You’ve heard of the starving artist. Well, I’ll let you in on a secret. Most authors are starving. If not starving, at least struggling. Very few authors make a living with their words. Especially Christian authors since secular books make up most of the market. For every consistent bestselling author dominating Christian sales, there are thousands struggling to get another contract.
Why should publishers take a chance on a mostly unknown author, when they can be certain that bestselling author will pay off? Or why take a chance on a book that’s out of the box, rather than the tried and true? Let’s face it, Christian publishing is a business. This is why many authors have turned to self-publishing.
So lets talk about some ways you can support your favorite author—especially the struggling ones—who after a dozen published books or more are still mostly unknown to readers as a whole.
- Pray for them.
Writing can be a lonely pursuit. We spend much of our time alone. We have to in order to churn out all those words. We turn down lunch or shopping with family and friends to carve out time for writing.
Authors often get discouraged. When the words won’t come. Or the contract doesn’t. When the book releases, but the sales don’t add up enough to ensure the publisher will give us another contract. Or in self-publishing, when we don’t get enough return for our investment.
We’re also, just people, like you. Sometimes life happens. We have illnesses, lose family members, and face tragedy just live everyone else. And sometimes amidst the upheaval, we have a book deadline too. Publishers are good to give us more time. But in the hard parts of life, it’s hard to focus. Hard to think about our fictional characters when we or our loved ones are hurting.
Pray for your favorite author. For health and safety for us and our loved ones. That the words will come and new readers will discover our work, so we can keep doing what we love. That we won’t miss out on life in our pursuit of holing up to write.
- Buy their books.
I know money is tight. But books are a really cheap form of entertainment. And once you invest, you get to keep a book forever. Or share it with friends and family.
I know three sisters on fixed incomes. They take turns buying books, then take turns reading them. And if you can’t afford a paperback, e-books are cheaper and still count as sales.
If you can’t keep up with new releases, subscribe to their newsletters. You can also follow them on Amazon and Bookbub. Both sites send e-mails when authors have new releases, so you never miss a book.
- Write reviews.
I know it’s time consuming. But reviews often convince readers to try new to them authors. Reviews help sales and can even convince publishers to dole out contracts. Or help the self-published author to sell more books so they get some of their hard-earned funds back.
That said, if you’re unsure of how to write a review, read some to get a feel for it. Be careful not to reveal plot twists or endings. Focus on the characters you loved and what you loved about them.
Sometimes, there are bad reviews. Personally, if I don’t like a book, I don’t review it. Reading is subjective. Just because I didn’t enjoy the book doesn’t mean someone else won’t. Bad reviews hurt author’s hearts, can hurt sales, and keep the next contract from coming. Bad reviews insult an author’s baby. They pored blood, sweat, and tears onto that page. So please be careful with your words.
- Give their books as gifts.
If you have readers on your gift list, books are the perfect present. Birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day, even Father’s Day—why not buy your beloved reader a book?
If there aren’t readers on your list, you’ve probably got a Christmas party to go to where you have to take a gift that costs $15 or less. Lots of books fall under that price range.
Or the next time you need to buy someone a gift and you have no idea what to get them, try a book. Even if it turns out, they aren’t readers—which I can’t fathom how anyone can simply not be a reader—it’s the thought that counts. And they probably have a reader in their life they can pass your gift on to.
- Tell ten people about a book or author you love.
If you’re excited about a book, tell your friends and family. Tell the cashier who checks you out when you buy it, tell the grocery sacker, tell people at church, your kid’s or grandkid’s teacher.
The greatest thing about finding an author you love is getting excited about a new release coming out. Share your excitement. Pass it on to those around you.
- Read their books for book club.
I talked about book clubs last month. If you’re in a book club, suggest your favorite author’s book when it’s your turn to pick the book. Share your favorites with you online book club.
If you have friends or family members who live in different areas than you, and they’re in a different book club, suggest your favorite author to them.
- Request their books at the library.
Readers often think authors don’t want their books in the library. Because thousands of readers can check out the book for free. But the opposite is true. Libraries buy books. Authors love when anyone buys our books. There are lots of libraries in the world. If each library
bought an author’s books, it would make quite an impact.
And library patrons often buy books once they discover an author they love. Or they might have family or friends who are book buyers and they can suggest authors they discover at the library. We write our books to be read.
- Promote on social media.
Share your favorite author’s new release on social media. There are lots of sites on Facebook set up for Christian readers of every genre. Avid Readers of Christian Fiction is one. This group and countless others are places to share about books and authors you love.
If you Twitter, tweet about it. If you Instagram, instagram about it, if you Tiktok, tiktok about it. Goodreads helps you keep up with books you’ve read and allows others to see what you’ve read and loved. Social media has almost boundless reach.
- Post pictures holding their books.
We absolutely love seeing readers holding our books. If you don’t think you’re photogenic or don’t want your face all over the internet, just show your hands holding the book. Or cover your face with the book. Or take a picture of your shelf holding all of the author’s books.
Once you have the picture, put it on all your social media and tell everyone how much you love the book. How you’ve read all the author’s 
books and anxiously await each new release. Word of mouth like this is priceless.
10. Send authors a note.
Most books have where you can send a note to the author. If not, send it to the publisher. We love getting notes from readers. Absolutely love it!
E-mail works too. Most authors have a place you can contact them through their websites.
I have a box I keep my cards, notes, letters, and printed e-mails, in my office. There have been bad days when the words wouldn’t come, when I’ve read those notes for inspiration.
I feel confident the readers here are working hard to support their favorite authors. I hope you’ve gotten some good ideas from my list.
On that note, this will be my last post on Inspy Romance. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my five years here. Wow, it doesn’t seem like that long. Initially, I was asked to be a guest and loved it so much, I wrangled my way into a monthly spot.
When I mentioned praying for your favorite author’s focus, it seems like I do everything but write. So I’m streamlining my time and focus to do what I love most. I’ll miss everyone here. But when I have a new release, I’ll try to wrangle my way into a guest post.
So, is there a way you support your favorite authors that I haven’t listed above? Give me some ideas. All comments will go in the drawing for winner’s choice from any of the 2 in 1’s I have on hand. Once I pick a winner, I’ll e-mail the choices. U.S. and international. But if international, I’ll have to choose what’s easiest to send.
Happy reading!
Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does. She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.
I was surprised to read you were leaving ‘your post’. Aren’t good-byes hard? We are a family of teachers, and we love books. We give them as gifts, request them from libraries and buy them. Until your next new release, ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow’.
Thanks for all you do to encourage readers and authors. Wishing you well as you continue to write.
Sorry that you won’t be blogging any longer, but I trust it will give you more time to do what you really love and what we really enjoy! I won a book from you on InspyRomance soon after I started following the blog. I would never have heard of you or read any of your books without that gift, so once again, thank you!
I will miss your posts and look forward to reading a new book from you. I support authors through Goodreads, Bookbub, and Amazon, as well as author’s newsletters. I also write reviews for books that I have enjoyed reading and I have requested books for my library to purchase.
I try to support all authors in the way you’ve mentioned, by social media, reviews on Amazon, BookBub and GoodReads and by letting the author know.
welcome today. thanks for sharing these wonderful ideas. some I do and some I could do better at. awww we will miss you. but totally understand that you must go for now. look forward to hearing from you again.
It is hard, Audrey. I love getting and giving books for gifts. Thanks for your support.
Thank you, Beth. I’ll still be editing a few books. And doing my best to help other authors and help readers discover them.
I’m so glad you discovered me Jeannette. I’ll still blog twice a week on my personal blog. I mainly feature other authors with weekly giveaways except when I have new releases.
Thank you, Lori. A d thanks for supporting authors. I think it’s so cool how authors are so accessible to readers through social media. Used to, they were just a picture on the back of the book.
I’m so glad you discovered me Jeannette. I’ll still blog twice a week on my personal blog. I mainly feature other authors with weekly giveaways except when I have new releases.
Thanks for your support, Andrea. I love when readers talk me up on social media a d tag me or message me about it. Good job.
Thanks for your support Andrea. I love when readers talk me up on social media and tag or message me so I know a out it. Good job.
Good job, Lori. I will miss it here. I’ve met some great readers and authors here.
Actually, I do most of what you suggested already!! I would add Goodreads to your list of review sites, and they do giveaways of some books! I’ve won books through there a few times! Sometimes they’re ebooks and sometimes they’re paperbacks. I follow authors on Amazon, Bookbub, and Goodreads all of the time, and when traditionally published, I try to remember Barnes and Nobel, ChristianBook, and other places. I’ll miss seeing you here, but I already follow all of the Inspy authors on FB, and all the other places, except Twitter and Instagram.
Thanks for being such a good supporter, Trudy. Goodreads is awesome. That’s another thing I need to do is update my goodreads. One of the things I love about it, is it helps me remember what I’ve read. When I keep it updated, that is.
Awww, you’ll certainly be missed! I know I first heard from you through this blog, but I’m glad there are other ways to follow/stay in contact with you. I hope everything goes well with your writing, and I’ll be looking forward to your new release! Also, I think your list was pretty all-encompassing. My favorites are telling others/sharing through social media and leaving reviews. :)
Good morning, so sorry to see you leave us, but I’m sure you keep yourself way too busy and you need time for yourself also. I have enjoyed your posts. I support authors in alot of the ways that you listed and I truly appreciate all the authors hard work that their books take me to different adventures and to places I have never been and some places I will not get to be if it were not for you alls books and hard work, I Thank you from the bottom of my Heart! Best of luck to you , God Bless you my friend. I shall see you on your posts.
HI Shannon! Happy Monday. This reader agreed with Trudy. I post around 150 reviews a year on Amazon and Goodreads and sometimes on Bookbub. I also post those reviews on authors Facebook pages, sometimes in an email.
Something else to consider is I support my local independent bookstore Forever Books in SW Michigan. I buy books, take my granddaughter to buy books, and attend book signings.
Today while shopping at Meijer Supermarket, I checked the book section and found books by Danica Favorite and Toni Shiloh. I took a picture and posted it on their Facebook page. Best wishes.
These are great ideas! I love books so I want to help the authors succeed. I try to write reviews and pre-order the books to help word get out about their books.
Ill miss everyone here, Priscila. Great job. And word of mouth has always been the best way to support your favorite authors.
Hey Alicia, I didn’t mean to make this a sad post. But I will miss everyone. Thanks for your support. I am too busy, but I’m trying to do better. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And thanks for supporting my blog.
Good job Renate. Bookstores rock and I hate that there aren’t as many as there used to be. Good for you taking your granddaughter book shopping. And booksignings can be the worst for not famous authors. It can make for a long day with people actively avoiding your table. But just one reader who actually came for the singing can make your day. Thanks for supporting authors.
Awesome Megan. Not all readers think about author success. Keep up the good job.
I’m not great about leaving reviews but I do sometimes remember to at least rate a book on Goodreads. I also subscribe to several author’s newsletters and have requested books to be purchased at my library. Thanks for all of the time you have given to this blog over the years and good luck with your future writing!
I enjoyed reading the different ways to encourage an author. Glad to know I do several things on your list, but you’ve given me some more ideas!
Sorry to hear you won’t be blogging here anymore, but I’ll continue to follow you elsewhere. I try to do a lot of the things you’ve listed but I don’t do social media so I’m not much help there. I will check out Goodreads though after so many posters here have mentioned it.
Thank you so much to you and all the writers here for the work you do, you bring so much joy. I’m praying for you all.
I’ll miss your posts here. I mostly buy books to support authors, but also get newsletters from some of my favorites.
I am sorry you are leaving, but you have to do what is best for you. I am sure we will all look for your guest posts. All of the points in your post are excellent. I do some of them already. I mostly pray for all of you authors for guidance and words to put on the pages, words ordained and blessed by God. I also pray that the stories reach those that need them most. If there is a special need put forth by an author, I pray for them individually. So, sweet lady, I will be praying for you.
If your favorite author is having a book signing near you, get a group of friends and go support/ encourage them.
Hello Shannon you will be greatly missed here but I understand completely Many Prayers to You and I try to do all the things you listed above and Goodreads is an awesome place to follow and leave reviews Have a Blessed Week and God Bless You !
Good job Jessica. Ratings on goodreads is a great way to upport authors. I’ve enjoyed being here. Thanks for the well wishes.
To support my favorite author I review books or rate books on Goodreads bookbub and Amazon .I’m an arc reader for a few authors so I leave reviews before it comes out if I can or try to review it on the day it comes out. I also respond to some of the authors newsletters .
Thanks for your support, Cindy. Keep up the good job.
Hi Ruthie. I will miss it. Prayer is at the top of the list. Thank you. There couldn’t be authors if there were no readers.
I’ll miss being here, Melinda. And chatting with all the readers here. Buying books is a great way to support us. And subscribing to newsletters keeps you in the loop on new releases.
Im sad about leaving too, Bonnie. Thank you for those prayers. If you did nothing else, that’s enough right there.
Great idea, Shelia. I hadn’t thought of taking friends. That would be a fun outing and great support.
Ahh…so sorry to see you go :(
Those are all wonderful ideas!
Thanks for the support Sarah. I will greatly miss blogging here. And thanks for the prayers. God’s blessings to you as well.
Good job, Kendra. Keep up the good work.
I will miss everyone, Natalya. Thanks for your support. Happy reading to you.
Thank you so much for your love and inspiration over the last 5 years. You will be missed. I do almost all the things that you have listed. I have become an ARC reader so I can help promote the books. I have become friends with a lot of writers. I pray for them and try to give them words of encouragement. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Best wishes! I like the idea of leaving advertisement bookmarks in library books of the same genre.
buy the books
Awesome list! I’m not really on social media, but I do pretty much everything else. I post reviews on BookBub usually, where my username is TheCrochetBookworm.
I try to support authors by reviewing, posting impactful quotes from the book on social media and talking to people about books.
The 2 things I don’t do is pray for and send notes to authors. I need to remember that.
I really like all your ideas of ways to support authors. The idea of writing to an author is new to me. I had never thought to reach out and express my appreciation. I have had some contact with authors, but usually when I answered a question in their newsletter or being chosen in a giveaway.
I usually follow in various ways as well as mention books I have really enjoyed on my social media page. I am starting to utilize Goodreads more and since their review process is fairly easy hopefully I can remember to leave more reviews.
Sorry to see you leave here. Blessings on your continued writing endeavors.
I buy books and leave reviews. I have written a couple of authors and told them I liked their books.
Sorry that you will be leaving but I understand that sometimes you have to step back from a specific task. I do leave read reviews authors and I have emailed them and/or PM’s them to let them know I finished reading their book and it was awesome. Haven’t thought about praying for the, I’ll admit, but I will definitely have to start doing that.
Thank you for being here and supporting us, Debra. Readers who do all those things are a writer’s dream. Especially the prayers. God bless you.
OOOH! That’s a good idea Susanne. Good job thinking outside the box. Author’s appreciate you. Best wishes to you too.
Thanks for your purchases, bn.
Good job, Marti. I used to crochet. Before I started writing. Now I don’t have time. But back in the day, I crocheted 2 or 3 sweaters for myself. And a queen sized afghan.
Posting impactful quotes is a good idea, Sonnetta. I’ve actually done that a few times myself, but didn’t think of it when I was making the list. Keep up the good work.
Hey Martha, back when I wrote for Heartsong Presents, they had a questionnaire in all their books where readers could rate various aspects of the book, story, and characters from 1 to 10. Once the published got several responses, they’d put them in a manilla envelope and mail them to the author.
My first packet came and the very first questionnaire I read was BAD. The reader gave me a low score on everything and said it read like a soap opera and she didn’t like my characters. This was my first book, the same book that had won 1st place in a contest before it was published. And it won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and the Heartsong Reader Favorite after it was published.
I was crushed. Even though the rest of the questionnaires rated the book with high scores and the readers loved the book, the characters, and the story. I went back and read that questionnaire again and read between the lines. The writer was a caretaker for a terminal loved one. I ended up writing the reader and sending her my next book when it released. She loved it and ended up being a fan. She even said she was in a bad place when she filled out that first questionnaire.
I still have that packet, with the bad score and the good ones, along with all the other packets I got, and later letters from that reader.
I’ll miss being here. Thanks for supporting authors.
Good job, Doris. Thanks for your support.
I’m sorry to go, Cherie. Thanks for supporting this blog, my personal blog, and authors. Private messages from readers rock. They can make an author’s day. Keep up the good work.
Cool! So far I’ve crocheted 1 sweater, 4 small afghans. Plus over 100 hats, scarves, and other stuff, that I’ve sold. And right now I’m working on Amigurumi food!
I am sad to see you go. I usually try to support authors by writing reviews and sharing about their books on social media. I also try to make quote graphics when I get the chance
Thanks for the ideas! I do some of those, but I appreciate the new ones.
I’m sad to go, Angeline. Great job on supporting authors. Quote graphics are really cool. Keep up the great work.
Thanks for your support, Kathy. I’m glad I listed some things you hadn’t thought of.