I like to see who authors are recommending too.
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I go to an author’s website to check out their new releases, but also to check out their backlists. I am one of those anal people that have to read series in order. So, whenever I come across a new release, I have to check to see if it is part of a series.
I also check for author bios and emails. I love to learn more about my favorite authors and if I am particularly over-the-top smitten by one of their books…I really like to email them and tell them so.
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If they are an author I’ve never read before I go to their web site to see if they have an excerpt so I can get a feel for their voice and style. If there is an excerpt, I’ll read it. If I like it, I’ll buy the book. If I don’t, I won’t. If they are an author I’ve read and love I go to see when their next book is coming out.
If they are unpublished and I’ve heard some buzz about them–seen their name pop up again and again–I check to see what they write, the contests they have won or finaled in. If they have won umpteen contests, taught numerous workshops but still haven’t published, it begs the question–why.
Just because an author isn’t published or not published in print but only e-book say–like me for instance- doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t have a web site if they want one. It’s hard, hard, hard to keep submitting and waiting for months, sometimes years (I’ve been waiting 4 years now on one particular publisher. And no, they still have the ms it hasn’t been lost or misplaced. They have never even said ‘sorry you’ve had to wait so long’) to hear back from an editor only to receive a rejection. And this from publishers who don’t want simultaneous submissions which is most of them
Unpublished writers and writers like me who want to break into print need some kind of validation that their work counts, that they should keep going when things don’t go according to plan because the writing biz chews up and spits out writers all the time like a giant wood chipper. It’s not fun or exciting, it’s brutal. A web site can help give validation to them especially when the rejections hit the mail box one after the other with a plume of fire and smoke. Needless to say only the strong survive to write another day.
A writer can set up a web site without spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars to do it. And it can be made to look professional and not home-made until they sell and have the money to hire someone to build a site for them. WordPress comes to mind. It’s free and it’s easy. Yes, it is primarily for blogs but you can promo yourself and your work there. If you set up a blog, you can ask authors to be a guest on your blog. This will help you to network when you don’t have the cash to fork out to go to conferences like national for instance.
That said, aside from a “free” web site if a writer wants one, the rest of that promo stuff printed in the RWR should be discarded. It is definitely a waste of time and money when a writer should be focusing on their work and making it the best it can be.
Save yourself some heartache, embarassment and money and definitely forget the business cards.
My .02 cents,
Cher
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Cher, I understand your frustration. If having a website makes you happy or somehow validates you, then GO FOR IT. That’s not my argument. My argument is with the school of thought that insists that you aren’t a professional or you aren’t serious about your writing if you don’t have a website/blog/twitter feed, etc. when you are unpublished. As I say below…that’s just nuts and puts undo and unnecessary pressure on people who should really concentrate on writing a great book (or two, or three, or four, etc.) instead of “selling themselves” like hucksters who don’t have an actual product at the end of the day.
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Huckster? Wow. Interesting terminology. Never considered myself a huckster.
Cher
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Cher, how are you a huckster? YOU have a product to sell. You have books that are available, don’t you? That’s not what I said.
When I say “huckster” I am thinking of people I’ve met who do a whole lot of promotion, but haven’t even finished a book. They have slick websites and maybe a blog, but they don’t have a PRODUCT.
I think an unpublished writer who has the rare combination of marketing savvy and writing ability can make a website work for them…because most of them make it a go-to place for things like book reviews, writing articles or some other “service” they offer so that people will come back to their site/blog. They don’t promote themselves in an in-your-face way…it’s more natural and genuine. I’ve seen a few of those…and to be honest, every single one of those authors is now published.
But I don’t for a minute think that they GOT published because of their websites. They got published because they wrote marketable books. The website savvy is an extra–more power to them.
Again, don’t forget that my only point here is not to criticize, but to alleviate the pressure that new authors are feeling nowadays that they HAVE TO have a website in order to be considered “professional” and “serious” about their careers. I just don’t think that’s true.
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I’m sorry, I misunderstood and jumped to a conclusion which is not unusual for me. I saw the word “huckster” and overreacted. Web sites for an unpublished author won’t help get them published only writing and submitting a great product does that.
Cher
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Cher, I think you’re totally missing the point Julie’s trying to make.
We have all in this business met ‘professional wannabes’ who will do everything they possibly can to sell a book…except write an entire book! I have known people who’ve been writing for TEN years–but never finishing ANYTHING–yet they attend every conference, every RWA meeting, hold every office, chair every committee, get promo materials and marketing stuff made up to send to conferences…but never WRITE a book that might actually make all that stuff worthwhile. They’re the hucksters. Shilling a product they cannot deliver, and will never deliver, just so they can feel like they’re doing something.
You HAVE written a book. You have submitted. You have revised. You have worked with editors. You have sold. You are NOT the type of person she is talking about and shouldn’t have reacted like she was making it in any way about you, personally.
And, fwiw, I completely agree with Julie. Having a website is absolutely fine if it doesn’t take the place of atually WRITING a marketable book. But anybody who thinks it’s going to make all the difference in the world, or is going to get them famous or get editors beating down their door, I’m sorry, they’re just dreaming.
The bigger issue…for those who are not that type–who just don’t feel comfortable putting a website out there, they absolutely, positively, should NOT feel like they’re somehow doing something wrong! And I believe that is what so upset so many people about this whole topic of conversation when the RWR article came out about pre-pubbed promotion: “You HAVE to do A,B,C, and D if you ever want to be considered a ‘real’ writer.”
Well, no. you don’t. The only thing you HAVE to do is write the book.
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I have known people like that too, Leslie. It is true that a lot of unpublished, very green writers feel they do need a web site because without it they don’t have the label of “professional.” There are a lot of people out there telling them over and over they have to get a web site.
But this reasoning comes from being a green, untried, uninformed writer who should just focus on their craft and producing the best book they can.
Linda Howard does not have a web site. Only recently did John Grisham put one up on the Internet. They have both sold, sold, sold without one.
Again sorry for missing the point. Sometimes I think I need a zipper in my mouth.
Cher
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I go to authors’ websites for various reason including what has already been mentioned:
to see their bio
see what books they’ve written
see what book is coming next or soon
to enter contests
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I go to their websites if I have seen them somewhere like here and they say, “Oh, check out something”. I don’t check it regularly unless I read their books.
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I only tend to go to published writers websites to see information on the next book…and to glean info and advice on writing tips – a lot of published authors are very generous in this regard and there is a wealth of information and advice to be had out there on the craft of writing.
However one thing I do – very regularly indeed – is go to the blog sites of both unpubbed and pubbed authors. Again it’s good to see how everyone is doing in the world of writing on a day to day basis. Again I get great inspiration and advice from those sites I visit – and it’s great to know that there are other’s out there struggling to finish the latest wip just like me! Caroline x
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I go to the author’s website to get news on new releases, to read excerpts of books and decide which one I want to read next.
If new author I want to check on the new releases and read excerpts of the authors other books to see if I want to read any of them.
I like to check out new authors to me that I just discovered and learn more about them.
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I visit my favorite authors websites to find out when their latest books will be released. I also look into their upcoming releases!
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When I find a new to me author, I like to check out there website to see what they have written. I look around to get a feel of what their books are like… Authors that I know, I visit their sites every so often to see what is new!!!
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I go for the same reasons to check out their books, see what new and see what I missed in the past and find out release dates! I enjoy visiting the authors websites, you can learn a lot about them this way! :Irish1: :Irish2:
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I visit author websites to learn about upcoming releases, read excerpts, view covers, learn about inter-connected characters and stories, enter contests, and read author bios and blogs. I also like hearing author recommendations–after all, I am visiting this site because I like this author. One of my pet peeves is author sites that aren’t updates. I believe this should be the first place I learn about new works. Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
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I visit author websites to see when their next release is or to learn more about what books they recommend. I also like to know more about them. I like the site to be kept current and not too much on page—takes to long to load.
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When I read the RWR article I freaked. I didn’t feel ready to have a website or business cards (one day for fun I made some *gasp* with perforated edges!
What do you think about having a Blogger type site? I’ve found quite a few of these. But to go for the whole website without being published – I always thought I should wait. And knowing others believe that too makes me feel I should listen to my ‘gut’ more!
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Marcie, this is a great question. I think that if a person has the time and the personality to blog, then go for it…but be prepared to work hard. A blog, especially when you’re on your own, requires work to build a relationship with blog readers. That means new and relevant content every single day.
Some writers, however, are funny, smart or witty enough to make irrelevant stuff work…like Jill Shalvis. She writes every single week day about her every day life…and she’s hilariously entertaining or touching or silly…but always something that makes you feel. It reflects her writing. But would this work for an unpublished writer? It’s tricky…you have to give people a reason to COME to your blog.
I had an unpublished author ask me to guest blog on her site once…but the problem is, on all her posts, she had NO COMMENTS. None. No one was reading her blog. I think she asked me (and others, I assume) in order to drum up business, but that’s a little one-sided. When we ask guest bloggers, they know they’re about to get access to the fabulous group that is our jungle community! It’s win-win. So an unpublished writer needs to work on building a community that is worth it for READERS to stop by.
It’s hard and it takes a lot of work. If you have the time and desire and talent, go for it. But my point is, you aren’t less of a professional if you don’t have an interactive, expensive website or blog. You aren’t going to NOT sell a book because you have no web presence. That’s just crazy talk.
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Oh sorry – forgot to answer the question – I go to author’s sites to get info about their books – new and past releases. I read the bios and if they have their own blog, I read that too. I also am curious to see the design of the site so when it’s time for mine, I know what I like and what I don’t.
I usually check author sites once or twice a month. More if they have their blog.
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I visit an authors website to find out if they have a backlist and when the have a new book releasing.
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I go to the author websites for information, books coming out, ones that I may have missed, excerpts and the great book covers that so many authors use. Blogs, contests and author info is also fun. I enjoy when an author has a good series and I like to read them in order.
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Julie, as unpublished writers we often hear that when subbing a ms, an editor or an agent will look up that person’s blog or website to learn more about them. What is your perspective on this?
Personally, I might look up an author’s website for their backlist, info on upcoming releases, their bio, and definitely whether they’ve got any writing advice or tips. I prefer to read blogs of both pubbed and unpubbed writers.
It took me ages to make a decision to start my own blog. And I’m not sure I necessarily do it well. But I thought long and hard about the reasons for starting one as I didn’t want it to suck my time from writing.
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Angie, this may be true…but I think an unpublished author needs to keep that into perspective…they are setting up a website to POTENTIALLY be viewed by what…twenty people? Of those twenty they submit to (editors and agents) only four or five (just guessing on numbers) are going to care about more information. I think it’s a myth that editors and agents have time to look people up…I really think they only do that if the author is PREVIOUSLY published. I think if they know a person is unpublished, they probably don’t have a web presence. If they do, then it’s just something else for the editor to judge.
Like I said below, it’s okay to park the URL of your real name just in case. I wouldn’t do it on a pseudonym unless you’re using that name in your submissions…and to me, that’s just silly. You should submit under your legal name.
If they look and there is no website (beyond a parked URL with maybe a little bit of info–an email address, at the very least, in case the info in your submission accidentally goes awry) they aren’t going to say, “Wow, this person has no web presence. I’m not going to buy their book!” Editors buy good books. If the author has site and it’s nice, great. If they don’t have a site, they might suggest you get one. But it’s the story that matters in the end.
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Your reasons, of course. But I will also visit if I hear someone has a great blog. And if it is good, I’ll go back. So it is possible that an unpublished author may grab my attention via his/her website, and I’ve certainly heard of editors using them to check out authors, perhaps to learn if they’re savvy enough to have a positive internet presence.
But the truth is, the most important reason for an unpubbed author to set up a website is to keep someone else from parking on the url.
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But the truth is, the most important reason for an unpubbed author to set up a website is to keep someone else from parking on the url.
This! This is true. Park the URL. If you want a basic page with a little general info, then fine…but again…not necessary. As Leigh said above, you could end up buying the url for your pseudonym or even your name and end up having to use something else!
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I visit an authors website to find out about books of theirs I am unfamilar with (when its a new author) or to find out about books coming out.
I dont really think an unpublished writer needs a full website. Blogs are nice but not really needed either. Not to say its bad if they have one, but they dont need it as a “puiblished books site.” Thats not the reason people will visit it. Once a new authors book is accepted to be published though I think that changes and they should get a website and blog to start building interest.
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I go to an authors website like everyone else to get more information on upcoming books. I also like to see their back list to see what books I have missed. :Irish2:
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Julie, I check out a writer’s website (about once a month) to find when her next book will be released; what books constitute their backlist (a big part of my interest) &, occasionally, to read an excerpt. Biggest gripe: no updating of it.
Daily, I read Plotmonkeys, Jill Shalvis’ (IA, hers has got to be the wittiest one around) & the Blaze Authors blog. IA about new content–has to be there.
As I have the book, please exclude me from the book contest.
Patricia
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I ususally check out a writers web site to check on an upcoming book and to check their backlist. I also like to enter the contest that most writers have on their site.
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Once I “discover” an author I go to the website to find out more about the person, earlier books to see if I want to read any from the backlist & yes, to see when the next book will be out. If the author has a blog I may check that out. Some authors, think Plotmonkeys here, become “friends” after reading the blog. I also like to contact an author to let them know how much I loved the book I just read.
:Irish2:
:Irish1: I’m Irish only one day a year!!!
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Like you, I go to see when the latest release will be released and what it will be called. I also read the teasers for it and when I am new to an author I go to make a list of all the books they have already released so I will know what books I need to purchase and hopefully in what order they should be read if any.
Have a great day all!
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Putting on my “reader” hat for this comment: I go to an author’s website to look up book release information – either for an upcoming book or to check out backlist data. I might check out links or articles while I’m there, but 99% of the time it’s all about the books. I have a very short list of really great blogs (like PLOTMONKEYS
) that I read regularly because I know the content will always be fresh and timely. In this age of information overload, I have to draw lines and impose self limits because I can’t read everything.
Now, slipping on my “published author” hat: Your comment about fresh content daily on a blog/website nailed it. I am preparing to mothball my website blog because I don’t want to do frequent updates and without that, I’m adding nothing of value to the Internet community at large. I’ve monitored the traffic on my website and know that the majority of my visitors are looking for book/backlist data. That said, what I want to do instead is focus on writing magazine articles – which offer a larger scope for the type of topics I like to write – but less frequently. Those articles can be linked on my website, which I think will utlimately better serve my visitors.
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I check out authors’ websites to find out about their new releases and sometimes there is a bonus of a contest going on. I do hate when the websites are not kept up to date. There are some of them out there years old or several mos. old. If you are not going to keep them up, why not drop them?
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Pat, as someone who had a website that wasn’t updated for a long time, I understand your frustration. With me, it was a case of waiting for my redesign to be complete before I updated the site (I have to pay someone to do that.) The redesign was put on hold, so I finally had an update done a month or so ago.
But my redesign–when it happens–will allow me to update my site myself. That should solve the problem, I hope.
I think authors don’t drop the sites because they don’t want to lose their URL. Plus, readers can at least find backlist information. I know it’s frustrating for readers–I totally understand, but it’s usually not an author being lazy as much as there are behind the scenes problems that keep the author from updating. But many authors are changing to blog-based websites so that updates are much easier and they don’t have to hire someone or learn complicated code.
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hmmm… thinking I’m the exception to the rule here…but I’ve gone to websites for unpublished authors waiting to get their big break…take
“The Ditzy Chix” which consists of bronwyn, denise, kathie, lindsey,roxann,lisa,kristi, elizabeth and carol. when the site first started only a couple were published authors but over the past 5 years most all of them have become published romance authors. And I’m happy to say I was a fan before being published, we chatted, shared ideas and cheered them on. We got to know and love them before they became published and hopefully encouraged them too. (They were all worth the wait too.)
So maybe the trick is to do it with others and share the site to get the exposure out there, I don’t know, all I do know is that I might not have found Roxann Delaney, Carol Stephenson Or Lisa Childs without them being part of the chix with Kristi Gold, Bronwyn Jameson Elizabeth Sinclair, Roxanne Rustand or Kathie DeNosky. But I did and was one of the first in line to buy their books when they hit the shelves.
So…it worked for these ladies…I’m thinking that it must have worked for others too. If you have the talent and believe in yourself anything is possible right? So maybe believing in yourself enough to get a site isn’t such a bad thing….isn’t that saying….The Early Bird Catches The Worm?
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Again, I’m not saying that unpublished authors SHOULDN’T have a blog or a website…just that they DON’T HAVE TO in order to prove they are serious about their craft. And if they do, it makes sense to make their site/blog service oriented or community oriented, that way readers have a REASON to go to their sites.
I’ve seen authors spend a lot of money and a lot of time developing a “professional” looking site that is static and does nothing more than “sell” the writer. I think that this is a waste of money…but hey, it’s their money. If they want to waste it, go ahead. But writers who don’t have that money to waste shouldn’t feel like they are at a disadvantage. I simply don’t think that’s true.
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For a favorite author, I go to find out info on upcoming books. I also visit their blogs to see their writing progress. If they’re a new-to-me author, I’m visiting to find out about their backlist. And of course wherever there’s a contest, I’m there.
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I visit my favorite authors websites to find out when their latest books will be released. I also like to find out if they have newsletters. I also look into their backlists if I enjoy reading their books, and I love entering their contests! I love reading Plot Monkeys and the authors blogs.
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I visit author websites to see when their next book is coming out and to read the excerpts for it. I also go to see their backlist and to make sure that I’ve not missed any of their books that I would love to read. I like to sign up for their newsletters so I can keep up with their new releases too.
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I usually go to a website because it has been recommended by another
author or a fellow blog commenter. Like you, I was there to make the
“acquaintance” of an upcoming book and read the excerpt. Research,
research, research!
Pat Cochran
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Julie, I have no idea how to answer your question from the post title. However, why I visit an author website? For book blurbs. Excerpts. Upcoming releases- I wish all authors had their more updated than say, Amazon. It’d be nice to know from the author website first – and I’d have more reason to visit it.
Practical reason but probably 90% why I visit an actual site as opposed to the author’s blog [which yes often is connected but I'm separating it out] – to link to in the reviews I write.
Otherwise, bio, or blog… to learn about the author and…
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I agree/disagree. Maybe the site doesn’t have to be up and functional before the first book actually releases, but having a website helped me to convince myself that I was a writer long before my name was on a bookspine.
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As a reader, I visit author’s websites to find out which backlist books I’m missing, what new books are coming out for that author and excerpts of new books if I’m not already familiar with the author’s work or they are an author I don’t consistently purchase. It can sometimes be useful to see what’s happening with the author if they use a blog or update their website with that information.
As for websites for unpublished authors, I don’t feel they are necessary unless the writer wants to have them for whatever reason they personally justify with. However, once a writer has signed gotten a contract for a book, I think it is important that they have a website as its a pain when I hear about a new author and can’t find a website.
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When an author is my favorite I like finding everything about them, their lastest books, their bio and blog. It’s away for me to connect with them. And sometimes, maybe I will win a book!
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Yes unpublished authors need a website so that they can post short stories so that readers can sample their writing style. Also, so that they can release excerpts from their novel. It also allows them to inform readers who enjoy their posts,of any public appearances that they might make to promote their book.
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enyl…why would readers need to sample short stories or excerpts of a book that’s unavailable to purchase? And why would an unpublished writer make public appearances to promote a book that isn’t sold yet and won’t be available to the public for an undetermined amount of time?
That’s where the logic breaks down for me.
Of course, if a writer has a book in the pipeline of publishing–a contract and a release date–then they are, in my mind published (or at least, pre-published, which is the only time this term makes any sense.) Then, yeah, they should have a website in anticipation of that book’s upcoming release. Of course.
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I visit an authors website usually when I’ve read a book I just Loved and want to tell them about it. Also to look up series order, see what other books are out that I haven’t read and enter contest’s too.
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I must add the bio is pretty important, I like to get to know the author, see their picture etc.
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Christine, I’m like you…I like to see an author’s picture. I don’t know why, but I get very annoyed when they don’t have a good picture (or any picture) up! Makes me all curious about why not, LOL!
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thanks Julie for your input! No blog for me yet. Too soon.
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I agree, I go to an author’s website for all the same reasons. I have been toying with the answer this question myself and I’m going to go with YES. For ease of contact with publishers/agents, to network with potential readers, other authors and publishers/agents and to show you’re serious! Also, you could add anything to your blog including a forum or writing community. I am definitely going to set one up or maybe just revamp my LJ account:)