Thursday, March 12, 2015

How to help your friends' books succeed

I have been thinking about reaching more people with my novel.  Then it dawned on me that my question is more universal than I had thought. The information below is from Richard Ridley, an award-winning author and paid CreateSpace contributor who gave permission for authors to share this with our personal networks.

Call this an open letter to friends and family members of indie authors (authors, you can share this with your personal networks if you agree).

"This is an answer to the question I hear most often from the people in my life who want to support my career as an indie author: "What can I do to help you sell more books?" The answer is simple, and believe it or not, it has nothing to do with you buying a book from the indie author in your life. All that is required is that you help spread the word. I don't mean in an organized manner or by using some grand gesture full of fanfare and hype. I simply mean that you mention the book in conversation or include a link to the book in a status update on Facebook and/or Twitter. That's it. If you've read the book, you could go that extra mile and share your review online, but that is your call. Your real value is as a personal advocate, an active supporter of the indie author in your life.

"Your word carries a lot of weight. Statistics show that the number-one reason people choose to read a book is because of recommendations from a friend or family member. Do you see the power you have? Now, it isn't your responsibility to support an indie author's dream, and I don't want you to feel like it is an obligation. I just want you to be aware of how easily your support can be expressed.

"Thanks for reading, and may you all find your way to achieving your own hopes and dreams with a little help from family and friends.

-Richard"


https://createspacecommunity.s3.amazonaws.com/Resources Contributors/RidleyHeadshot_blog.jpg
Richard Ridley is an award-winning author and paid CreateSpace contributor.
I certainly endorse what Richard has to say here. Some of you have told me that you read and enjoyed my book. Have you told your other friends?

Peace,  Lee





https://forums.createspace.com/en/community/community/resources/blog/2014/02/05/the-key-to-succeed-as-an-author
Hello, again.
It has been quite a while since I posted on my blog, but I am here again.
For about six months this past year I had a "job" writing history for the about.com.twentieth century blog that Jennifer Rosenberg publishes.
When Jennifer asked if anyone wanted to write pieces for her, I applied and she accepted my application. From April through August, I researched famous men of the century and wrote up their lives for her to put on her blog.

Now I am working on my second novel. It is tentatively called NOTHING CAN POSSIBLY GO WRONG, GO WRONG.

I hope to visit you more often from now on.