IHCPL #84 Writer Communities & Author Websites

This was an interesting study. I contacted one author years ago to tell her how much her book had helped me. That was a rare occurrence for me, I am not often that moved by a book. Another of my favorite authors is T. Davis Bunn. While looking at his website I was reminded of his book ‘Gold of Kings’ which was thoroughly enjoyable. It has adventure with lost treasure and a little romance. His e-mail address is on the page so he can be contacted.

The writer communities and author websites were interesting and I enjoyed looking at them. I am a user of books and written materials more than a writer of them. If I were an aspiring writer I’m not sure I would go to an open site for criticism from strangers. The Authonomy site sponsored by Harper Collins is a more likely site to place materials if you are serious about being published. Since it is sponsored by a publisher I feel that it has more authority. I like the setup of Authonomy. The idea of a library shelf for items you like with a holding area for items you are considering makes it more like an actual reviewing site rather than I’ll review your stuff if you review mine, which is how I felt about the others.

Just because a book is popular on a website does not make it quality material or writing. If the people voting on it are not qualified to critique the material it is like a person with a Ph.d. in literature writing a book on a medical subject from their own wisdom. I still prefer peer reviewed materials for non-fiction. I would take a chance on the fiction material but would prefer to have qualified people reviewing it first.