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?
Ben Dutton says
Gwendoline Riley's Joshua Spassky. Despite being an award winner (Betty Trask and Somerset Maugham awards) I've only ever seen her books in a bookstore once.
Bane of Anubis says
Rick, both great books… listened to ITA as a book on tape — riveting stuff.
Kristin says
I just bought BREAK by Hannah Moskowitz. Absolutely fabulous. Everyone should read it!
Rebecca Knight says
Bought three yesterday! 😀 I'm a big believer in supporting authors one new book at a time, too.
Plus, I love shiny, shiny books. Win, win!
Diana says
I just bought Roxanne St. Claire's new romance, HUNT HER DOWN. I've never read her work before, but I started following her on twitter, was amused by her web page, and went out to buy it. I'm only about 40 pages in, but I really like her writing and the pacing.
In that same bag of books, I bought Victoria Laurie's new book, DOOM WITH A VIEW, which was a good paranormal mystery (I already finished it!).
Matilda McCloud says
I ordered from Amazon the memoir GIRL IN A ORANGE DRESS: SEARCHING FOR A FATHER WHO WON'T FAIL by Margot Starbuck, which I learned about on Rachelle Gardner's blog (guest post). I also saw BLUE BOY by Rakesh Satyal in B&N the other day (a guest post on this blog) and made a note that I should buy it. So I WILL buy it this week in honor of Writer Appreciation Week!
Mark Terry says
I bought "Even Money" by Dick Francis and Felix Francis.
And I highly recommend you buy a copy of The Devil's Pitchfork and/or The Serpent's Kiss by, um, me, since they're going out of print, uh, yesterday, I think.
Karla Doyle says
I've bought more books than ever this year – since I got my Sony e-reader. Today I'll buy either Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch, or The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson… maybe both, since it's Published Author Day.
Anonymous says
Hi! Long time lurker here.
I bought In The Woods by Tana French. Okay, it's two years old, but it was still her debut. Regardless of the subject matter – murdered kids in a Dublin neighborhood – it is quite a good read. She's a fresh new voice and I'll probably buy her follow up novel as well.
Margaret Yang says
Support the industry that you want to support you!
I bought 6 books over the weekend.
Steph Damore says
Okay Laura, here you go:
I bought fellow blogger Laura Martone's travel book MOON MICHIGAN yesterday at my local B&N. And I can't wait until her fiction piece, HOLLOW SOULS, is picked up so I can buy that too!
Anonymous says
Bought a couple new books this weekend and am greatly regretting one – seems was published without proofreading, editing, or even just a pal reading it once as a favor. So many word usage errors, so many typos, so many errors!!! I want my money back.
Lori Benton says
Deal. I bought Raising Rain, by Debbie Fuller Thomas, which released today (Sept 1) from Moody Publishers.
Go Debbie!
Niveau says
I went book shopping last Tuesday and now have no money left. But I did my bit to support several authors! Anyway, I bought:
Surrender of a Siren by Tessa Dare – loved it
The Maiden's Hand by Susan Wiggs – meh
Michel Strogoff by Jules Verne – I'm not sure if the title's spelled differently in English, hmm… anyway, I'm liking it but my French is a bit rusty
Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder – I have a hard time letting go of authors I've loved, but this trilogy is SO not nearly as good as the Study series was
Psyche in a Dress by Francesca Lia Block – hmm. That's all I can say about it thus far. Hmm.
Powers by… ugh, I can't remember the author's name and I've already let a friend borrow it – I love the premise and the characters, but it needs more depth, and length. I'll totally buy more of her books, though.
The Looking Glass Wars – I'm like it. I'm not finished it yet but I really like it.
I also bought The Splendor of Silence by Indu Sundaresan and Three Girls and Their Brother by Theresa Rebeck, but I haven't started either of those yet.
Audrianna said: think Beauty and the Beast library
That's so my dream library, too. It was the best part of the whole movie.
Christine says
Should I make a list? In the last 2 weeks I received (read: bought and was shipped) 16 books. Got an extra 7 on order, 5 of which I should receive next week. You could say I support authors. Thankfully I usually don't buy them full price, which gives me the chance to support more authors.
Eric says
Dean Young's Primitive Mentor.
Etiquette Bitch says
I just bought my SECOND copy of "Assassination Vacation" by Sarah Vowell. 1 for me (last year) and 1 for a friend this week (bday present). I can't bear to give a used book — yecch. (I've received used books twice as presents. My first thought: "this is what you think of me? seriously?")
Yeah, Sarah kinda sorta doesn't need any of our help — she's easily my least favorite NPR guest, but her writing is superb and educational while being funny + witty. She makes me want to learn history. And I can't stand history.
Karen says
I just bought How to be Single by Liz Truccillo and The Big House by George Howe Colt.
Haven't had a chance to read either one, but I felt good buying them.
scott g.f. bailey says
I bought Jon Clinch's "Finn" and everything I didn't have already by Jhumpa Lahiri. And last month I bought Jonathan Evison's "All About Lulu" and Mary Miller's "Big World."
Laura Martone says
Oh, Steph D., you're the best! My publisher and I thank you for your travel guide purchase. Gotta spread the word about this lovely state!
And I can't wait either until my novel, HOLLOW SOULS, is picked up so that you and others can buy that, too!
And the same goes for YOUR novel!
Yvette Ward-Horner says
Having a shiny new book on my coffee table makes me giddy. I just bought Winter of Different Directions, by Steven McDermott.
Robena Grant says
I bought Girls in Trucks, by Katie Crouch earlier this summer. This is her debut book and a very good read. I read it when I first bought it, now again for bookclub in two weeks time.
Bought Pat Conroy's The Prince of Tides two days ago because I realized I'd seen the movie and never read the book. I'm enjoying it so far.
Cathryn says
Just bought SHARP OBJECTS, by Gillian Flynn, and THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE,by Heather Gudenkauf.
Kristi says
Rick – I loved Freakonomics and almost picked it for my book club.
Even though I recently bought The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Nathan said to buy something TODAY. So, although I couldn't get to an actual bookstore and had to order off Amazon – I just bought:
The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Wings by Aprilynne is on my list, but I have to finish my current wip first. I don't read books with similar elements while I'm writing but I should finish it soon and then I'll buy that one. 🙂
Jen C says
Ugh, I've spent about $200 in the past 10 days on books, but they're all non-fiction reference books. I will endeavour to pick up a fiction soon. Not today though. I already spent all my money on cupcakes. (they were really, really good cupcakes).
Word Veri: cophob. A chat with a policeman?
Bontemps says
I just got The Hickory Staff, by Robert Scott and Jay Gordon,and The Fade by Chris Wooding.
One thng though, authors do get an annual PLR payment from the library system based upon loans (not in the U.S.). It aint much but its there.
Rachel Bateman says
I am a compulsive book buyer-I have bookshelves full with stacks of books surrounding them. Sometimes I will rent a book from the library-then buy it immediately afterwards because I must have my own!
Recently I bought 3 copies of The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (one for me-after having rented the audiobook for a long car ride-one for my mom, and one for a cousing).
Other recent buys: Drood by Dan Simmons, Wither by JG Passarella, and Thirst No. 1 by Christopher Pike.
Love the blog, Nathan. Congrats on signing Natalie-you got a good one!
Gina says
Re writers only getting paid once no matter how many times a book is taken out from a library:
what a pity that the US doesn´t have a Public Lending Right scheme, unlike most European countries, Canada and Australia. I´ve never met a writer who didn´t strongly support public libraries, which for many people are the only way they can possibly read. It´s only fair that there should be compensation for the writer.
Ink says
Rick,
I should say Freakonomics was really good, too. Not as good as Into Thin Air, but really good. If you like that sort of book (Freakonomics) you should check out Malcolm Gladwell. I'm his newest fan.
Kim says
I'm saving up to preorder Bree Despain's THE DARK DIVINE. It's one of those keep-you-up-till-four-in-the-morning, can't-put-it-down sort of books, and my favorite mix of well written, meaningful, and intensely, all around good. I got to read the rough draft, and I can't wait till it comes out in December!
Jen P says
Patrick Ness – The Knife of Never Letting Go
Annnddd…
I've started compiling my family Christmas gift list and planning gifts to buy for others today, so great new BOOKS are featuring prominently.
Great week Nathan!
Steve Axelrod says
I totally agree with you there. I've always been suspicious of libraries: file sharing for the Luddites. I've just bought quite a few books — a Robert B. Parker paperback or two (I recently demoted him from hardcover); all four volumes of my friend Paul Park's Princess of Roumania series; and from Amazon UK I got the new A.S Byatt novel ("The Children's Book") three months ahead of the US publication. I couldn't wait. Also, a new book I discovered in the best way, browsing through a book store: The Magicians, by Lev Grossman. It's kind of "Bright Lights Big City" meets "The Secret History" meets "Harry Potter". Delightful. I'll be looking for Grossman's other book, "The Codex", soon …
Anonymous says
This post inspired me. I just went out and bought The Elegance of the Hedgehog for me, and the new Sisters Grimm and The Naked Mole Rat Letters for my daughter. Sadly, the bookstore was out of Catching Fire so I'm ordering it on-line instead.
wonderer says
I'm on it! Just bought UGLIES by Scott Westerfeld, and will be buying GIVE UP THE GHOST by Megan Crewe as soon as it's out (later this month).
Linda Godfrey says
I might also add that published authors receive nothing when you read their work in Google Books (insert much fuming here).
I do continually buy new books — and bookshelves — but just bought one for research,Fractal Time: The Secret of 2012 and a New World Age – Gregg Braden because I'm interested in application of fractals to various fields, and this author is good at putting science in layman's terms.
For fun, amusement and literary edification I chose Rosemary and Rue: An October Daye Novel – Seanan McGuire. A half-faerie P.I. who just spent 14 years as a fish? What Pisces could resist that?
Tamara Hart Heiner says
Amen! Not only that, but support your bookstore! Don't buy from Amazon.com if you don't have to!
TKA says
Okay Nathan,
For fear of being denied access to your blog tomorrow (or some other horrendous fate) I suppose I will have to stop and buy CATCHING FIRE on my way home from work today.
Good thing I have been eagerly awaiting its release and that its release date happens to coincide with your "requirement." 😉
word verification:sayin – No comment needed, right?
Ryan Potter says
Cheers to this, Nathan.
I'm going with THE DUST OF 100 DOGS by A.S. King, which I bought two weeks ago and just finished (loved it).
Bought Sherman Alexie's THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN. I'm on p.30 and already know it's brilliant.
Shameless self-promotion somewhat related to this post: EXIT STRATEGY, my debut YA novel from Flux, comes out 3-1-10…and can be pre-ordered now from Amazon, Borders, and Flux!
There. I said it!
Jess Haines says
A few recommendations (all recent purchases by moi, though they are not newer books):
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DUNGEON by Greg Costikyan (I cann't say enough good things about this high fantasy novel. If you ever played — or even thought about playing — D&D, buy it! Right now!!)
SPLIT HEIRS by Lawrence Watt-Evans and Esther Friesner (This fantasy is hysterical. Truly, and awesomely hysterical in a Monty Python-esque fashion.)
THE HELMSMAN by Bill Baldwin (Amazing sci-fi. Persist beyond that first chapter. You won't regret it.)
Jen C says
I only order from Amazon if I absolutely have to. Because I'm in Australia, they rob me so much on postage (no free shipping on international orders). The last time I tried to order from Amazon they tried to charge me $86 for postage. Nope, not a typo – $86!!!
I order from bookdepository.co.uk now if it's not available from bookstores here.
Anonymous says
Just bought, King's On Writing, Kaylie Jones's new Memoir– Lies My Mother Never Told Me (excellent!) and 2 Alice Hoffman books.
And guess what? Bought em from an Independent, I did.I know, I'm going to heaven.
Kristin Laughtin says
I just bought a few off Amazon, and have a long list of titles waiting to be bought!
F. P. says
I bought the latest Betty and Veronica digest yesterday, mostly for part four of a four-part environmental story I've been enjoying. (Comics are great at sticking to basic stories and sticking to the cores of stories.) That will have to do for now as my funds have been tight.
I'd rather someone read a used or free copy of my work than no copy of my work. Sales are definitely nice and frustrating when they don't come. However, to me, writing's about my work being read more than about making sales.
Especially today with economies in bad shape, if reading used or free is all many readers can afford, let them read this way. That's probably better for society than people not reading at all.
I once blogged one of my (long) novels for free–someone from Nigeria read the whole thing and loved it. Would she have had access to it had I not posted it, as the print version is $12.66? How many books could average Nigerians afford?
The cheaper books are, the larger the potential audience, the greater the potential sales in copies. I think everyone from every socioeconomic status should have access to books. Reading shouldn't become an aristocratic luxury, but I think it probably will if book costs keep soaring. I'm hoping the average cost of ebooks and ereeaders/devices will drop at some point.
Stuart Neville says
Huge thanks for the plug, Nathan! And thanks for buying. I hope you can make it to my reading at M is for Mystery in San Mateo on 21st October. (I'll also be visiting NYC, Bouchercon in Indy, Scottsdale AZ, Houston TX and Denver CO if anyone else cares to say hello – dates and venues at ghostsofbelfast.com)
Anyway, back to the point – I've bought a bunch of books in recent days, some of them for research for future novels, some audio books to help me refresh my James Ellroy memory for when I interview him on stage in Belfast in November (yeah, I know, another plug, I'm greedy), plus I'm about to buy a Peter Lovesey book, whom I'll be doing part of the US tour with.
Keep buying books!
Dorine White says
I just bought and read Blood Promise by Mead. Loved it! To all published authors out there- way to go!
Gina says
I didn´t mean to convey that I´m in any way suspicious of libraries. Quite the opposite; I can´t afford to buy many books. It´s nice to know that the author also profits (financially and through the most-borrowed lists) when I take a book out over here in the old world.
You´re so right, Tamara. Many times Amazon has saved this remotely-stationed reader´s sanity, and I appreciate them for that, but if you can, and if you can afford it, support your local independent bookseller.
Other Lisa says
Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
Fear by Jeff Abbott
The Slaughter Pavilion by Catherine Sampson
Ummm….I know I've bought some other books for gifts too but I can't remember what.
And I didn't know Stuart's book was already out in the States! That is definitely on my "buy" list!
Lydia Sharp says
So I just got back from the bookstore and sat down to catch up on my blogs and…wow…is that the Twilight Zone theme song I hear? Freaky.
I originally stopped there to get a copy of "A Short History of Women" by Kate Walbert (2009, Scribner), on a recommendation by everyone's favorite Editorial Ass, but it only comes in one version – a hardcover with a price tag that I really can't afford this week…or ever. So until that book is once again available at the library (stupid waiting lists), I'll have to read something else.
I was already at the bookstore, so I checked out the bargain section, and found a copy of "Happiness Sold Separately" by Lolly Winston (2006, Warner Books). I've never heard of that author or any of her books (I'm more of an SF/F reader), but the summary/teaser was interesting enough to get me to cough up some change (a whopping $3.99, via plastic) and buy the book.
Okay, I'm gonna shut up and get to reading now.
Kristi says
Nathan, I tried to pre-order Lisa's Rock Paper Tiger from your blog but am just getting the enlarged cover. Is it not available yet?
Lis Garrett says
I almost always buy new books, especially books that belong in a series. I recently read Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series, one right after the other.
My problem is that I'll start a book and everything else will fall by the wayside. My husband and three children always comment how nice it is for me to return to the "real" world once I'm done reading. So . . . no new books for me until I've finished the one I'm writing!