I love your author websites predictions post, Pauline! I have a few thoughts that I’ll post in a comment there, but I’ll confess that as you can see, I have a sidebar that I’m attached to! I’ll explain why…first, it offers a visible home for the site’s many accolades. More than that, though, as a user, I don’t like the current non-sidebar designs. I’m finding blogs in the new wide-screen format with text written in headline-size fonts that force me to pull back from the screen, then scroll…and scroll…and scroll. It’s too much work and it interferes with my comprehension, to be honest. (I also know that I have to be mindful of what works for my readers, not myself.)

Thanks for your feedback on my post and the link!

Sandy

I love the idea of more collaboration: with some readers getting through 1-2 books every week, there is no way a single author would ever satisfy the demand, and working together is both fun and effective.

Since you ask about our own predictions, I wrote this piece to call out the trends I’m seeing (or hoping to see!) in author websites:
https://www.paulinewiles.com/website-predictions-for-2020/

Thank you for gathering these industry viewpoints.

That sounds intriguing, Sonia. I’m looking forward to watching this unfold!

Sandy

I am praying that indie authors will collaborate more with each other.
I also agree that becoming more like business owners is a great move for authors. My vow in 2020 is to capitalize on my writing to propel my business interests.

Thanks for your great insights, as always!

Thank you for sharing this, Alan. I’m sure you’ll have your solicitor review any necessary contracts related to the planned partnership, too. You’re wise to involve a professional.

I like that you’re going to start promoting your next book before the publication date. It’s all about building your platform, and you clearly know that. I hope you enjoy the process!

Sandy

1. Get a legal framework, Terms and Conditions, drawn up by a solicitor to have always at my side. Because of the nature of my work as an author (I create educational comic books about subjects such as climate change, sustainability and environment), I am about to go into partnership with an educational venture with potential impact for my sales at a global level, so I need to make sure I have my terms and conditions ready, for things such as intellectual property and what I can and cannot do within any given third party agreement.

2. I am starting to plan and research my next book, a sequel to the one I published last year, but this time I will start promoting and marketing it even before it exists! Tools such as Bublish book bubbles will help me do this.

Best, Alan