It’s an honour to be asked to endorse another author’s book. Full stop. A request like that suggests the other author has heard of you (always nice) and believes, rightly or wrongly, that your name and opinion might actually carry a little weight with their perspective readers (always very nice).

I know how much courage it takes to approach an author with an endorsement request and how few are able to do it, given their own time constraints, so I rarely refuse one if there is any way I can make it work. I am careful not to make any promises from the outset, though, only to agree to, if time allows, read the book for possible endorsement.

I am a huge believer that we Christian authors are not in competition with each other. We’re on the same team and share the same mission—to be obedient to our calling from God to write stories that glorify Him and that He can use to have an impact on hearts and lives. As a result, the Christian writing community is an incredibly loving, supporting, and encouraging one. Endorsing a book is one small way that I am able to contribute to this. Plus, I get the privilege of reading what is usually a great book ahead of time, so, win win.

I do approach a story a little differently if I am reading for endorsement. Like most authors, I don’t put my name lightly on a book, since I have a responsibility to my own readers and to the potential readers of other authors whose time and money are precious. With that in mind, I am more mindful of quality and content as I read than I might be otherwise. Thankfully, I have rarely had any hesitations about recommending a book that has been sent to me.

Endorsement requests are a glowing opportunity for Christian authors to lean into community and encourage and lift one another up, as all believers are called to do in I Thessalonians 5:11. Numerous authors have endorsed books of mine. Every time I need an endorsement, I make a careful list based on which authors are doing well in my genre and might be open to such a request. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the number who have agreed when I cold-call approached them, even if we hadn’t yet interacted online or met in person. Most have continued on as supporters of my work, sharing or commenting on my promotional posts, which means so much to me.

It affirms for me every time that we are a community based on a shared faith and a shared passion for story that unites us powerfully. I’m grateful every day to be part of it and thrilled to help other authors through endorsements or any other way at every possible opportunity.

MEET SARA…

Sara Davison is the award winning author of numerous romantic suspsense series. She lives in Ontario Canada. To find our more checkout her BRRC Author Profile, or her website.