Why I love Readers

Obviously, I love my readers. They send me nice messages on Twitter and Facebook, they post fabulous reviews on Amazon and Goodreads – and they buy my books or borrow them from libraries. I think of my readers whenever I write. Is this right for them? Will they like that? One of my writing missions is to try and stop my readers putting out the light at the end of a chapter.

To be a writer in the age of communication is a privilege, because receiving a nice message from a reader makes my day, and I always reply. Sometimes readers message my characters so I reply on his or her behalf, too.

But I have a huge affection for all readers of all genres/books/magazines/authors. Without them (or I should say ‘us’ as reading is one of my greatest and abiding pleasures) the publishing industry wouldn’t exist. That thought almost makes me need to lie down! Apart from being a vital part of the economy, the publishing industry is a massive part of my life. And all those parties, conferences, conventions, meetings, talks, workshops, lunches and dinners that I love are attached to it. To be an author isn’t just a job to me, as working in a bank used to be. Being an author is a way of life. It’s a life I wouldn’t have without readers.

Another scary thought is that had I been born a couple of hundred years ago I probably wouldn’t have been able to read. Education wasn’t a right, few women were educated, and those who were often came from a moneyed family. Stories were told, acted out or sung, but for me that would never match up to the intimate world of being alone with the characters in a novel. Books can be read at my own speed and picked up and put down to suit my day; I never have to miss a bit or hurry to arrive on time.

Whether it’s in my armchair, over a meal, travelling, waiting for an appointment, in bed, on holiday, I love to fall into other worlds and see what’s happening there. Reading, and readers, rock!

COMPETITION: To be in with the chance to win a signed copy of my latest book, The Wedding Proposal, post on Twitter or Facebook with the hashtags #readsuemoorcroft5 and #take5authors and tell me your favourite place to read. Closing date 16 January 2016 and I’ll choose a winner on the 17th. Good luck!