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?
I just bought
– Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse by Kaleb Nation
– Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
– A Sweet Disorder – Jaqueline Kolosov
– Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Now I'm working on reading them!!
Charlee Vale
Well, I'm still working on climbing that mountain, and I am definitely a book buyer.
I also wanted to let you know I've nominated you for a lemonade stand award for all the fantastic information you discuss here.
most recently bought and read Spiel by David Sornig. intellectual thriller of sorts, set in Berlin and Australia. loved it!
Ok have just bought Catching Fire, Blood promise, Lux, Envy, Rumors, Wicked, and Nightfall (for the daughter of course) . Oh I forgot, I also pre ordered Tempted. I am now scarily broke and wont be leaving the house for the next month!!!!
Somehow I have to put some time aside to actually do some work on my own novel and hope its not too influenced by a:
18th century vampire, complete with beautiful dresses, and tattoos, a symbol of her amazing abilities; who has just slipped out of her vampire high school. She has to find her turned evil vamp boyfriend and save the world from flying monkeys; all while trying to avoid the evil capitol, and flying houses.
Yep I have my work cut out for me.
I'm hosting a virtual tour stop for one of my favourite authors – Nuala Ni Chonchuir, and I bought her book, too, it's called Nude!
Hear hear! The amazing SWEETHEART OF PROSPER COUNTY by Jill S. Alexander is on sale *today* – a lovely YA with a REAL Southern voice, y'all! 🙂
I completely agree. Buying new books is a great way to thank authors. The same can be said about buying music. I hope the e-book phenomenon doesn't result in the same piracy pitfalls of music being made available online.
I'm a consistent buyer of books at least one new one a week, sometimes more. I purchase eclecticallly, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, how-to, cookbooks etc. Last week I bought THAT OLD CAPE MAGIC by Richard Russo.
I buy several new books every month, and I read them. Then, I recommend them to my fellow teachers on the Oklahoma State University Writing Project listserv. I'm OSUWP's book talk moderator.
My favorite recent purchases: Masterpiece by Elise Broach; Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer (illustrated by Dan Santat); and the first book in a new series by Margaret Peterson Haddix, Missing: Found.
My most recent new purchase was the e-book of Diana Peterfreund's Rampant three days ago.
I'm ordering CATCHING FIRE tomorrow and I can't wait to get reading it. (I'm also ordering 10 copies of HUNGER GAMES for my students, if that counts). There are very few things I love more than a brand new hard-cover book.
TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY by Jay Asher is another one I've been itching to buy. Just to celebrate Published Authors Day, maybe I'll order that one, too.
Don't know if this has already been said, but one option is to buy a book from a published author from this very community (Nathan's blog). Personally, I'd be interested in knowing what published books have been written by someone is this group.
I just bought Shiver and am buying Catching Fire tomorrow. Can't wait to read it. I loved Hunger Games. I'm in the middle of Shiver (by Maggie Stiefvater) and it is brilliant so far.
I bought THE ROMANCE READER'S BOOK CLUB by Julie L. Cannon. The writing is gorgeous and I'm wild about the setting. I am debating on whether or not to buy CATCHING FIRE. If it's too cliffy … I might wait until the third book comes out before I read the second. I can't handle the suspense/waiting. (This is why my family uses packing tape to wrap my Christmas presents …)
Yes, times are tough, but I have recently purchased:
"Duma Key" by Stephen King
"Frankenstein" by Dean Koontz
(though I doubt either of these writers need my support)
– and –
"Specimen Days" – Michael Cunningham
"The Diviners" – Rick Moody
"The Bondswoman Narrative" – Hannah Crafts
"Keeping Faith" – Jodi Picoult
I picked a couple from the bookstore’s discount table. However, I enjoyed them so much that I wish I could go back and pay full price – well, almost.
Seriously, the books I bought off the discount table have earned their authors a new regular reader. If I could not have purchased their books at a discount, I may never have tried them.
A win – win.
Go writers!
I went ahead and treated myself to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, mostly because I thought it would be *fun*. Fun seemed imperative for an end-of-the-summer read.
I just bought Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr and Rampant by Diana Peterfreund.
My recent acquisitions include Scarlett Thomas' 'The End of Mr Y' and 'Pop Co' as well as 'Ironside' by Holly Black and 'Fragile eternity' by Melissa Marr. And 'The Keeper' by Natasha Mostert; Michelle Sagara's 'Cast in Silence' and Tony Gonzales' 'Eve'.
To name but a few. I'm not joking when I say that my book addiction is severe and intractable. Amazon is one of my home pages and I have enough points on my Waterstones card to warrant a free book – and a hardback one at that!
I should be restraining myself (and indeed have picked up one or two second hand books in the last couple of weeks) but I find that almost impossible.
It's not just the stories – it's the covers and the look, feel and smell of books. I bet I am not the only one here who sniffs pages! I have favourite typesttings and fonts, too, and others that will turn me right off even if I fancy the story.
I would ask for help in gaining some self-control, but the truth is, I don't want it, decimated bank balance or no!
Nathan, if you happen to have access to a copy of "In The Break", please send it my way. No one seems to know why it has gone out of print.
On another blog, I have just been inspired to read "Black and Blue". It is actually on my wish list of "need to buy" books. I've misplaced the list, and rewritten it many times, but that always seems to be one I remember on the list.
Sadly, I'm a bit strapped for cash, and haven't been able to purchase a new book in God knows how long. I'm reduced to reading "The Dark Tower" again. I love series books, and always find something new in them no matter how many times I read an episode.
I don't like to borrow books from the library because I am possessive and like to show off the books I own/read. And I only buy "used" if I've had the book before and somehow it come up missing from my collection.
Once upon a time I was a small business owner, and consider buying books supporting small business. Though, you probably don't want to hear how much I pay for newly released Stephen King, Dean Koontz, J K Rowling (though I guess that expense is now ended). I never wait in line, however, or camp out for a new release.
Guess that's my whole issue with buying e-books: how do my visitors rave about my book collection if they don't see them on every wall of my house?
But this is a good post Nathan. It reminds me, as a potential published novelist, that buying NEW supports a writers career, and pays for all the sacrifices of writing that first novel.
Congrats to all the published writers out there, no matter how many or few are purchased.
………..dhole
Ok, pre-ordered EXILES, by ELLIOT KRIEGER, from my favourite press, Soho.
It´s out in the US; UK-release Oct 9.
Yes, support your favorite author(s). Every month I support at least one debut author who (preferably) publishes at a small indy press. I buy my books direct from the press OR from an indy bookstore. Sure, it's super to support the Meyers and Grishams of the world, but it's the writers penning edgy, less 'commercial' stuff that appeal to me and who need the greatest boost in this cut-back economy.
Every month I review the book, the press, the bookstore on my blog . In August, my pick was Peter Selgin's LIFE GOES TO THE MOVIES
(https://linda-leftbrainwrite.blogspot.com/2009/08/life-goes-to-movies-august-debut-novel.html), a phenomenal book.
Just purchased: THE ADDERALL DIARIES (Stephen Elliott), AVOIDANCE (Michael Lowenthal), and Neville's GHOSTS OF BELFAST.
Support the little guys! Buy Indy!
Peace, Linda
And let's not forget libraries! I'm currently unemployed so can't afford to buy new books but my local library have several times ordered a new title after I've handed them the promotional leaflet for a book.
I bought Eve of Darkness by S.J. Day recently.
It seems paranormal romances are becoming more romance and less paranormal. The book was fifty percent sex scenes, twenty percent characterisation, twenty percent love triangle tension building and ten percent paranormal.
A lot of people like that, but I'd prefer a little less sex and more action.
Still, a very enjoyable book.
I went to an independent bookstore today and bought Tombstone Tea by Joanne Doehme and the Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey. Mr. Abbey won't be able to appreciate the sale these days, but I supposed Joanne will.
Missed posting yesterday (too tired!) but I stopped at my friendly B&N and picked up Dark Slayer to feed my Feehan obsession, plus the other day I bought Black Hills by Nora Roberts and Atlantis by David Gibbons.
Just doing my duty for authordom… 🙂
I bought Pat Conroy's South of Broad and Sedaris' Engulfed in Flames.
In my professional life, I buy new books all the time and don't have to spend my own money (the joys of being a librarian.) I spent $200 over the weekend on brand new books!
My recent purchases include not only new books, but new books in hardcover, AND new books in hardcover from debut authors! My favorite so far this year is J. Courtney Sullivan's COMMENCEMENT.
Nathan, I LOVED Lost City Radio. Curious what you'll think.
I do get money on secondhand sales. I put a note in the sidebar of my blog pointing out that I would only get about $1.12 of the purchase price of a new pb; a reader does not actually have to buy a book for $14.95 to send me $1.12, because they can always buy the book secondhand and send me a donation by PayPal. Some readers give much more than a dollar or so.
The only readers who donate, obviously, are those who read the blog; it's less efficient than having an invitation to donate in the book itself, which publishers, admittedly, would be unlikely to welcome. They might be wrong. Readers who really like a book often want to buy multiple copies for friends; if they send in a donation on making a secondhand sale, one has a way of contacting people who are exceptionally enthusiastic, which might be helpful when promoting a new book.
I just supported one of my writer friends by purchasing his book on Amazon. He was a fellow finalist in the 2009 Book Festival. His name is Terin Miller and his book is "From Where The Rivers Come".
I usually don't read your blog, and certainly don't bother to add comment no. 186 under normal circumstances, but … ugh, being published is NOT the pinnacle of authordom. The pinnacle is writing well, and frankly, you're doing no one a good service by toting conventional publication as the be-all and end-all of a writerly existence.
If you want to support a writer, read their work – online or off.
I have lots of suggestions for books by black authors at my blog welcomewhitefolks.blogspot.com
I just recently pre-ordered Terry Pratchett's new Discworld novel in addition to Amanda Downum's debut Drowning City. Can't wait!
Caitmorgan,
I bought the Drowning City yesterday! Haven't cracked it yet, though, as I have to finish Matthiessen's Shadow Country today first. Looking forward to it, though.
I just bought: "Queen of the road" by Doreen Orion; "Killer Career" by Morgan Mandel, "The Ride" by Jane Sutton Kennedy, "Pretty is as Pretty Dies," by Elizabeth Spann Craig.
Karen Walker
This week I bought THE GOOD THIEF by Hannah Tinti and NICK OF TIME by Ted Bell. And Jeff Lindsay's DEXTER BY DESIGN, which comes out next Tuesday, is on my pre-order list. So exciting!!
I just joined a book club at work, so it looks like I'll be buying a new book this week. LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH by Emily Giffin. It doesn't really look like my kind of reading, but maybe it'll be good, right? 😀
Well I just bought Catching Fire but I'm not sure that one needs much help 🙂
I got Cracked up to be by Courtney Summers and it's so fabulous I had to rush out and buy it to keep!
Nathan, you are LOVED by published authors far and wide. My newest purchases:
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
The Comeback by Marlene Perez
Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
I picked up "Tricks" by Ellen Hopkins, "Death from the Skies!: These Are the Ways the World Will End…" by Ph.D. Philip Plait, "White Night" by Jim Butcher, "Schooled" by Gordan Korman, and "The Complete Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi… After seeing all of these on a list, apparently I am an eclectic reader and I may have a book buying habit(read: problem) 😉
I'm on my way to my independent bookstore to get Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. My bookclub chose it for this month and I hesitated when I saw the $26.95 price so I got it on CD from the library. 24 hours of CDs is not working out for me so this is the perfect chance to meet your challenge and get the book I need.
Nathan-
May I have your permission to add your IMPORTANT blogs to my Web site http://www.trishsilver.com I find them inspiring and would like your permission before I add them.
Thank you,
Patti Silver AKA Trish Silver
pattisilver@pacbell.net
It was my birthday last week! Some birthday money is going towards books, and NEW ones, since I actually have money. Today, I bought Things are Gonna Get Ugly by Hillary Homzie and When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. Last weekend, I bought City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. Anderson, and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart.
Feeling kind of dumb and guilty – didn't really know the details about the resale of books. Yesterday, went to used book store – bought one used and one new. So I only commited half a sin right? Here's what I bought:
BLONDE BY JOYCE CAROL OATES (USED)
THE TIME TRAVELERS WIFE BY AUDREY NIFFENEGGER (NEW)
I just bought Catching Fire!
I also bought Catching Fire yesterday! And I picked up an impulse book along the way too, "Prophecy of the Sisters". Both in hardcover, woot. 🙂
Do I get special credit for buying two books today BEFORE I read your blog? Off Armageddon Reef and By Heresies Distressed by Daniel Weber.
*sigh* Make that David Weber