The published! They are the hardy souls who have climbed the Mount Everest of the writing and publication process. They scaled the foothills of writing, ascended the steep cliffs of agent-finding, and rose to the pinnacle of authordom without being felled by a freak storm and resorting to cannibalism (that you know of).
These pioneers make the multi-year climb, they stand atop the peak… and then realize it’s sometimes a little lonely and chilly up there.
They shout, “Please! Buy my book (book book book echo echo echo)……. Um… please? (um… please? um… please? um… please? echo echo echo)
How can you help out these writers, the ones whose book you happened to hear about on a blog or picked up off the street or checked out at the library and loved?
The best way: buy a new book.
Authors don’t get royalties for used book sales, their sales reports aren’t padded when 10 friends pass along their book to each other, they only get credit for one sale no matter how many times people check it out from the library.
So: In honor of published authors, especially the ones who are living in non-bestsellerdom… let’s help these people out.
For Published Author Day on Writer Appreciation Week I encourage, nay, require, nay, okay you can do whatever you want, everyone to buy a new book. And then brag about it in the comment section.
If times are tough for you at the moment: totally understand. There are lots of ways to support our favorite published authors. And it just so happens that Eileen Flanagan has a great post on how to do just that. (via Janet Reid)
Write a positive Amazon review! Or a Goodreads review or Tweet or blog about how much you love it! Help out your favorite authors. And then brag about it in the comments section.
I just bought LOST CITY RADIO by Daniel Alarcon. And THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST by Stuart Neville.
What about you?
Scott Eagan says
Fully agree with this one!
Scott Eagan
Greyhaus Literary Agency
Dawn says
There are a couple of books I'd like to buy when I get the cash: Middlesex and Vanished. I've heard good things about both. (=
sex scenes at starbucks says
I just bought two yesterday. Stuart's US version and one from the guy who I'm picking up from the airport for our conference on Thursday!
Yea for books!
Rose says
Do we have to buy a book today? Can't we brag about our recent purchases? Mine included not one, but three new books by James Bamford: BODY OF SECRETS, THE PUZZLE PALACE, and THE SHADOW FACTORY.
Thank you, Mr Bamford for the work that is proving so helpful with my current WIP.
And to all the Published out there:
Nine bows to you for having what it took to get where you are.
JohnO says
I did my bit this weekend, buying "Piano Shop on the Left Bank," and "Captain Freedom," by G. Xavier Robillard.
JenniferWriter says
Great idea! I just went crazy buying several books by Catherynne M. Valente:
Palimsest (if you love language, buy this book!), In the Night Garden, and The Labyrinth.
I also recently picked up Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
Audrianna says
Done! LOL
I actually did this yesterday. I bought a book called "Prophecy of the Sisters" by Michelle Zink. I don't know how *new* it is, but it's hardcover.
Not to mention all the newer, but not just released books I buy on a weekly basis. My goal: have enough books to have a full library in my future million dollar mansion *cough* (think Beauty and the Beast library)!
Kiersten White says
Today I am buying Catching Fire, Wings, and Paper Towns : )e
Anonymous says
I hate to be a curmudgeon…but I say buy a GREAT book, a book with integrity and substance.
'Value' is created in the equal and opposite action/reaction of all buyers and sellers.
'Wealth' increases when/where socio-economic values increase.
Increase individual/collective wealth…value…integrity: Buy a book with substance. Buy a great book…
SJP
Anonymous says
I love books, so I buy them.
But the majority of the books I bought "just to support struggling authors" I bought for the wrong reason. I will always buy a book for the right reasons, i.e., when the story or the subject is compelling enough that I want to read it.
Anyway, as a writer going into bankruptcy, it's gotten rather out of my budget at this point, so I have had to become very selective.
(sorry to be so depressing – stil rooting for all writers out there trying anyway!)
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
If no one buys great books there won't be any.
So, uh, buy a great NEW book.
Anonymous says
@Audrianna…Yay! PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS is really good. And new. It just came out over the summer.
I bought CATCHING FIRE just a half hour ago. Next week I'll buy DAY AFTER NIGHT by Anita Diamant.
Cheryl says
I just purchased this past weekend "The Doctor's Wife" by Elizabeth Brundage.
Fascinating start to say the least.
Anonymous says
If it helps, I almost never buy used books.
Like I said, love *LOVE* new books, especially great and compelling ones.
And I support the sentiments here! Right On Nathan!
(just broke right now)
MeganRebekah says
I'll be doing my part after work today – Catching Fire has been calling my name for a long time!
Allena Tapia says
OK! I bought (NEW) Whatever Happened to Anna K.? and I LOVED it! Sure, I tried to find it at the library, and at the used websites, but it's new, and I deserved a treat, so…!
D. G. Hudson says
Great idea to encourage the buying of books by new authors. Congrats to those who have accomplished what we all want – publication.
However, in the last year, two of the new books I bought have been a little disappointing. Not all debut authors are equal. It takes a bit of research to find the good ones. When I do, I will buy them.
That said, I plan to attend the Book Festival in Vancouver, (https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/)and will probably buy some of the local authors' wares. I choose my books carefully, but I love to support a new writer if they write a good book.
Dearth of Reason says
"Devil in the White City," by Erik Larson. I already read it, but I enjoyed it so much I just bought it again to give to a friend.
BTW: I happened to be in Portland Oregon last week and got to lose myself in the labyrinth of Powell's City of Books for the first time. Wow! That's up there with the best of them. Whatever happens in the electronic future of publishing, I hope we never lose treasures like Powell's.
mkcbunny says
I am doing my part this week by putting a bunch of books on my birthday wish. Friends and family are now supporting a variety of authors as a result. Just received Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants.
Also asked for gift certificates, which will go toward a Kindle (so excited!). My first Kindle book will probably be The Help.
mkcbunny says
That was supposed to say "birthday wish list."
Patrice says
I just bought the Kindle versions of SAVVY, by Ingrid Law, THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, by Carrie Ryan, and JULIE AND JULIA, by Julie Powell. For my kids, I bought -all new paperbacks- four titles in THE LIGHTNENING THIEF series (Rick Riordan), MY SISTER'S KEEPER, by Jodi Picoult, and a second copy of INKHEART, by Cornelia Funke.
Let's hear it for the published authors! I don't know where I'd be without them. They give me hope.
(Nathan, you have so many Anonymous readers, and no matter what their opinions, you are always so courteous. Yesterday, Sarah Davies had something funny to say to them. Read it for a chuckle: https://www.greenhouseliterary.com/index.php/site/sarahs_blog)
Thermocline says
I'm starting to think Terry Pratchett writes faster than I read. I've only just caught up enough to crack open my new copy of Making Money.
Vacuum Queen says
I just yesterday bought a book to start on my kids' first day of school (today). It was "The 19th Wife" and I totally freaking LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Totally. Go buy it. I have no indie bookstore in town anymore, so I did buy it at Target, which I think makes people mad, but hey, at least I bought it.
I'm half way finished and I can't wait to read more. Big thumbs up.
T. Anne says
OK, OK you twisted my arm…I'm off to Amazon, sheesh. 😉
Mira says
Aw shoot. I'm starting to really second guess myself. I'll need to think about that.
On topic:
Oh, this is very cool. Yay for the published and for books!
I'm proud to report that every month, I spend a set amount on new books. I get a bunch, and that lasts me until the next month. It supports my fellow writer, and is good karma.
I'm not going to tell you what I bought this month, because my tastes are not highbrow, and I prefer to maintain the illusion that they are.
But they were very good books. I really enjoyed them.
Ink says
I'm going to buy The Drowning City on the way home, a debut book just released within the last week or so. Even if I am a foul purveyor of used books. 🙂
John says
I recently bought:
Deeper, James A. Moore;
The Talisman, Stephen King & Peter Straub;
The Husband, Dean Koontz;
Odd Thomas, Dean Koontz;
The Inner Circle, T. C. Boyle
My reading queue is getting bloated, but I'm a slow reader 🙂
Ina says
Everyone writing YA should go buy Jeanne DuPrau's "The City of Ember" and Cornelia Funke's "Inkheart".
Robert McGuire says
Lorrie Moore's new book is winging its way to me from my favorite local internet retailer, as is Dan Chaon's "You Remind Me of Me."
Boni Ashburn says
I bought a book by an author who inspired me to start writing- LOUSY ROTTEN STINKIN' GRAPES by Margie Palatini- and a book by an author (and illustrator) who I admire for all she (and he!) contribute to the children's writing world- BOBBY AND ME (ACCIDENTALLY) by Lisa Yee (and Dan Santat).
Ink says
Okay, Lost City Radio might be on my list now, too. Curse you.
onefinemess says
Just picked up Name of the Wind (Patrick Rothfuss) in hardcover – taking a risk there, but pretty much anyone and everyone into fantasy is referring it to me, so we'll see. So far, I can't bring myself to start reading it out of fear that it will suck and I wasted my monthly book budget :P.
Also picked up Third Claw of God (Adam Troy-Castro), doing my "support a new fantasy/sci-fi author" thing. The fact that he has a cover blurb by the True Blood writer makes my brain hurt, although I suppose (?) it's good for sales. It was decent.
I picked up both at the downtown Powell's, potentially the one mentioned by Dearth of Reason. Definitely the best bookstore I've encountered in my brief lifespan.
Keith Schroeder says
Do I really need encoragement to buy books? No.
I listed twenty or so books I've read this summer on my blog. Since the posting I've read several more. I started Nate Kenyon's THE BONE FACTORY last night and it is pretty good.
Carrie Harris says
I bought Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev.
Cannot wait to read it.
Rick Daley says
I bought two new books last week, can I credit one toward this week since I'm still reading it?
First one, which I devoured on three plane flights last week (and in perfect form with the Mount Everest analogy) was INTO THIN AIR. It sent me into a mad Google / YouTube fervor to supplement the intensity of the read, and I kept thinking about it for days after I finished.
The other book is FREAKONOMICS. Very cool so far, I'm half-way through with it.
WORD VERIFICATION: asigh. A deep breath that's more than a normal breath but not quite as extended as a yawn (and less contagious).
Amy says
Thank you for validating my addiction to Amazon Books!
Anonymous says
Dear Patrice,
I think the anonymous handle is delicate and try very consciously to be courteous when using it. I know it can be misused. It is also a very safe way to take part in a conversation without the danger of the snarks. I don't like mean people either.
I also agree, Nathan handles people here with impressive courtesy.
-Anon
kathrynjankowski says
Great idea!
I just bought GRACELING, HEROES OF THE VALLEY, and THE WEE FREE MEN (a laugh-out-loud treasure).
Cory says
I've got over a dozen books on pre-order and/or on the way ATM.
One tip for people with a small budget: both the US and UK sites of The Book Depository offer very, very cheap books. I've picked up popular, brand-new books on pre-order for less than four euros, shipping included.
Susan Adrian says
Yes!
Just bought SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater, and SKINNED by Robin Wasserman.
When I told my husband I "know" Maggie, he said, "Then why doesn't she send you a copy?"
My answer: "I want to support her by *buying* a copy of her book. Just as I hope my friends will do someday when I have a book out!"
Word.
ryan field says
I recently read a pg rated vampire novel by a new writer, Malia Sutton. The book is titled LOVING DAYLIGHT. It's set on Mt. Desert Island, ME, which I love. And the character arcs are amazing.
I'm also a huge fan of Jamie Ford's HOTEL AT THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET. I love that book and did leave a review for it on amazon.
Mira says
Oh, I'll share one I bought. It was a re-print of a very early Terry Prachett. It was very affirming, because it really was sort of mediocre. I adore Terry Prachett and think he's brilliant, so how wonderful to see that he wasn't all that good when he was first starting out!
Ink says
Rick,
Into Thin Air is one of the truly great books. Wish I could read it again for the first time… Luckily, though, Krakauer's new book drops this fall. I await it all greedyfingered.
Bryan
Richard Mabry says
Just bought CERTAIN JEOPARDY by Capt Jeff Struecker and Alton Gansky. Now if I can get it away from my wife (who's been engrossed since Chapter 1), I'll read it and post a review.
Marcy says
Over the weekend, I used a $20 certificate to buy 2 NEW books — The $64 Tomato and The Shadow of the Wind.
I love buying new books. It's a major weakness of mine. That and buying shoes. I keep Borders and Zappos alive.
Kristan says
The BF recently bought Outliers. Loved it.
TereLiz says
Just went out on my lunch break and bought Catching Fire. I was also looking for Jessica Verday's The Hollow, but it wasn't in stock yet, so I reserved a copy.
So, all y'all will be buying my book when it finally gets picked up, right? 😉
Laura Martone says
Nathan – Thanks for having a writer appreciation week. I really, uh, appreciate your support and encouragement. Here's hoping that Hallmark will jump on the Bransford bandwagon soon!
As for honoring the hearty published souls of the world… about a month ago, I attended a book signing at Saturn Booksellers – a small, indie bookstore in northern Michigan – in preparation for my own travel guide signing. Ostensibly, I was just going to support a fellow author before my big day, but I ended up leaving with a signed copy (purchased, of course) of Bryan Gruley's debut novel Starvation Lake. It's about a hockey-playing newspaper reporter who attempts to solve a decade-old murder in his small northern Michigan town… and it was freakin' awesome.
So, naturally, taking your and Eileen Flanagan's incredible advice BEFORE I received said advice, I blogged about it.
It really is a terrific book – and I've tried passing the word along for a solid month now… May someone do the same for me someday!
Jeanie W says
I just bought CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins, WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead, and READING LIKE A WRITER by Francine Prose about an hour before I saw this post. And I bought RAMPANT by Diana Peterfreund on Saturday. I would say I'm done buying books for the month, but the National Book Festival is coming up on the 26th and I don't see how I can come away from that empty-handed.
I am going to be so broke.
Broadway Mouth Blog says
Well, I was looking forward to getting into the last two Jane Austen books I haven't read (which I recently bought new). I'll have to make a stop and the bookstore and see if there's something modern to take on in celebration of Writer Appreciation Week.