5 Ways to Support Your Favorite Author

On my last trip to on of our local bookstores (and I love them all, don’t think I don’t), it occurred to me that none of the authors of those books would see any money from that purchase. I’d never consciously thought about it before, but it seems obvious now that buying second-hand does nothing to support your favorite author.

Forgive me: I can be a bit slow.

That said, I still want to support local bookstores, and I don’t have the income to buy most or all of my books new. So how can I still make sure the authors who provide me with wonderful hours of reading get something for my enjoyment?

How to Support Your Favorite Author without Breaking the Bank

 1. Buy Kindle Books.

Or other ebooks – whatever kind the author makes available. The point is, authors are more likely to get a larger cut of a digital book because the cost of making the physical book is taken out of the picture.

For our benefit, they also tend to offer deals that are harder to find in print books: lower book prices or bundles where you can buy several books of a series in one file (saving money compared to buying each singly).

2. Follow Your Favorite Author Online.

More followers can help the author’s page or posts get more attention. That can lead to more readers and more book sales! (Yay!)

If the author monetizes his or her site, popping in to read the latest posts can also offer a very literal monetary gain. And it costs you nothing but a few moments of your time.

3. Like and Share Posts.

Liking and sharing posts does the same for the posts as following the website – it helps the posts get more attention, which leads to the author getting more attention. And it’s free!

Just between you and me, it’s usually not a hardship either. If you like a writer, you usually like the sorts of things the person posts, so sharing something funny or interesting comes pretty naturally.

Of course, you definitely want to share when the post is for a new book or a tour. That’s when increasing the number of people reached is really important! 😉

4. Recommend the Author’s Books to Friends.

How many of the books you love have come from recommendations? How about new authors?

When I think about it, a single book recommendation from a friend (followed by an all-nighter reading a book I couldn’t put down) has led me to get everything that author has ever written. Multiple times with multiple authors.

That’s a pretty nice perk for an author you like. Especially if you follow it up by getting the friend to do a couple of these things, too (in case he or she buys second-hand like the rest of us).

5. Go to Book Signings.

If you can afford it, buy at least one book at the book signing and have it signed. It helps support your favorite author with not only the minuscule profit from that individual purchase (let’s be real) but also by upping the author’s numbers for the signing.

Don’t you think publishers and bookstores track how big the crowd is and how many books are sold?

Higher numbers show that the author is popular. Which might help with the next book pitch or negotiations for a raise (you never know).

That’s all I have. What about you? Got any ideas for other ways to support your favorite authors? (Remember: Our support helps keep those great books coming!)

-Em