There’s always an etiquette to each kind of social media so it’s always best to learn how to handle yourself in every setting. Goodreads is no different where authors should neither respond to reviews nor promote their books as much as we do over Twitter. However, it seems many authors don’t take advantage of what they can as an author when using Goodreads. Some may not even know that they can function as an author with readers.

For an author, Goodreads is a prime form of social media to engage readers – mainly as a reader. But there are ways to reach out to readers and grow an audience. As discussed last week, tweaking your author profile is important. However, some authors seem reluctant or even unaware of how to get themselves designated as an author.

It’s very important to gain the distinction of an author on Goodreads. You don’t want to be seen as trying to run under the radar as an author. You want people to come to trust you and see you as an author so they may be interested in your books. But just getting that distinction holds some other important value for an author. With it, you can post or claim your titles and begin to promote them where available on Goodreads (see group instructions whenever joining a group). Also, when the time comes, you can create events and hold giveaways. If you’re already an author on Goodreads then this won’t be an issue.

I personally did this rather quickly. But what do you need to apply to be in the Goodreads Author Program? First you need a regular account. Next you need a book to tout. This was one reason why I self-published The Black Bag very early in my efforts. There were too many pluses to learning the ropes and gaining some good ratings. Personally, I should have added to that one with a few more short works or anthologies of short stories much sooner – a flaw in my approach that I’ve rectified if you take a look at my profile now.

Here are the basic details for being accepted into the Author Program. Check the menu on the right for more details on the program usage.

Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. Sign up for my Archer’s Aim Digest mailing list to receive the forthcoming edition of my newsletter with announcements about upcoming releases and events. You’ll be the first to have news about my books, especially some free offers this summer related to the upcoming release of The Bow of Destiny, the first novel of The Bow of Hart Saga. Speaking of which, it is now available on Amazon – Kindle. Additionally, I have FREE book, What Is Needed is available at Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks and Smashwords & Amazon.