But on Web, such a policy falls flat on its face, because big graphics files take ages to download. Curious about what your site looks like to those without access to latest technology? Then unplug that leased line, replace it with a 56K modem, set your display to 800 x 600 with 256 colours, and switch off external CPU cache in your PC's BIOS. Empty your browser's cache and access your site now. If home page takes much longer than ten seconds to load, or looks badly designed, you can bet that a sizeable proportion of new visitors to your site will get bored and go elsewhere.

There are simple steps you can take to increase load speed of your site. First, don't do as one Webmaster did, and assign four separate image files to four identical home page logos, thus ensuring that page took around three times longer to load than was necessary... On a more sensible note, treat your graphics images as MP3 files - be aware that you can remove some of 'unseen' data and yet maintain quality appearance of your site.

Ernest Hemingway

Introduction

One of best things about internet is freedom that it can give. Within reason, you can talk to anyone, anywhere about mostly anything. It is a great communication tool.

Recently, during Seattle earthquake, I was able to get minute-by- minute feedback about what was going on from people that I've met online - real-time information even though I was sat in my office across other side of world in UK.

One of areas that is currently being revolutionised by internet is world of publishing. You can have your writing available to millions of people within a few hours. The frustration of rejection after rejection from traditional publishers can partly be assuaged.

You can do this too.

You can have your novel, your short story or your poem available for entire technological world to read. You can meet and talk with writers from all over world. You can critique other people's work and get feedback on your own.

In short, you can become part of biggest writing circle this world has ever seen.

In this book, I'll be advising you how to get started - things you need to get yourself up and running. I'll be including links to useful sites and resources. I'll show you how to build a website that will be a showcase for your work. I'll also give you advice about that most difficult of tasks: marketing your book.

I hope this book gives you inspiration to get started.

'I love being a writer. What I can't stand is paperwork'.

Peter De Vries

Getting Started

You've written your blockbuster. You've sent it off to a dozen agents and publishers. Then...then it happens - rejection letters start to arrive.

I'm sorry, this really isn't for us.

This is only a personal opinion, of course, but...

You write well but we're not in market for this kind of work at moment.

All best in your efforts to get published.