Buy Local

Another way to buy local is to support local authors.

Most writers are introverts. They enjoy using their alone time to create worlds and put down their thoughts. They need to be alone to do that well. They are most comfortable in solitude.

So marketing is not a writer's favorite thing to do, but it's necessary. It's the only way to put their book in front of readers.

When you support an author by buying their book, you are supporting months of planning, writing, and editing. In my case, illustrating takes a year to two years for each book. Interviewing for Blissfully Single took two years to complete and another year of writing and editing made it a three year process. And after all that, I still have to market my books.

My biggest reward is to see people open up the pages and read the words I wrote, to admire the artwork, to consider the ideas on the page. When they actually buy the book to take home, it's an enormous compliment.

Most authors only sell a handful of books at a book signing. I've been to lots of them. I always buy a book or two from my fellow authors. I know that I'm supporting a lot of hard work and finding something that may not be seen in every book store. I know I am giving a lift to that author's day.

I also know that reviews are like gold. So when I read a book from a local author, I look for it on Amazon and write a review. It doesn't have to be a long review. I just write what I liked most about the book and maybe a suggestion of who else would want to read it. Reviews drive readers to the pages where that book is listed on Amazon. They can be as short as "Loved it! Here's why... " The words in the reviews end up in the list of words that will help a person to search for that kind of book.

So bring some joy to your community's local authors and choose to buy their books.