Give and take

I received an email recently from a self-published author with a description of his book and a link to where I could buy it. I had never met the man, and the email was generic, so it was obvious that he was spamming a lot of people with the same message.

I replied politely, asking him if he had read (or even bought) my books. He replied sheepishly that he hadn't, and I never heard from him again. Big surprise there.

I decided to blog about the incident because it wasn't the first time something like that had happened to me. Over the years, I've received many emails from authors with similar requests. I've also received many emails from aspiring authors asking me to read their entire manuscripts and provide feedback, for free. When I reply asking if they've read my books, their answer is always no.

The following may sound like common sense to most of you reading this, but apparently it's not to a lot of other people out there, so I'm going to say it here: If you're going to ask authors who are complete strangers to buy or read your books, you'd better buy theirs first.

Use common sense if you ask other authors to buy your book

There's nothing wrong with trying to generate interest in your book by reaching out to potential readers. In fact, I encourage it. But if those potential readers are also authors, you've got to put yourself in their shoes before hitting "send." Authors make their money by selling books, so it's only courteous to buy one before asking them for help. If their book isn't up your alley, buy one and give it to a friend. Just buy one. Then send an email that begins with "Hey, I just bought your book..."

If you use a give-and-take approach, I guarantee you'll have better luck getting a positive response.

-Maria

Maria Murnane is the best-selling author of the romantic comedies Perfect on Paper, It's a Waverly Life, and Honey on Your Mind. She also provides consulting services on book publishing and marketing. Learn more at www.mariamurnane.com.

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Comment by Carole Avila on July 3, 2012 at 1:35pm: Thank you so much!

Comment by Maria Murnane on July 3, 2012 at 9:43am: @Carole, I suggest hiring a professional editor to provide feedback before submitting your work to agents and/or publishing houses. If you have more specific questions, I can be reached at maria@mariamurnane.com. :)

Comment by Katherine E. Hinkson on July 1, 2012 at 4:37pm: I have always believed in supporting other writers. I hope they will return the favor when I'm published. In the meantime, I'm enjoying thier labors of love.

Comment by Prasanna Raghavan on June 30, 2012 at 2:26am: Hi Maria,

This is a great post up to the brim with new information. I am not an author but an aspiring one and coming from the other part of the globe where the process of publishing as far as I know is totally different.

Yes, I agree with you, if things happen on a give-and take manner, it has its own ease.

Comment by Angela Lockhart Aronoff on June 29, 2012 at 10:22am: Excellent points Maria! Absolutely buy the book and read the book if you are targeting other writers, or even asking for any kind of assistance is a best practice. I would like to know what kind of writer I am engaging. It also helps to get an idea if this is someone I would like to establish a mutually rewarding professional relationship with. I understand mass marketing but I also think it's good to keep the human connection! :-)

Comment by Holli Castillo on June 28, 2012 at 1:38pm: Nothing frustrates me more when another writer I know asks for a review and they haven't reviewed any of my books. The few times I have asked anyone to review anything for me, I suggested we do a review tradeoff.

The same is true for when other writers ask you to blurb your book, but have never voluntarily reviewed anything of yours or responded to a blurb request. The best way to get me to do something for you is to do something for me first, or at least to offer an exchange.

Holli Castillo

Comment by Carole Avila on June 27, 2012 at 5:37pm: Hi Maria,

I appreciate you sharing this blog because as a writer I’m hoping that I’m getting very close to being published, and I need to know how things work on the other side of the fence. I haven’t considered ever asking any published author to read my book, mainly because I feel that it wouldn’t be feasible for the author, or if they charged for the service, I might not be able to afford it. I agree that there’s a common courtesy about give and take –buy someone’s book before asking such a favor –but I’d buy it not because I wanted a freebie from the author. I’d buy it because I’d want to make sure we had a common flavor between our books. (I wouldn’t ask a children’s picture book author to read my young adult time-travel adventure.)

Admittedly, I am shocked that a person wouldn’t read an author’s book first before asking for their own to be read. But if you don’t mind my asking –what, in your opinion, is the best and most economical way for a first time author to get a professional opinion on their work?

Thank you for your time and energy!

Sincerely, Carole Avila
Posse Member

Comment by Maggi Summerhill on June 27, 2012 at 3:06am: I can see where you are coming from. Personally I help if I want to, without expecting anything in return. That way I don't feel resentful if I don't get anything back from that particular person at that time. Experience has shown me that sooner or later I am rewarded in some shape or form.

About buying books. I have been asked to review books, but have never been asked to buy them. I always receive a review copy?

Comment by RYCJ on June 26, 2012 at 10:53am: Even though I don't push the 'give/take', I really appreciate the tone of this post. One thing I do, do however, I stress I only purchase books... and that being physical books... I intend to review. But I really like that 'just buy one'. Very good.