My Husband Doesn’t Read My Books: Ways to Support an Author Without Spending a Dime

July 19, 2016 | By | 8 Replies More

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I glance up from autographing a copy of my newest book to see my husband across the store. He has our mastiff Henry with him—a character in all of my novels—and is surrounded by women asking him questions. Then, the dreaded question, the one we both hope he won’t be asked, comes out of a woman’s mouth.

“So what’s her newest book about?”

I sigh in relief when one of our friends leaps in and gives a description of my book’s plot. I grin at how much Chad’s stomach probably plummeted. Sure, he knows it’s a love story, and he even knows there are three women from the same family.

Other than that?

Well, he’d probably just tell you to read the back cover.

My Husband Doesn’t Read My Books . . . and I’m Okay With It

“Does your husband read your books?”

In addition to “How many books have you sold?” and “Is this like Fifty Shades of Grey?” this is the most common question I get when people find out I’m a romance author.

The answer? A resounding “No.”

When people hear this, they’re often shocked. How can my own husband not read my books? Shouldn’t he be more supportive?

The fact Chad doesn’t read my books is fine by me. So many times, non-authors think the only way to support an author is through the purchase and reading of a book. While we do love to see you buy and read our books, this isn’t the only thing that matters. There are so many ways you can support an author, and Chad certainly proves this.

My Husband, the Advertiser

Chad calls himself my “walking billboard.” He has a shirt for every book I’ve published and wears them every chance he gets. He has also adorned his truck with magnets of my book covers.

His advertising, though, doesn’t stop there. He never misses a chance to mention my books or talk about my writing journey. As somewhat of an introvert, I struggle to confidently promote my work. Chad is the voice for me, making sure I don’t undercut myself.

You don’t have to wear T-shirts or adorn your vehicle to advertise for an author friend or family member. Word of mouth is so important. Just sharing the news with a few of your friends can make a huge difference.

My Husband, the Roadie

We’ve been to three Barnes & Noble book signings in my hometown. We’ve been to a book signing at a coffee shop. Yesterday, we traveled to Gaithersburg, Maryland, for a book festival. Chad drove me the five total hours, carried a tote of seventy books five blocks, and sat in the miserable rain with me for hours to promote my work. Along with my parents, my husband is the best road team I could ask for. He has sacrificed so many days off to help me with my dream.

If you have an author friend, try showing up to events, even if it is just to stop and say hello. You’ll help combat the fear that no one will show up and we’ll be sitting at a lonely table in the metaphorical darkness.

My Husband, the Encourager

THEN_COMES LOVE_frontcover-01Publishing can be a harrowing task. There are days of unbelievable excitement, but also days of horrific disappointment. When I first signed a contract for Voice of Innocence and was just getting ready to shout it from the rooftop, the publisher went bankrupt. Chad came home to find a blubbering mess of tears. I vowed I was done.

He didn’t let me quit, though. He encouraged me to keep going, telling me I could do it. So I swiped away the snot and tears and tried again.

Thanks to that encouragement, Voice of Innocence and two other novels would make their way to the bookshelves.

Chad’s been there on the other tough days—days a book was rejected, days of harsh reviews, days of mean comments. He’s there to boost my confidence when I feel like a nobody author.

“If it were easy, everyone would do it.”

These are the words my husband tells me during every “failure.”

He is always there to remind me of the successes. When I worry about my sales numbers, he reminds me people in other countries have bought my book and how amazing that is. When I worry a book won’t get published, he tells me it will. When I feel like it’s not worth it, he tells me it is because I’m living my dream.

Every author needs an encourager in his or her corner. I’m lucky to have found mine in my husband.

The Bottom Line

There are so many ways to support an author. Buying a book and reading it is one way, a very important way, to support an author’s dream. However, there are so many pieces to the writer’s life. My husband has managed to help fill so many of these pieces.

So the next time you see my husband at a book signing or driving around town with his magnet covered truck, remember that he’s supporting me in so many ways.

But don’t ask him what my book is about . . . just read the back

Lindsay Detwiler is the author of three contemporary romance novels including Voice of Innocence, Without You, and Then Comes Love. She is also a high school English teacher in her hometown. She lives with Chad (her junior high sweetheart), their five cats, and their mastiff Henry. You can find out more about Lindsay at www.lindsaydetwiler.com, www.facebook.com/lindsayanndetwiler, or on Twitter @LindsayDetwiler.

 

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Comments (8)

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  1. My husband is the same, and reading that I’m not alone makes me feel better. He’s not a big fan of fiction in general, which is what I write.

  2. Jenn says:

    Ladies, it sounds like I’m not the only one who struggles with this. ‘The man I love and live with is so supportive of me, but he just won’t read my stuff.’

    Guess what? Our value as authors and as human beings shouldn’t really be tied up to what the hubster thinks… and personally, I don’t do it because I think the audience will like it. I write because the words within me burst forth, unable to be contained. I don’t really expect him to come along on this wild and crazy journey every single step of the way… otherwise it would be HIS journey. <3

  3. Susan Turi says:

    I recently sent a flash fiction piece that I wrote to my husband to read. It’s only 2 pages..a short sci fi story of 1000 words which I thought he would enjoy,as hes into sci-fi. One month later its still sits there unread. He has no explanation for why he hasnt read it. Instead he shows me Nova documentaries on Saturn and its moons(?) I dont know what to think.

  4. Melissa says:

    My SO has not read a book I published a few months ago. We have been together 4 years. It’s an autobiography of my journey healing an incurable illness and childhood trauma. He said he would read it on the plane with a recent trip he took, but I guess he got into a Netflix show instead. I’m not sure what to think of this? Any advice appreciated.

  5. My husband is the same way. Support comes in so many forms, and I appreciate everything he does, from giving me space to write, encouraging me, taking care of the children (years ago) when I went to writers retreats and conferences, and when I was in the MFA program, going to book fairs with me, cheering me on, holding my hand, sharing my disappointments and joys. He’s set up book sales for charity at his workplace. He talks about what I do. He tells others I’m published. He may not be able to tell anyone a synopsis (I’m not sure if he even knows what that is!) but it’s clear he’s proud of my work.

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