Ever thought of saying ‘thank you’? 🥰
by Helen Hollick
Presumably, if you are visiting The Coffee Pot Book Club blog you love reading novels? You’re here to find the next good historical fiction book to read, be it a ‘straight’ novel about kings and queens, or events and people from another century. Or a murder mystery set in the past. Or a Regency Romance, or a time-slip or... well, you get my drift. Maybe you’ve not read much #HistFic before now but would like to discover more possible suggestions? Whatever the reason you are obviously a keen reader – or maybe you’re simply here to support a specific author, or several authors? (In which case, thank you, all support is always welcome.)
Writing novels is not easy, especially for ‘Indie’ (self-published) authors as we have to do everything ourselves, from thinking up an initial idea, writing several drafts, getting a reasonably final version edited (and usually re-edited after corrections have been made). Organising an eye-catching cover, then formatting, then sorting out actual publishing ... then the advertising and marketing. Believe me, the writing bit can often be the easy bit!
I’m not saying that traditional authors don’t have the same issues, but most have a good publisher who will take care of the production side, from editing to marketing. Most have an agent, someone to discuss the next plot idea, be a listening ear when that next scene just won’t work. Indies are our own one-man/woman-band writing business. And it can be a lonely, frustrating one-man/woman-band.
Which is where you, dear reader, come in. 🤗
At the hairdresser, you personally say ‘thank you’ for a super cut and re-style. At the gym, you personally say ‘thank you’ to your trainer. At the shop you personally say ‘thank you’ to the assistant for her help. At the garage you personally say ‘thank you’ to the mechanic for fixing your car...
But for the book you’ve just finished and thoroughly enjoyed?
Nothing.
Zilch.
Silence.
So, as you read that final page of the final chapter and close the book, thinking to yourself, “I really enjoyed that” what about deciding to say ‘thank you’ to the author for providing you with such enjoyable entertainment?
It’s simple to do. Go to Amazon (or Goodreads, or your Facebook Page, Twitter, Instagram, wherever...) and leave a positive comment about the book. A one-liner will do. “I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.” Of course, more (why you enjoyed it, for instance) would be nice, but not essential.
A Four Star rating will be fine, and although five stars are wonderful, four is good.
Reviews really ARE worthwhile. Apart from a public show of appreciation for someone’s hard work, a review really can help to boost sales (and an author’s confidence, which is often at the bottom end of flagging!) Good reviews can indicate that a book is one worth reading. Good reviews help ‘spread the word’. Good reviews really are very much appreciated by the author!
Say ‘thank you’: leave a review!
Say ‘thank you’: tell your friends, personally and on social media, about the good books you’ve read!
Say ‘thank you’ – and make an author smile!
And, thank you for saying ‘thank you’!
A quick and simple comment... THANK YOU! :-)
ReplyDeleteAh, but Helen... Thank you for a fabulous post! :-)
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