Lots of people think authors live a glamorous life; sitting in a beach chair, toes in the sand, large floppy hat, cool beverage with little umbrella in the glass with a laptop or tablet on their lap, just tap, tap, tapping away on the keys until – BAM – 90,000 words later, a best-selling masterpiece appears. The next day someone slaps a gorgeous glossy cover on it and plasters it all over the Barnes & Noble front window.
Then, after several hours of tap, tap, tapping, said author dons oversized dark glasses and some sparkly flip flop sandals, gets into their luxury sports car and dashes off to some posh restaurant for lunch with their editor, agent, and some movie producer from Hollywood to discuss the details of turning your latest masterpiece into a Hollywood blockbuster.
Spoiler alert – that NEVER happens. Oh sure, JK Rowling probably does that NOW, but not when she first started. Steven King is a household name and James Patterson’s name gets tossed around a lot on movie sets and such, but seriously, that didn’t happen overnight.
So, how did it happen? I’ll tell you – I have no idea. Believe me, I wish I did. I wish I knew what secret, besides hard work and perseverance would shoot me straight up that ladder to the beach chair in the sun because God knows I would love love to dig my toesies into some white sand right about now. Not to mention that little umbrella drink.
Here’s what I do know, those people spent many, many long days and sleepless nights fussing over the right words, the parts they deleted and maybe shouldn’t have, the opening scenes that should work but for some reason don’t, a reviewers harsh comment, hours of endless re-writing.
In other words, they worked hard and they didn’t quit. They didn’t let disappointment ruin their vision.
And, despite how it seems to authors most days, they didn’t reach a certain level of fame alone. What? You’re saying others helped along the way? Absolutely. A lot of people probably helped and didn’t even know they helped. Strangers can help strangers. Readers can help writers. Here’s how:
Buy books, read books, talk about awesome books.
A great way to take it up a notch, is to leave a review. It’s easy, it’s free, it doesn’t take that long, and it goes a long way in helping authors’ careers. Here’s a few places where you can leave a review: https://www.goodreads.com/; https://www.amazon.com/; or http://allreaders.com/.
Go to book signings if you can and BUY THE BOOK, even if you gift it to someone else.
Spread the word on social media. A “like,” a “share,” a comment, helps boost that author’s visibility. It seems trivial, but like election time, every vote matters. (Please don’t make this political people. God knows we don’t want to go there again.)
Gift a book. A great way to help authors is to buy books for someone else. Especially in this day and age of electronic gadgets, almost everyone has an e-reader of some fashion. If not, you can download a free app to most smart phones. Heck, you can read books on your home computer. What better gift for a person who has everything or no longer wishes to “collect things?” Again, it’s easy and relatively inexpensive. Some e-books are less than a dollar. Gifting an e-book is super easy through Amazon or other on-line e-book retailers. All you need is the recipient’s e-mail address. What a lovely surprise for the recipient to open their e-mail and discover a gift! And it won’t clutter up a closet or shelf.
Here’s how I’m going to help some authors this week: Every person who posts a comment on this blog between now and Friday, February 24th, will be gifted an e-book of my choice. Simply leave a comment and mention your favorite genre so I can choose an appropriate book for you from one of my favorite starving authors. Some of you I can wager a pretty good guess about genre, but others not so much. If I don’t already have your e-mail address, send me an e-mail at jansen.schmidt@yahoo.com so I can make sure your e-book arrives. (Caveat: I will only be gifting from Amazon so you’ll have to have a Kindle in order to participate. Sorry to those who prefer other e-reader methods.)
You in turn can help the author of the book I gifted to you by posting a review and I strongly encourage you to do so. I’m acting on good faith here that you will leave a review. If you do not wish to write a review and post it on any or all of the sites I listed above, please let me know if the comments. (Caveat: If you absolutely hate the book I gift you, please do NOT leave a bad review. An honest review yes, but not a scathing one.) Remember, the purpose of this week’s blog is to help each other out. I’m helping readers, you’re helping writers.
That’s it. Easy peasy. You can pass the word to your friends if they want a free book all they have to do is leave a comment and their e-mail address. I’ll do the rest.
So, thanks in advance to all who post a comment and enjoy your books!
How do you help starving authors? Do you routinely leave reviews? Do you attend book signings? Do you have an e-reader?
Word of Day: Acroter
Fun fact about me: I have 3 e-readers but I prefer paper books.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, February 2017. Photos courtesy Google Images.
jansenschmidt 
Great idea!
If it makes you feel better, top writers don’t have much time to sit in beach chairs unless you’re Patterson who outlines books for his cowriters and then proofs them. They’re too busy writing new contracted books! I spoke with Gail Carringer who she said two books a year didn’t leave her with much free time. I do think there’s a lot of glamour in going to conferences or Cons where they are recognized. RL Stine said a guy on a plane once asked, “Has anyone ever said you look just like RL Stine, no offense.”
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I guess I sort of did imply that top writers have lots of free time, but I was more referring to a lifestyle of expensive vacations and writing in exotic places. I should have been more specific.
And, it would be nice to be noticed at a conference. Or on a plane.
Thanks for stopping by. What genre do you prefer to read? Or shall I surprise you with my gifted book?
Thanks for stopping by.
Patricia
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Oh, wow! Suspense, thriller, but I’m reading A Man Called Ove and am loving it! Thank you, Patricia!
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I agree with Susie – great idea! BTW, if you haven’t met her and her husband Danny, it’s worth a trip to Colorado. They’re wonderful people.
Okay, digressions aside, I think this is a great idea for helping starving authors, which I would be if I depended on my books for a living. I’m sending you my email address so you can send me a historical fiction – preferably latter half of 19th century.
May I be so bold as to suggest if anyone else requests historical fiction – or if anyone requests Christian nonfiction – you might send them one of mine?
Thanks for coming up with this idea, Patricia.
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Thanks Dave. I’m doing my part – even though quite small – by gifting books from folks I know will appreciate the giving as well as the getting. I shall add your name to the give-a-book list.
Your book will be on its way to you shortly.
As always, thanks for your support.
Patricia
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I would have used ‘acroter’ in a sentence, but first, I’d have to find out what ‘plinth’ and ‘pediment’ meant.
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Dang – more words you’d have to look up. (tee hee)
And, by the way, you don’t get two books because you left 2 comments. Only 1 book per person.
Thanks again.
Patricia
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Aw, man, I liked your first version of the glamorous author better! 🙂 You nailed the writer’s life, though…work, tears, smiles, and more work. I think I read somewhere that everyone talks about writing a book, but only about 1% of those people actually write one. Cheers to all my fellow 1%ers!! Because that book was frickin’ HARD to write…and I’m still waiting for Hollywood to call.
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Books are hard to write – well, easy to write, hard to edit and perfect. And your book was awesome. In fact it may be someone’s gifted book; we’ll have to see.
Thanks for stopping by and continuing the hard work. Feel free to share this post with others who may want to get a free book.
Patricia
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Brilliant idea and YES I prefer the actual book to an ebook BUT I do read ebooks because I can do so while Hubby sleeps.
Two things I’ve been told over the years about writers: ” Writers are avid readers” and “Writers write, period!” One thing I know for sure, you can’t run from it if you “have the writing bug”. Some of my earliest memories are of my dreams of being an author/writer. I used to dictate stories and songs to Momma before I could write myself, which I was learning to do by age 4. So, I guess I was “born with the writing bug”.
I have always LOVED reading, from as far back as I can remember. I do still read a great deal, but rarely fiction. I prefer European History, starting in the middle ages, American Revolution, American Civil War History, and local history. I also like to read books about improving at the things I do such as social media marketing, blogging, and, you guessed it, writing! You know how to reach me, lol, but just in case, meshea@mesheacrysup.com
And I’m putting you on the Rediscovering Historic Vicksburg mailing list right NOW!
HUGS and let me know when we are going to the beach, putting our toes in the sand, and having that umbrella drink. Or, just when you want to have a drink! 😉
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Well then a non-fiction book it shall be. I’ll try to find a good one that I think you’ll enjoy. In fact, since you’re local and all, you may receive a paper copy!
Thanks for adding me to the notification list for rediscovering historic Vicksburg. I love Morgan’s posts and reading your stuff. I wish there were more hours in the day though.
Hugs back to you. Stay tuned for your book.
Patricia
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Late to the party as usual, but +1 to all those suggestions to help starving authors (and those who aren’t only because they have day jobs). LOL don’t we all wish it worked like the beginning of this post?
I used to write more reviews than I do now, mainly because now I expect Amazon to yank them. But you make a good point that there are other places to leave them.
I like romance, fantasy, science-fiction, and paranormal, preferably romance combined with one of the others. And no present tense.
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Jennette, I didn’t know about other places to leave reviews either until I started researching. There are more places but you have to join some this or that in order to participate. I tried to just stick with the basic ones that I know are easy to use.
I shall choose a book accordingly and send it on its way to you.
Thanks for stopping by. There are no late arrivals here at the Edge of Eternity.
Patricia
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Ok Patricia, I am commenting on your blog. I have not read your books, and the last book I read had to do with this guy named Chris Kyle:). Buttttttt, I thought your blog was spot on as my wife is also an author. Reading it drew me into the world of being a writer with the frustrations and time involved. Personally I found your blog informative and intriguing:)
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Oh Jack, Jack, Jack, you don’t fool me. I saw the FB posts and know that your lovely wife threatened – um – coerced – um – I mean, ENCOURAGED, yes, encouraged you to pop over here and leave a comment. And, I am thrilled that you love your wife enough to obey – no strike that – follow her advice. For your efforts my friend, I shall gift you a book. What is your preferred genre? Shall I guess? Probably romance isn’t in your future, unless, of course, that’s what you want. No, I shall find you some very exciting thriller, or biography (ala Chris Kyle) or such other manly thing for your Kindle. I’m assuming you do have a Kindle.
And you have not read my books, because I have yet to publish one. However, I am getting close so stay tuned.
I’m choosing to believe that you did find my blog informative and intriguing and for that, thank you.
If I don’t hear back from you here, I’ll contact your charming wife for suggestions on reads and how to get it to you (ie email address). Please be assured I shall not use it for any nefarious purpose.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Patricia
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Indeed:). Coleen likes smut, do not let her innocent looks fool you. Kindle? Like stuff you start a fire with :). El negative:). Most of my books I have read have something to do with pulling a trigger. Tactical Doctrine, Lone Survivor-, Operaton Red Wing. Power of Zen, Book of 5 Rings, Jeff Cooper, forgot the damn title. I am a tad conservative residing in the people’s republic of Oregon :$. Romance should have a woman packing. I do have a picture of Coleen holding my 50BMG. I do support her writing and worried I am a character she has mentioned :). I get board easy, so nice to read something and be intrigued:). I am sure you share her passion. I believe if you wrote your books like your blog you will be very successful:)
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