Here’s a question I get asked a lot as an author. Someone will say, “My friend/brother/cousin/neighbor/coworker is publishing a book. I’d love to help them but I’m so busy. What’s the most important thing I can I do quickly that truly helps them?”
There are actually a lot of ways you can help. And they’re easy and cost less than a drive-thru dinner, even less than a small latte. Here is a list of all the ways my friends and family have been so kind to me—thank you all for your support!
Hey, author—make it easy on your friends to show you their love. Gather all the info they need ahead of time so you can give them the specific details when they ask, “How can I help?” Remember, they’re really busy, and they’re giving you an enormous gift: their time.
Spread the word about their events. The launch event is such a big moment for your author. And it is so special to see the room packed with people that care about you and want to celebrate all the blood, sweat, and tears you put on the pages of your book. Try to be there if you can, even if you only have a moment to drop by, and spread the word to friends. And usually the author has cookies or cupcakes…
Hey, author—you don’t have to go overboard, but if your event is close to mealtime, show gratitude that your friends squeezed you into their day by having some simple and inexpensive nibbles available.
On the serious side, you’re not only helping your author celebrate, you’re helping them look good to the bookstore or venue that agreed to let them use their space. If it is within your means, pick up a little something from the venue while you’re there. It will help your author look worthwhile to the store and make them likely to say “yes” to your author in the future.
Your author may post on social media about other events they have planned, such as classes, presentations, or panels at book festivals. Like and share their posts so others can learn about them.
Buy their book. Anytime, even if you meant to and forgot. Yes, it helps to buy the book at the launch event or when the book is first published. Sales that happen early and within a short period of time help your author’s book bump up in the online algorithms. But it’s okay if time goes by and buying your friend’s book is finally reaching the top of your to-do list. Go ahead, do it! It still helps!
But what if your author’s book isn’t the type you read? Here are some wonderful ways you can spread the love after buying your author’s book:
- Give the book as a gift
- Donate the book to a library
- Put the book in your neighborhood Little Free Library
- Share it with your book club
Ask for their book. You can search for their book and click on the search results—let those algorithms know that your author’s book is of interest! Ask your author if they’re making their book available to bookstores and libraries. If so, when you’re getting your copy, ask for it at your local bookstore or library. It puts your author’s book on the bookseller’s or librarian’s radar screen.
Don’t have time to go in person? No problem. Most bookstores and all libraries have online ordering.
And yes, borrowing your author’s book from the library helps. It will be at least one sale; the library has to purchase a copy to be able to stock it. But it also means it will be discoverable by other library patrons.
Recommend their book. Most people choose to buy a book because someone said it’s a great read. Help folks find out how wonderful your author’s book is! Here are some quick and easy ways you can help spread the word for your author:
- Rate the book online—Amazon, Goodreads, Libby, etc.
- Write a review online.
- See if your independent bookstore has a customer review program
- Submit the book to book lists—“best of” lists, summer reading lists, “books about” lists; there are so many options!
Hey, author—make this easy by giving your friends the direct link to where they can leave a review if they ask.
Invite your author to speak. Did your author write a business book? See if your company would like a lunch-and-learn talk from your author. Are you part of a club that would find your author’s nonfiction book interesting? Invite your author to a meeting. Did your author write a children’s book? See if your child/grandchild’s school has an author visit program (ask their librarian).
Writing and publishing a book is such a big labor of love for your author. You are a fantastic friend to want to help them. See which of these ways spark ideas for you on how you can show the authors in your life some love.