1. They get us and our story worlds.
Readers understand that characters in our books are very real. They email us to check on them and to let us know if those characters made ill-advised decisions. They really participate in the stories and the characters and want to know when the next book in the series is coming.
Readers are willing to get lost in our story worlds. They trust us to build that world solidly, and so well that they are also willing to suspend their belief a little bit for the greater story good. Readers are with us every inch of the way as we construct a new story town or planet.

A few notes from readers.

Oklahoma Reunion: “Maddie (Ryan Jones widowed sister) and Ben Wyatt (Grandpa Jones neighbor's grandson who had a crush on Maddie.) Did you, will you or have you considered writing a story with these two characters?”

Rocky Mountain Cowboy: “How will we know if Rebecca & Joe's twins were boys?”

Claiming Her Cowboy: 

“I hope in your future books you will keep the lives of the characters intertwined with each other. It will be nice to not only see how Travis's life turns out but to know what is also going on with Lucy and Jack with the triplets.”

“Fell in love with Lucy, Jack, Aunt Meri, Dub, General Rue, Emma, Travis, and Tripp. Really, the whole crew touched my heart, loads of laughs and a few tears.”

And…

Safe in the Fireman's Arms.  I am a female firefighter and could vividly imagine each of the scenes when Jake had to suit up and 'rescue' Maggie.”
 “I just finished reading

2. They buy our books.
Economics is very important, and without readers buying books there would be no books. Readers go out of their way to ask their libraries to stock our books. They pass our books along. Shelf space in a bookstore is premium real estate. But readers request our books and get us into bookstores regularly. Word of mouth is the single best marketing tool and readers share their love of our books on social media, thus ensuring that there will be more books. And finally, they review our books.

3. They find more than simply words on the page.
I don’t mean errors although they do that as well. It can be very helpful to know a trusted reader has your back and will tell you about an “oops” privately instead of publicly. Thank you, dear readers. However, I am talking about something else here. Readers pick up on themes, and subtext that perhaps we didn’t even realize permeated a book. They understand the overarching meaning behind our words and they savor that information.

A fun note from a male reader on Stranded with the Rancher: “Having retired from the Quality Control field (Lithium chemistry), naturally I look for errors.  Thought I had two, but, alas, none.”

4. They encourage and appreciate us.
There is nothing as awesome as an email or snail mail note from a reader telling you how much they enjoyed a book and asking you to write faster. And be still my heart, some folks get my twisted humor.

The Rosetti Curse: “A true love story that was told with such everyday humor that it was completely believable.”

Falling for the Cowgirl: “It was a blast. I enjoyed the humorous dialogue, and the rich characters.”

Rocky Mountain Cowboy: “I'm waiting on pins and needles for your next releases.”
Stranded with the Rancher: “Loved your book... are you still writing?”

5. Authors are readers.
Readers are mystical beings who enter a bookstore or a library with a sense of awe, recognizing that before them is the closet to Narnia and the path to amazing adventures, swoony romance and even emotional healing. Let us as authors never forget to keep reading even as we create. Never silence the reader voice within, because we become great writers not only by practicing our craft but first and foremost, by reading great books.

This little post would not be complete without a little bonus note about reviews. I truly understand the value of reviews. That said, I neither read them nor agonize over them. They are beyond my control. I have a truly amazing small support system of influencers who read and review, but I expect them to be honest. And every book is not perfect. Some books are better than others. That’s reality. Each book hits a different note with a reader too.
An author doesn’t seek out readers simple for their purchasing power or for reviews. What most of us realize and appreciate is the relationships we have developed with wonderful readers, who are in fact, just like me. Readers, first.
This post today is a love song of thank you to readers. You buy my book, borrow my book, and share my book. That means that you are sharing a piece of me.
Thank you.

Here’s my challenge. Share one reason why you love authors.

Leave a comment for the opportunity to win books! A $20 Amazon gift card and a print or ecopy of Falling for the Cowgirl, my latest release from Love Inspired and the second book in the Big Heart Ranch series.

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Title: Falling for the Cowgirl
Series: Big Heart Ranch, Book 2

Love Inspired author Tina Radcliffe is an RWA Honor Roll member, a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner. She is a 2018 ACFW Mentor of the Year and a 2018 Carol Award finalist. She currently resides in Arizona, where she writes fun, heartwarming romance.

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