How to Support Writers You Love
a few thoughts on writer-reader reciprocity
I had coffee with a local friend last week, and she asked a question that surprised me: “What are some ways I can support you and the book—maybe that I wouldn’t know or think about?”
The question took me off guard because as a writer, it’s easy for me to be regularly surrounded by writers and writerly things. I have peeked enough behind the curtain of publishing to understand aspects of how it works, to know that books or essays or poems don’t just magically appear in the hands of the right readers (well, at least not normally). So, from my perspective, the answer to her question seemed quite obvious.
But it wasn’t. Not everyone understands the writing life (why would they?), and as writers, we cannot expect people to know intuitively how to engage or express their care. So while this post may feel like an aside to our regular communal life conversation, I don’t think it is.
At its best, neither writing nor reading is one-sided. There is reciprocity, a sense of having the same conversation in one way, shape, or form. There are human people on both sides of the writing-reading equation, and we do each other a great kindness when we consider how to tend those relationships well—even if only from a distance.
I have to own my part of the equation, to write words with our humanity in mind. But also, that means I need to recognize that inviting reciprocity often means asking for help. I have to open the door if I want people to respond on the other side.
So on behalf of my writing people (and to normalize ways we readers can help), let me offer a few simple things readers can do to support and stand alongside writers they love.
1. Tell them.
It’s strange business to pour pieces of yourself onto the page, send them out into the world, and not really know where or how they land. I think of how often I have read a book or essay that’s stayed with me or shifted my lens, but I say nothing about it to the person who took the time to form their experiences or insights into words. (All the time, actually.) Knowing how solitary (and lonely) writing can be, I personally am trying to get better at telling people how their words made me feel seen, validated, or inspired.
Because at the risk of sounding like I’m fishing for pats on the back (please, please know that I’m not), your voice matters just as much to a writer. Reciprocity is a kindness. There’s a relief in knowing that there’s a living, breathing person on the other side of the page and you’re not sending words out into a void. So the next time you resonate with a writer, just tell them.
2. Share their work.
The reality that many writers have to face if they want to engage in the business of publishing is that they have to share their work, in some way, shape, or form. Oftentimes (especially if you want your book or essay or article to find readers), you have to share across multiple mediums and more than once. And there’s something about this grind that can grow really wearisome. In those moments, it’s really easy for me to let my worth and work get tangled.
So if you want to support a writer, consider sharing a quote, essay, or book stayed with you. The sharing doesn’t have to look one way. Tell a friend. Pop your copy of a book in a Little Free Library. Repost a quote on your preferred social media. All these things help support writers and their work.
3. Request the book from your local library.
Okay, this one is author-specific. If your library doesn’t already have an author’s book on the shelf, most libraries have a way to submit a request. It can take a few weeks to months to process, but asking your local library to have the book in stock is a great way to support authors and share a book with your community. Plus, then you can read and recommend it for free!
4. Leave a rating and review.
Reviews help the right readers find the right book. Yes, there are algorithms and rankings and other things also at play. But at the end of the day, you can probably bet that if you connected with a book in a meaningful way, there’s someone else out there who will connect with it too.
5. Sign up for their email list.
Most writers have a space where they write regularly and can connect with readers outside social media and offer more long-form work. Now, I know that not a single one of us needs just ONE MORE THING in our email inbox, but if you want to support their work and stay in the loop with their essays, e-newsletters, or updates, getting on the email list is a great way to do that. My suggestion would be to unsubscribe from a few pesky store ads and swap them out with substance from a few favorite writers.
6. Buy the book.
Okay, this suggestion is specific to authors and requires some cash money, and I want to acknowledge as an avid reader that we likely cannot buy every book that catches our eyes. But we can let our dollars speak. By purchasing or pre-ordering a few select books, we offer a tangible act of support. Pre-ordering, in particular, is one way to indicate to publishers and book buyers that you want to see a specific title on shelves (virtually or otherwise), or that you want to see more future titles from that particular writers.
This list isn’t all-inclusive. Really, it’s a small window, so I would love to hear from fellow writers or readers in the comments…
Sarah, great article. Someone linked it in Notes is how I found it. Since not every writer has a book out, the only thing I would add is if you have the means to subscribe at a paid tier then that is also a great way to support a writer. I don't paywall any of my content (personal choice) but I do have a paid tier for those who are able and desire. All the money I have made so far on Substack has gone back into paying other writers for subscriptions since I am also a reader :)
These suggestions are so practical and helpful, Sarah. Thank you for putting these ideas together...and I agree, they most definitely relate to the conversation about community and belonging 🤍