I’m looking ahead to putting together my author’s website. (That looks really weird, but I can’t think of another way to put it. My writing website? A website devoted to my publishing? You get the idea, right?) I’ve got someone in line to do the work (after having that “yes, even though we’re friends, I’m going to pay you for your professional services on my professional website” conversation), and now we’re in the general “what do I want it to look like?” stage.

Uh…I dunno.

I know certain things, like I don’t want animations and I don’t want pale text on a dark background. I know generally what needs to be on the site. But as for what it should look like…I’m overwhelmed by the choices! Also, in terms of making it fit my type of writing…I write fantasy, romance, fantasy romance, romantic fantasy, romantic suspense, erotica, romantic erotica/erotic romance, and occasionally dip into SF and mystery.

Of the three “best author websites” mentioned in an RWA session, I don’t like one of them at all, I like one but it doesn’t fit me (‘though it fits the author and her books well), and I can’t even find the third one. (Anyone know where Sherilyn Kenyon’s website is?)

So, here’s my question for you, dear readers. Tell me what your favorite websites are, and why. Ideally websites for artists of some sort, but any site that you think is effective, pretty, easy to use, etc., is welcome. No animations/flash, light on graphics (although you can recommend a site that has these if what you’re pointing me at is something else about the site).

Feel free to toss any questions my way, too, and/or any suggestions on what you think I should have on my site.

Thanks! :-)