Merry Christmas to my Favorite Author!

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Happy Hanukkah!

Merry Christmas!

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It’s the gift-giving season. Likely, you have an ever-growing list of people you want to remember this holiday. Family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, the kids’ teachers, book-club associates, even the mail-man. You might have readers on your gift-giving list, but have you considered adding a favorite author or two?

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An Author?

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Sure. Why not? I’m not talking about traditional gift-giving. Something neat wrapped up in a pretty package with a bow-ribbon and presented in person. I’m talking about little, simple gifts that show appreciation. They sparkle as “hey, thanks for the hours of reading enjoyment!” This kind of little things go a very long way to adding joy and happiness to an author’s seasonal merriment.

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How to Love An Author: Top 6 Ways

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1. Buy Books

Authors write to earn a living (or supplement their income). Your purchase shows an author appreciation more than you might know!

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2. Tell Others!

Word of Mouth is powerful! Positive recommendations will boost your favorite author’s visibility. In person and online.

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3. Give BOOKS

It’s easy to give digital copies of books to others. Doing so is an endorsement, a kindness, to both reader and author.

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4. Connect

Reach out and say hello! Facebook, email (via author’s site), Twitter, etc. Authors love to hear from readers.

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5. Write Reviews

Positive Reviews help spread the LOVE and boost your author’s success AND inform other readers. If you enjoyed a book, say so! Think outside the box; informal reviews count too, like a FB post.

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6. Ask!

Let your librarian know your interests! Ask them to order in physical or eBook copies of your favorite author’s titles. Ask your favorite retailer, too!

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Six additional ideas:

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1. Send a handwritten note.

I received a thank you note from a reader, mailed to the business address I provided as my return address on a package sent (she won a prize at a Facebook event) and it made my whole day! My mailing address is also provided in the footer of every newsletter. Other authors do the same thing. I’ve seen their mailing addresses and thought about sending them a note of appreciation.

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2. LIKE their Facebook Page (this is different than a profile).

A “Page” is their business presence on Facebook. It’s a vote of confidence, shows other browsers your favored author has followers, fans, people who enjoy their books. It just might nudge someone else to give that author’s books a try.

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3. Add her new titles to your Goodreads “To Be Read” list.

Why? Because this step also shows others your interests and likes. As other readers on Goodreads have stumbled across your profile, they likely were browsing books you’ve read. They’ll see your quiet recommendation for books like those they’ve enjoyed and this can only help your favorite author(s).

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4. Contact your author through their website when you’ve finished reading their book…

…and let them know you liked it. I’ve heard from many different readers in this way, and it’s always a most pleasant surprise. What a terrific way to start my work day, knowing someone loves my work!

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5. SHARE their blog posts. FORWARD new book release announcements. LINK to their articles. HELP SPREAD THE NEWS when a book is on sale.

These simple, quiet acts of support mean the world to an author. Your efforts make all the difference in assisting readers in finding a new (to them) author they’ll thoroughly enjoy reading.

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6. Borrow your favorite author’s titles with your kindle unlimited subscription, and read them, start to finish.

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