How’s everyone doing out there? Social distancing may now be the norm, but there is no reason to keep your distance from these great Kidlit debuts! In fact, debut creators need your support now more than ever since events, launch parties, and tours are all being postponed or canceled.
Not to fear! There are still many ways you can support new authors/illustrators.
- If you are planning on purchasing the book, consider ordering it from your local independent bookstore. Small businesses that depend on foot traffic will be hit especially hard by our isolating behaviors. Click here to find yours: www.indiebound.com.
- Not in the market for a new book? You can still request that your local library system purchase it. Most libraries have an online suggestion form that makes this process super easy.
- Active on social media? Celebrate book birthdays, post your thoughts, and tag creators with your shout-outs.
- Books make terrific gifts for relatives, teachers, and friends. Reach out to the author/illustrator and you just might snag some SWAG or a bookplate!
- Last, but not least, write an online review. When a book garners a lot of reviews, algorithms take notice and start sharing the book with more people. More eyes = more sales = more happy readers. Win-win!
AND if you review a debut Kidlit creator, and repeat that step 5x, you can enter to win signed books and other bookish goodies. Details HERE.
Make reviewing a habit!
Not sure where to find Kidlit debuts? Cooperative promotional groups are a great place to start. Let’s take a look at where our current-round members belong:
| Member | Book | Promo Group Twitter Handle |
| Elisa Boxer | THE VOICE THAT WON THE VOTE | @Soaring20sPB |
| Kelly Carey | How Long Is Forever? | @Soaring20sPB |
| KT Johnston | Railway Jack: The True Story of an Amazing Baboon | @2020DebutCrew |
| Fiona Halliday | Numenia and the Hurricane | @Perfect2020PBs |
| Janet Sumner Johnson | Help Wanted, Must Love Books | @2020DebutCrew |
| Marcie Flinchum Atkins | Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature | @Notable19s |
| Bea Birdsong | I Will Be Fierce! | @NewInNineteen |
| J. Kasper Kramer | The Story That Cannot Be Told | @Class2K19Books |
Just click the links to find a handful of Kidlit debuts at each site! You can choose any of their books to read and review for the challenge; not just this round’s featured creators.
Be well and use all the time you would have spent commuting to read and review debut Kidlit!