The 12 Ways of Christmas to Gift an Author

by Julie Lavender @JLavenderWrites

Want to be a not-so-secret Santa for fellow writer friends? Here’s 12 Ways of Christmas to gift an author. Pick a friend (or more than one friend) with a recent release and give one or more of the gifts below. Or, pick a dozen author friends and share one gift with each author. 

Here’s the list, along with a verse about generosity to go with each one! 

1. Locate the author’s new book on Goodreads and click “want to read.” 

You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings. Deuteronomy 15:10

2. Ask a local bookstore to carry the author’s book. 

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. Luke 6:38

3. Purchase the author’s book in a local bookstore, or order the author’s book, digital or print. After reading the book, add the book to your personal collection, share with your church’s library, or give it away to a friend to read, also. 

But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. 2 Corinthians 8:7

4. Sign up for the author’s newsletter. 

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 

5. Ask your church librarian to order the book. 

Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 

6. Mention the book to the appropriate minister in your church. If the book is a board book or picture book, share the title with the children’s minister. Women’s fiction? Share the title with the women’s ministry coordinator. 

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

7. Send an encouraging or affirmative email or private message on social media to the author. 

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.Proverbs 3:9

8. Write a review of the book and post on Amazon, Goodreads, Books A Million, Barnes and Noble, and Christianbook.com. 

Give to everyone who asks of you. Luke 6:30

9. Post about the author’s book on your Facebook page. 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

10. Post a message about the author’s book on Twitter. 

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:14

11. Post a picture of the book and message on your Instagram account. 

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him; Worship the Lord in holy array. 1 Chronicles 16:29

12. Add a mention of the author’s book on your Pinterest page. 

And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. Matthew 10:42

Enjoy the blessing of giving this holiday season. Give gifts to fellow authors, because it truly is better to give than receive! 

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good write! 

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Julie Lavender, author of 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories (Revell), loves helping other authors and is grateful when fellow writers bless her with encouragement and support. Connect with Julie on social media, and she’ll rejoice in adding another writer to her collection of friends! And she’d be especially honored if you’d consider her book when shopping for parents and grandparents on your shopping list!

365 Ways to Love Your Child

Growing up in a financially strapped, South Georgia farming family, Julie Lavender learned to appreciate small yet meaningful affirmations of love when her parents found ways to visibly demonstrate their feelings. Later, when she had her own children, Julie delighted in finding creative ways to express her love for them, as well as for the children whose lives she touched through teaching school and volunteering in the children's ministry at her church.

In 365 Ways to Love Your Child, Julie encourages moms, dads, and anyone who works with children to show kids every day with simple but meaningful gestures and activities how very much they are loved. Join Julie in expressing tangible acts of love to show your kids they are valued by their parents and, most especially, by God.