
Image: a book, open on a piece of white patterned cloth – its pages are fanned out. Its spine is black. Above is text “SUPPORT THE WRITERS” with two black lines horizontally either side of the text.
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.
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