It’s universal. We all want to be loved. And authors are no exception. We authors, however, want love not only from our families and friends but from our readers, as well. Are you showing love for the authors whose books you enjoy?
There are, of course, classic stories of authors who scribbled in obscurity in dusty garrets and never put their works forth into the public light, their well-deserved fame coming only after their death. When the trove of the author’s manuscripts finally was unearthed from a box, a steamer trunk, or a hiding place under stored old clothing, they were published post mortem to wide acclaim—too late for the author to hear the cheers or read the reviews.
Most of us want our “applause” while we’re still living.
So, how do you show an author your love—for his or her book, poems, or other literary work? Funny you should ask…’cause I have a few suggestions. Or as Gilbert and Sullivan famously put it, “I’ve got a little list.”
1 – Post a review—on Amazon.com, if that’s where you bought the book; on Goodreads, if you’re a member there; on the website of the publisher that published the book; or anywhere else suitable. Or ALL of the above.
2 – Tell your friends, your associates (e.g. co-workers), and anyone else you think might be interested in the book. Suggest that they buy copies for themselves.
3 – Check to see if that author has written any other books. They might have been published by the same publishing house; they might have been published elsewhere. An Amazon.com search is likely the most efficient way to check. Buy any that sound interesting.
4 – Send the author a letter and tell her or him how much you enjoyed the book. Most authors make themselves easy to find online. Most have websites, with contact links. Sometimes the site is in the name of the author; other times it’s in the name of the book. If you can’t find the author online, however, snailmail a letter to the attention of the publicity department of the publisher that published the book, and ask them to forward it to the author. Most—not all, but most—publishers are scrupulous about forwarding fan mail. I’ve gotten letters that way, although most of my letters from readers come via email. (My website, complete with contact link, is easy to find at www.cynthiamacgregor.com.) You may be reluctant to “bother” an author with a letter of praise, but I assure you every author in his or her right mind is thrilled to receive such a missive.
Everybody wants to be loved. Show a little love today to an author whose work you enjoyed.