Suggestion: Web Presence is Mandatory

I am very much a follower of "do only what you can maintain" but, at this point in civilization, if you are an author, you must have a website (Jeff Vandermeer's Booklife exemplifies this principle).

This includes four key items:

Author Bio - can be exactly what it says inside your books.

Book Blurbs - can be exactly what it says on the back of your book. Right after the title of your book, make sure to mention if it is part of a series and what number it is.

• If this character has had a major role in a different book, you must put a footnote at the bottom of your blurb. (Ex. If you're character would not be who they are now without the scene you've written in a different character's book - the reader has a right to know that, and read your series in order. If you don't tell the reader, you risk losing them because they didn't have the opportunity to live that moment with your character.)
• This information needs to be upfront for the reader, but not spoil the plots of the books, which is why I very strongly suggest a Book List.

Book List – a published order of your books is sometimes helpful, but the chronological order for your series is more important. Make sure to mention in which books important characters appear.

Upcoming Releases - you want the reader to know you have plans to keep writing. Even if you only know that the next book will be released in Fall of 2017 - put that down. You can always change it later if need be.

You don't have to start blogging or tweaking your page every week. Having a website that displays these four key items will make your writing more accessible and that always leads to more satisfied readers.

With the internet so easily accessible today it is ludicrous to think you don't need your own website. Just because Amazon and Barnes & Noble sell your book, does not mean they are displaying all the information your reader needs.  You can hire someone to make a website, or take a week to make your own through places like Weebly. Who knows, you might even find you like having complete control over your site.

In short: you can make a website because you already know all about these four key items (and have probably already written them).