With the recent dilemma for writers over whether to self-publish or go with a small, independent press OR try for one of the big guys, I thought it'd be appropriate on Independence Day to talk about 5 ways you can help these authors who did decide to go the indie route. Plus there are indie bookstores out there that need your help, too. So, are you ready? (Although no fireworks will actually go off after each brilliant suggestion, since you are a writer, you can insert them in your imagination yourself.)
1. Visit an independent bookstore this weekend. Yes, they still exist. These independent bookstores are everywhere in major cities and even in some small ones, too. Whether you are in the Chicago area with Anderson's Bookshop, Book Court General Books in New York City, or your favorite in your area, you can find books on the bestseller's list and those that are independently published, too. Don't know of a bookstore like this where you live? You can use this website to help you find one: http://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder
2. Check out and/or request a small press book from your library. Librarians are busy and often don't mean to omit small press or self-published books from the shelves. They also don't have time to read every new book out there, so they rely on publications for librarians that review books to order for their branches. If you loved an indie book, you can request it from the library to put it on a librarian's radar. Some libraries have online features to do this. I recently did this with a book I really wanted to read that had excellent reviews: The Red Kimono by Jan Morrill, and my library ordered it for circulation!
3. Visit Indiebound.org and buy a book on your wish list. Indiebound.org lists both of my small press books on their site as well as thousands of others, which you can order and have sent directly to you or pick up at a local bookstore. It's just like using Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com, except that it benefits independent bookstores.
4. Help promote a self-pub author on your blog or social media sites that you know or have read. Word of mouth, folks, word of mouth--this is what sells books. Every time I read a book I love, I tell someone--either in person, on my blog, or through social media. I also buy books as gifts that I think others will like that I've read, and I try to write reviews on sites like Amazon and Goodreads because that helps authors. It's great if you buy books and read them. But what's even better is that if you liked it, you tell someone--especially if the author is independently published. Independent authors have a harder time standing out in the sea of books.
5. Read. Ah, the most simple one comes last. In the midst of the BBQs and pool parties, festivals and parades, find some time to read this weekend. And if it's an independent author you're reading, then it's really just an extension of what these holidays are all about.
Share with us in the comments a great indie book you've read!
fireworks photo by GoToVan on www.flickr.com
3 comments:
Margo--Great post. I am headed to The Book House today, and will also order a book by one of my favorite self-pubbed writers--a book I've put off ordering for a while.
Double the independence, double the fun!
I buy/read independently published books all the time. Some favorites include THE DRAGON KEEPER by Mindy Mejia (Ashland Creek Press), THE CRACK BETWEEN THE WORLDS by Maggie Kast (Resource Publications, and BREATHE THE SKY by Chandra Prasad (Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing).
Sioux: Can you tell us which book you bought? LOVE THE BOOK HOUSE and especially her new location. Bought my dad's birthday present there. :)
@gaijinmama Thank you so much for letting us know these titles. :)
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