March 2009 Archives

It's no mystery why authors rely so heavily on readers to help them build an audience.  Publishing is one of the last great "word of mouth" businesses, where writers build their reputation reader by reader, book by book.  I've been extremely fortunate to have some wonderful readers around the world acting as advocates on my behalf - and I'm grateful for their efforts and support.

Readers at book signings will sometimes ask me what they can do to help.  There are actually many ways in which readers can lend a hand to the authors they enjoy.  The most obvious thing to do - Tell a friend - covers a lot of ground these days.  People who have always shared news of a favorite author with family and friends can now reach an even larger group of people through their status, links, notes, and messages on Facebook and MySpace; through their "tweets" on Twitter; through their blogs; or through online book networks like Shelfari and GoodReads.  They can recommend books to local book clubs.  They can talk to their local librarian.  They can spread the word to employees at their local bookstore.

So "tell a friend" goes a long way.  I've even had readers go so far as to write to book reviewers at their local newspaper and recommend they cover a particular book.  And you know what?  It often works.  There is so much content out there today that everyone - readers, librarians, booksellers, and book reviewers - relies on word of mouth to find authors they might otherwise miss.  Publishers and authors are interested parties, so the objective opinion of readers carries a lot of weight.

So remember - you have the power!

There are tragedies that also remind you of why you do what you do in life.

Back in January, I spoke at a senior apartment complex near our home, where my in-laws reside.  One of the women there bought a copy of IMMORAL as a gift after my remarks.

I didn't know it at the time, but the woman had lost a son to cancer -- and not long ago had discovered that a second son had terminal cancer, too, and had been confined to a hospice.  She bought the book for him.

My wife Marcia was at the apartment complex visiting her mother today.  The woman who bought the book saw her there and immediately came over.  She wanted us to know that her son had passed away.  IMMORAL turned out to be the last book he ever read, and she asked Marcia to tell me how much he had enjoyed it.

I couldn't help crying when I heard that news.  But as Marcia told me, it's the kind of story you remember at those times when you wonder if you ever make a difference in the world.