Welcome, Book Lover!
We all have them—those authors whose books feel like coming home.
The ones whose words have walked with us through hard times, made us laugh until we cried, or introduced us to characters who feel like family.
We want to support them.
We want them to keep writing.
We want the world to know their names.
But what if your budget is tight? What if you’ve already bought all their books? What if you want to help but don’t have a dime to spare?
I have wonderful news for you: Some of the most powerful ways to support an author cost absolutely nothing.
As an author myself, I can tell you that these gestures mean more than you could ever imagine.
Here are eight beautiful ways to lift up the writers you love—without opening your wallet.
1. Leave a Review
This is the single greatest gift you can give an author for free. Reviews are the lifeblood of the publishing world. They help other readers discover books, they boost visibility on retail sites, and they wrap authors in a warm hug of encouragement.
Where to leave them:
- Amazon
- Goodreads
- Barnes & Noble
- BookBub
- Your favorite independent bookstore’s website
And here’s a secret: They don’t have to be long or fancy.
Even a simple sentence like “This book stayed with me long after I finished it” can make an author’s entire week.
2. Tell a Friend
Word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing there is. When you love a book, tell someone. Text your sister. Mention it at book club. Bring it up over coffee with a coworker. Loan out your copy (just be sure you get it back!).
Every time you share an author’s name with genuine enthusiasm, you’re planting a seed that could bloom into a new lifelong reader.
3. Follow on Social Media
A follow costs nothing but means everything. It tells the algorithm that this author matters. It helps their posts reach more people. And it creates a little spark of connection between you and the person behind the pages.
You can find authors on:
- X (formerly Twitter)
- TikTok (often called BookTok)
- Threads
- Bluesky
- Substack
And here’s a lovely bonus: when you follow, you get little glimpses into their lives, their writing spaces, and sometimes even sneak peeks at what’s coming next.
4. Engage With Their Posts
Following is wonderful. Engaging is even better. When you like, comment on, or share an author’s post, you’re telling the platform, “Hey, this person matters. Show them to more people.”
A simple comment like “I loved this book so much!” or “This character stayed with me for weeks” can brighten an author’s whole day. And it takes just seconds.
5. Request the Book at Your Library
Librarians pay attention to what their communities are asking for. When you request an author’s book at your local library, you’re telling them this author has fans. Enough requests can lead to more copies on the shelf, which means more readers discovering the magic.
Plus, libraries often purchase books based on patron requests—so you’re directly helping the author reach new audiences.
6. Add Their Books to Goodreads Shelves
Every time a reader adds a book to their “Want to Read” shelf on Goodreads, it sends a small ripple through the algorithm. More “shelvers” can lead to more visibility, more recommendations, and more discoveries.
It takes ten seconds, and makes a real difference.
7. Recommend Them to Your Book Club
Book clubs have power! If you’re in a club, suggest a beloved author for an upcoming meeting. If you’re not, consider starting a casual one with friends. Authors adore hearing that their books sparked meaningful conversations around someone’s living room.
And if your book club loves the book? Ask them to leave reviews too. Now you’ve started a chain reaction of support.
8. Send a Kind Message
Every author I know has a folder of reader messages they return to on hard days. A quick note through their website or social media—just telling them what their book meant to you—is a gift that costs nothing and keeps on giving.
You might say:
- “Your book came into my life at exactly the right moment.”
- “I couldn’t put it down. Thank you for writing it.”
- “That character felt like an old friend.”
Trust me when I tell you: these messages are cherished forever.
A Heartfelt Thank You
To everyone who has ever reviewed, recommended, or reached out about my books—thank you.
You are the reason I keep writing. You are the reason any of us keep writing.
And to everyone reading this post, wondering how you can help the authors on your shelves: You already have the power.
Every share, every kind word, every recommendation is a vote for more books from the writers you love.
Now go forth and support someone wonderful. It won’t cost you a thing, and it will mean more than you know.
Question: Which author are you going to lift up today? I’d love to hear in the comments—or drop me a note and tell me.
With gratitude and pages to share,
Destiny Divine
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