5 simple ways to show your love to authors
Like many authors, I don't earn a full-time living from my books. I write for the love of it. But some days I feel more motivated than others, and it's great to have the encouragement and support of my readers to keep me going.
I'm sure a lot of other authors feel the same way, especially the little guys who aren't selling big numbers and sometimes think about giving up 😢
If there's an author you want to give extra support because you love their work, and you want them to keep on writing, there are a few simple things you can do as a reader—and they don't all involve spending more money. I'm sharing some of my favourite tips below.
1. Buy direct
Before you hit the buy button on Amazon or another online retailer, consider checking if the book is available to purchase on the author's website. If you buy directly from the author, they get to keep a larger percentage of the profit.
You will typically receive an EPUB file and a MOBI file which will allow you to read on multiple devices and apps including Kindle, Kobo, and others. Some authors even throw in a discount and/or bonus material to sweeten the deal.
Transferring the files onto your device/reading app is quick and easy. Many authors use a service called Bookfunnel to send the files, which will walk you through the process step by step.
If you've ever wondered which purchase method will help the author get the most money, direct is the answer.
2. Leave a review
Leaving a review doesn't need to be intimidating. It can be super simple. Leave a star rating and a one liner saying you loved the book—no extravagant synopsis necessary. This will help the author more than you can imagine.
Bonus points: copy and paste your review to post on multiple platforms. Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub are the main ones.
3. Contact the author
Authors LOVE to get messages from their fans. To a writer who has poured their heart and soul into their work, receiving a heartfelt message of appreciation from a reader is something that will remind them that their work is meaningful and has a positive impact on other people's lives.
Don't worry about the author being too busy to respond. I'm certain most will get back to you and your message will mean the world to them.
4. Request the book from your local library
If your local library doesn't carry the titles from your favourite author, request them—even if you own your own copies.
Why? Because it will encourage the library to order the books and make them available to readers in your local area.
Suggesting a book to a library is often as simple as going to the library's website and following a link to a form to fill in. For example, on my local library's website there is an "Ask us to buy it" link.
A librarian will review the suggestion, and if they accept it, they will purchase copies from their preferred supplier.
The author gets to sell copies of their book, and the library patrons gain access to read them. A good deal all around 🥰
5. Recommend the book
Word of mouth is probably the best form of promotion an author can get.
Sharing on social media is always appreciated, but good old fashioned talking with your friends IRL about the books you like is, in my opinion, even better.
If you own a physical copy, you can let your friends borrow it, and here's something you might not know about: you can lend Kindle books to friends and family as well—here's how.
You never know, you might just convert someone into a new fan 🤩