Thursday, January 12, 2012

My New Website & The Amazon Dilemma

So in a frankly scary burst of energy last Saturday, I made myself a little website.

I'd had the domain name for years but hadn't done anything with it, and it was time to admit I was never going to code a site from scratch, no matter how much I pretended it was going to happen. I have basic html skills but no patience when it comes to design. I wanted something clean and colorful, where I could introduce myself and my book to the world, or at least to a corner of the web.

Next order of business: I know I'm late to the party, but I think this topic is worth revisiting.

Remember that super-annoying, condescending Slate article ("Don't Support Your Local Bookseller") late last year? I found some excellent rebuttals to it I'd like to share:
In Los Angeles, we have a thriving indie bookstore community (Skylight Books in Los Feliz; Vroman's in Pasadena; Book Soup in Hollywood; Diesel in Brentwood; and Libros Schmibros in Boyle Heights, to name a few). The Borders in my town has closed, and the Barnes & Noble near my office is about to. Driving 40 minutes to the nearest indie isn't always a possibility for me. I'd like to support local booksellers and I often do, but sometimes the convenience of Amazon lures me away.

How do you balance Amazon versus indie stores?

Do you have access to local booksellers in your neck of the woods?

Edited to add: for some reason this post went out twice, so I deleted one version. Sorry to lose the comments :(
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10 comments:

  1. Caroline Starr RoseJanuary 12, 2012 at 2:13 PM

    We have three indies in town -- not bad!

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  2. Caroline Starr RoseJanuary 12, 2012 at 2:14 PM

    ...and you are one of the cutest, most photogenic people I know. Those website pics are perfect. :)

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  3. Anita Grace HowardJanuary 12, 2012 at 3:02 PM

    We have two indies here, but one of them is about to close. Used to have three! :(

    I love your new website! It fits you perfectly: elegant and graceful, with a splash of fun mixed in. You are so lovely--inside and out, from what I've seen. :) Congrats on that burst of energy! That was a good use of it.

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  4. Sophia ChangJanuary 12, 2012 at 5:30 PM

    and we will recomment!


    Your site is BEAUTIFUL and so are you! Your photos are just gorgeous and serene. The camera just loves your face and so do we!

    I have no shame in using Amazon - I simply don't have a lot of money so the cheapest I can get a book the better and as long as we're still buying books and supporting the author we're contributing.

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    Replies
    1. Sarah SkiltonJanuary 17, 2012 at 9:42 AM

      Thanks, Sophia. You are waaaaay too sweet. Photoshop is my co-conspirator in my photos, BIG TIME.

      Delete
  5. Paul TobinJanuary 17, 2012 at 3:43 AM

    We have a large Waterstones and an indie in Taunton. I go to both, as and when, they each have different strengths. I also use Amazon. So i fence sit I suppose.

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    1. Sarah SkiltonJanuary 17, 2012 at 9:42 AM

      Thanks for commenting! I think it's good to have the selection: chain store, indie, and occasionally Amazon in a pinch.

      Delete
  6. Matthew MacNishJanuary 17, 2012 at 9:24 AM

    I got your email. That stinks to lose comments. Sorry for whatever happened!

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  7. Leslie S. RoseJanuary 21, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    You have to go check out Aroma Cafe in Toluca Lake. An indie bookstore where you can get brie omelets. Sublime.

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  8. Leslie S. RoseJanuary 21, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    Just hopped around your website. Nice! Classy!

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