Supporting writers during COVID-19

With writers festivals and events being cancelled due to COVID-19,, it’s so important we keep supporting authors where we can. I know many authors who have been affected – their in person launches cancelled, replaced by online events. This will only continue while we .socially distance.

Writers will lose a huge amount of income due to a lack of purchasing, and also cancellation of events. Most writers don’t make a lot of money from writing books.

Personally I’ve had countless events postponed or cancelled – all speaking events to do with my book. Writers festivals have been cancelled. My second book has been postponed. While I will miss the income, I will miss t he contact with writes and audiences more. I expect there will be more cancellations.

So I urge you to help writers survive through this. Here are some ideas:

• share what you’re reading on your social media – take photos of books, you reading them, bookshelves etc
• write to writers to tell them you like their work
• leave reviews of books
• listen to book related podcasts (and review them)
• give new or lend out your books to friends
• read unread books on your shelves (I have so many!)
• donate your old books to charity
• build a street library
• download ebooks and audiobooks if you cannot get out
• if you can afford to, buy physical books instore if they are open and you can get out, or online if you cannot (and some stores are delivering)
• support independent bookstores
• attend online launches and festivals
• buy a friend a subscription to a writers centre or pass to a future festival
• pledge to writers’ Patreons or PayPals if you are able to
• attend events that are rescheduled
• escape this doom by reading for at least 15 minutes a day
• follow writers on social media
• give your refunded ticket fees back to the writers
• read and share writers’ media articles and other writing
• share this post if you are unable to give financial support.

I was featured in this article about writers in the midst of COVID-19 on the ABC – along with a lot of other writers.

If my work has helped you, or you’ve used it in your work; please consider buying me a drink.

You can buy my memoir Say Hello here, and preorder Growing Up Disabled in Australia – it’s been postponed until February 2021.