Local authors are the blood and soul of their communities.
On average, nearly four million books are released annually. A million are from traditional publishers, whether huge New York houses or small to medium-sized outlets. The rest are released through online platforms (KDP, Draft2Digital) or direct sales (Shopify).
Many of these tomes come from people in your state, city, or the house across the street. They're your local authors -- the creatives next door. These folks take the good tables at the coffee shop to listen for story ideas and empty the supermarket shelves of wine and chocolate.
They're hard-working people whose spirits were touched by the creative muse. Some are are destined to weave majestic tales of fiction. Others are given the task of revealing their darkest secrets so others don’t have to go through what they did.
There are authors with a substantial budget to publish print books and market their works. Conversely, other writers only publish eBooks and hawk their wares at flea markets and craft fairs until they can afford ISBNs and social media ads. In the end, both groups do what they can to get their publications into your hands.
They are also an important part of the local economy, which is why you should -- no, you must -- support them.
Who Are the Authors in My Neighborhood?
Off the top of my bald pate, I can think of several local authors residing in Colorful Colorado (and Southern Wyoming).
I'm probably missing a bunch of talented folks. Nevertheless, you get my drift. These authors aren’t given millions of dollars to write their sultry memoirs. They do it because it's in their blood, as the passion is with painters, sculptors, woodworkers, and other creatives. If the X-Men's Cerebro pinpointed these people instead of mutants, maps would be filled with millions of tiny dots.
Every sale is a boost. It's an acknowledgment that writing isn't a folly to them. When it comes from locals who praise and believe in an author's work, any creative malaise is rinsed away.
How to Support Your Local Authors
The best way to support local authors now is to search your social media feed or emails. The holiday season is a prime selling time. For example, Writing Heights Writers Association, based in Northern Colorado, holds a holiday book bazaar on December 9th at the Loveland Museum. Dozens of local authors will display their goods for all to see and purchase.
What about the rest of the year?
Check your libraries and bookstores for author events.
Visit craft fairs and farmer's markets.
Read a newspaper, magazine, or blog profile on a local author.
Follow local authors on social media.
Subscribe to their mailing list.
Contribute to their Patreon or Kickstarter account.
In other words, let them know you're present. Even if you don't like their genre of steampunk dinosaur cozy mystery, pass that information on to someone who loves those stories.
What Did We Learn Today, Rich?
You darn well better support a local author. If not, I'll have Santa's elves bite the heck out of your shins.
Yours always,
Rich Scott Keller
Email: wpantscreations@gmail.com
ClearVoice Portfolio: https://clearvoice.com/cv/RichardKeller
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rskellerwpp/
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