Writing Blog Number 2

20251013 Ways To Support Other Authors

Ways To Support Other Authors

Writing is a lonely pursuit. Most writers work alone and only interact with people who are not writers. This is where places like WdC and Discord can come to their own, where communities of writers can get together to share stories, ask for help and share tales of woe without (in general) being abused.
         But that does mean it is up to us to support one another and help other writers however we can. And how is that, you may ask?
         This brief list comes from a publisher who used (and uses) it to encourage those he has published to support everyone else he has published.

1. Post on social media. Now, social media is not a great way to get readers anymore… for the writer themselves. This is because they are posting to their friends and into an echo chamber. However, if we post for others, then their books reach a different group of people they might not otherwise have a chance to interact with. This includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky and TikTok.

2. Do an announcement on all platforms you attend on release day. Make a big deal about it.

3. Encourage your local library to get hold of a copy.

4. Leave reviews, especially on Goodreads, Amazon and other book-based platforms. If the book appears in lists, up-vote it. On Goodreads, mark it as ‘want to read.’ Put it in your cart on Amazon (even if you don’t buy it).

5. If you have a blog, vlog, podcast or the like, or know someone who does, encourage the author friend to appear when a new book is released. Organise it for them, even.

6. As a fellow writer, offer to be a beta reader, critique partner, something to help them along in the process before publication.

7. And, finally, buy the book! Even if you got a free ARC, buy a copy. Every little bit helps.

And the hope is that they will return the favour when it is your turn to be the centre of attention published author!

We are a weird community; let’s help one another!