Today, I want to talk about something all authors, illustrators, designers, and definitely publishers need in this internet age.
A website.
The one I have featured here, I did as a starter site for the author Suzy Koch for our Being Jacob series that I am illustrating at the moment. I used Weebly, which suits her needs, and lets her get used to having and maintaining a website with little-to-no money out of pocket.
Sometimes a free server like this is all one needs. Other times, it is too limited to do what the site owner needs or wants. That is when a new web host is needed.
It can be tough finding the right server ... there are so many out there ... and at so many different rates, with so many different features/restrictions. WebHostingRating.com helps to make the job of choosing a web host a little simpler for those of us not what we'd call internet savvy ... lol.
Right off the bat, the home page lists the Top 10 Web Hosting Providers - Best Web Hosts for 2009. The chart gives you the link to the featured host's site, the price, the space, the traffic and a one-five thumps up web hosting review - five being the best.
Unlike most business sites, they don't just try to sell you on a high cost host. They present you with your options, and then you get to decide what's best for your needs ... even if it is a free service like Weebly.
Myself, I learn more from blogs than I do boring, stale, sales-pitch type sites ... so I follow their blog (follow the 'Articles' link) to keep myself up-to-date on the world of web hosting. Articles like: Does Your Business Need Colocation? What is Colocation anyway ... lol?
Like you, I NEED a website to run my business. And like you, I want the best deal for what I need to do. The only way to know that is research. This is where you do it!
So check out their page, the articles and bookmark it ... you never know when you'll need to know what web hosts are on top.
Until next time ...
Aidana WillowRaven
WillowRaven Illustration & Design Plus
http://willowraven.weebly.com
willowraven.illustration@yahoo.com
When you think of a gift, think of a book!
Straight off the website:
"This exciting new book awards program is accepting entries until August 22nd, 2009 for books with 2008 or 2009 copyrights or that were released in 2008 or 2009, and is open to authors, illustrators, and publishers of children’s books written in English or Spanish and intended for the North American market."
I won't repeat everything on their page here. I'll just give the basic info, then send you there. http://www.moonbeamawards.com/
It's not free, or even cheap ... but maybe you can split the entry fee between author/illustrator or even author/illustrator/publisher. The sooner you enter, the less it will cost.
Enter Now!
$75 per book, per category - until March 21, 2009
$85 per book, per category - March 22, 2009 until June 20, 2009
$95 per book, per category - June 21, 2009 until August 22, 2009
There are 36 different categories in which you can enter, but keep in mind that the fee is charged for each. You may enter up to five categories per title. I hope to enter State of Wilderness & possibly State of Quarries, but only if I come up with some unexpected cash ... lol. My other dilemma is which category is best to enter.Vanity says 'Best Illustrator', but I've seen past winners and don't see myself ranking that high ... lol. My professors always told me I was super critical of my own work.
Good Luck to all who enter!
Board Book/Cloth Book
Alphabet/Counting Book
Pop-up/Cut-out
Activity Book 1 – Games, Arts & Crafts, etc.
Activity Book 2 – Educational, Science, History
Book with Music/Theatrical
Picture Book - Preschool
Picture Book - 4-8 Year Old
Picture Book - All Ages
Juvenile Fiction – Early Reader/1st Chapter books
Pre-Teen Fiction – General
Pre-Teen Fiction – Fantasy
Pre-Teen Fiction - Historical/Cultural
Young Adult Fiction - General
Young Adult Fiction – Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Young Adult Fiction – Horror/Mystery
Young Adult Fiction – Historical/Cultural
Young Adult Fiction – Religion/Spirituality
Young Adult Fiction – Mature Issues
Children’s Poetry
Non-Fiction – Picture book
Non-Fiction - Young Adult
Multicultural – Picture book
Multicultural Non-Fiction – Young Adult
Comic/Graphic Novel
Religion/Spirituality
Holiday
Book with Merchandise (plush toy, etc.)
Spanish Language Book
Environmental Issues
Health Issues
Mind-Body-Spirit/Self-Esteem
Reading Skills/Literacy
Best First Book – Picture Book
Best First Book – Chapter Book
Best Illustrator
Until next time ...
Aidana WillowRaven
WillowRaven Illustration & Design Plus
http://willowraven.weebly.com
willowraven.illustration@yahoo.com
When you think of a gift, think of a book!
I have just added one of my three most recent covers to my Cover Critiques blog.
I need feedback to give to the publisher along side any edits ya'll suggest.
As a matter of fact, I still need comments on the previous cover posted there too, "Messianic Confessions by Mark Heber Miller"
To make it easy for everybody, all responses should be on the Cover Critiques blog.
Thanks,
Aidana WillowRaven
In celebration of Mother's Day, WI&DP is having a "Mother Needs a Cover" sale.
Any author, editor, agent or publisher who needs a cover design done either for themselves or their client who contacts me by 9pm eastern on Monday the 12th, will get locked in at $125 US and be put on the "Mother Needs a Cover" list - with an additional $25 taken off if the author is a Mother herself!
Cover design, as always, includes front & back cover plus full interior block layout (illustrations extra - also half rate though). Regular rates range from $250-$500 (illustrations $50-$150 each) but from now until tomorrow night, everybody can save.
Contact me by 9pm on the 12th if you need a cover via IM or email at willowraven.illustration@yahoo.com or via my website contact page at www.WillowRavenIllustration.com
Don't miss out on this sale!
Aidana WillowRaven
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