Support Other Writers

How to help writers find readers.

Unless you are a celebrity or bestselling author with tens of thousands of followers and an inbox filled with requests for interviews and appearances at book festivals, chances are, you are an author who spends hours every week (if not every day) trying to make sure readers are aware that you have a new book out.

That means hustling for magazine, newspaper and podcast interviews, organising your own book launch and book tour, constantly posting on SM, asking friends for reviews, begging to be booked at festivals, pleading for a space on a bookshop or library shelf. It can easily turn into a full-time (unpaid) job.

With around 200,000 books published every year in the UK, getting readers to notice a new title is harder than ever. And even when you’re doing all of the above, it can sometimes seem like shouting into the void. Can anyone actually hear me? Does anyone even know about my fabulous new book?

Whether you are near publication yourself and wondering how your novel is going to stand out or you have friends who are about to launch their new book, there are lots of things we can all do to support and promote each other.

Buy a book, whether it’s a hardback, paperback or on kindle. Buy one for yourself or as a birthday or Christmas present. If you’re friends with an author they’ll be thrilled to write a personal message inside their book for you.

Share other authors' posts on your own SM. This is such an easy one to do. It doesn’t matter if you only have a few followers yourself. The idea is to make as many people as possible aware of this new brilliant book. Every little share counts.

Recommend author friends' books at your book club. If it’s chosen as the next read, that’s several guaranteed new readers. Even better, ask if your friend can be a guest speaker. Most book clubs would snap up an appearance from an author. Who better to explain that ending or that brilliant plot twist? In my book club we love asking authors about their work.

Attend book launches, signings and readings with several friends in tow – each of whom can then post pics on their SM. A busy book shop or library with everyone listening to an author creates a bit of a buzz which may draw in curious passersby.

Ask your local library if they can stock your friend’s new book. And whilst you’re there, ask them if they’d like your friend to do a reading.

Whatever club you’re a member of, ask if they’re looking for guest speakers and if so, recommend all the writers you know.

If you know any teachers, ask if your children’s author friend can do a reading at school.

Write reviews! Everyone says they’ll do it but of course people are busy and forget. But someone who may not have heard of your writer friend may be persuaded to buy their new book based on it having lots of five-star reviews. Even a three-word review helps. Buy this book! Love this book! Best book ever!  It’s the five stars potential readers look for, not your detailed plot synopsis.

Connect your author friends with podcast, journalist, teacher, influencer, festival organiser, networking, bookshop and book club friends and see if they can help each other.

Talk to people. Word of mouth recommendations travel far.

Let's all help each other find new readers!

Pic: With Faye Brann at the launch of her brilliant new novel: Kiss, Marry, Murder.