How Can Readers Help Authors?
Posted by Nancy J. Cohen on August 31, 2012
If you’re an avid reader, no doubt you’d like to encourage your favorite authors to keep writing. What can you, as a consumer, do for the writer who bares her soul to you in each story? Beyond buying her latest title, is there more?
You betcha! Here are some things you can do on your end that will be appreciated.
Write customer reviews of author’s books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, Shelfari, and Library Thing.
Add author’s book to your Wish List on Amazon. 
Search for author’s website, author name, and book titles periodically to raise their rank in search engines.
Bookmark or add to Favorites the author’s online sites.
Like author’s Facebook page; Share and comment on her Facebook posts.
Retweet author’s Twitter updates; Mention author and her books on Twitter.
Like and Tag author’s Amazon author page as well as each book title and edition.
Share author’s newsletter with your friends.
Recommend author’s books online on various reader forums.
Create a Listmania list on Amazon and add author’s books.
Look for good reviews of author’s book and click Yes to “Was this review helpful to you?”
Follow author’s blog tours and leave comments.
Repin author’s photos on Pinterest. Go to online bookseller and Pin author’s book covers into one of your albums.
Offer to hand out bookmarks for author.
Initiate a Street Team of fans to spread the word about author’s works.
If you live in the same region, suggest the author as a speaker to various groups.
Buy the author’s latest book or ask your librarian to order it and put your name on the wait list.
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Anything you can do will help, especially in this era of viral content. Word of mouth still has the most clout. So share your pleasure in the author’s writing and make her job easier so she can concentrate on writing the next book.
Nancy's Notes From Florida 
Terry Odell said
So true, Nancy … nothing makes my day more than an email from a reader, or see comments on my blog, Facebook page, Google+ or twitter.
Terry
Nancy J. Cohen said
That’s right, Terry. It gives one a warm, fuzzy feeling, doesn’t it?
Maureen said
Thank you so much for this list Nancy. As an avid reader I would like to do what I can to help my favorite authors (you included of course!) but I don’t always know how to help. This is a concrete list of things I can do and it helps me to feel like I am giving back in some way.
Nancy J. Cohen said
You’re a gem, Maureen. It’s nice that you care.
edithmaxwell said
What a fabulous list, Nancy. I will share this all around, and as a reader-writer, will try to do more of it myself!
Nancy J. Cohen said
By all means, please share to your heart’s content. Thanks for stopping by!
Madeline Sharples said
This is a great list, Nancy. I’m going to share it around. Thanks so much.
Nancy J. Cohen said
You’re very welcome, Madeline, and I appreciate your sharing the post.
Paula Martin said
Excellent list, Nancy! I wish all readers would do this! I’m also going to share it!
Nancy J. Cohen said
Thanks, Paula!
Jeanie Whitmire Jackson said
Thanks for the suggestions. My friends and I do a lot of the but appreciate all the suggestions. Love our Authors!!!!
Nancy J. Cohen said
Your efforts are appreciated!
Avis Exley said
Loved this article and have shared it on Facebook and my own blog.
Nancy J. Cohen said
I appreciate the share, thank you.
Karla Darcy said
WHAT A GREAT LIST. PEOPLE ASK ALL THE TIME AND NOW I CAN JUST GIVE THEM SOME TIPS
Nancy J. Cohen said
I’m glad my tips are useful; thanks for taking a look.
PT Macias (Patricia) Hot & Spicy, De La Cruz Saga said
Nancy, thanks for taking the time and writing such an awesome post. I shared.
ptmacias.com ♥
Nancy J. Cohen said
Thank YOU for taking the time to read my post and share it!
PT Macias (Patricia) Hot & Spicy, De La Cruz Saga said
Nancy, my pleasure.Patricia ♥
kathleenkaskawrites said
I’m sending this to everyone I know. Thanks, Nancy.
Jared McVay said
You say, “bareing her soul and buy her latest. What about “their” As a male writer I felt left out. I would never do that. I always include both genders and have both men and women review my books. But that’s just me.
Nancy J. Cohen said
I was just using “her” for convenience. Of course this advice applies to both genders of writer! And reader, for that matter. Please don’t feel left out.
Jared McVay said
Thank you. As you know, using the wrong word sometimes changes the whole concept of how a reader looks at it. I do think your advice is sound. Keep up the good work.
dianestuckart said
Nancy, this is a great list! Would you consider letting us writers excerpt a few suggestions on our websites, of course crediting you for compiling it, and linking to your website/blog? I agree, I’ve chatted with lots of readers who would like to spread the love but sometimes don’t feel comfortable doing so. This sort of gives permission, LOL. ~Diane
Nancy J. Cohen said
Yes, please excerpt with credit and link all you want. Do you have anything to add to these suggestions?
ellaquinnauthor said
Reblogged this on Ella Quinn ~ Author and commented:
I thought this was worth reblogging. Let me know if you agree.
Nancy J. Cohen said
Yes, certainly!
Lindsay said
Reblogged this on Murders and Mysteries.
Nancy J. Cohen said
Thanks!
Lindsay said
I reblogged this to mine. This is all great information and will also tweet it.
Nancy J. Cohen said
I appreciate your helping to spread the word, Lindsay.
Rhonda Bailey Dittfurth said
Sadly people have more a tendency to “talk” about things they don’t like…………………….We need to start spreading the Good News! and that includes say “Way to Go”! to our favorite authors! Am reblogging this now on http://ramblinsbarbedwireandpetticoat.blogspot.com/ and on my Facebook and Google pages too!
Nancy J. Cohen said
I’m hoping this post will be a call to action to readers to help support authors. We need all the help we can get in the cybersphere.
Jeanne Meeks - said
Great suggestions. Authors, who typically are voracious readers, should also be very aware of these ways to spread the word and help each other out.
Nancy J. Cohen said
You’re absolutely right. I always do reviews on Goodreads of books I’ve read but know I should take the time some afternoon to put them on all the other sites.
Maryann Miller said
Great list. Thanks so much for putting this all together in one place. I try my best to do as many of these things as I can for the author’s whose books I enjoy.
Nancy J. Cohen said
I am sure the authors appreciate your efforts, Maryann. And let me know if I’ve left anything out.
Lisa Rayns said
Great post. Tweeted, wanted to tell you Warrior Prince looks fantastic!
Nancy J. Cohen said
Thanks so much, Lisa!
gaele1 said
as one who is reviewing as a “more than full time” job – I can agree. I review what I buy – I buy those I like (because review copies should be and are removed from my library when I’m done). But – I also would like to put a plug in for those of us who review – many who review multiple books for multiple tours without recompense..BECAUSE we LOVE books – and there is nothing better than helping YOU get the word out about your book. When I review a book – I tweet – I post to FB – I get the word out. I also try to get all of your “information” from photo and bio to how to stalk you on the web – making it easy for your web presence (and your work) to be found.
But – I am an army of one. If you are aware I’m promoting your book, it helps me if you also put it out there – share my tweet, visit the blog – even tweet the review location ..encourage people to follow. Because that helps out ALL the authors.. the more buzz you help generate (and please – I do know that you are swamped just like we are ) the better response you get. There is nothing better that I’ve gotten than a thank you from an author – where they have mentioned me on twitter and encouraged people to come read. We often have vastly divergent audiences and followers – getting people into one large loop cannot hurt – on either end.
Nancy J. Cohen said
Great response, Gaele. It’s good to hear from the reviewer’s viewpoint what can be helpful to you. I always try to spread the word when my book is reviewed. We need to help each other, right?
gaele1 said
Exactly … It’s best for everyone involved
Kimberly Rae said
Thanks for this post!!! As an author, I appreciate it so much when readers do these things, but most don’t know how much it would help. I posted this on FB and Twitter–a great way to show readers how to help without being pushy. Thank you!
Kimberly Rae
http://www.stolenwoman.org
Nancy J. Cohen said
Thanks for spreading the word, Kimberly!
Cheryl Norman said
Very good post, Nancy! It takes time to post a review to Amazon, etc. and I so appreciate it when a reader does (even the negative ones LOL). Bless every one of my Twitter and Facebook page followers, too. I try to follow back every one!
Nancy J. Cohen said
Yes, it does take time to post a review, retweet, etc. Every little bit helps!
Jacqueline Seewald said
An excellent list, Nancy! I hope lots of readers are paying attention. I would be very grateful if those who read my novels and like them would put a review on Amazon or B&N or Goodreads. I don’t expect readers to buy my hardcovers, but requesting them at the local library would certainly be helpful!
Jacqueline Seewald
DEATH LEGACY
THE TRUTH SLEUTH
Nancy J. Cohen said
Yes, library requests translate into library sales. I’m always grateful for a reader review, retweet, or anything at all. It makes us feel less alone in the cyberverse.
Carole Price said
Excellent list, Nancy. Readers really respond on Goodreads. I appreciate the time anyone takes to drop a line.
Nancy J. Cohen said
Yes, if there’s one place I post reviews of books I read, it’s on Goodreads.
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[…] Is this a question you’ve found yourself asking? Well author Nancy J. Cohen has written a blog post that will help you with this issue. Check out her post here: https://nancyjcohen.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/how-can-readers-help-authors/ […]
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