He's Got the Best Site

"It's fabulous," freelance writer and novelist Grae Yohe unabashedly proclaims on the opening page of http://www.graeyohe.com/.

The editors of Writer's Digest and sister F&W Publications design magazines HOW and ID agree. We reviewed 460 reader-nominated writer Web sites, and Yohe's came out on top. We rated sites that writers created and maintained themselves, based on presentation, ease of use and marketing effectiveness.

Yohe's site went live in July 2000 and was overhauled in June 2001. He initially used Microsoft FrontPage software, but now relies on three Adobe Systems products: GoLive, Photoshop and ImageReady. Weekly upkeep is minimal; major changes tend to be done all at once, in a 30- to 40-hour per week stretch.

The 25-year-old Ohioan's initial goals for the site were to showcase his novel, The Bialy Pimps; to advertise his freelance writing; and to have fun. While he hasn't sold the novel yet, he is having fun. And, he picked up his most regular freelance gig, Human Resources Executive, "because the editor I contacted reported that he 'spent an hour cruising your site, giggling ... .'"

"This guy makes me want to be more productive in my spare time," says Jenny Wohlfarth, ID executive editor. "I was most impressed by the fact that the site manages to visually animate a lot of the quirks and neuroses of its creator without being overly self-indulgent or annoying for visitors."

Megan Lane, HOW associate editor, enjoys the site's humor, but adds a cautionary note: "As an editor with a good sense of humor, I'd hire the guy, but if I were an old grump, I'd be put off by all the shenanigans."

As our winner, Yohe will receive up to $250 in software.

Kudos also to the nine runners-up, listed below in alphabetical order, who each receive a one-year subscription to http://www.writersmarket.com/. Check out these sites; they're an interesting mix of freelance writers and published and aspiring novelists. They may give you ideas on where to take your own site:

Maureen Bothe
http://www.maureenbothe.com/

Mark Bourne
www.sff.net/people/Mbourne

Jason Gurley
http://www.deeplyshallow.com/

Tamar Love
http://www.crankyeditor.com/

Carolyn Martin
http://www.thestartofsomething.com/

Sheri McConnell
http://www.naww.org/

Ginger Orr
http://www.gingerorr.com/

Cynthia Leitich Smith
http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/

Steve Tally
http://www.almostamerica.com/