How to Help an Independent Author
I’m sure you have at least one in your life — a self-publisher. Today, getting a book out in the world is fairly simple: Basically, drain soul at keyboard, suffer solitude and a Vitamin D deficiency while crafting the story, then pull out hair editing and formatting the tome. When all that’s done, and the book is uploaded on multiple platforms, the real work begins…badgering people to buy it/read it/review it.
Lucky you, right? You’re just an innocent bystander who used to have a normal friend who did things like go out to dinners or brunches or movies, maybe even join you on a hike. Now, it’s all bookbookbookbookbook. (Even better, while you’re being badgered, the author is already working on the next book. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.) This can grow tedious, I’m sure, even for the most patient, book-loving friend. Especially if your pal writes in a genre you don’t care for, or they just aren’t your cup of reading tea.
So what’s the best way to help the independent authors in your life/manage expectations/keep your friendship and sanity? Here are some suggestions:
- Be honest. Look, if your friend is serious about being a writer, a thick skin is required. It’s okay not to like their writing — or even not read their writing — and it’s okay to say why. Try to be kind but do be honest. It’s a good way for them to become better and to understand their audience more.
- Buy it. And download it. The ebook should be less than the price of a latte (if the author is realistic). If you can afford that, donate to their cause. It’s not about lining their pockets but helping the stats on whichever site you are buying from. This is even more important in regards to pre-orders. The thing about POs (which are very helpful with stats/rankings) is that you, the reader/wonderfully supportive friend, think you bought it at the time you pressed the purchase button, but your sale only goes through once you download it.
- Choose ebook over paperback. Unless you’re purchasing the paperback directly from the author, the royalties will likely be puny. The cost to print a paperback is about $4–5+ per book (the more pages, the higher the cost), then the merchant takes a slice, and the author gets a percentage of what’s left. So, if you think you are helping the writer more (financially) by purchasing the paperback (since it’s more expensive), it’s usually the opposite. Of course, if paperback is your preference, get it! And without hesitation. Writers want their words in front of eyeballs more than anything.
- Spread the word. It’s a big world with a lot of books making it nearly impossible for an author who’s not in a mega genre (like romance or fantasy/sci-fi) to have readers stumble upon them. For someone like me, who writes contemporary women’s fiction (fine, chick lit), it’s like being a needle in an Everest-sized haystack. Facebook posts are helpful, but there’s nothing like a face-to-face recommendation to friends you think would enjoy the book. The hard part for indie authors is to get beyond their circle of friends and be read by “strangers” (even if those strangers are friends of friends).
- Review it. If you liked the book, your review will help reach other readers and encourage them to give the book a chance. You don’t have to give 5 stars if you don’t feel the book merits it. But, if you think it’s only worth 2 or 3, maybe skip the review and go back to Suggestion 1. Talk to your friend about how they can improve their writing so that you will be thrilled to give them a rave.
- Be a Beta. As your writer friend(s) continue, they will need a team of Beta readers who will give feedback on draft chapters of their next book(s) and provide early reviews. If you enjoy their work, offer this to them.
On the flip-side, authors need to keep themselves in check. It’s not our friends’ jobs to do our marketing for us. Friends are not obligated to buy and/or read our work. Just because they love us, does not mean they will like our writing. And that’s okay.
I have a very strict policy with friends about my writing: “Don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz.” That’s what I tell any friend who talks about buying or reading one of my books. I will never ask a friend to read my work. I will never ask them what they thought if they did indeed read. I will only say, “Thank you.” However, if they do want to talk about the books, I listen. I take it all in and do so with gratitude. After all, they gave my book their time; they are certainly owed some of mine.
When friends offer support in any form, appreciate it — and do your best not to wear them out. Separate your “work” from your personal life. Don’t bombard with email announcements (which is hard when you are excited or there is good news to share). Ask friends who are interested in getting information about your writing to sign up for your newsletter/email list or Facebook Page. Those are the places to talk about your books/keep your readers informed, allowing your personal pages to remain personal. Having that separation will also help you to understand how your audience is growing, and growing beyond your group of friends.
Writing is a very solitary craft that requires a lot of generosity and support. Finding the balance and boundaries in friendships is crucial if you expect to have success with either. Hopefully, you’ll be hugely successful with both.
