Local Authors Rock! Meet some fellow Arizona authors. As writers, we share many things in common, especially the passion for our story, a belief in the message, and the desire to connect with a lot of readers. Passion is key. Anyone who becomes a writer to become rich and famous needs to choose another avenue to wealth. Sure, many writers can and do earn a substantial living – but they are in the minority, rarely start out that way, often have multiple income streams, and generally publish multiple books to get there. Oh – and they have to write a really good book. Because I know so many authors, my life is richer. They inspire me to do better, keep writing, and remind me I am capable of more than I think. Hang out with passionate folks? You bet.

For readers, there is a huge advantage to discovering local authors in your community.

There is a far greater chance you might meet the author in person, hear them speak at a local library or event, or host the author at your book club. Some may be local celebrities or write on regional topics a larger author might overlook. Even better, when you support a local author and buy their books or check them out from the library, you are “shopping local” and encouraging local talent. In an era where nearly one million books were published in 2017, readers can only buy and read books they know of, have heard of, and can locate. There are many well-written, but lesser known gems out there written by lower-profile authors. Librarians and indie bookstores are great resources for suggestions.

“If the book is true, it will find an audience that is meant to read it.” – Wally Lamb

Book Sales are Up in First Quarter 2019

Good news. Either more people are reading, current readers are reading more, or both. (Publisher’s Weekly June 17, 2019) First-quarter sales of adult trade books are up 2.4%, sales of children’s/young adult are up 9.7%, and downloadable audio books are up 35%. Publishers from a religious press reported a 20% increase in sales. Translation: It has never been easier for writers to publish books, and it has never been easier to read a book because of multiple formats: hardback, paperback, ebook, and audio. Yes, audio books do count as reading.

There is More Comradery than Competition with Local Authors

As the author of a nonfiction biography, I am no competition for a children’s book, science fiction, historical fiction, or even a biography of a different person. Conversely, as writers we all share multiple Venn diagrams, whether it is topic, a desire to improve our craft, a wish to connect with more readers, or to learn the business (a never-ending pursuit). There is plenty of room in the marketplace for all of us, and I am proud to count many local authors as friends.

Take a minute to check out some of these Arizona authors I know (shown in no particular order. I do not have photos for everyone who comes to mind.) If you live in another state begin your own search for local authors. Check your nearby library section for regional authors, book talks, and sign up for the email list of your library and your local independent bookstore. Find an author’s website and email them. Go ahead. You never who you will meet or who may attend your book club.

(Left to Right) Rick Phillips (Rho Agenda Assimilation series, The Endarian Prophecy series, and more); Jerry Foster (Earthbound Misfit); Jewell Parker Rhodes (Ghost Boys, Ninth Ward, and more); Dave Munsey (Munsey Business); Marcia Fine (Hidden Ones: A Veil Of Memories and more); Judith Starkston (Priestess of Ishana and more), myself, and Ann Griffin (Another Ocean to Cross); Fernanda Santos (The Fire Line: The Story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots); Sandra Marinella (The Story You Need to Tell: Writing to Heal from Trauma, Illness, or Loss); Brad Graber (The Intersect: When life veers off course, strangers find comfort and lasting connection and After the Fall); Robert Dukelow (Parallel Spies series, Helga Suspense series, and more); Sande Roberts (We Need to Talk About Suicide); Hayley Rose (Fifo the Bear series, The Thankful Unicorn, and more); Jan Krulick-Belin (Love, Bill: Finding My Father through Letters from World War II) and Valerie Foster (Dancing with a Demon, and The Risk of Sorrow: Conversations with Holocaust Survivor, Helen Handler); Patricia Brooks (Sick As My Secrets: A Memoir, and more); Kris Tualla (The Camp Hale series, The Hansen Series: Nicolas & Sydney, and more); Marylee MacDonald (Montpelier Tomorrow and Bonds of Love & Blood);  Stella Pope Duarte (Let Their Spirits Dance: A Novel, If I Die in Juárez (Camino del Sol), and more); Anna Questerly (The Minstrel’s Tale Trilogy, The Wise Writer’s Workbook, and more).

#ShopLocal #Authors #BookWorms #Storytelling #Reader #Bibliophile