We have a Georgia Center for the Book in my home state and it happens to make its home base down the road from me, in the Decatur library.
I love the Georgia Center for the Book because…well, it’s a center. FOR THE BOOK.
Anyway, last week, they announced their 2015 books for adults and children, books that all Georgians should read. (And I’m not gonna lie. Folks outside of Georgia will probably love these books, too.) Many of the authors were there to receive awards and I was there because many of those authors are friends of mine and members of SCBWI. After the ceremony, they had a book-signing (they had a book sale, too) but I refrained from buying books. I have a wee bit of a problem, buying books, but still, I wanted to support these wonderful authors. What to do, what to do?
I have a couple strategies to support authors I love (besides buying the book), and I thought I’d pass ’em along to you:
- Go to your local library and check to see if the book is on the shelf. If it’s not, request the book. When enough people request a book, a library takes notice (and maybe orders the book!).
- If you do find the book at the library, check it out and read it. If you use social media, talk about the book. (And make sure you include the author’s name along with the book title so the author can see your support.) Authors often are uncomfortable with self-promotion, but when you do it, it’s golden!
- Leave a book review on Goodreads or Amazon. It doesn’t have to be a 5-star review (in fact, too many five-star reviews is not a good thing) and it doesn’t have to be a mini-book. Short and sweet is just fine. You will make an author’s day, leaving a nice review.
How about you? What do you do when you love a book but can’t afford to buy it?
And you know what else? I’ll bet you have a Center for the Book in your home state. Why not take a little road trip and check out what they’re doing for the authors you know and love? (And if you’re an author in your state’s Center for the Book, let me know. I’d love to support ALL my author friends!)
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
Love these suggestions…some I knew about, others I didn’t. Requesting the book at your library is a great idea. Also love all the support writers give each other. It’s a hard business to break into, and stay in, and that network of encouragement is priceless!
Absolutely, Deb! Us writers got to stick together!
Um…or is it we? Whatever. You know what I mean. 🙂
You really hit the nail on the head, and of course you and I have discussed this before. Good suggestions all. Self-promotion IS hard. There are few of us to whom it comes naturally, I think, so having friends come through with the things you’ve suggested really makes a difference.
I think it’s hard for most writers, Lisa. You, by the way, are doing a great job! You go, girl!
I love these suggestions, Cathy. — the library request one especially is one I hadn’t thought of. And I so agree, it’s so important to support other authors. I try always to attend book signings, purchase books when I can, and when I worked in bookstores, I always gave my author friends’ books face-outs on the shelves. Reviews are important too — I’m behind on several I need to do. Social media has really added to all of our workloads, but we can get by with a little help from our friends!
Oh! That reminds me…I’ve been known to sort of go commando and stealthily turn my friends’ books face out in a bookstore. Not telling any of YOU to do so. Just sort of putting it out there…:-)
(Thanks, Theresa! Yes, we do get by with a little help from our friends!)