How to Support Authors Without Spending Money

Non-Monetary support helps so much

Greetings! My last newsletter received an incredible response from fellow authors and readers alike! It compelled me to talk about the other side of the same coin.

Supporting authors doesn't always require spending money. I get it. Everything costs a fortune these days. Your enthusiasm, engagement, and efforts to help my work reach a broader audience are just as meaningful and appreciated by me.

Here are some ways you can help out authors you like:

Spread the Word/REVIEW: Share your thoughts about the author's work on social media platforms, blogs, or within book communities. Write reviews on platforms like Goodreads or Amazon. Word-of-mouth recommendations can help authors reach a wider audience.

While I can't provide complex data to prove it, I'm absolutely convinced that the power of social media exposure (and good old-fashioned word-of-mouth) has played a significant role in propelling my career forward.

Follow and Subscribe: Lots of you already do this. Many authors have newsletters and social media accounts. Subscribe to them! Engage with them! The algorithm has been punching us all in the face lately (iykyk), making it difficult to reach people, even those who have CHOSEN to follow us! It’s pretty frustrating. I can write a whole piece on this point alone.

Request Books at Libraries: Why aren’t we discussing this one more?! Suggest the author's books to your local library. When libraries purchase and make an author's work available, it can introduce their writing to new readers. Access to books isn't a guaranteed privilege in numerous communities, and libraries serve as a lifeline to dedicated readers. l also love seeing my books in Little Free Libraries.

Recommend Books to Independent Stores: While on the topic. Suggest the author's books to local independent bookstores. Bookstore owners may take your recommendations seriously and stock the books.

Massive chains, like Barnes and Noble and Indigo, stock my books. However, independent bookstores may require a bit more persuasion when it comes to stocking a book. Overall, independent bookstores have unique challenges and priorities that influence their decisions about which books to carry.