How To Be Kind To Writers

You think it’s about money, but it’s not.

Money greases the literary marketplace, obviously, but it doesn’t drive it anymore. Spend it, save it, sweat over it: Even if the end result is destined for some writer’s bank account, getting it there these days involves more than currency exchange.

It involves you.

If you find a writer you like, by all means buy his or her books. Work has been done, energy expended, hours spent on a keyboard or with a notepad or walking around the block, trying to get inspired. Rewards can be meager but everybody needs rewarding. Buy the book.

But the best way you can help out a writer, besides reading, is by sharing. Loan your book. Donate it to a library or a book sale if you’re not attached. Better yet, buy another copy and give that away.

And talk about it. For God’s sake, if you like it, write a review of it, somewhere. On your blog, on Facebook, on Amazon. Reviews are HUGE; it’s not about self expression, it’s about affirming. Affirm a writer today.

So that’s how you do it. Buy or borrow it, read it, then talk about it. Go to Amazon and write an amazing review. Be generous, be articulate. Tell your friends. Join a book club and suggest it. Contact the author ; ask for a little Q&A for your blog. We’ll do it. We’ll do just about anything.