The Care and Feeding of Writers

LUCY BURDETTE: I read a blog post today by one of my author friends, Lorna Barrett, about how readers can help the authors they love stay in business.

And this got me thinking that lots of readers don't realize how much power they have. So here are some suggestions for ways you can be sure to keep getting the books you love:

--click the "like" button generously, on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Facebook, you name it. Believe it or not, publishers look at these numbers!

--Share your opinions about the good books you read--on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, Twitter, Shelfari, Facebook--this can make a big difference when folks are looking for something to read

--buy books! this may sound obvious, but it isn't. Sales mean that writers can continue to keep writing. Low sales mean contracts aren't renewed. Of course I don't buy every book I read--some are from the library or borrowed from a friend, but I buy a lot of them. And when I'm thinking about gifts, I think books!

How about you Reds? Any suggestions for how readers can support writers?

ROSEMARY HARRIS: It's true, we all need some love sometimes. Yes to everything Lucy said. Believe it or not, simply clicking Like on the Amazon book page or facebook author page has an impact. In the baroque and not easily explained (at least by me) Amazon system the more Likes you have, the more your titles will pop up when people buy similar books. That's the Cliff's Notes version, but it's a good thing.

Two things I'd add to Lucy and Lorna's list (say that three times fast) - click Agree with the Amazon tags at the bottom of the Amazon book page. The descriptive ones not the dopey ones that say the book is too expensive, as if the author has anything to do with that. Other thing, Share our good news on facebook. In fact...Share all the JR posts that you like. It's just like mentioning it to a friend. And then they'll tell two friends, and they'll tell two friends...;-)

DEBORAH CROMBIE: If you like a book (and we hope you like ours) take the time to post a review on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or both!  It doesn't have to be long. Publishers look at the number of reviews as well as the number of LIKES, and the book's rating. And the really big thing is PRE-ORDER! This makes a huge difference to the publisher, and gets buzz going on the book so that more people will buy it. You can pre-order from your local or favorite independent bookstore as well as the online sites. And lastly, what Ro and Lucy said, and it's really easy.  If you love a book, TALK TALK TALK. On Facebook, on Twitter, on Goodreads, on your blog, to your friends, to your librarian. It's free, and it makes a really big difference! We want to keep writing!

RHYS BOWEN: I think many people don't realize that authors don't make a penny from second hand books. I've had people say excitedly, "I found one of your books at the used book store and passed it around all my friends," and they wonder I don't kiss their feet in gratitude.

But if you're a reader don't apologize for getting my book from the library, not buying it. Of course nobody can go out and buy every book they want to read. If the book is taken out constantly from the library they will buy more copies next time. So authors love libraries.

JAN BROGAN: Well, you guys have it all so well covered. I'll only add that word of mouth is the greatest thing. And that authors really do appreciate every encouraging email and reminder the our characters and stories meant something to the reader.