This post is not about me–not about just me, anyway–but about any and all writers whose work you enjoy. Readers are awesome. I still find it pleasantly mind boggling when I get email from readers who have really enjoyed my work, and I’m thankful for that, and thankful that you’ve read my work. Who would we be without you?

But you know it’s a tough world out there. It’s hard to get noticed. And most of us writers need all the help we can get, so that’s what this post is about–or what it was going to be about. I’ve been planning on writing this for the last week or too, but then Keith Brooke over at Infinity Plus beat me to it with a much more coherent post than I could ever pull off. So check it out–please!

The basic idea Keith describes is that if you want to help out an author, do the little things. Post a review on Amazon (or Barnes & Noble). A star rating and a “I really enjoyed this book” is fine. You don’t have to use your real name.

On the same Amazon page, click the facebook “Like” button, and add some new tags to the book or affirm existing ones.

If you blog or twitter or do facebook, suggest the book to your social circle. Mention it to your friends in real life.

This all probably sounds like tiny stuff, but tiny stuff can get bigger stuff rolling. I love being an “indie” writer, but thus far the “Do what you love” philosophy is not putting much food on the table. If you like what I’m doing, if you like what I’ve done, if you like other writers and want to give them a hand, word-of-mouth is a simple and wonderful way to do it.

Thanks for listening!

Posted on: Wednesday, April 6th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Categories: Writing.