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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 234: A Chat about The Chosen Kids with RM Ruiz
byChautona Havig

Remember when you were a kid and you wanted to help with whatever the family was doing, so Great Aunt Tissy gave you a stack of napkins and told you to put one at each plate? Remember how she commented on what a  “big girl” you were?  And then, as if that weren’t bad enough… remember how you were fourteen and a “big girl” was the last thing you wanted to be? 

RM Ruiz’ The Chosen Kids Saga does just the opposite. She has a cast of related characters who are given real work by God–important work. They’re pulling on the armor of God and doing real battle with real enemies of the Kingdom of God and all while He works out their sanctification. Listen in to where she got the idea and where the Chosen Kids are going next.

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

What if God Decided to Use Ordinary Kids to Battle the Underworld?

Can I just say that I love the respect Rosemary shows her characters? These kids, as young as eleven, aren’t told to fold napkins and praised as if they saved the world. They’re given tools and assignments and do save the world… or at least a piece of it and with the real help of the Holy Spirit. How cool is that?

And she does it with a tortilla in one hand and some eye and mouth-watering chili stuffs in the other.

Oh… and don’t forget the research for Encounter at Paradise that sent her up a literal slippery slope into frozen tundra. In July. #BecauseResearch.

And the result is book two of the Chosen Kids Saga! (To listen to the first episode where we talked more about the first book, go HERE.)

The Chosen Kids: Encounter at Paradise by RM Ruiz

A thrilling adventure for middle-grade readers, showcasing the supernatural powers of God, His son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.This is the second book of The Chosen Kids Saga.The Chosen Kids are ready for their second mission!

It’s been two weeks since Caiden and his family’s summer of fun turned into a secret quest for God. After their first mission, the Chosen Kids step into their new roles without fear or reluctance. With revived faith and God’s blessed tools, they embark on their second hunt—ready to track, capture, and expel the enemy.

But the day turns into a tedious game of hide-and-seek as the family races to get ahead of the fiend. When the unthinkable happens, and their mission becomes personal, they must keep the faith and trust God’s plan. They could set things right with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but only if they obey His commands completely. Caiden thinks he’s uncovered the answer, but no one ever listens to the youngest cousin…

With nightfall quickly approaching, the Chosen Kids set a trap.

But if their plan fails, they could lose one of their most valuable assets, and their quest will end in heartbreak and disaster.

In this next chapter of the Chosen Kids Saga, readers will see the cousins in action as they take on their new roles with renewed spirits. Just like the first book, this fast-paced adventure includes family love, kid banter, and humor with even more adventure, danger, and spiritual growth!

This series mixes fantasy and adventure elements with transparent Christian themes for young believers who want a story that includes gospel truths without reading through symbolism.

Middle-grade readers will follow along as these flawed, relatable characters—still finding their way in Christ—embark on a life-transforming quest to save humanity. With family love, spiritual growth, kid banter, and humor all mixed in for a fun and exciting journey.

The adventure starts with Encounter at the Dunes and continues in Encounter at Paradise. Grab a copy of both to begin the redemptive journey today! Book three, Encounter At Ambrose, coming summer 2024.

Learn more about the series, the characters, and Rosemary at TheChosenKids.com

And the series she mentioned was The Son of Angels.

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

  • Apple 
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  • and more!

 

Episode 234: A Chat about The Chosen Kids with RM Ruiz
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June 6, 2023
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June 2, 2023
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Episode 231: A Chat with RomCom author, Shannon Sue Dunlap
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