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As most of you readers know, I put myself on book buying bans quite a lot. I’m in college, I like to travel, and not all of my money can go towards books (as much as I’d like it to.) However, I have gotten some remarks in the past on how I can call myself a book blogger if I don’t buy books. I get that buying books is the best way to support an author but it’s really expensive. There are some other really good ways to support an author though!
Review their book!
This one might seem obvious but not everyone realizes that reviewing a book for an author can really help them. Even if your review isn’t favorable, someone may see it and decide to go check out the book for themselves It also really helps if you post your review on others sites, not just your blog. Personally, I cross post reviews to Amazon and Goodreads. Both of these sites share my reviews with completely different audiences which is awesome! Even if I get a book from the library, publisher, trade, I’m still trying my hardest to show my support for all the awesome authors I love.
Ask for an interview!
It’s impossible to review every book out there. No matter how much I would love to review all the books, I can’t. Another great way to get word out about an author’s book is to interview them. I don’t do nearly enough author interviews but I’m trying to change that. Interviews are a fun way to change up blog content and show support for an author. It’s a great way for readers to find out more about both the author and their books.
Feature the book some other way on your blog!
There are a ton of fun memes out there these days. Top Ten Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday, Teaser Tuesday, and even more. If you want to show your support for an author, feature their book in one of these memes. I hate to say it but featuring it in a meme may get more attention than reviewing it. I know when I post a meme I tend to get way more visits on that than a review. Even if you just post the cover and the summary for your Waiting on Wednesday post, some readers may not have heard about the book before. I add a lot of books to my TBR from that meme alone.
Ask your library to order a copy of the book!
If you know you can’t afford to buy the book but you really want to read it, ask your library to order a copy for their shelves. That way you can read and review the book if you want and tons of other readers can check it out too. Who knows, it could become a readers favorite book and they may rush out to buy the rest of the author’s books.
How about you guys? Do you have any suggestions on supporting authors on a budget?
Those are excellent ideas on ways to promote an author’s work. I’ve been trying to break out of my comfort zone by inviting authors to be interviewed on the blog. =)
Awesome post Katie 🙂
I have to admit that I probably buy like 1% of the books I read. I just don’t have the money (recent graduate), and there’s a library down the road! My library is actually really good about buying suggestions. They get several new eBooks in each week, and just a few weeks ago they bought 14 of my suggestions in hard/paperback! That’s pretty amazing.
I try to review the majority of what I read, or feature it in some way on my blog. I won’t do interviews though.
Thanks for the post… I agree support the authors you love to read, for me reading is a useful way to remember since I have MS. It helps my illness. To remember making my mind stronger and more alert. So I do review ebooks and books for any one.. I am not too picky but I do my favorites… Paranormal…=)
Those are great tips. I’m doing my first author interview next month which is crazy to think about since I’ve had my blog for 2 1/2 years lol I’m sorta scared! But it’ll be fun.
I use overdrive (the eLibrary), I always want to contact someone about suggesting a title but I don’t think they have contact info 🙁
oh I agree with you. I don’t have an income and I’m just a university student so whatever allowance I get I don’t usually spend it on books since I’ve got other needs. So I understand what you mean about you not being able to always use your money for books. Where I currently live, books are unbelievably expensive so that’s why I don’t buy as much.
I agree, reviewing a book is a very good way to expose an author’s book. Even if i didn’t like the book I always say to check it out and form your OWN opinion of it. Same as interviews and other memes.
Really good post!!!
– Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf
This is a great post! I love it because I pretty much never buy books and agree that these are all good ways of supporting an author. I’m pretty new, so I feel a bit intimidated asking for an interview, but I’d like to start someday:)
I cannot believe people have asked you how you can call yourself a book blogger without buying books! Blogging is about reading and talking about books, not purchasing them. I get the vast majority of my books from the library, and I don’t think I’m any worse of a person or blogger for it…
I hope people listen to your tips:)
Its hard. I want to buy all my favorite authors books, for myself and for others as well. But like you said, it’s just not possible.
I think the list you created is great! I totally agree with all of them!
One problem I have is author events. I attend quite a few and often I have ARCs but really can’t afford all the books. I try go buy at least one to support the store as well as the author, but if there are several authors I feel stupid having them sign my ARCs and not finished copies. So the question is, should I not go because I can’t afford the books? Well if I don’t go I’m not supporting them at all. If I go it brings more audience (bigger audience equals more events) plus I can do an event recap which might convince others to go to one or to buy the books. So I just try to deal and still attend signings and buy what I’m able to.
I’ve found that authors don’t mind signing ARCs. I’ve even asked some authors about it and they consider what bloggers do for them payment enough for books. I’ve also found that authors are okay signing book plates so even if you can’t afford the book at the moment you can buy it in the future.
People always see me reading, and their always asking for recommendations – and that’s one free way of promoting an author. And I agree with the rest of what you said – including that borrowing books from the library is supporting authors. If I didn’t use the library, I wouldn’t read as much because I don’t have the space to keep tons of books – nor the $$.
I post to Goodreads, but for some reason, I’ve been a bit intimidated to post reviews to amazon. I think I’m going to start now though.
Tanya Patrice
Girlxoxo.com
As an author, I have to say that I think it means more to us when you go out of your way to read our book then just the act of buying it. I use the library frequently and have been known to frequent used bookstores. 🙂
great post! i sometimes have friends who don’t read very much asking me how i can possibly afford all of the books i read. while i do spend a good amount on books, i also use the library a lot and i borrow books from other friends. i try to save my book budget for signings and other author events. promoting authors and literacy doesn’t always mean spending money. just being enthusiastic about books and passing the word along does a lot.
and i love supporting my local library. they are so important and are an invaluable resource.
Books are expensive, I completely agree. I also can’t afford to spend as much as I would like on books.
Reviewing absolutely helps. Not only the author though.
Reviewing books (and talking about them) could also help someone find their love for reading and that is as important as helping authors we love. 🙂
Great post Katie! I agree with all your points, and I think spreading the word (review/meme/spotlight/telling your friends) about the book can do more for the author, long term. If I want to read a book (or just love a book) and my library doesn’t carry it, I ask them to buy it.
Great topic! I can’t believe someone has told you this before. If they did, chances are they are either jealous or stupid. Bloggers have a HUGE influence and authors know that. I wish I could buy every book but I have to buy other things like food and clothes. 🙂
These are awesome suggestions! It’s way to easy to think you have to go broke to support your favourite authors. Just the other day I noticed that my library was getting some books by a favourite indie author of mine — it made me so excited!
This was a great post, Katie! I used to be able to buy a bunch of books each month, but now that I’ve gone back to school and no longer am receiving a paycheck every other week, I have had to really cut back on what I buy. The library has basically become my new best friend!
Your post reminded me of a post by Lisa Schroeder from a couple of years ago: http://www.lisaschroederbooks.com/2009/12/supporting-authors-when-your-heart-is.html … seems like authors agree about ways we can still support them when we are on a budget!
You’re totally supporting authors even if you don’t buy their book. I mean, buying a book is $20 let’s say. But if you talk it up, review it, tell your followers it could mean an exponentially larger amount for the author if other buy it.