Some people still think most authors get rich from their work. The truth is, it's always been hard to make any kind of a living from writing fiction. If anything, it's gotten harder in recent years. But if you like an author's work, there are a couple of ways you can help—and it won't cost you anything except a few minutes of your time.
If You Really Like a Book . . .
Spread the word! Help other readers discover the book by telling your friends, or by posting a favorable review online. A great place to post a review is on Amazon.com. It doesn't have to be long or polished. Just say what you think and feel, and rate the book. (Sometimes it feels as if only the people who don't like your work post the reviews!) If you'd like to see how it works, here's a link to my novel Eternity's End
on Amazon. Just scroll down to where it says "Customer Reviews" and (if you've read the book and feel inclined) click "Write an Online Review." I guarantee that any author will appreciate a kind word.
If You Buy Books Online . . .
Use the author's web links. I'm not trying to steer you away from your local bookstore. Heaven forbid. But if you buy online already, many authors provide links for their titles to Amazon or other online sellers. If you use those links, you can help the author earn a few extra bucks through referral fees. It doesn't cost you any more, but it does send a little of the profit to the author. Hint: the author gets a bigger fee if you click straight on a linked title and order it, and a smaller fee per title if you click from the author's link and then browse around for other items.
If you buy regularly from an online retailer like Amazon, you can help even more by routinely clicking through my (or another author's) web site to do your shopping, even if you're buying something else.
To use my Amazon links, just click here
and browse for my books or any other product. If you are interested in a specific title, go to my order page and click the title there. I appreciate any order you place through these links
Thanks!
