I haven’t published a book myself (yet), but I’m all for helping authors spread the word and sell more books. And with the advent of Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter, it’s easier than ever for readers to get involved. Which is fortunate, since marketing budgets at many publishing houses are shrinking.
Here’s what several tweeting authors and novelists had to say about how readers can support them:
@ClodaghMMurphy Amazon review and Tweet. Fan letter to me would be even better though!
@anti9to5guide Yes to Amazon, Goodreads, etc reviews + tweeting/Facebooking about it (with links!) + attend readings, give books as gifts
@aswinn Really, any type of spreading the word is SO beneficial. Also, recommend to friends’ book clubs.
@DevonEllington Positive tweets and blogs about the books are always nice — or contacting me for a guest blog or interview.
@kristenfischer I wish more ppl would review my book, definitely. I don’t care if it’s all over, but for those that read, share!
@Meganmccafferty All of the above! And BUY our books!
So, to sum up:
1. Buy the book (duh). Not all of us can afford brand new books, but buying new ups the author’s numbers as opposed to buying used. Just sayin’.
2. Buy the book as a gift for others. Recently, my friend Susannah surprised me with a package from Amazon on my doorstep. Her surprise book made my day, so I ordered a different book and had it shipped to an old college friend I don’t get to see that often. Maybe we’ll start a long-distance book club.
3. Request that your local library purchase a copy. Not mentioned by any of the tweeting authors but helpful nonetheless, especially if you’re not in a position to buy the book yourself.
4. Ask your local book store to carry it. See above.
5. Suggest the book to your book club. Some book stores even give discounts to book clubs, so that’s something to consider, too.
6. Tweet about the book. Even better, check if the author is on Twitter and include their Twitter handle so they’ll hopefully see your tweet.
7. Blog about the book. Even if you don’t have a book blog, you can probably find a way to tie it in to your blog’s topic. Food bloggers could occasionally blog about cookbooks. Relationship bloggers can sneak in a review of a new dating book, and so on. Also take Devon Ellington’s suggestion and invite the author to do a Q & A or guest post.
8. Recommend it on Goodreads. I’m on Goodreads, but I haven’t updated my account in ages. Sorry, authors! I try to make up for it in other ways.
9. Post a review on Amazon. Some authors get deeply upset about malicious online reviews (especially when it’s a review of the merchant and not the merchandise), so I try to keep my Amazon reviews positive. Unless I really hated the book, in which case I’ll follow my mother’s advice and try to keep my mouth shut.
10. Attend a book reading. One of an author’s biggest fears is giving a book reading to an empty room. Don’t let that happen! Gather your friends, coworkers, or book club members, and show your support.
Authors, what do you hope readers do? And readers, how many of these do you do? Or are there other methods I’ve missed?
Flickr photo courtesy of Paul Watson
Don't forget word of mouth, Facebook, and MySpace. I have a friend that has a picture file on Facebook where she publishes what she's reading, in the caption she types the link to the author's website, and comments are for reviews.
These are great. Word of mouth is so important!
Good subject for a post! I'm going to a fellow writer's book signing this week. I know exactly how it feels to have no one attend a signing: You sit there feeling like a loser!
in addition to posting on your own blog, you might also find a way to guest post on someone else's blog about a book, or mention it in a guest post
Great suggestions! Thank you, everyone, for weighing in.
I think people (readers) just don't realize how important word-of-mouth is! Without it, though, books like Harry Potter wouldn't have been the blockbusters they are. Us smaller pond type authors can benefit from word of mouth, too!
Interestingly, when my first three books came out I passed out author copies freely, asking my family/friends to consider posting a review for me. Do you know the ONLY person who took the time to do that? Another writer. She "got" it. So, folks can rest assured that MY Amazon reviews are not written by my mom and family members!
I'm an avid reader, but haven't been doing much to help my fave authors. As much as I love them, I should! I do mention non-fiction books in my blog, as I did today, but will have to get the word out about my favorite novelists in other ways.
Excellent ideas, Susan. Authors aren't getting publishers' support the way they used to — so these methods are enormously important.
iT's so important for all of us writers to support one another. I haven't written a book yet, either, but every time a friend who has a book to promote has a reading or needs me to spread the word, I'm there! Thanks for the reminders. I guess it also needs to go beyond helping out only our own friend/authors.
This is a great reminder. I blog about books whenever they relate to my content, but I often forget to do the simpler things like write reviews on amazon or tweet or FB them.
Excellent and commendable post!
What I would add is what I practice. One strategy is the traditional "business card". The second question the "man/woman on the street asks you is what do you do for a living; the first being a comment about the weather. Tell them you represent an author (or are one yourself) and gave them a card with your URLs on it; the blog and website that features the book. Or real life posters that worked for me when promoting trips for a travel agency.
Second strategy is the traditional publicity stunt that, left to the imagination, can produce results. An example would be to have you as the main character in the book become "real" either on the internet or in real life and reenact parts of the novel in public. Given more time to ponder, more elaborate schemes can be concocted.
And then there are the many traffic exchanges that bring people to your blog/website.
Like everyone else says, the best ways to support a writer are to a) buy their book, and b) spread the word.
Oh, wait—I'm wrong. The best way to support a writer is to pay their mortgage. . .
What about scheduling visits for your favorite local author at your child's school? I know that several authors make stops at my kids' schools.
I've been a member of "bookcrossing.com" for more years than I care to admit to, and has lead me to leaving my comfort space and finding different/new authors I would never have tried otherwise. Sometimes it's been via a book sitting on a table and me just picking up at random, sometimes other people in the group have thrust a book in my hand and said "you have to read this!". Sometimes I just see a book that looks good and take it. I do likewise for/to other people. The initial book to me may be "free" (i.e. someone else has spent the money on it), but if I do like the author, then I will go out and buy my own copies, especially where they have written more than one book, and isnt that what's wanted?
Reviews on Goodreads/Librarything/Amazon/twitter are only moderately influential to me – often the reviews that are successful are from those people I already know and trust and are the ones most likely to shove a book into my hand anyway!
equipped with this list friends can act as emissaries for their favorite books by buddies…talk about the power of personal P.R.
These are all excellent suggestions Susan, and your commenters have covered so many other good points. I had a friend once say to me, "Friends BUY each other's books" and ever since I BUY my friends' books. Usually I buy 2-3 copies if I can and send them as gifts.
I've written/co-written/edited/co-edited four books. Interestingly, the one that has sold the most (it's called WHY BABIES DO THAT) is a gift book for new moms. I don't like it as much as my book about toddlers but it has done much better in the marketplace. Maybe because new moms are hungry to read everything but parents of toddlers don't identify themselves as such?
I mention this only because sometimes the BETTER books don't sell as well and may not be the ones you have heard of. If you read a book by an author that you really like, check out his or her other books. The less well-known ones may surprise you!
Word of mouth – and what indy bookstores do so well…handselling. If you love a book why wouldn't you want to share?!