JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: So far, this week has been all about me, me, me. I'm sorry, but the only creatures around I can talk to are the 4 dogs/2 cats, and they only respond to three words: "treat," "out," and "car." So you, dear readers, are the captive audience for my announcement:
After more years than I care to count, I have a real, live, working website again!! Behold the fully functioning www.juliaspencer-fleming.com :
I started out with the bare basics back in the early '00s. Author presence online was so new my brother-in-law did my first web site for me! (Thanks, Dan!) It chugged along for a few years, but then came the days when you had to have a blog and a scrolling update and a social media platform, etc. etc. You all may remember these websites - they went on and ON and on, because before Facebook, Twitter and YouTube were around, authors were trying to cover all those communication styles on their own home pages.
This era was closely followed by book trailers. No, I never had one, but I had to admit, I really liked them. Why don't we do them anymore?
Anyway, my new and improved web site chugged along just fine as I put out books year after year (with one or two gaps between.) I had all sorts of bells and whistles when THROUGH THE EVIL DAYS came out in 2013.
Then... stuff happened. As many of you know, I had a lot of real life obligations and events that kept me away from my writing. And between the paperback release of TTED in January of 2014 and handing in the manuscript for HID FROM OUR EYES in August, 2019, I had SO many expenses* and not a great deal in income. I let nonessential items slip, and one of them was the old website.
*College tuition and vet bills.
Eventually, I neglected to renew the domain itself, and - uh oh! It got picked up by what appears to be a Chinese gambling triad. What fun! However, not so convenient for readers looking to find info about me, instead of cryptocurrencies and point spreads.
It was like having a leak in the roof - you know it's awful, you know it has to be fixed eventually, but you get so used to placing buckets around the rooms you just let it slide.
Well, it has slid no more! I finally got enough slack in my budget* to get the gorgeous, useable, updatable, flexible website I've always dreamed of. Maddee James and the Xuni.com team did an amazing job (she also designed Jenn and Lucy's sites and manages our blog right here!)
*Now paying master's degree tuition. The dogs need dental surgery. Sigh.
You can pre-order books! You can sign up for my newsletter (yep, I'm getting back to doing a newsletter as well.) You can send me email and it will actually reach me, not go to the Stygian depths of the internet.
And I owe you, dear readers, thanks, for sharing your opinions a few months ago on what you liked and looked for in author sites. When Maddee and I were hashing out the details, the info I got from you all played an important part.
Here's where I would usually put a discussion question, but I honestly can't think of one, so... click over! Look around! Kick the tires! And let me know what you think.
Congratulations, Julia . . . I love your new website!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joan!
DeleteCongrats! The site looks so good!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa. They did SUCH a great job!
DeleteFantastic.I have tried to contact you in the past and had written to your publishers so might try the new email :)
ReplyDeleteIt came, and I replied! You were the first to use it, Andrea!
DeleteYour website is really nice! 👍🏻
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new website. I looked around it and I like what I see. Maddee and her team are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThey really are. I didn't initially approach her, because I thought she'd be too busy to take me on as a client. I'm so glad Lucy suggested I try her!
DeleteIt looks fabulous, Julia. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteIt's all Maddee, Edith. She took my vague ideas about color and feel and made them real.
DeleteKudos, Julia. A new web site and a new grandson all in a week! What other miracles may we expect?
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of such, tell us more about your Baby Bunting. I have visions of Victoria working in her garden, pausing for a cup of tea and birthing a baby, then going back to digging potatoes. How is she doing? All going well I expect.
Well, I got a video of the baby hiccuping, and Victoria saying, "It's 3:45AM. I might be dying." So I'd say about normal for a new mom with a one-week old!
DeleteShe's not a tea drinker, but the pediatrician DID give her the go-ahead to have coffee for the first time in nine months, so she's VERY happy about that.
It's gorgeous Julia! What a long strange trip it's been...
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for suggesting I talk to Maddee, Lucy!
DeleteWow, Julia! What a creative (and well organized) website! It's set up perfectly for readers to be able to peruse the site and easily have everything right at their fingertips. It's a beauty! And there's no doubt there was a lot of hard work behind it's design and construction. Congratulations...this week has been gold all the way!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? I pay have to go out and buy a lottery ticket at this rate!
DeleteCongratulations on the new website, Julia! (Making a note to myself that my own website is a tad outdated.)
ReplyDeleteIt's SUCH a job to keep it up and looking good, isn't it?
DeleteBeautifully done, Julia! I especially like the dynamic features of the home page. Snow!! Perfect. And putting your books front and center, ordered, is such a good idea. Most series readers want to know in what order the books are written, even if they don't read them that way.
ReplyDeleteOne tiny suggestion: a link to JRW!
From Celia: great catch Karen, thanks
DeleteThat's a great point, Karen, and I'll pass it on to Maddee right away!
DeleteVery cool! I love the picture that greets visitors to the website and the gentle snow. I signed up for the newsletter. I pre-ordered the book months ago.
ReplyDeleteThank for the pre-oder, Gillian. And yes, I gasped when I saw the snow - perfect for the upcoming book!
DeleteTerrific! Maddee and Xuni have done my site from moment one, 20 years now, wow, and she is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI'm so, so glad I contacted her, Hank!
DeleteJulia the website is really well done. I particularly like your bio and photos. I feel like it connects the reader to you personally.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of the personal photos, Anon; Maddee suggested them and I agree, they add a lovely touch.
DeleteMorning All, Paula B here: just checked out your website. Awesome. Love the snow. And for spring? tulips and hyacinths and daffodils. All over the page. Maybe some lilacs. Can you tell im in the desert part of America and miss those? And besides, they are pretty. Congrats on the new site
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paula, that's a great idea for seasonal changes. I know how you feel about those flowers - I've said I an't ever leave New England because I'd miss lilacs too much.
DeletePaula again ~ oh those lilacs. We hd 2 big bushes of dark purple, a light purple a white and I think a pink. Can't quite recall the pink but kinda think so. anyway. I have a desert lilac bush. stinks but it's sorta pretty. Oh the real ones. sigh. you know what I mean.
DeleteFrom Celia; WOW Happy Launch Day, this has been a week of firsts. Very well done. Love, love, LOVE the opening snow fall and book march. Congrats to Maddee and Co. Clean graphics, easy to navigate. A star is born.
ReplyDeleteHer company is the best!
DeleteCongratulations, Julia! Your new website looks wonderful! I get what you mean about websites.
ReplyDeleteThere was a website, which I had. Unfortunately, I cannot access my old website and now I have Substack. Fingers crossed because I like being able to use Substack.
I like Substack as well, Diana - it's easy for anyone to use. I wish they had a better was of indexing or browsing different, well, blogs, since it's been hit or miss finding new authors I'm interested in.
DeleteJulia, congrats! I like the way all the important stuff is right there--just scroll a bit--there's the new book, your books in order, there's your bio, with other media links on the right, pages at the top--sensible, attractive, love it!!
ReplyDeleteP.S., how's that little Paul doing, snugged in his mamas' arms?! That little foot got me--we don't have more babies and I miss them! Youngest nephew's trying to birth a career and oldest grand-nephew's only in 8th grade. :-)
Lots of wee-hour feedings and exhausted parents, but Paulie and moms are doing great. I can't wait to see him again in person!
DeleteLove your books and love the new website! And of course I love this blog. (Barbara C)
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, and thank you, Barbara!
DeleteIt's gorgeous, Julia. I signed up for the newsletter. I was also reminded I need to pre-order book #10.
ReplyDeleteIf it reminds anyone to pre-order, it's doing its job, Liz!
DeleteJulia, your new website is terrific! And you’re touring! And how I wish I could be at Battenkill Books for your visit. It’s a great little bookstore and I love Connie Brooks, the owner. Also wonderful is Print: A Bookstore. I’ll see you at Wellesley Books as that’s closest to me. I already have your book on order at The Silver Unicorn in Acton, MA but can surely buy another copy at Wellesley.
ReplyDeleteI love when you and the Jungle Red writers talk about what you’re doing and your lives. It always adds to our enjoyment of your books!
Thank you, Suzette, and I'll look forward to seeing you in Wellesley. I'm also adding on an appearance at Book House at Stuyvesant Plaza on November 21st; that'll be on the website once the time has been confirmed.
DeleteI love Book House also! Great people!
DeleteFantastic!!! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maren!
DeleteIt’s beautiful! So evocative of the mood of your books, put me right in the mood to read one.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? Maddee really got the visual essence of the feel of the series.
DeleteAnd now I know why I couldn't find your previous site. I've toured the new site and find it delightful. Will you be touring in 2026?
ReplyDeleteI will, Deana, but those plans are pretty nebulous right now. As soon as I have anything confirmed, though, it can go up on the new website!
DeleteBeautiful website! Love the atmosphere!!!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? Maddee did such a great job.
DeleteOh, do I know how that goes. So far this year I’ve had to replace the roof, my pool pump, and had major plumbing issues, etc. The one thing that always keeps me going is being able to read the Jungle Red blog and especially when it’s your turn to host. I absolutely adore your books. I wait with much anticipation for your next book to come out. And I always enjoy your postings on the blog when you include your animals and your family. I think your blog posts are wonderful. Can’t wait to check out your new website. I am so in awe of anyone that writes such wonderful mysteries. It is a talent that I wish I had. Unfortunately, everything I write sounds like a business letter. Thank you so much for giving us such wonderful reading.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, April! I sympathize with you - it always seems to be the Rule of Three when it comes to home repair, doesn't it? The last time, I had to replace my well pump, my oil tank, and the hot water heater in one year!
DeleteIt is gorgeous! Mega congrats.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kait!
DeleteJulia,
ReplyDeleteI always wondered what happened to your website. Then I started wondering if I imagined that you had one…
I love the new one! As I was reading through the website, and thinking of all the different books that I have read that were written by you, I realize that my favorite one is ONE WAS A SOLDIER. All of your books are well worth re-reading.
DebRo
Frabjous! Calloo callay!
ReplyDeleteThe website looks fabulous, Julia!! You must be admiring it a dozen times a day. And I love the snow!
ReplyDeleteWill you be able to do simple updates yourself? I like being able to add an event or a glowing review, but I can always ask my web person to do stuff I don't know how or have time to do.
ReplyDeleteAlso, will your new book be for sale at Crime Bake or is that too soon?
Congrats on the new site. I've signed up for your newsletter.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, no offense to everyone who writes for this blog, but you are the most humorous writer of all and although you do include humor in your books, based on what you write here, you could definitely write a "funny" book. Your written humor reminds me very much of the humor in your friend, E.J. Copperman and all his aliases, whose multiples series I enjoy.
Julia, wow! Great website to show off your wonderful books! One question: photo shows you tempting us with soup. But more tempting to me is the saying on the apron, but it is cut off. Please tell what it says. And keep writing of Clare and Russ and the Millerskill adventures. Thanks Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteThe Xuni Team has done it again. Gorgeous website, Julia! I'm signing up for your newsletter now :)
ReplyDeleteJulia, I love the snow flakes falling that first greet me on your web site. The whole Home page is beautiful, functional, and easy-to-navigate. In fact that really describes each page. I love the moving line of books at the bottom and being able to click on one to go to its page. Everything is spaced so well, and the font sizes are perfect.
ReplyDeleteI'd already pre-ordered the book long ago, but I just signed up for the newsletter. It's an elegant and very user-friendly website. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Just keep writing
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Excited for you, and for readers like me who enjoy knowing what you've done and what comes next.
ReplyDelete- J
DeleteI love it! It’s very classy! And I’m really excited to see you will be in AZ on 11/18. I’ve never been to The Poisoned Pen bookstore. I’ll hold off ordering an Ebook and hope to make it up there for a “real” book.
ReplyDelete