I've been thinking lately how fortunate a time it is to be a writer. I know, I know, I've been privy to all the despairing news when it comes to the publishing industry, but I equate this news to be growing pains for a business that needs to shake off its old modus operandi and catch up with the more independent publishers.  Today authors have the whole world, literally, where they can promote their books thanks to the Internet. And, yet, so many do not take advantage of what is available to them. Just yesterday, I spoke to a new client, an author I'll be doing some publicity for, and I asked him what his Web site URL was. His reply? Do I need a Web site?

Do I need a Web site! Maintaining calm, I explained that he did indeed need a site and why. He seemed stunned and said no one had ever provided him that information. Unfortunately, he's not alone. Writers like to write and anything else is a distraction. I, too, wish that I could spend all my hours working on my latest book. Yet, I realize that I must also build a fan base. Thankfully, it's the age of the Internet and I can do so from my own home.

I belong to so many sites now I'm having a difficult time juggling them all, but in order to find my audience it's what I need to do. Recently, after having gotten acclimated on Facebook and Twitter, not to mention Red Room, I joined a rather new site called http://www.filedby.com/. Depending on how much time and money, if any, the author wants to spend, he or she can build an impressive site to promote him or herself. Admittedly, I haven't taken advantage of everything available to me on the site yet, but like anything, I'll figure it out.  So far, though, I'm very impressed and by the authors on the site, it looks like I'm in good company. Whether you are a writer, a reader or simply a book lover, I hope you swing by to visit when you get a moment: http://filedby.com/author/carol_hoenig/598985/