Help an Indie Out

I hope you’re doing as best you can while socially distancing, isolating, or quarantining.

Independent bookstores and their employees are being hit especially hard by closures. Most normally operate with the narrowest of margins, and having to close doors for an undetermined amount of time will force many to close permanently.

I want to do more than post links saying to shop at your indie. I want to reward you for doing so. I’ve had some bookplates made up. They’re cute!

So, if you pre-order the paperback of Light From Other Stars from an independent bookseller, I’ll send you a signed bookplate. Send proof of purchase to erikaswylerwrites[at]gmail.com along with an address at which you feel comfortable receiving mail from a weirdo author. Do me a favor and put “bookplate” in the subject line so you don’t get lost in the inbox.

The vast majority of indies are taking web orders! Many are offering curbside pickup or free local delivery. Many are offering discounted or FREE shipping?! You can find your local indie at https://bookstorelink.com/

I don’t know what any of this means for my future touring, which is disappointing, but ultimately not a real concern these days. People staying safe and helping each other is top priority.

If you’d like a signed paperback, pre-order from *my* indie, BookHampton. Note that you’d like it signed, or even personalized! I’m happy to do it. They’re one of the best shops in the nation, and I want to do what I can to make sure they keep going.

While you’re at it, please check out books that have released this week, or will be coming out in the next few weeks. Those writers have been seriously impacted. The arts help us get through solitude, sadness, and panic. Help a writer through that same thing, if you can.

And, mostly, be well, be calm, and take care. We need you.

Love,

Erika