The libraries have been closed where we are for a number of weeks…and that’s hard for people who love books and the joy of exploring the stacks. I know I’ve discovered many authors through that process. I also know that many of you are passionate about your favorite authors and do a great job supporting them.
A wonderful way to support authors right now is to ask your library to carry the latest books from that author. With libraries being closed, there’s a delay in purchasing the latest books. Many libraries make their purchasing decisions based in part on patron requests. I love that our local library system makes it soooo easy: it’s literally a fill in form that just takes a couple minutes.
I’ve written about this before. But I attended the American Library Association meeting in Philadelphia at the end of January because I believe libraries are so important. It’s where I’ve found ideas for my books. I’ve conducted research there. I’ve discovered authors I now adore there. I’ve asked my library to buy my friends’ books in hopes that new to them readers will discover the beauty of their written words. On this blog several of us have had books release in the last five weeks. Would you ask your library to purchase them? Even if you have a copy of your own?
Becky Wade: Stay with Me (LOVED this one!)
Cara Putman: Flight Risk (Well, I wrote this one…)
Jody Hedlund: The Runaway Bride (Writes such good historicals)
Lynn Austin: If I were You (Looking forward to reading this one soon)
Dani Pettrey: The Crushing Depths (I love her books)
Karen Witemeyer: At Love’s Command (SOOOOOO Good!)
Colleen Coble: One Little Lie (I really enjoyed this start to Colleen’s new series)
Beth K. Vogt: The Best We’ve Been (I LOVED this women’s fiction)
Katherine Reay: Of Literature and Lattes
J’Nell Ciesielski: The Socialite
If you ask your library to buy any of these books, use the form below to let me know so I can say thank you!
Also, if you’ve reviewed Flight Risk, I want to send you a thank you. Just do the following. Your online reviews make such a difference! I’d love to thank you by sending you a bookmark! Here’s how to get yours:
1. Cut and paste into an email your reviews from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, cbd . com (*must have all 3 to qualify)
2. Email them to me at cara@caraputman .com
3. Be sure to include your mailing address!
4. Bonus bookmark if you provide a copy of a review on BookBub! *If you’re an International reader, provide proof of three separate reviews on your book sites to qualify. *
Bonus: three random readers will receive a surprise book from me if reviews are submitted by May 30th.
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You’re right, Cara! Requesting that your local library carry a book is a fabulous way to support and grow the genre of Christian fiction.
Thanks for mentioning Stay with Me!
I so loved that book!
Oh, Cara! I’m always asking the library to purchase a book from an author.(They’re of used to it.) I would imagine that over half of the Christian books in the library were requests from to purchase them. I don’t thing that there has ever been a time when I requested one that they have refused to purchase it.
I can’t tell you how much I love, love, love your books! I read a new one as soon as it comes out and then i have to wait months and months for the next one. I’ve tried to slow down reading but it never works.
You’re so sweet. Thanks, Beverly!
My oldest sister works at the public library, so I give her a list every three months of all the Christian fiction books I want the library to order. She then passes it on to the library book buyer. We have been privileged to have Christians working at our public library (mostly from my church; some from other churches) for decades. Between the county libraries, the digital library, RB Digital, and the inter-library system the other counties participate in, there aren’t too many books I can’t get. I will also say that indie published books can be purchased by the library if the author has a press/publisher name. If they release the book under their own name the library can’t seem to order it.
That’s so wonderful. Thanks, Sylvia.
Also book warehouses may have limited operations depending where the company is based. Collection development librarians will do their best to order materials for their respective library systems.
For the first time since 1945, the American Library Assoc. (ALA) won’t be meeting for Annual in Chicago this year. Fortunately Chicago is scheduled to be the 2021 host city!
It’s so true. Everything is delayed, but as states and cities began to reopen their libraries, it’s a good time to put in requests. I love attending ALA so much!
I would looooove to ask my library to buy these books. I have previously recommended some books to my local library but they seem to take a long time to process those requests. Plus fiction is not really dominant in my neighbourhood… especially English ones. But anyhow, I will try because I do want to read your books!!!
That’s great — all you can do is ask. Thank you!