hi cary - i took a quick spin around the website. all the links i tried worked for me. the thing that struck me the most is that the information feels a bit outdated. i noticed several references to material or reviews from 2007. i'd suggest posting something that references, at the latest, material from 6 months ago. and if it's there, it's not prominent - make it front and center. then it will feel like a more current place to be and visit.

I got confused as to exactly what the site offers. Is this about tennis? Are you a book seller?

There needs to be a defining sentence or explanation toward the top to confirm what you're up to.

Is this about tennis? ha. I'm no expert but I do have a few ideas. However, I will have to come back later after work and take a better look around. First thing I noticed was it's "too white". And I think those Writing Worksops are a real selling point but I completely missed it the first time through.

Right off the bat I noticed that your margins are too tight for your text. Technical issue, but really affects the feel of the site, especially with the reputation you carry. You want this to actually look good.

So, what do you want it to do? My guess is that you want it to keep your fans informed of your comings and goings -- profressional appearances/readings/etc.. You want it to drive book sales. You want it to sell workshop participation. Basically, you want people interested in your writing and you to get value from the site, and you want to find a way to make money off it. The $$$ part is where it gets tricky. Do some research on "Search Engine Optimization." This si a technique employed by companies to get their sites listed early in Google (and other search engine) search results. Talk to your web guy about how to get this thing to show up in searches more often and easier. If people don't see your site, they they can't worry about how bad it is. I would guess that is the first problem you want to tackle. Once you figure out how to get people TO your site, then you can figure out what you want it to do.

My suggestions:

1. color...needs more.

2. a place for people to get involved. one of the best parts of your columns (no offense :) is the letters generated. If you have something for people to click on to comment on...or some kind of personal blog that you keep updating with things that people with similar interests start reading and interacting with. more of that.

4. Music, art, magic...

you know. I don't know if that helps. p.s. I should follow my own advice...Hmm....

ps. 3 wasn't a good idea so I deleted it.

ps. 3 wasn't a good idea so I deleted it.

These are good, sensible comments. They mirror much of what I had suspected. I appreciate it. We're working on it. Thanks to everyone. Sorry it took me so long. I posted this and then, well, I get distracted. ha ha . I get distracted a lot. no, really, we're working with some guys to do a new web site that will be fun and easy to use and interactive and all connected up with the other stuff we do. we do a lot of stuff. it's just, well, it's a long story that involves saying $!!#$%$#! Dreamweaver!

I would like to see more images. I find websites offputting that just have a lot of words on them - Ariel Levy has the same 'problem' and she is another writer I love. Could you take photos of things that tickle your fancy and post them there?
Other than that, I am also on the Great Quest to work out what I should do with my website: www.laurabloom.com.au
If you have any suggestions for me I would love to hear them ...

eg some people might hate this, but I would love to see photos of Lola and Ricky. Are they up for being celebrities?

Theme. Every website should have one. Subtle this, but most effective.

Navigation. I want to navigate your site without ever having to hit the back arrow to go to a previous page. Scrolling should be in-frame so that navigational buttons/links are visible and are displayed consistently around the frame on all pages. Photo collections should be put in galleries and presented within the frame as thumbnails, slide shows or a combination of the two.

I am late to this so many of the changes others suggest might now be applied.

I like your site. Beautiful effect at the top. Lots of white space. A short set of choices, clearly identified.

BTW: I just re-designed/engineered both Pat's new site and the AWA site, and have a long-term engagement with both of them to evolve their sites and grow their communities. Pat is a spectacular human being, and my 8 years and counting in an AWA workshop here in New Paltz has been crucial to my development as a writer.

Your website is supposed to connect your presence on the web, in a way that makes everyone dropping in--deliciously jealous.

Your website is supposed to connect your presence on the web, in a way that makes everyone dropping in--deliciously jealous.

What do you want it to do?