by Jennifer Fusco

Like you, I’m an avid reader.  I prefer reading to watching movies, televisions or going to a play.  I, however, never knew until I started writing how much authors depend on their fans, not only as their readership but as advocates to promote their brand.  With the publication industry in its current state of flux, fans have more influence than ever in keeping an author published.  If you have favorite authors, as I do, please allow me to pass along some ideas of what you can do to help support them. 

1. Buy the book…in e-book format or from your local bookstore. Visit the author’s website and click on the book link there. Pre-orders, whether through Amazon or your local store or independent websites, can help with the first week’s sales figures, and first week sales are very important to the author’s future. 
2. Find the books on the shelf, turn them facing out towards the aisle. Rearrange the shelves. Make room at eye level to place your favorite authors’ book. And, if you’re feeling brave, place some on the “New Releases” table
3. Visit signings, even if you already own the book. Signings can be very lonely places for authors, and truly, it would thrill them to meet you. Most authors list the venues where they’ll be signing on their websites. 
4. On the web, stop by the author’s blog and leave a comment or mention your favorite author and list their name and titles on other blogs you comment on. 
5. Get caught reading! Read in public---a park bench, or coffee house or any place where people may catch a glimpse and get curious. If someone seems interested, don’t hesitate to tell them the author and title, include what you like about the book.
   
6. Once you’ve read the book, go to Amazon.com or BN.com and write an honest review.
   
7. Visit your local library and inquire about the book. If they don’t have it, ask them to order it.
   
8. If you have a website, link your author’s website to it.
   
9. Don’t be afraid to talk about it. If you liked the book, mention it to people. Post what you liked about the book on Facebook and Twitter or other social networking sites and don’t forget to include information on where to download or how to order it. 
10. Are there bookstores, clubs, coffee houses or other places in your community that would be open to hosting a reading? If so, let the author know.  Coincidentally, if you belong to a community organization which features guest speakers, see if a visit from the author may be a good fit. Most authors’ email addresses can be found on their website.

If you know an author you’d like to see keep writing, use one or all of the tips above, especially towards to their book’s release date to help them succeed.  Writers appreciate their readers, so, please, do what you can to appreciate them in return.

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Jennifer Fusco serves as the Vice President of the Connecticut Romance Writers and a member of RWA’s PRO organization.  She has completed two paranormal romance manuscripts and is currently the Creative and Brand Marketing Manager for the General Electric Company. She also writes MARKET OR DIE, marketing books for writers. To learn more about how you can market your work, please visit: www.marketordie.net