Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I join Midnight Quills?
Joining is easy. You send an email stating you wish to join. Corresponding emails and a simple contract will get your page started. If you just have questions, that's fine, too.
What does it cost?
There is a one-time setup fee and a monthly charge thereafter with a minimum of three months required. It is inexpensive and all members are charged the same monthly rate which remains the same throughout the entire calendar year. Actual cost of the fee and monthly charge will be given to you upon serious inquiry.
Why should I have an internet presence if I'm not published yet?
Having an internet presence when you're not yet published shows you're serious about having a writing career. In the modern world, people look on the internet to get information about everything they are curious about. Not every author, including mega successful ones, have a website, but any reader will tell you they would love to know more about their favorite authors. A webpage or site for an unpublished writer can be a great learning tool. What do I like? What do I want to tell about myself, my work? What is visually appealing to me? Do I enjoy taking the time to update my page with new material? Do I like blogging or is it weeks or months between each entry? It's a nice opportunity to get your feet wet without the high cost and you'll have a good idea of what you want to do when it comes time to move to a separate website if you want to.
How many people will see my page?
That's up to you. Are you going to talk about your page, advertise it on business cards or on loops under your signature? Are you active in the writing world? These are the things that determine how much traffic comes to your page. You will get some collateral hits due to other members promoting their page and from interest off the home page. The whole point of your page is to practice promoting yourself as a writer or author. That will generate the most hits to your page. When you have a future website devoted to you as an author, no one will be promoting it, but you. If you do a good job on Midnight Quills before you have a book to sell, you'll do a great job on your own and you should already have a following by that point.
How much space do I have?
There's enough space to have plenty of content, a few pictures and so on.
Can I blog on my page?
Blogging is a very personal activity and it wouldn't work as well to be hampered with waiting for your blog to be posted on your page. There are many free blogging websites that work very well and are popular with all manner of people including authors. A simple link from your page to your blog will satisfy that need while allowing you the freedom to write in your blog at any time.
What if I just want to have a little something to advertise my main website.
We have both writers with only a web page and one with just a small section directing the reader to another website. The cost of the page is so small, it is not cost prohibitive to have a page just for a redirect if one wants.
I don't know anything about computers or codes or HTML. Do I have to do my own updates?
No, you do not have to know a single bit of code or anything about computers to have a page. All that is handled for you. If you wish to add an article you've written to your page, for instance, simply send it. It will be coded for you and added to your page as fast as possible.
How often can I update?
It is recommended, essential really, that you attend to your page so it won't grow stale. Nothing bores a reader more than old information on the internet. They lose interest quickly and stop coming. Most businesses fail when neglected and a web page is no different. Adding something new monthly or blogging frequently helps with this. If you like to write articles related to writing, then you can add those to provide fresh material. Be creative. What do you like about other authors' websites? What keeps you returning to certain websites?
Can I pay with a credit card?
No. Cash (in person only, not mailed) or a check is the preferred method of payment.
What am I not allowed to put on my page?
All content will be appropriate for the general audience on every member's page and the home page. If you wish to put up a graphic scene or a book cover with frontal nudity or anything deemed to be too graphic, a redirect feature may be used with an accepting disclaimer regarding the age of the reader. A blur feature or bar can be used as well to block those parts if you want it on the page rather than a redirect. Midnight Quills reserves the right to determine what is appropriate and what is not.
Personal opinions that are likely to enflame or offend will not be allowed, including political, religious, racial or sexual subject matter. If your writing is highly controversial or alienating to a wide audience, you would do better to have a separate website.
Midnight Quills is intended to promote writers of various genres in a professional, yet fun, manner. It is not intended to be a soap box or launch pad for personal agendas. Those opinions can be put in your blog. The focus here is promoting yourself as a writer or author in a positive manner and gaining potential readers.
How do I cancel my account?
Canceling is done by stating you do not wish to renew when you receive a reminder. Your page will be removed at the end of the paid term. If you wish to have it removed sooner, you will forfeit what you have paid already, but should you change your mind, your page can be reinstated to finish out the paid term. If Midnight Quills removes your page due to a problem, the prorated amount left will be refunded to you.