These Authors Share Their Tips For Making Authors Feel Appreciated
Being an author can be a lonely profession. They sit for hours on end with their words and then they come up for air—and they don’t always get to hear about the impact their fiction has on the world. Do you love reading? Do you want your favorite authors to keep writing new books? Below, read advice from several top Christian fiction authors how you can help out your favorite writers. Including tips from Karen Kingsbury, Lynn Austin, Beverly Lewis, Jerry B. Jenkins, Vanessa Riley, Lori Copeland, and a whole bunch more!
This is what we asked them:
“What are the best things readers can do to support their favorite authors?”
KAREN KINGSBURY
Awwww, sweet question. Well, first, I consider my readers to be friends–not fans. I care for them and pray for them, and when I meet readers at a signing event I am moved to think that God put a story on my heart, but He had their hearts in mind. Only He could do that. I would love for the readers to pray for me, that I’ll stay focused on the stories God has given me to write. And that I’ll continue to find the balance that allows me to be a wife and mother and grammy to the family who loves me–all while still writing! Also, on a practical note, I’d love for them to visit KarenKingsbury.com and sign up for my free newsletter!
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JERRY B. JENKINS
Let me count the ways! Buy their books, read their books, recommend their books, review their books, show up at readings and signings. But I appreciate this question, because you know what warms me most as an author? Hearing directly from readers: emails, texts, letters, comments on websites. I’m sure this is true of my author colleagues as well. At heart we are artiste, and we love hearing from readers.
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VANESSA RILEY
The best thing readers can do to support their favorite authors is to share the love. Tell a friend, a co-worker, that aunt that loves to read about your author’s latest series or newest book. Sharing your love and enthusiasm is infectious and will encourage others to take a chance on finding their next new favorite read.
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LYNN AUSTIN
I think it’s wonderful when readers are so excited about an author that they want to share her books with all of their friends. Word-of-mouth is still the number one way that books are sold. Book clubs are very popular, and I love it when a reader tells me that no one in her club had read one of my books until she suggested it for their monthly selection—and then all of those new readers told their family and friends about it! It’s so helpful when readers post blogs about an author’s books and post reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, but when they share their copy of a book until it falls apart, that’s the best advertising ever!
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BEVERLY LEWIS
Post reviews online. Suggest the new novel at your book club. Purchase a second—or third—book to give to a friend or stranger. And pray for the authors you love to read. They get tired, too, and sometimes discouraged or weary of deadlines, just like anyone who is busy working a job. Also, send an encouraging email to the author’s website or a private message to their Facebook page. Sharing how the book made a difference in your life is an ideal way to support an author.
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TOSCA LEE
On a very practical level, by buying my books. Any time you can buy an author’s work you’re helping them to continue writing. I’ve watched too many good authors quit in recent years. Pre-orders are also very important to authors, as they send a message to the publisher. Also, please always request your favorite authors’ new books at your local, school, or church library and leave reviews online at retail sites, BookBub, and Goodreads. Beyond that, I will always take prayer! This is a very nice question—thank you for asking.
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LORI COPELAND
Buy their book! Write a review on numerous sites, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads—find a way to pass the word along that you’ve read a book that really connected with you.
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MELANIE DICKERSON
The best way to support your favorite author is to tell other people about their books. The more people who are influenced to want to read our books, the more sales for our books, and let’s face it. I can’t keep writing books unless my books sell. So I am always really grateful for those who tell their friends—or even strangers!—about my books. I love my readers and I’m so grateful for them!
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MICHELLE STIMPSON
I’d say: Leave reviews, tell your friends about the book.
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SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY
I think the best support for an author is to either buy his or her books or encourage their local libraries to order them. Nothing makes me happier than to hear that someone got one of my books from their local library! Of course, talking about the books with friends and family and reviewing books and posting the reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, or Christianbook helps, too. I’ve been so grateful for readers’ support and reviews!
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PATRICK W. CARR
Buy lots of books. When you find an author you like, tell your friends. I love telling my friends about my favorite authors. Leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads. Reviews are the currency of the publishing world. Follow your author on Facebook and Twitter and let them know you enjoy their work. Writing is a lonely pursuit. Writers, all writers, need encouragement.
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MICHELLE LINDO-RICE
One of the best things that readers can do is talk about the book. Talk. Talk. Talk. Tell your friends, family, coworkers to read the book. Share the book on social media pages. Leave a review. Reviews are so important. They sell books. Readers trust other readers. If you don’t have the funds to purchase a book, then certainly, ask the library to purchase a copy. That helps us as well.
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ROBIN JONES GUNN
Aside from buying their favorite authors’ new books, it’s amazing what readers can do when they share on their social media. I have a series of Christmas novellas that have been made into Hallmark movies. When the first movie aired in November 2016, I was overwhelmed by the support of all my readers who spread the word. Finding Father Christmas broke the network record by being the most watched and highest rated Christmas movie of 2016! I soon received an email from the President of the Hallmark Channel saying that my readers certainly “showed their support.” I agree. They did! As a result a sequel movie went into production and Engaging Father Christmas will air on November 12, 2017. I’ve seen how the power of reader support is being heard in Hollywood. When readers buy books with clear Christian values and tune in to the programs created from those books, it nudges the market to continue to provide more books and movies with the same wholesome content. I’m so grateful to all you Beautiful Readers that have asked me to keep writing more stories for you over the years. I take your requests seriously and I hold you in my heart.
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KATHLEEN FULLER
This probably won’t surprise anyone, but besides reading our books and recommending them to others, writing reviews helps immensely. Reviews help increase exposure, which helps increase sales, which enables us to write more books. I always love hearing from readers, too, whether it’s through email or social media.
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CECELIA DOWDY
The best things that readers can do to support their favorite authors:
1. Buy their favorite authors’ books!
2. Leave positive, five-star reviews on Amazon!
3. Tell everybody that you know about your favorite authors’ books! Spread the word via email, word of mouth, and social media!
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BECKY WADE
Tell their friends about the books they enjoy! Share books with the readers in their lives. Take the time to post reviews at online bookstores. Nominate their favorite author’s book as a book club selection. Spread the word about a beloved book on social media. Ask their local public library or church library to carry their favorites. I’ve found Christian fiction readers to be wonderfully supportive! I’m truly grateful to be a part of this encouraging community.
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JILL WILLIAMSON
The best things readers can do to support authors are to buy an author’s books new from the author or any store, to write book reviews and post them in several places, to encourage their local library to order the books, and to tell people about the author’s books whenever and however they can.
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