As an author, I do hope that everyone will buy my novel. But I know that won’t happen. Some people just aren’t readers, and others don’t have the time or money to buy books. Still, there are ways to show your support for that author in your life. Here are a few ideas.
- Recommend the book to friends
Maybe the book isn’t quite your cup of tea. Do you know someone who does like that sort of thing? Tell them about it! - Ask your local public library to acquire it
My local library is a bit odd sometimes, in that they’ll carry books 1 and 3 of a series but not book 2. Other times it’s a new release I’m interested in reading. So I just visit the reference desk and ask them to purchase it. And you know what? They do! - Borrow the book at the public library
Assuming you already did #2 above, this is a way to read it without buying. And, once you’re done… - Give the book a rating/review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads
Did you know that visibility on these sites can depend on how many reviews a book has? Your review could be the one that pushes your favorite author over the top. Plus, it’ll warm their heart to see their book reviewed. - Follow the author on social media
Engage with your favorite author on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, wherever they are. (Their website is usually a good place to find where they live on social media.) They’ll love to hear from you. While you’re at it, share their posts with your own followers to help them find a wider audience. - Attend their author appearances and express your support
Author events can be frightening for a new author. There are countless instances where the author ends up the only one showing up. (I’m not just talking about first-time authors – famous ones like Margaret Atwood and Neil Gaiman.) A friendly face is always welcome, and you can get an autograph to boot.
These are just a few ways to support an author for free. Of course, speaking as an author, we’d much rather you buy, read, and enjoy our work.
