Although I have a publicist or two, and even a financial and legal adviser, I get asked this all the time, why do you interact with your readers so much?
1) The answer is simply because I see many of my readers as friends.
They have read my books, understood the story, and have come to love the characters in these stories as much as I do.
I know many of my readers, I share their pain when they lose a loved ones, congratulate them on victories, go through their birthdays and dramas at home and work, and even lend a supporting hand when they’re trying to build their blogs or FB pages. So you see, in other words, a lot of my readers have become friends of mine. They read my books, and they understand me like a friend understands their friend.
People have said I should hire a personal assistant and a secretary to keep track of emails and people’s names. (I get about 100 to 1000 emails a day), and I try to respond to each and every one of them. I tell these people it’s because most of these emails are from people whom I have already established a kind of relationship with – through reading and sharing a love of common interests. I figure if you love my books, that’s already a big shared interest.
2) My readers are pretty darn interesting people
I know I may complain about being overwhelmingly busy (I am), but I know my readers are, too. Many of us are juggling jobs, school, parenting, and more. I feel what you feel and know sometimes that stress can get to any of us, which is why I write the type of books that I do – fun, sometimes crazy, swept-off-your-feet romantic fantasy fiction. They’re the kinds of books I would read for escapism. That being said, I do appreciate that you’ve spent your time reading my book (although it was a quick read lol) when you could be doing something else.
3) I know how reading can be time-consuming (I’m a reader, too) so I am pretty happy when a reader Facebook me and tells me she just read this or that book and she knows she’ll be one of my biggest fans. I can’t tell you how incredibly touched I am when someone tells me this. It literally brings tears to my eyes.
Not only does this feel incredible, and I am honored, but I want my readers to know from the bottom of my heart, this:
4) You Make Me, an Author, feel Warm and Fuzzy, too!
When you enjoy my books and even reach out to me to let me know or even write a review about it, it really makes my day. It makes me feel good about what I’m working hard for, and it makes my editors, graphic designer, and pr/marketing people, happy too.
5) My Readers are Not Only Interesting, but they are Fun, Smart, and Great to Hang Out with!
So, please don’t be a stranger. Come on by and say “Hi”, show up at one of the parties or contests I hold virtually once in a while, usually in celebration of a book release. And become a Facebook friend of mine and vice versa. I really do want to find out more about you, and consider it a great honor that you’re a reader of mine.
THANK YOU!
