Support an author. Buy a book. It seems like such a simple concept, yet in recent days I’ve been surprised by the people I’ve come across, Christian readers, nonetheless, who go of their way to get a book for free. I admit, in the past, I did the same, but then I became a writer.
Writers are great people, and those I know have formed a community of sorts. We support each other—with promos, prayers, even laughs. We help with storyline troubles and background or historical information. I would not be where I am if not for the multitude of good authors I have surrounded myself with.
I’ve learned something in the process that I think readers need to keep in mind, and again, it’s so simple. Writers are human. They pay bills, raise children, go to the doctor. They must have clothing to wear, shoes on their feet. There are school functions to attend, veterinary services to acquire. They even, on occasion, want to take a vacation.
All the things that readers do on a daily basis, writers do as well. With that in mind, is it really that hard to pay .99 cents, $1.99, $2.99, and on up, for a book?
After months of our time and energy, countless hours pouring our hearts onto the page, dollars spent on book cover artists, formatting design, and advertising, to have someone be unwilling to spend what is a pitiful amount for us to earn, is more than disheartening. We only receive a small percentage of that cost. For every .99 cent Kindle book, we earn a pitiful .35 cents. Add that up to the cost of an electric bill, a house payment, or groceries, and you have a better idea how important a sale becomes.
Now, take that .35 cents away and turn it into a freebie. Free books service a purpose in marketing. We do want you to try the book. But we want that so that you, the reader, can tell us how much you enjoyed it. My mother used to say, “If you can’t say anything nice, say nothing at all.” But it seems when it comes to book reviews, all bets are off. I’ve read harsh judgment by “good Christian” readers that amazed me. Sure, I should have caught that spelling error, but, no, it wasn’t worth your effort to point it out, and no, I don’t need you to tell me for the umpteenth time my book is short. I wrote it that way.
Good reviews are few and far between, but to a writer’s mind, they are like pure gold. They make all the heartache, the late hours, the missed time with family, worth it. Conversely, that one sharp barb really hurts. I actually read where one person refused to download a free book (not mine) because she didn’t like the character’s profession. Ouch. I have to ask myself the oft-repeated question, “What would Jesus do?”
The answer is clear. Jesus came to die for sinners, for whosoever. (Jn 3:16) For the church-goer, and college teen, but also the prostitute, the drug addict, the thief. In His lifetime, He associated with tax collectors, adulterers, Samaritans (outside of His beliefs), lepers (the outcasts), blind men (regularly walked around), and in each case, He loved them. That is true salvation, not that someone in a nice suit can go to church on Sunday, although that is important, but that the person at the bottom end of life can also find God.
We are to be lights in the world, not lights hidden from the world. (Mt 5:13-15) With that in mind, I ask you, who read this today, to consider the impact of your words and dollars. Put yourself in the place of the writer, and ask if .35 cents is really enough for the author’s devotion to their craft. Is saying, “Great book. I loved it,” actually too hard for you to do? Or can you make a difference in the life of someone who had to stop writing for an hour to pick up their kids?
You can. Support an author. Buy a book.
TATTOOED
ONLY 99 CENTS
Limited Time
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KCUBNFY
Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1119515479?ean=2940149352470&itm=1&usri=2940149352470
“I’m pretty plain,” she said.
He flattened his palm to her chest. “You’re a beautiful, blank canvas, simply waiting for the right design.”
“And what is that design? What would you put there if you could?”
“That’s an easy answer,” he said. “Me.”
—–
All the money and fame rock drummer Holden Lang possesses cannot fix his broken heart, nor the crippling disaster his body has become. He’s washed up, through playing, and in for a long road to recovery.
Charity Caswell’s appearance at the side of his hospital bed is a gift. She’s willing to marry him and take on his care, no feelings involved.
But the God she serves has bigger plans for both of them, and a startling pathway to get there. If he’ll only open his eyes, step out in faith, and believe.
A touching romance from best-selling author, SUZANNE D. WILLIAMS, with a bold look God’s willingness to heal the body, as well as the mind and the soul.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Best-selling author, Suzanne D. Williams, is a native Floridian, wife, mother, and photographer. She is the author of both nonfiction and fiction books. She writes a monthly column for Steves-Digicams.com on the subject of digital photography, as well as devotionals and instructional articles for various blogs. She also does graphic design for self-publishing authors.
To learn more about what she’s doing visit http://suzanne-williams-photography.blogspot.com/ or link with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/suzannedwilliamsauthor.
Donna Fasano
/ June 7, 2014Thank you for this post. I understand how you feel. Writers have to eat and pay the bills too.