The serial continues at the new site: www.KandyFangs.com

I’m not a fan of serializing short fiction. Longer stories make more sense. Even then, many readers prefer reading at once and even better if it is in a completed ebook. The problem with hosting a long serial on a blog is navigation made even more problematic if shared with other posts. For Kandy Fangs, I solved the problem by moving her to her own place and setting up an episode index always visible on the side.

Setting up a WordPress site is so easy there is no excuse for creating a separate space for the serial. WordPress 3 even allows managing multiple blogs on one installation. Writers with technical skills can setup a better book-like experience by removing the blog completely, but let’s keep it simple. Besides, the blog features allow for bonus content. Decorate the site for the story.

Open up www.KandyFangs.com in a window to see how it works.

Instead of opening to blog posts, the site starts at the Welcome page. This gives the new reader a synopsis and information on what to expect. Once the serial is over, new readers may read all the episodes and returning readers may read new stories about Kandy. A link on the welcome page takes the new reader to the first episode.

Under the menu, you’ll find “Novella” and “Kandy” selections. Clicking one of these shows the categories in the normal reverse blog post order. This is nice for returning visitors, but not new visitors. Another option is to change the post order to start with the first. See Crooked Fang for an example.

I gave Kandy’s home a look consistent with this blog. If Kandy likes it, then my job is done.

I have been giving WordPress 3.0 a try. Meanwhile, I’ve also taken the opportunity to update my site layout. I’m using the new default theme by Twenty Ten. The only changes I’ve made to this theme are coloring and a removing the text title in the header. What I like about Twenty Ten is the clean look. The footer widgets are nice, too.

WordPress 3.0 makes some basics easier on beginners. Bloggers no longer need to dig into the styles or edit php files to adjust header images or create menus.

Header and Background Images

Change the header image using a menu where several examples are available or upload an image of the correct dimensions (default uses 940 x 198 pixels.) The interface also allows uploading an image for the background set to repeat or single as I have done with the purple clouds and moon. I also took the opportunity to adjust my background image to fill an entire screen on the new iMacs for those crazy enough to widen their browser to the full 2560 pixels.

Some themes use thumbnail images and Twenty Ten uses “featured” images. The featured image must be the same size as the header (940 x 198 default) set on the post page. I made a couple featured header images on my Dunston Monster posts and my BIO page.

Navigation Menus

One of the best new features is the default menu which the administrator may customize including drop-down menus based on page parenting. It’s pretty easy to add a menu item for a category as I have done for “Featured” and “Stories.” I will add a “Books” menu later once my books are ready. Changing the order of menu items works like on widgets. Menus may also work in widgets on the sidebar. Some themes support more than one customized menu.

Content Management System (CMS)

Besides pages and posts, custom content types may be added. This will make it easier to use WordPress for an entire website which may not even include a blog. Custom types may be videos with reviews or widgets to sell.

Read about all the new features on Version 3.0