Hi Inspy Romancers! Have you ever felt like quitting something? Maybe it was a new year’s resolution you made that seemed doable but over time became unachievable? Or a job that you dreaded doing every day, perhaps due to long hours or an unreasonable boss? Well, let me assure you that authors have been in the same boat! Many of us, myself included, have been at a place where we were just one word away from quitting.
I have talked to several authors of CCR as well as clean romance who were prayerfully considering leaving the author business. They were ready to stop writing and publishing books and to walk away from the career. Why? Sometimes it was due to a lack of time because of family obligations. Other times it was due to a lack of funds, more specifically that all the hours they put into writing and marketing didn’t equal the amount of income they were making. (Full disclosure—I saw a job ad for Target with their hourly wage and realized I could make more money working there than I am selling books. LOL) Once in a while, authors think about leaving because of drama and conflict among their fellow authors that becomes too heavy an emotional burden to bear. And another reason for quitting is a lack of inspiration.
But one thing is true. These authors don’t consider quitting because they’ve lost their love of writing. In fact, their love of writing is what makes this SUCH a hard decision to make!
Whenever I find myself struggling with this decision (yes, it happens often! lol), I remind myself of why I started writing in the first place. For me, writing has become a ministry where I can serve God and my readers. I also find great encouragement in reading reviews for my books and seeing how my stories have impacted people. Lastly, the interactions I have with readers, new and old, spur me on through the hard times and renew my purpose and passion.
A longtime reader recently commented this in my reader group: “I’m always happy to hear that you’re writing!” You wouldn’t believe how timely her words were and how they were exactly what I needed to hear. I dove back into writing my book that day, determined to make it the best possible and to finish it quickly so I could get it into her hands sooner.
I share all of this to let you know how important YOU are in the life of an author. The reviews you leave, the encouragement you give, and the prayers you pray over authors DO make a difference! So, please don’t hold back on sharing your support! We need and appreciate it so much!
With that said, I would like to thank you for all the support you have given me over the past five years that I have been blogging here at Inspy Romance. It has been an honor to hear from you every month and to see your love for Christian contemporary romance and for us authors. I am so grateful!! That is why I’m so sad to let you know that it’s time for me to step down as a blogger here. I recently joined the lay counseling ministry at my church, something that’s near and dear to my heart, and will need to devote more time and attention there.
I hope to be able to keep in touch with you in other ways! My newsletter is a great way to do so as it’s a direct line of open communication with me. So I’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t already! You can do so HERE.
And a big thank you to Valerie, Elizabeth, and Narelle and all the other Inpsy Romance authors for making this community so warm and inviting and organized! :)
Now, I’d love to hear from you! Tell me, how do you show your support for authors? I can’t wait to read your comments and learn from you!
Giveaway: I’d like to give away a $10 Amazon gift card. One winner will be randomly chosen from the comments below. The giveaway will remain open until midnight on Sunday, March 12th.
A chauffeur and referee by day (AKA a stay at home mom of two), Liwen Y. Ho writes inspirational and sweet romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).
I am not a writer at all, but I love reading more than anything. The way I support an author, is I buy their books.
I have been supporting authors by following them on Goodreads, Amazon, and Bookbub, reading their emails, and leaving reviews for their books I have read. I enjoy your books so much! I will miss seeing you here but I already follow you by email so I will stay in touch.
Like Audrey said, I support my favorite authors by buying their books 1st and foremost.
Also, I’m pretty good about leaving reviews or at least a star rating on Goodreads and Amazon if I bought it there.
I also try to interact with authors and their newsletters. I’m sure those take a good while to put together.
As an author your blog post really hits home! So many times I’ve almost given up, just to be stopped by an encouraging word from a reader. Thank you for putting into words how so many of us feel on this journey.
( And all the best with your new adventure!)
I follow you on FB, Amazon, Bookbub, Goodreads, and your newsletter, so I’ll definitely not lose track! I’m sorry your leaving the blog, though I’m so happy for you new endeavors!! I pray for a long list of authors every day, yes ALL of the Inspy bloggers, too! I also review all of the books I read on Bookbub and Goodreads. Amazon won’t let me. I also review the traditionally published books on other sites, too. I should say, I do when I remember! lol!! Since most of the books I read are indie published, I do sometimes forget that a traditionally published one needs to be reviewed other places! I interact with a lot of authors on the FB pages and in their groups, newsletters, and follow the same places I do you!
So sorry to hear you’re leaving this platform, but I understand. I leave reviews, reach out to authors on social media, and follow them. I try to always let them know how much I’ve enjoyed a book.
I follow authors on GoodReads, Bookbub, and Amazon. I do try to leave reviews too. I also have signed up to receive several newsletters from authors. God Bless!!
I’m sorry to hear you’re leaving Inspy Romance, but you’re right to think there isn’t time for everything and to move on to something different if that’s where God is calling you. I’ll look forward to hearing from you in your newsletter and of course reading your books!
I’ve never really thought about how I support authors – I read and buy books and leave reviews when I can, and I enjoy following this blog and podcast. I know it may not be well rewarded in terms of money, but what you do is of so much value to your readers in the joy that books and reading bring, many thanks to you and all the other writers here.
Leave reviews on Amazon bookbub and Goodreads . respond to authors newsletters.
Not another one of my favorite authors leaving InspyRomance!?!? Thankfully I do follow you through your newsletter and Facebook. I try to review all the books I read, unless it’s a book that already has reviews in the thousands and I’m behind on ones I’m committed to reviewing. Thanks for hanging in there when it gets tough!
I’m so sad you’re leaving the blog, but understand how life is when we’re over committed. I’ll have to sign up for your newsletter to keep up to date on your book info.
Awww, that’s definitely a bittersweet post. I’ll certainly miss seeing you around this blog (especially since I think you were the one who introduced me to it). But I’m glad there are other ways of keeping in touch. :) I love following authors on social media, engaging with their posts, and sharing them when I can. I also review every book I read and am always glad to know that they can help an author through their darker days. I haven’t been as diligent with praying for authors, but I have from time to time (I’ll try and work on this).
Wishing you the best with your new endeavor! Can’t wait for your next book! :)
Readers in general have no idea how lonely and frustrating the writing life is. Thank you for your authenticity. I’ve been there, and I love how God uses readers to confirm the calling.
I’ve enjoyed your posts, and I LOVE your books.
God bless all you do!
Good morning, so sad to see you go from Inspy, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do and for the Best for you, which is you have to take care of yourself also and you can’t overwork yourself. I have enjoyed reading your posts. I support authors by following them and by buying their books and reviewing their books. Have a great day and a great rest of the week.
Hi Audrey! Buying books is a wonderful way to support authors! Thank you for doing so!
Hi Lori! Yes, following authors on social media is a great way to support us! And of course taking the time to read our emails and to leave reviews is always much appreciated. :) I’m glad we will be able to stay in touch via email!
Hi Patty! Thank you so much for taking the time to support authors in all those ways! Your support is a blessing!
Hi Ashley! Aww, thank you for your affirmation, and “high five” for hanging in there on this journey! Thank you for your well wishes, too. :)
Hi Trudy! I’m always so encouraged to know you are praying for authors! Your support means more to us than you realize. Thank you for following me on social media! I’m so glad we’ll be able to keep in touch via email.
Hi Andrea! Thank you for your continued support! Please know that you are making a difference!
Hi Kathleen! Yay, those are great ways to support authors. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Ruthie! Thank you for all the ways you show your support! I’m glad we’ll be able to keep in touch via email. :)
Hi Kendra! Your support is much appreciated! Thanks for commenting!
Hi Margaret! Aww, I know, it was such a hard decision to make! :( Thanks for hanging in there with me all these years! :) I appreciate your support and friendship!
Hi Melynda! I know, I wish there was more time in a day! I’m glad we’ll be able to stay in touch via email!
Hi Priscila! Aww, I’m so glad you were able to connect with the Inspy Romance community—it’s such a good one. :) And yes, you are totally helping authors through the darker days with every encouraging word and act that you do! I know you’ve helped me so much through the years. :) Thank you!
Hi Julie! Thank you so much for your affirmation and encouragement! God bless you!
Hi Alicia! Yes, you’re so right. I’ve learned it’s okay to say no when you need to. Thank you for all your support!
I have been reading since I was 4 years old. I would be lost without books to read, reading keeps me sane. I do my best write reviews when I really love a book. I help some authors with arcs and I help a few with editing too.
Hello, I pray for them , follow them write reviews and also share about their books and when I can buy their books! Have a Blessed Day!
I’ll be sorry to see you go, but it sounds like you have a new season in life opening up for you. I hope it all goes well! I like to leave reviews and send encouraging notes to authors, to thank them for writing such wonderful stories. Their work matters and I try to tell them that when I can.
I am sorry you will be leaving but understand the opportunity you have. I like to support authors by writing reviews. Will often send an email when I love a book and spread the news. For a few authors I am on street teams and will help promote books when they are releasing.
Hi Cindi! I know what you mean—books are good for our mental health. :) Thank you for helping the authors in your life!
Hi Sarah! That’s awesome! Keep supporting them because it makes a difference!
Hi Megan! Thank you so much! That’s awesome that you tell them their work matters. An encouraging word can make such a difference!
Hi Jenny! Those are wonderful ways to support authors! Thank you for always supporting me with your comments on this blog. :)
Apart from buying books, I always think that the best support I can give is to write reviews.
Hi Liwen,
I wish you the best in your new endeavor. Your post truly spoke to me, since I’m in the latter years of my life and each year consider whether it’s time to stop writing. I have also been encouraged to continue by comments from readers.
Hi Mary! You are certainly right. Authors treasure the reviews we get. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Merrillee! I’m so glad you’ve continued to write, even when it’s been hard to. I’m sure your readers are grateful to have more books from you. Thank you for your well wishes!
I’m sorry to see you leave the blog but I’m praying God blesses you with your ministry work.
I am sorry to see you leaving Inspy, but do understand your reasons. God had plans for you and you must follow His lead. I am a subscriber to your newsletter.
I don’t do this a lot and perhaps I should, but I do occasionally write reviews and respond to emails and blogs. What I do more frequently is pray. If I know of special needs for a particular author, I will pray that. But I also pray for all of you, for guidance in your writing and that it will touch the heart of someone who needs it.
Thank you for your contribution here, for your stories, and your continued service to our Lord and Savior. God bless.
Hi Lucy! Thank you so much for your prayers!
Hi Bonnie! Your prayers mean so much, more than you realize! Thank you for interceding for authors! I’m glad we’ll be able to stay in touch via email.
Oh, Liwen, you will be missed. You cannot get rid of me that easily. I receive your email. I also am part of your email group. Congratulations on your lay ministry. You will do fabulous.
I write reviews for authors. I post on their Facebook pages. Sometimes, I respond to their newsletters. I am also an ARC reader for many authors. Thank you so much for sharing your heart. God bless you.
buy and read their books
Best of luck!
I try to support authors by buying books as my budgetallows. I follow authors on the various social media platforms and their newsletters. I try to remember to writereviews.
Blessings on your new path.
I am a reader who supports by requesting their books for our local library, buying books when I can, reviewing books, following authors on social media, adding books to my wishlists on Amazon, Goodreads and Bookbub.
I am so sad to hear that you are leaving, but I wish you the best in your new ministry. I usually try to show authors support by reading their books, reviewing them, and sharing about them.
Hi Debbie! I’m glad I won’t be able to get rid of you! Lol. Thank you so much for all you do to support authors!
Hi! That’s a great way to show your support! Thank you!
Hi Martha! That’s wonderful. Thank you for buying, following, and writing reviews!
Hi Denise! Getting books into local libraries is a great show of support. Thanks for all you do for authors!
Hi Angeline! Thank you for your well wishes! And also for supporting authors in the ways that you do!
thank you for sharing this post today. welcome. I buy their books, leave reviews and sometimes will talk back and forth with an author through email.
Hi Lori! Those are great ways to show authors your support!
I like to promote and review books.
Hi Susanne! That’s great to hear! Thanks for commenting.
Reading books and writing reviews is how I try to support authors.
Hi Linda! That’s wonderful. Thanks for commenting!
Reviewing, beta reading, promoting, library recommendations.
I support authors by reviewing every single book I read and sharing my favorites on Facebook. I’m on a really tight budget so I don’t typically buy books (I do use my Amazon digital rewards for slow shipping to buy books though) but I make sure I post those reviews.