The neighbors I've met in my new 'hood all seem relatively harmless. Actually, they're very friendly. I'm noticing a curious trend, however, when they ask me what I do as a profession and I answer, "I write historical fiction." So far, I'm four-for-four with the ol' deer-in-the-headlights look. 

What's up with that?

My hunch is that people don't know how to categorize fiction authors. It's hard to know if a writer (especially one who makes things up) should be put in the lunatic slot, the whoa-they-must-know-more-than-me box, or the that's-not-a-job division.

No worries, though. I take it as an opportunity. While their jaws hang open, I fill up the awkward silence with a plug for fiction in general. I figure if I can increase book sales overall, it floats the boat of every author.

Now I realize that not everyone has made a recent move and can use this type of situation to their advantage, but there are still things you can do promote reading...

• With the holidays around the corner, buy books as gifts. And birthdays are year round so shop your little heart out.
• If you have the time, volunteer to read aloud at a local library for children's story hour. Raising up a new generation of readers is a privilege not to be ignored.
• At the opposite end of the spectrum, I've never known a nursing home that would turn down readings, either.
• Extra books lying around the house? Dust 'em off and share the love. Donate, donate, donate.
• Model reading yourself. Park yourself in a lawn chair next time you have a few spare minutes and let the world see what you do with your free time.

And these are just a few ideas that I hope will spark a few more. If we as writers can increase the desire for reading in the general public, the demand will benefit us all.