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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

5 Easy (& FREE) Ways You Can Help Your Favorite Author

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

At least once a week an email arrives.  While the words are always a little bit different, they all say the same basic thing, “I love your books.  What’s the best way to tell everyone else how great they are?”

Translation: “How can I help promote your books?”

Look, I need to say something right here. My favorite emails say things like, “Your book really blessed me” or some variation of that.  When someone sends her story about how she’d walked away from the Lord, someone gave her my book, and now she’s studying the Bible again, going to church again—just got baptized… (yep, that one happened, too!), my soul is so encouraged.

It’s enough. Really.

That said, those messages and emails from eager readers who just want to help people discover my books—those also bless the socks off me.  Don’t worry. I live in the desert. Sockless feet are much more comfortable here.

It occurred to me recently that having a blog post to send people to would save me a lot of time, might get shared around and help other authors, and would give people answers—quicker.  So, here I am.

5 Easy (& FREE) Ways You Can Help Your Favorite AuthorNote: links may be affiliate links that provide me a small commission at no extra expense to you.

5 Easy (& FREE) Ways You Can Help Your Favorite Author

  1. Social Media

Almost everyone is on some form of social media. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter… you name it. One of the simplest ways to help your favorite author is by using the magic of social media.  You can:

  • Take a picture of the book you’re reading and post a line or two about it. Can’t think of one?  Wait and post a quote instead.  Reading on Kindle?    Take a picture of the cover on your Kindle screen. It counts!  And it helps!
  • Did your favorite author share a sale on a book, something about a new release, a quote from one of his books? Share it.  Just hit the share button and boom!  Easy peasy lemon squeezy (you can thank #4daughter for that one).
  • Reply to requests for book ideas with the title of your author’s most recent book.
  • Pin it, tweet it, snap it, chat it—just kidding. I couldn’t resist, though.  Seriously, social media has made sharing your likes so easy, there’s no reason not to hit that share button!

Instagram example

  1. The Library

Next time you see a book you want but can’t buy, write it down on a sticky note and slap it on the back of your phone.  Then, when you’re at the library, pull it off and pass it to the librarian.  Say these seven simple words, “Can you get this book for me?”

How does it help your favorite author when it’s one book sold for dozens of reads? Okay, that’s true. It doesn’t give us hundreds of book sales.  We don’t get paid for every read from a library like we do from Kindle Unlimited, but when a book gets onto a library shelf, people read it.  And when people like a book they’ve borrowed from the library, they often want another… and another… That either means more requests for books (that more people may discover), or sales.  Because sometimes you just don’t want to wait for them to order a book or for another patron to return it.

  1. Book Clubs

Did you know that book clubs read books?  Shocker, I know.  Such a novel idea!  If you want to help your favorite author, suggest her book to the leader when it’s time to decide on the next book. “Amazing Authoretta has this new book coming out that I’ve been dying to read…”  That’s it.  Just a suggestion. You don’t have to push for it, lobby, get picket signs, and chant, “Amazing Authoretta or Bust!” or anything.

book club

  1. Forward a Newsletter

Author newsletters are there to let their readers know all the things—sales, new releases, books they read, blog posts they wrote, you know… all that cool stuff. Not all your friends are on your favorite author’s email list. Maybe you just met a new friend and discovered she’s dying to get “back to the land” in a simpler way of living.  Then, a week or two later, your favorite author’s newsletter shows up in your inbox with great news. That book she wrote about a gal who lives on a hobby farm without electricity—almost off grid—is FREE for a few days.  What’s a gal to do?

Forward that newsletter!  Just hit the forward button, add a few words to the subject line (Something like, “Had to share this”), and then add a couple more lines inside about why she will like it. “Remember when you were talking about wanting to get back to the land?  Well, this book is about someone who lives that way. It’s one of my favorites, and it’s free right now…”  Boom!  Helps her, and helps you.  Double whammy!

This one is tricky, though.  See, the last thing an author wants is for their newsletter to annoy someone.  So don’t just forward to everyone in your email list. Authors spend a small fortune to build and maintain those email lists.  They really cannot afford to aggravate potential readers and those email services.

Newsletter

Bonus tip: If you don’t want an author’s newsletter anymore, PLEASE unsubscribe instead of hitting the “junk” or “spam” buttons.  When you do that, other people on that list who use the same email provider as you may not get the newsletter they really want. Additionally, the author gets to pay for the privilege of you not receiving that email.  Unsubscribe really is a kinder way to stop emails you no longer want.

  1. Review the book

Come on. You knew I was going to “go there.”  You did.  But it’s true.  See, reviews are written for potential future readers.  They are.  And when you write a review, that person is who you should keep in mind.  However, those reviews help your favorite author, too.

How? I’ll tell you:

  • They may prevent purchases by people who will only leave a bad review later!
  • Many book promotion companies won’t accept a book until there are a minimum number of reviews (depends on different sites, but almost always over 20).
  • Some bookstores and libraries won’t touch books without a specific number of good reviews.
  • Once the author has 25-50 reviews, Amazon begins to recommend his books to other readers, will sometimes pop that book up on a Kindle, and other lovely little things like that. So, reviews are magic juice!

I can hear your protest. “But you said that this was a list of EASY ways to help an author. There’s nothing easy about writing a book review!”

I disagree.

In fact, I’ve even written two blog posts on how to write good reviews.

One requires four sentences (five if you feel generous). The other uses ten.  Seriously.  That’s it. And even better, I tell you EXACTLY what to write in each sentence.  The first is:

The Quick and Dirty Guide to Book Reviews 

How to Write a Helpful Book Review in 10 Easy Steps  

review meme

Hey, I even wrote one on how not to write a book review!

How to Ruin a Great Book Review in 5 Simple Steps  

And of course, there’s one easy  (but not always free) way to promote an author’s books, too.

Buy the book.

Believe it or not, sales help promote the book, not just fill the author’s nest egg.

So, if you really want to go the extra mile (or is that dollar?) to help your favorite author, just click the “buy now” button now and then—especially if you notice she’s really promoting a particular book.  It helps that book get recommended to people who bought other books you have, helps it show up in promotional ads, and gives her a leg-up next time she tries to get it on a few good book lists.

Oh, and remember how I suggested forwarding a newsletter up there? 

You know, if there was a FREE book?  Well, anyone who knows me also knows I almost always have a free book on Fridays.  I call it “Freebie Friday.”  And, I do tend to send out newsletters about it.  However, sometimes I do a blog post.  Like this one.  And see those little share buttons above and below?  Those make that #1 idea so easy.  Click and done.  Meanwhile, Will Not See is FREE through Tuesday, March 12.

Will Not See FREE 3-8-19 through 3-12-19

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
byChautona Havig

Fans of Lisa Phillips’ Last Chance County series are doing happy dances following the release of an exciting new spin-off series, Last Chance Fire and Rescue. Expired Return brings back a few favorite characters and kicks off another of Sunrise Publishing’s author/mentor led fiction seasons! Listen in to find out what happens when an author brings back a guy she dropped a building on a couple of books back…

 

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you!

When Fans Want More Exciting Stories, Smart Authors Listen and Deliver!

Let’s face it. Authors might SOMETIMES be “done” with a series, but readers often want more… indefinitely. Well, with the brilliance of Sunrise Publishing’s mentor model, authors get to collaborate with authors they trust to do their “worlds” proud while still having time to write new, exciting things as well. And some of the Sunrise lead authors even write in the spin-off series–like Lisa Phillips and Trisha Goyer!

This new Last Chance County series promises everything we love about Lisa Phillips’ world–danger, intrigue, heart-stopping suspense, drama… you know… all the feels. But in addition to her own release, Expired Return, this series also introduces us to new authors who have been carefully vetted and selected to ensure they do justice to Lisa’s Last Chance characters. I, for one, can’t wait to check it all out.

Lisa and I chatted about what she plans for the series,Lisa hinted about a possible super-secret reveal coming soon, and I even poked her with the idea of a Last Chance Christmas.

Help me convince them on that, will ya?

But this new book… Whoa…

Expired Return by Lisa Phillips

Pepper stood up. “How dare you.” She could spit fire at him right now. She’d loved and supported Victory since the day she was born. “You know nothing about me.”

“What’s this?”

Pepper whirled around at that voice. Heart. Breaking. She loved that gruff, commanding voice more than anything else in the world.

He wore a look a lot like Aiden’s. Blank, which she knew—or hoped—had to do with protecting his heart because he still cared for her. Except he probably hated her.

Donaldson sat back in his chair. “Allen.”

Former police officer Allen Frees had both hands on the wheels of his chair. He wore a fire department uniform of slacks and a white shirt. Emblems. A badge. His life of service hadn’t ended when he landed in that chair after a building blew up over his head.

As far as she’d been able to tell, it barely slowed him down.

She’ll give everything to protect her family.

He always knew she was the one.

Veterinary tech Pepper Miller lives a quiet life in Last Chance County. She’s watching her niece until her sister shows up…if she ever does. When Victory’s father demands he take over her care, Pepper knows something has gone wrong. With a new drug in town, and her sister embroiled in a dangerous bargain, it’s up to Pepper to protect the people she loves.

Even if it costs every secret she’s ever kept.

Fire Department liaison Allen Frees lives with the injuries he sustained as a police officer in a raid gone wrong. He’s put his life back together but getting the truck crew and engine squad to succeed might be his toughest assignment yet. When Victory is nearly kidnapped at a community event, Allen steps in to help Pepper keep her niece safe. The one thing he couldn’t fix was the love he lost, but he isn’t going to let Pepper walk away this time.

No matter what walls he has to break down.

Last Chance County returns in this blazing new series from Sunrise Publishing.

Last Chance Fire and Rescue

  • Book 1: Expired Return
  • Book 2: Expired Hope (coming soon)
  • Book 3: Expired Promise (coming soon)
  • Book 4: Expired Vows (coming soon)

Last Chance County

  • Book 1: Expired Refuge
  • Book 2: Expired Secrets
  • Book 3: Expired Cache
  • Book 4: Expired Hero
  • Book 5: Expired Game
  • Book 6: Expired Plot
  • Book 7: Expired Getaway
  • Book 8: Expired Betrayal
  • Book 9: Expired Flight
  • Book 10: Expired End

Learn more about Lisa and her books on her WEBSITE.

Learn more about the different seasons (series) offered by Sunrise Publishing or how to audition with them on the Sunrise Publishing WEBSITE.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
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My days usually consist of agonizing over my failing restaurant, worrying about my mountain of debt and nursing my broken heart.

Everything changes when I bump into a man in the coffee shop and claim him as my new boyfriend. To my absolute horror, he turns out to be hockey’s most renowned bad boy, Dallas Burke. To my absolute delight, he goes along with my story.

When his no-nonsense manager and meddling grandmother jump in the picture, they see a win-win solution for my failing restaurant and Dallas’s less-than-stellar reputation.

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Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first da Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first dates... no second dates. With his propensity to spout random (and often bizarre) animal facts while nervous (he's always nervous around women) it's no wonder. 
His sister has a solution--lots of dates. Great, heaping gobs of them. Go ahead. Be awkward. Get used to it. Then... then try with someone you really want to get to know. He's not so confident, but when a man gives his word... (Note to self: no more agreeing to Selby's plans without knowing what they are!)
Find out what happens in Random Acts (or is it Facts?) of Shyness.

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Reposted from @katherinereay My next novel A SHADO Reposted from @katherinereay My next novel A SHADOW IN MOSCOW will be available on June 13, 2023!! I can’t wait for you to meet Cold War spies, Anya Kadinova and Ingrid Bauer. You can pre-order your copy today!!
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Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first da Heath Karras has a problem. Lots of eager first dates... no second dates. With his propensity to spout random (and often bizarre) animal facts while nervous (he's always nervous around women) it's no wonder. 
His sister has a solution--lots of dates. Great, heaping gobs of them. Go ahead. Be awkward. Get used to it. Then... then try with someone you really want to get to know. He's not so confident, but when a man gives his word... (Note to self: no more agreeing to Selby's plans without knowing what they are!)
Find out what happens in Random Acts (or is it Facts?) of Shyness.

This book just got a fresh makeover, thanks to the genius of @PlethoraCreative & @PerryElizabeth.
There's a link to how to find it in my bio.
#ChristFic
#ChristianRomCom
#InspiredByATrueStory
Reposted from @sarahsundinauthor The Sound of Ligh Reposted from @sarahsundinauthor The Sound of Light is now available from @revellfiction , and it received a starred review from Booklist!

In WWII Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt assumes the identity of a common shipyard worker, rowing messages to Sweden for the Resistance. His life depends on keeping his secret hidden--a task that proves challenging when he meets Else Jensen, an American physicist who seems to see right through him.

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