Aussie authors can get lost amongst the screams of the international authors on our bookstore shelves. Go into your local bookstore and most of what you will find is not Australian, especially in the Christian market. However, the Christian authors in Australia are the ones on the ground doing ministry here. If they could become more widely known, they would be able to touch more lives here right here, right now.
So herein lies a challenge. This isn’t about being patriotic – though that is fine too. And it isn’t just because I am a publisher (in fact I wouldn’t have started a Christian publishing house in our small Australian market if I didn’t believe in the message we are producing). What it is about is reaching lives, inspiring the individual and touching hearts for Jesus. That is why we publish Australian books.
So how can you, as a reader and fellow writer, help Aussie writers?
• Buy their books
Look for the Australian publication place, or the blurb about the author that says they are an Aussie (or Kiwi… let’s not forget the neighbours). By supporting them, you grow their goal to touch lives here and now.
• Recommend their books
Review them on the major sites (Koorong takes reviews, as well as overseas companies like Amazon, Kobo and Goodreads). Tell your friends on social media about the great Aussie book you’ve just read. ‘Friend’ other authors and follow them on these sites so you know when their books are coming out, and vice versa.
• Pre-order their next book
This helps the publisher knows you want them. Publishers rely on the indication of who wants their books with pre-orders or pre-registered interest.
• Ask for their book in your local library!
You’ll benefit, and afterwards, the book will be there for others to find too. A great evangelistic tool…
• Send them a note or email
Tell an Aussie author that their book made a difference.
Remember this: we each do what God gives us the potential to do. We write, we create and we connect. If we do these things together then even those who are meant to be the connectors can help those who are the writers. And the writers can help those who didn’t even know what they were looking for. We are all a link in the chain.
For me, if one life is touched, encouraged or made closer to Christ from each book I publish, it was worth it. Of course it would be better if it was financially viable as well. But that is the start. God is for us!
Rochelle Manners is a powerhouse in Australian children’s publishing, heading up Wombat Books and Rhiza Press. She’s involved with the Mad Hatter’s Bookshop in Brisbane.
This article is adapted from an article originally published in the July 2013 edition of Omega magazine Words with Wings.