I had a conversation about books with a friend of mine and we came into the subjects of buying books vs borrowing books from a public library. He said that he likes to support the author and prefers to buy the books he reads.

This made me think. The answer is pretty clear when it comes to buying vs downloading a pirate copy, but in the case with libraries it seems incorrect to say that I’m not supporting the author, but I can’t say why.

What do you think?

  • AnEriksenWife@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    Wife of a indie published author here!

    Yes, you are!

    Now, is it as much support as they would get if you purchased the book? Of course not. When people borrow Devon’s book through Libby, we get 1/10th the royalties we’d get through a “real” digital sale

    And if you borrow a physical book? Well, the library has a copy, but you borrowing it makes us no extra money :)

    However, that’s just the game. If you want to support authors, and can’t be buying $60 stacks of new books every week, there are so many other ways

    I’ll list a few!

    • Amazon Reviews. The way the world is, this is the primary way people buy books. Let other readers know it’s worth their time!

    • Goodreads. Everything from adding it to your shelf (which gives your friends an alert to the books existence!) to giving a rating or review, all help raise awareness!

    • Personal recommendations. When’s the last time you bought a book that WASN’T suggested by someone you know personally, or at least trust? Telling friends or “audiences” is beyond helpful, even if it doesn’t “scale”

    • Social media. Take a picture of your library book at a cute cafe! Say something you like about it! Again, in this attention economy, anything that helps get it on other readers radars

    I’m sure there’s people who resent libraries giving away “free” reads. But I just love how they give my husband’s story an opportunity to come alive I one more person’s mind :)

    (and, if you feel like requesting your library add his newly released, character-driven hard scifi “Theft of Fire: Orbital Space #1” to your library’s Libby collection, I would be thrilled!)