The third quarter of 2008 was exciting for us. We launched three new sites unlike any sites we have done before, including a one-page site for a fabulous non-profit organization, Share The Love. We also launched a pre-published author site for historical author Stefanie Sloane, and our first Waxcreative Express site for YA author Antony John.

Share the Love, newly launched.

Share The Love is the brainchild of Wax client Maya Rodale and her wonderful business partner Ann Bleakley. An initial goal was to create a fun, Romance Industry-friendly logo, one that authors and reviewers would be pleased to put on their sites and use to link to the Share The Love site. And then to build a single web page to present the call for pre-read books simply and cleanly. A non-profit, there was no need for extras (just that beautiful beacon of a logo), but that didn’t mean the page should be boring. It’s pretty, it’s inviting, and with eventual plans to grow the site as the organization matures, the design is scalable. Good for everyone, don’t you agree? Great. Now please send them a few books.

AntonyJohn.net, newly launched

Also new: a site for debut YA author Antony John — our first launch using the Waxcreative Express model. We developed it to offer top-notch structure and design at a “template” cost — without any feel of being in a template. AntonyJohn.net features global linking to myspace and facebook that is almost as prominent as the links to Antony’s bio. That, the graffiti-ish name treatment, and other aspects of the site help make Antony’s specific career positioning clear - it’s aimed at teens and pre-teens. And we are thrilled, our first launch with the Waxcreative Express model was a resounding success — so streamlined!

StefanieSloane.com, newly launched

And like many other pre-published authors working to get their manuscript bought, Stefanie Sloane’s goals with her site include attracting an editor, developing a network within the industry, and presenting herself as a professional who understands the importance of self-promotion. A lot of authors in this career stage go over-board, but Stefanie (and Wax… hey, we helped) found a good balance. Her wit shines, her eye contact is like a good handshake, and of course, her site is structured to grow with her career. Because when Stefanie sells her book, the site focus will shift to be reader-centric. (Her future publisher’s sales force is going to love it!) We are currently working with two other pre-published authors on their sites. Stay tuned.

And thanks for staying tuned to this blog. More launches, case studies, and release and excerpt announcements to come. In the meantime, please visit our portfolio.