It feels like there are a lot of different preferences when it comes to Christmas gift giving. This time of year, you start to see people asking if you’re finished with your shopping or if you haven’t started yet. Or if you shop in stores or online. Or if you wrap things as they come in or do one massive wrapping extravaganza. For myself, I tend to shop year round and then spend the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas kicking myself for paying full price for something in September only to see it 40% off as a special Christmas sale. And yet, I don’t change my habits, because I sincerely despise feeling rushed and panicked about getting the task taken care of.
Of course, as a year-round shopper, I also tend to give people gifts throughout the year. So there are little notes under our tree as well that say, “Hey, remember that concert we went to in July? Wasn’t it amazing? This is the photo we took while we were there – Merry Christmas!” Generally speaking, my kids have been okay with that (since that’s not all they’re finding under the tree), but sometimes I have a tiny tendril of guilt about it.
That said, if you have an author or two who you enjoy reading, the idea of year-round gift giving is one that we can absolutely get behind. Because there are several little things you can do that take only tiny bits of your time and resources – and those things? They mean the world to us.
So, for my last post of 2017, I thought I’d give you a top ten best gifts for authors as something to carry into the New Year as, if nothing else, food for thought. Here goes:
10. Sign up for our newsletter – Just about every author I know has a newsletter. Some folks send them monthly, some bi-monthly, some quarterly, some only when they have a new release. Usually, we’re pretty good about letting you know the frequency when you sign up. And yes, I know, not-another-email-itis, I have it too, but we really really really want you on our
lists! Why? A number of factors – some publishers look at newsletter size when they’re considering an author’s platform, and that, in turn, and mean the difference between a contract or no contract. But we also love being able to share special goodies with our fans — our real fans — which means generally newsletter subscribers get perks that aren’t available anywhere else. So maybe consider making room in your inbox for another email or two?
9. Actually open and read our newsletters – I know, I know, I talked you into signing up and that’s huge – THANK YOU! But see, most of us also obsessively check our stats when we send out an email and we get sad and wonder what we’re doing wrong when we see that only 40% of our list opened the thing. So if you did sign up? Take that extra second to click on the email and make sure it’s open (not just in a preview pane) and scroll through. Who knows, you might just find something you didn’t know you needed in there!
8. Read – and comment on – our blogs. So, you’re here. Yay! You’re reading an author blog (do I dare another all caps thank you? Probably not. Please consider that you saw one though, k?) Leave a little note before you go. I know, I know, “I don’t have anything to say!” And sure, some of that might be our fault, after all, if we didn’t leave you a question or interaction prompt in the post then, well, I know it can feel silly to say “Hey, I enjoyed this – thanks!” but something like that can totally make our day.
7. Hit reply on a newsletter and say hi. What? Back to newsletters? You thought I was finished, I know. But nope – one more. You know how when you were little you’d dance around the mailbox while Mom or Dad fished out the day’s delivery and try to peek as they flipped through it, hoping to see something addressed to you? That’s us after we send out a newsletter. It’s kind of like Christmas cards — you send out a whole bunch of them and then wait with bated breath to see who’s going to reciprocate.
6. Like our Facebook page – This ties back into that whole idea of reach that can be important to folks looking for a traditional 
publisher. But you know what, indies really like this too — because we want to be able to tell you about our books and our lives and what’s happening and hey, Facebook is good for that.
5. Like and share the things we post on Facebook – No big surprise here, but that stuff we put on Facebook? We’d really like a lot of people to get to see it. But Facebook has their own little way of doing things, and their algorithm is one of those incomprehensible bits of computer code that most mortals aren’t allowed to understand. What we do know is that posts that are liked and shared get shown to more people. Don’t feel like sharing it? That’s cool. I get that — but go ahead and hit like and maybe leave a comment (cause comments help too!) if you would. Two seconds of your time, max, but a super big help to us.
4. Tell your friends and family about our books – This probably seems like a no-brainer, but telling a friend about a book you’ve read and enjoyed is HUGE. This is how I, as a reader, get the majority of my new books because I know I can trust the person who told me about it (although, I’ll say, there have been a few head scratchers after the fact – but that’s brought about some really fun conversations between me and my friend, so no harm no foul!) You know how when you meet someone and they’re so amazing and fun and you think, “Oh! You’d love my other friend so-and-so, let’s all get together for coffee!” Do that, but with books.
3. Add our books to your “Want to Read”list on Goodreads. Now, I know a lot of authors are probably frowning right now, because Goodreads is one of those places that authors seem to either love or hate. But the fact of the matter is, adding a book to a list there shows that you want to read that book to all the people you’re friends with. And so it’s kind of like doing #4, but online, because you’ve said, effectively, “Hey, this book looks interesting. I want to read it.” And so then your friends will see that and they’ll go look at the book and then they might say, “Ooh, me too.” And then, before you know it, you’ve basically got a book club ready to go. (If you just absolutely don’t want to do Goodreads, maybe try Pinterest instead.)
2. Nominate your favorite books and authors for reader-nominated awards. Starting in January, there are a handful of book awards for the past year, and many of them are reader-nominated. If you’ve read something that you simply adored this year, why not keep an eye out for a place to give it a mention?
1. Write a review. Post it everywhere. You knew this was coming, right? Reviews are our lifeblood. Reviews on Goodreads and Amazon in particular, but other retailers too if you have the extra few minutes. I know a lot of people feel like writing a review takes too much time, but I promise you it doesn’t have to. A review can be as simple as as 2nd grade book report: I enjoyed this book because X. (Where X is 5-7 words about your favorite thing in the book — realistic characters, it made you cry, it didn’t make you cry, it was unique, it had a satisfying HEA, whatever. Just don’t give away any spoilers.) That’s it. But you know what? We even like reviews from people who didn’t necessarily like our books! A well-written, thoughtful negative review maybe isn’t cause for as much celebration as a positive one, but we’re eating cake either way, because we got another review. If you want to leave a less positive review, try to use the squeeze a lemon/pick a cherry method — so balance out what you didn’t like with something you did, e.g. “This books was very well written. I felt like the heroine was a jerk because the hero apologized and she didn’t admit any of her fault in the situation, but I still mostly enjoyed the read.” Pop 2 or 3 stars on that puppy, and I promise the author isn’t going to cry for more than ten minutes.
So there you have it – my list of the top ten gifts
you can give authors all year long. Leave a comment and let me know what you’ll be adding to your list – or what you don’t think belongs on there!
As my gift to you — two lucky commenters will be given their choice of any of my e-books from Amazon.
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
Thanks for the post. It helps us readers out here know how better to help our authors out there.
I know it’s hard for authors, but this time of year is hard for all of us. It’s sad for me to say, but our nation has forgot the real reason for Christmas. We’ve made it a secular holiday.
Don’t get me wrong, I have five children and twelve grandchildren. We do enjoy this time very much, but my prayer is for everyone to put Christ back in Christmas.
I’m sorry I’m sharing my thoughts. You probably don’t want to hear them. lol I try my best to get reviews in, I really do, but I’m a preachers wife and sometimes my life can get pretty hectic.
I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy new year.
Blessings
Kathy
Thanks for letting us know how we can help authors!
Merry Christmas Kathy! As a retired pastor’s wife, teacher, and mother, you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God grant you strength and uplift you during this stressful time. Merry Christmas and God’s blessings as you continue to do this faithful service in 2018.
Merry Christmas, Elizabeth. Thanks for this very informative, timely blog. As a retiree, I now have more time to support authors, especially the Inspy Romance authors, since this is my primary daily blog. As an retired English teacher, I enjoy leaving reviews, but usually only on Amazon and Goodreads. I have always discussed and shared my books with family and friends. #2 is my weakness. Often do not have time to read newsletters, if I want time to read a book. I enjoy interacting with readers and authors on Facebook. Now for my QUESTION, HOW & WHERE does a READER nominate OUR favorite books and authors for reader-nominated awards??? Maybe you can address this in your January Blog. Always willing to help my favorite authors. I also try to encourage friends to leave reviews and interact with authors. Best wishes for 2018.
Thanks for this list! I learned something new about authors’ newsletters – I really enjoy reading them but had no idea doing so was helping an author! :-) It’s also a good tip to reply to the newsletter – I enjoy interacting with authors and this is a great way to do so. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for the informative post, Elizabeth. In the past, I rarely did any of these, but have started doing most of them in the past year. If I read a newsletter at my computer (instead of my iPad), I always read it on the preview screen. So thanks for letting me know I should take the extra second to open it up. Sometimes whether I like a book or not, I simply can’t think of anything to say in a review. Does it help at all to simply click the number of stars and leave it at that?
You’re welcome! Glad it gave you some ideas :)
I always love when people share their thoughts! And I absolutely agree that the country, in general, has lost the meaning of Christmas. Of course, I see that more as the result of having generally lost Jesus in all aspects of their lives. People like to say America is a Christian nation, but I always say it’s more that we were founded on traditional Judeo-Christian values, which is not the same as a nation of believers.
Praying you have a peace and Christ filled Christmas.
You’re welcome :)
You’re always such a big help to so many of us, Renate! I will definitely be on the lookout for reader nominated awards to mention – if someone doesn’t beat me to it!
Yay! And yes! It’s a huge help to us when you read those letters – win win!
Hi Sherri! Its absolutely helpful to at least give stars :) that’s a great way to ease into leaving more reviews. Do pay attention to the way the site in question describes stars though, as Goodreads and Amazon are different (e.g on Amazon, 3 stars is “I liked it” and on Goodreads, 3 stars is “it was ok”)
Love this list!!! Merry Christmas!!
Thanks, Mimi!
I try to do a lot of these things. I don’t comment a lot, unless I feel like I have something to contribute. I guess I can at least say “HI”. I do leave reviews and am signed up for more newsletters that I think I should be. Thank you for this list. I will try to do more.
You’re doing great! :)
Thanks for the list! I try to review all the books I read, even if it’s really short :-) Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a New Year full of hope in Jesus!
Thanks, Margaret! I know some of my list (maybe all of it :) ) is preaching to the choir, but I figured maybe someone would see something new ;)
Have a blessed Christmas!
It´s an interesting list. I guess none of it came as a surprise. Hope you get tons of what you wish for. Merry Christmas.
I guess we can’t read your post and not leave a comment today! Thanks for sharing your point of view, sometimes we don’t see how important soem things we do might be. I’ll try to be a “better reader” next year and follow some of your reccomendations.
Merry Christmas!
It’s not anything shocking, it’s true :) Merry Christmas to you!
Haha. You can skip commenting any time – we just love it when you don’t ;) and really, if you’re a reader, you’re a great reader — all the rest is bonus.
Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas ??
Thanks for sharing your ideas with your readers. I plan to continue to like authors facebook pages, subscribe to their newsletters, and also keep up to date with their books they have written and new book they are writing. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you!
Sounds like a great plan ;) Merry Christmas to you, too!
Merry Christmas dear Elizabeth, I hope you have an blessed holiday! I consider you a dear friend & look forward to each of your books. I have every one of them, & love them all! ?❤?
Thanks for the tips!I will try to do better in 2018! Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Linda! The feeling’s mutual. Have a very Merry Christmas! <3
Merry Christmas to you! :)
I liked your list and I do many of those things. One question. I read this one book, only about 300 pages of 600 something and the fact is, it hit too close to home. This lady lost a baby about midterm. Then dealt with grief. I’ve lost 3 babies from miscarriage, you get the idea. I just found it too hard to finish reading this story. Fact one, it was well written and had good reviews. How do you review a book like that.
Oh hugs, that’s hard. First, I have to say it’s always completely okay not to review something if it’s just too hard to do! But if you do want to review a book like that, I’d say about what you just did, “This book was hard for me to read because the subject matter hit so close to home. It’s well written, but I couldn’t finish it because it made my own grief too real.” Or something like that.
Thanks for sharing these ideas and blessings on all those who continue to write such wonderful books for us avid readers. I have kept up on Goodreads and have read 70+ this year.
Wow – that’s great! Congrats on such a big reading list! :)
Merry Christmas, Elizabeth! I always enjoy your books and posts.
Thanks, Merry Christmas to you, too!
By reading this, I learned you can reply to the newsletters! I did not know that. We have friends who would cut out a picture of the gift that was wanted, and leave a note saying that when that gift went on sale, they would buy it for them. Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!!