Adoring reader from the UK, dressed up as the black wolf from one of my books |
At a conference, I picked up a list of 20 Ways to Help an
Author, distributed by Wise Ink. I like the concept, but not how it’s
framed—while I love my readers, I don’t believe they owe me anything.
Shift the focus from author to book and I’m all in. Here, a list
of twelve ways to show your love for a book. These take little time, effort, or
money, but the payoff is huge - helping a book you love enjoy a long, happy “shelf
life”:
·
Buy the book!
·
Gift the book!
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Ask for the book when you’re browsing a book shop.
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Review the book online: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes
& Noble.
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Post about the book on social media. (Include a photo)
·
Ask for the book at the library.
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Email a “book love note” to the author.
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Suggest your book club read it.
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Blog about the book (send the author a link!)
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Nominate the book for your community’s reading program
·
To celebrate International Book Day, dress up as
a favorite character from the book (see photo above)
·
Design a wedding cake based on the book (see photo below)
What have you done today to show your love for a book? These
ideas are only a start. With so much clamoring for readers’ attention, every
expression of book love makes a difference…and as a bonus, you’ll be
encouraging your favorite authors to continue writing books you love.
Wedding cake themed to a novella by David Marusek |