Free webspace is available from a number of sources. Internet service providers (ISPs) often will include one with your account. There are also other companies, such as Yahoo (Geocities) or MySpace, that offer free websites or webpages.

Another alternative is to start a blog; Blogger, Blogstream, and Wordpress are some places where you can blog for free.

The advantages to a free website are that there's no cost, and some sort of "site builder" which helps you create your own webpages is usually included. (With a blog, you choose a template & use a form to add your posts.) This is a risk-free way to get your feet wet & see if you enjoy having a website of your own.

However, there are also drawbacks to having this sort of site.

disadvantages to free websites

They often include banners or other advertising - whatever the company hosting your site wants to put there - that detracts from your site's presentation.
The "site builder" usually creates fairly generic-looking pages. Or, you may not like the templates available.
Your web address will probably be hard to remember.
(Something like www.yourisp.com/web/~yourname)
If you ever decide you want your own domain name (or you want to change ISPs), you will have to change your web address (letting everyone know about the change, & asking them to update their links to your site). Gathering & moving your website's pages can be a hassle, too.
The amount of space allotted is often quite limited, which may become a problem as your website grows.
Search engines and web directories don't take this type of websites very seriously. It can be difficult to get indexed / listed and, consequently, found.
You're on your own.

A Website Custom-Designed for You by a Professional

If you are serious about creating a web presence for yourself and your writing, a professionally-designed website will serve you best, allowing you flexibility, and conveying the best possible impression to your visitors.
(It could be a blog, if you prefer.)

advantages to professionally-designed websites

Your site will be custom-designed by someone who does it for a living. They will take your needs, desires and preferences into consideration. Your site won't be like any other; it will be a reflection of you and your work.
Your site will be more attractive and better designed than a free site would be.
There's no advertising!
You will have your own domain name, which will be easy to remember and specific only to you. And, your web address (and email address) will be unaffected should you change ISPs or webhosts. Your site is very portable and your webdesigner can move it to another webhost without any interruption, if you should ever decide to do so.
You can get as much storage space for your site as necessary; you need not ever run out of room for your pages, and other files.
You will have a webdesigner who can answer your questions and address your needs.
Your website will be designed to be friendly to your visitors, and the search engines, too.
Your webdesigner can update the website whenever you'd like, so you don't need to bother with it. Alternatively, it can be designed so you can update it yourself. It's your choice.
You'll have your own email address: you@yourdomain.com.
Your webhost will provide detailed site statistics, showing how many people visited, how they found your website, & what they looked at.
A professionally-designed website will give you added credibility and will cast you & your work in a more flattering light.

The only real disadvantage to a custom-designed website, is that it's not free. (But it can be very affordable! Read on for details.)

3 steps to getting a professional, custom-designed site

To have your own website, you'll need 3 things: a website designer, a domain name, and a place to put the site (webhost). It doesn't have to be expensive.

The web designer is the person who will custom design your website just for you, taking into consideration your needs & preferences, and the site's content. Cost varies, depending on the designer and your particular needs. (See below.)
Domain names are cheap - about $10-15/year - and easy to obtain. You can get one yourself with a registrar such as GoDaddy.com. Or, your webdesigner can probably do it for you.
Webhosting. Your web designer may also be able to provide webhosting for you. If not, there are many webhosts out there who offer reliable hosting for as little as $35-40/year.

cost of custom-designed websites

If you search around the internet you will find that rates vary a lot. However, if you're a poet, writer, or musician, I don't think you'll easily find a designer who can build a more effective or attractive website than I can for the same rate. That's my specialty.

Since 2000 I've designed a number of websites for poets, writers, artists, musicians and the literary community at affordable prices. Get a simple 1-page website (starting at $175), or a larger portfolio website (starting at $450-500).

View my webdesign portfolio for examples of my work, including 1-page websites and larger sites..

Your site will be customized to your needs & designed to reflect your personality & aesthetic. Extra features such as a shopping cart, mp3 player, custom-designed forum, etc, are available too.

All the sites I build are designed to friendly to the search engines as well - allowing your site to be more easily found in a search. I will also promote your site on the web.

would you like more information? want to get started?

For more information about my webdesign services, check out my webdesign site, Quanta Webdesign for the Arts or my design portfolio.

And, freel free to drop me a line with any questions. I'm always glad to help.

cheers ~
Denise

p.s. If you are a poet, writer, or editor and don't need a whole new website, but...

have existing webpages that just need a new place to live or
will maintain your own website & just need a copacetic place to put it or
would like a simply-designed single-page brochure website for your bio, news, contact info, etc.
would like a page of your own at Empty Mirror Books.com / Beat Generation Books.com.

...please get in touch with me. I may be able to help you out.

Definition: What's a blog?
A blog is sort of like an online journal. You can post your writings, thoughts, & photos as often as you like. The most recent posts show up at the top of the page. Folks who read your posts can comment on them if they like. They are very easy to use - you just log in, and start typing in your poems, writings, or journal entries.