I love it when anyone reads my book. Hopefully they enjoy it and maybe get something from it. But even better is when I get to know my readers in more personal ways. You’re witty, creative, caring, and insightful, and I really think we could be best friends.
This blog is to honor you and all the times you’ve blessed me. Also, I hope this inspires you to support other authors out there who might be feeling discouraged or unseen (as we all do at times). So here we go.
How to Be My Favorite Reader:
Be silly with me. When I photo-bombed Janet McHenry reading my book, Husband Auditions, someone joked that they wished I could photo bomb them reading my book, so I turned the photo into a face-in-hole PNG. Kati Driban put her face in that hole while Richard Green added Captain America.
Get a tattoo inspired by one of my books. Hmm… Maybe I should make temporary tattoos of book quotes so more of you would be willing to do this. But when my friend Shawn Moreno told me she was getting “Min Skatt” (which means my treasure in Norwegian, from Finding Love in Big Sky) tattooed on her arm, I went with her.
Design your own products based on books. I met Sarah Carroll-Williams on an airplane. She looked up my books, invited me to her book club, and surprised me with a Big Sky coffee mug as well as the kind of necklace Josh had designed for Paisley in Finding Love in Big Sky.
Recreate a scene from a book. When Crystal Caudill and company read the scene in Husband Auditions where a writer tries to break out of duct tape as writing research, they decided to do it themselves.
Use my book for book yoga. What? You can’t do this? Okay, me neither, and I teach yoga. Of course, most people aren’t as bendy as Christa Starn.
All right, you really don’t have to get ink on your body or twist yourself up into a pretzel to be my favorite reader. That would be asking a little much. I appreciate everyone who has…
Written a review, written me personally, taken cute photos of/with my books and shared on social media, requested my books at libraries, invited me to speak, visited me at an event, randomly created QR codes for my website, and anything else I’ve forgotten.
YOU’RE MY FAVORITE!!!
What’s something you’ve done to support your favorite author or share about your favorite book?
Angela Ruth Strong survived breast cancer, works as a flight attendant, and uses her own crazy life experiences as inspiration for the stories she writes. Her books have earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been nominated for a Christy, won the Cascade Award, and become Amazon bestsellers. She and her husband also got to play extras when her novel Finding Love in Big Sky was adapted for film. To help aspiring authors, Angela started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho.
Hi Angela! After my retirement from teaching high school English / German, I discovered Valerie Comer in 2014 and began interacting with authors that blog on IR. Over the years I interacted through social media, been on ReviewTeams, and Virtual Book Clubs. As I slowed down and read more, I have broadened my horizons with different genre and more authors that are my favorite. I have a group of about 10 authors that I interact with monthly on a personal level. Best wishes and Happy Writing.
This is such a fun post!
I always thought of authors as very busy and not wanting to be bothered with readers, since reading this blog and signing up for newsletters from different authors I have discovered that it’s the complete opposite, everyone has been so generous with their time interacting with readers! I have always left reviews on books I like, but I now reply to newsletters and comments, and remember to thank and pray for you all.
I leave reviews on Bookbub and Goodreads for all of my indie authors, and include Barnes and Noble, ChristianBook, and (sometimes) WalMart for my traditionally published authors. I also try to share about them on my FB page. I’m in a lot of author groups, and I try to interact on there as much as possible, and in Avid Readers of Christian Fiction.
I recommend books to my library and this year I’m committed myself to leaving a review I read on Amazon.
Leaving reviews when the book has been good and chasing my friends to read it lol.
That’s so wonderful! I’m sure your interactions are deeply cherished.
Oh, that’s so fun! And those prayers are much appreciated.
Fabulous! You bless me. <3
Much appreciated, and a fabulous resolution!
The mark of a true friend. ;-)
For arc books I received I leave reviews on bookbub and Goodreads before they release and after they release I post an review on Amazon. I also sometimes reply to emails from authors newsletters
And I’m sure the authors love you for it. <3
Reviews, reviews. Send a thank you card. Send an email. Send a Christmas card
Aww… You’re amazing!
I haven’t had a tattoo but for one street team we were asked to put #for Nina on our wrists and then share it. It was to start conversations which it did. (It was about DV and it was a way to support victims and create awareness).
Others I have put their book cover as my FB cover to help share the joy. (I am open to do this for others). I have reviewed on a group blog I am on as well as the usual places.
Also on groups that ask for suggestions I will recommend a book I love if it fits the catagory.
If I love a book I want to share.
fun post; buy books
I have written reviews, spoke positively about their books or Facebook pages, mentioned to others about my favorite authors to others to name a few things. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
You are so sweet to mention me! Maybe I should have joined the group who got duct taped too lol!
I love that hashtag idea. So cool.
Always appreciated. <3
All wonderful. Thank you.
You still could! Lol
I write reviews for the books I read and enjoy. Follow many author newsletters and connect on social media. I also host author interviews on my blog to help promote their books. It’s so much fun connecting with Christian authors! What a great bunch of people.
I just saw your blog sign-up form. Count me in!