Reader & Writer Tips by Tee C. Royal

I originally wrote this article for Blogging in Black and wanted to share it here with our readers. Feel free to add your own tips in the comments section.

::::::READER TIPS::::::

Keep a Reading Log. A simple spreadsheet of what you read, the author’s name and your general thoughts is a great tool for avid readers. I’ve been doing this the past 5 years consistently and it’s rewarding to see the diversity of my reading selections.

Share Recommendations. Most readers are in book clubs or various online groups. Share your recommendations as this is a great promotion tool for authors.

Step Outside the Box. Everyone has preferred genres, but challenge yourself to read one book a year outside of the genre. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Read The Book Selection. I don’t get why so many people join book clubs and never read the book. It seems pointless.

Elaborate During Discussions. The simple “I liked the book” says nothing. Really evaluate a book and try to apply it to your life. See how it relates to past times and events. Know why you like a book and why you don’t. Consider what you would’ve done differently, what may have worked better.

Buy the Book. Yeah, the library is great and all, but the whole borrowing of books is getting out of hand. Skip lunch a few times a month and save that money as your book money if there are financial issues. If you don’t have those issues, stop being cheap.

Stop Harrassing Authors. Some of our book buddies give readers a bad name. Stop stalking authors ya’ll. They do have the right to privacy.

Work Together. There are a million book clubs, with hopefully very similar goals of helping authors and reading great books. Why be competitive or even go so far as to steal information? (Someone stole the entire RAWSISTAZ site one time and claimed it as their book club, with a new name and new colors and everything. It was crazy. (And it’s gone now.) But we can work together, share information, do joint projects, without the competitiveness.

Don’t Settle. Stop buying poor quality work. Raise your level of expectation and constructively share feedback with authors.

Be Honest. Whew…can we stop giving the “you go girl” dap to poor quality work or books of your favorite author just because she may have given you a free book once. I heard one book club president tell an author (at a literary event), and this is verbatim, “send your book to us, we’ll give you a 5-star rating. We love you.” Her book club will never be credible if that info gets out.

Have Fun. Reading and discussing books is supposed to be fun, so enjoy it. And, stop trying to go to blows over some made up characters. LOL. Enjoy that time bonding with your sister friends, that’s what the whole book club experience is about.

::::::WRITER TIPS::::::

Have a Plan. Don’t just say you want to write a book…do it. And, don’t just jump on the latest bandwagon, DO YOU. No one can do you better than you can, and if you’re not quite there yet, study, research, and take classes to help perfect your craft. Devise a plan to help you get from point A to point B.

Read. I’ve heard many authors say they don’t read. What? Ummm, never ever say that loud enough for any book enthusiast to hear you. Read the works of others, study what makes them good, and use that information to find out what your strengths are and perfect them.

Research. I can’t stress this one enough. Don’t expect anyone else to do this for you. Yes, others can be used as resources, but always know how to look up things, research, and stay abreast of the latest industry news. Get subscriptions to Publisher’s Weekly, Black Issues Book Review, Writers Digest, or simply sign up for these places online. Most have online versions of their magazines. Websites and blogs such as Book-Remarks, AALBC, The Blacklist, Blogging in Black, RAWSISTAZ, TheGRITS, and others are great sources of information to stay aware of what’s going on and how it affects writers.

Be Professional. OMG, you would not believe how some folks act in email, query letters, or even out in public. Remember that you are not only selling your book, you’re selling yourself. Agents and editors don’t want drama, moody, demanding, annoying, or those folks whose hands you have to hold. Be professional at all times. (And don’t harrass folks either.)

Practice Email Etiquette (and Patience). Don’t send nasty grams. ROFL, I’m laughing now, but it’s not really all that funny. I’ve gotten quite a few nastygrams from disgruntled authors wanting to know where a review was, if I had read their books, did I get their submissions, is there any word on the partial they sent in, am I going to represent them, on and on. And while I understand the frustration, realize that the publishing industry is for the most part, not a “fast” industry. It takes time to read/review books, read/respond to queries, and yep, even to negotiate a contract and actually get your books on the shelves. It doesn’t happen overnight.

Follow directions. I know I work folks’ nerves with this one, but please please PLEASE follow directions. When you don’t, it creates much more work for that person to follow-up or fix the problem. Realize that there are reasons a person asks for things a certain way. If they say no attachments, don’t include them, or more than likely your email will be deleted.

Be Careful. Not everyone claiming to “help” you is really planning to do so. There are wolves in this industry too and they will try to gobble you (and your money) up. Ask around; get references! Don’t be too desperate to get out there that you sell yourself short.

Build inventory. Agents and editors love it when authors have several completed books in the hopper. It shows you can start/complete work and you’re more than likely in it for the long-term.

Plan to Market. No one knows your book better than you, so plan to market it. You should start well in advance of the release of your book and continue throughout the release and following months. This includes getting a website. Stop being cheap or thinking you can’t afford a site. You can find low-cost domain and hosting for $10-$25 per year and decent websites (or blog set-ups) for less than $500 (and places like WordPress are free. So please, please please…get your www-FirstnameLastname-com domain NOW.

Be Gracious. A thank you goes a long way, so do thank those who have helped you. Additionally, learn to accept criticism, and use it as a tool to take your writing to another level. Another thing, be proud of your accomplishments, but not arrogant.

Support Others. Some readers read 100+ books a year. Stop thinking your book is the only one competing for their attention. Support your fellow authors.

Practice Positivity. Surround yourself with positive folks and steer clear of those who sap away your energy. Believe in yourself and your dreams.

That’s it! I hope you have enjoyed and will share some of your own reader & writer tips. (And anyone who wants to also share them on the RAWSISTAZ site, please email me directly with WRITER (or READER) TIPS in the subject line, and include your tip, name, and a link to your website. (Please note that it may not be up within a week or two.)