Reader Power

One of my readers posted the following note on my wall on Facebook:  "After my suggestion, the manager of Houston Borders read your new book "In the Dark" and loved it so much that she ordered several extra copies for the store."

There couldn't be a better example of the power of reader referrals.  Booksellers and librarians help readers find new authors every day -- but they struggle with the sheer volume of books and have to prioritize what they read themselves.  That's why they pay attention when a customer or patron makes a recommendation.  When an avid reader tells them, "You HAVE to read this author!", they listen.

I always suggest to readers who write to me that they spread the word to local bookstores and libraries.  That's why.  Be sure to let me know, too, if you recommend my books and one of your local managers or librarians becomes a fan.  I'll drop them a personal note to say thanks.

Comments

[Phyl]

I haven't mentioned your books to local stores (yet), though I'm sure there are lots in Toronto. But I did post about you in my book blog, and had a reader buy one of your books as a result, so maybe that can help a little, eh? :-)

I only just discovered your books, and I'm really enjoying them!

[Mike ONeill]

I was checking out Anderson's Bookstore in Naperville, IL. I did not see any of your books on the shelf so I asked one of the clerks if they carried your stuff. She said they had one copy at one point, sold it, and that was it. I sent an email to their website explaining that their employees need to try your books because I strongly feel that some/most/all of them will find you as a favorite and will recommend your books to customers. I told them that I will stop back into the store in a month or so and see if anybody took me up on my advice.

Also showed my Kindle to some coworkers and they saw your name in my list of books and chucked because we had a past employee with the same name. That was my opportunity to recommend you to both of them and one of them said she would get you into her reading stack (the other guy I don't think was a reader).

Thanks, MO