I once read that one of the best ways a writer can promote a book is to give it away. I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but over the years I’ve given away many books. I like to give away books and wish I could give away even more. I went to an author event once where authors were at tables with stacks of books in front of them. The books were free for the taking. Anyone at the event could grab a book, no money involved. The authors gladly scribbled their names inside each book taken if the readers wanted them to. My book that year was Small Town Girl. That was so much fun.
The intent of that event was to introduce the readers, especially bookstore owners or managers, to this or that authors’ books with the hope that the store owners would be impressed with the beautiful book covers and think their customers would want to buy the books when they stocked them on their shelves. Also, the authors and publisher hoped others, who were readers, would read the free books and be eager to read more of said author’s books. Then they might return to their home areas where they would talk about this book they had loved reading because really the absolute best book advertisement is one reader telling another reader that you have to read this book.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that hope springs eternal in that people always want to find a reason for optimism. Writers have a lot of that kind of hope. They feel it when an idea first bursts into their heads or maybe slinks in like a determined worm. They feel it when the idea suddenly sprouts characters and a story road begins to open up. Sometimes the hope fades a bit along the writing trail, but glows hot again after every word is written and the manuscript goes off to editors and publishers. That hope burns bright when the first copy of the book, all wrapped in a lovely cover, is in the author’s hands. Usually by then, for writers like me, new hopes for new stories have begun budding or are already blooming with thousands of words. Hope is a beautiful tool for a writer to keep in his or her toolbox.
But now and then “free” is a great word too, and tonight I’m pulling that word out of my writer toolbox for you.
A while back I helped Suzanne Woods Fisher get one of her books off to a good start by doing that free thing to advertise for her. Now Suzanne has a new book, A Healing Touch, that was just released October 1. Once again she is offering a giveaway chance at multiple places and one of those places is here on One Writer’s Journal.
A Healing Touch is a captivating tale of compassion, resilience, and the bonds that form in surprising places. Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you into a new story that’s like medicine for the weary soul. Join Dok, Annie, and the tight-knit Stoney Ridge community as they navigate the twists of fate, discovering that sometimes the greatest healing comes from the heart. This heartfelt story of a doctor in a tight-knit community is not to be missed!
Giveaways are the best way to celebrate new books! I’m happy to offer you a chance to win Suzanne Woods Fisher’s book A Healing Touch that is fresh off the press. To sweeten the pot just a bit, I’m also offering an autographed copy of The Song of Sourwood Mountain, or if you already have that book, the winner can swap out that prize book for one of my other titles. To enter leave a comment here on this blog post or on Sunday’s post. This is a quick giveaway since I know the winner will be eager to have Suzanne’s book in hand. So deadline for entering is midnight EST October 8, 2024. The winner must be at least 18 years old and will be notified by email and announced here (first name and last name initial) on Wednesday October 9th.
Speaking of winners….
I’ve picked the winners of my Birthday newsletter giveaway. I’ve sent emails to each of the four winners who won their choice of one of my books. Two have already responded. Jennifer of Indiana says “I enjoy a good mystery, so I would like to request one from your Hidden Springs mysteries series.” She chose the first Hidden Springs mystery, Murder at the Courthouse, as her prize. Mary W. of New York chose Scent of Lilacs since she says “that book and series was so special” to her. The other two winners are Trudy C. and Mary S. I’m hoping they will check their email and claim their prize soon.
Thanks for reading and remember to leave a comment to be in the drawing for Suaznne’s book and mine.
Have you ever read a book and then told a reading friend they had to read it?
If so, some writer somewhere says thank you!
Comments 68
I hope I don’t aggravate others, but I am always recommending books to my friends. There are several that I am always sharing my book with them and the free address labels come in handy when sharing books. My 94 year old neighbor is always delighted when I bring her a book. I think she has now read most of your books.
Author
That’s a good idea, Jean Ann, about using the address labels to put in your books. I don’t always care if I get a book back if I loan it to a friend, but sometimes I do. My mother and I know of others who did the same, used to put a little mark in the front of the books she read. That way she could remember that she had read the book. Don’t tell anyone, but I think she did that with library books too. Uh-oh. Thank you for sharing my books with your neighbor. I hope she enjoyed the stories. And that you did too.
Author
Victoria, I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed reading my stories. And if your mother likes Amish stories, she will be sure to like Suzanne’s Amish books. Well, any of her books.
Sharon, glad you think the book looks interesting. It’s good when a book cover and the description of the story draws in a reader.
Megan, I used to love sharing books with my mother. I had even more fun when i wrote Angel Sister and used some of the stories she told about growing up during the Great Depression to make the background of the story real. I hope you and your mother share many more good reads.
Author
I’m loving all your comments, everyone and hearing how you love sharing stories you love with others. As I said, that word of mouth is the best way for a book to find new readers.
Lucy, you know I always enjoy hearing from you and glad you enter my giveaway chances.
Linda, it’s good to know that sometimes you have gone on to read other books by an author after winning a book or having someone recommend one to you. That makes these giveaways worthwhile for authors.
Evelyn, I too like have good reads that are also clean reads to share with others, and it’s always fun to take a fictional trip to a new place and have some adventures.
Deborah, So fun that you just shared some books today with reading friends.
Jane, it’s great that you do reviews of the books you read. Reviews are so helpful to authors in this internet world. Thank you and thank you for sharing about those books with your friends. Sounds as if you have many who trust what you say about a book.
Diana, I’m sure you’ll love Suzanne’s books. She has several genres. Some are contemporary. Some historical. Some Amish and some stories of romance and family.
Connie Lee – I love talking books with my sisters-in-law too. One of them likes audio books the same as I do.
Janice, church sisters are the best. What a great place to find friends and share interests whether in reading or whatever.
Sarah, I’m glad to know you enjoy sharing good books with your friends and family. My sisters and I are always suggesting new authors to each other and saying, “You’ve got to read this.”
Connie S., I appreciate all you do to help Christian authors get books in front of readers. I see your reviews on social media and it always makes me smile and think there goes Connie helping another author find some new readers.
I’m constantly sharing books with my Mom, telling her she has to read one because it was so good. I love sharing about books I’ve enjoyed.
This looks like a very interesting read.
I have introduced my mother to some Amish writers and she absolutely loves their stories. And, of coarse, I always enjoy your books Ann. Thanks for sharing!