You’ve pre-ordered or purchased your favorite author’s book on release day.
Maybe you attended a signing or launch party.
You’ve read the book and loved it!
And…well, now what? Are there other ways to support an author? YES!!
Photo credit: ME
The obvious one here is to yes, leave a review on a review site. Did you purchase it at Amazon? Review it. B&N? Review it. An indie bookstore? Review it. Post it on Facebook, or Instagram or Goodreads. Shout it from the rooftops! Create a sandwich board and march down the…okay, you get the picture. It doesn’t even have to be long or drawn out - a simple “I loved it!” gets the point across. (or conversely, “I hated it” but you know, trying to be positive here!)
Aside from reviews - is there anything else you can do? I’m so glad you asked!
Post a photo of the book on social media.
Read the book on mass transit, or on vacation, or on a plane - anywhere people can see the cover!
Request it at the library!
Finished with the book? Bring it to a Little Free Library and exchange it for a new one! Or donate it to a local high school library!
Buy it as a gift for someone!
Suggest it for your book club.
Place the book face out if you see it in a bookshop!
Follow the author on social media.
Read their blog! (Hi! And thanks! You are the best!!)
Suggest it to friends, family, and/or complete strangers in public! Wherever you see fit!
After the initial release of a book, when fanfare has died down, these are the ways to help keep momentum going. Publishing, after all, is a business. And when a publisher knows the public enjoys an author’s work, they are more apt to publish even more of that author’s work. And then the whole crazy cycle begins again.
If you are reading this, THANK YOU for your support. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt at my wit’s end over something having to do with my career, and then suddenly I’m tagged in an Instagram post, or a Tweet, or a reader sends a thoughtful email and it turns my day around. I know it’s not healthy to constantly need to be validated by an outside source, but when it happens and it hits at the right moment - any author will tell you - it’s very much appreciated.
Bookish people are THE BEST!!