So, You Don't Want to Support Your Favorite Indie Authors?
12 ways to support self-publishing authors. And all authors!
Indie authors do it all from writing, editing, and most of all marketing. Finding your readers as a self-publishing author however can be the hardest part. So, as a reader and book lover who loves to obsess over some fantastic reads, you can make magic happen.
Because without you, where would an author be?
Here are several ways you can actively support and promote self-publishing authors, fostering a vibrant and diverse literary landscape.
Leave Reviews
Take the time to leave thoughtful reviews on platforms like Amazon, Goodreads, or your social media accounts for others to see. Positive feedback can greatly influence other readers and give you a whole lot more new friends online to talk about what you’re currently reading.
And hopefully, loving.
Share on Social Media
As we all know, social media can be a powerful place. Post about the books you love, even if it is only the cover, quote, or a mention!
Take the time tagging the authors in promotion, shares, and positive reviews is also great (but please, respect authors boundaries and mental health and only tag them in positive reviews) Use relevant hashtags— for example, genres, or book tropes can also help your reach.
Engage with Your Favorite Authors—as well as new ones!
Follow indie/self-publishing authors on social media, engage with their posts, and participate in discussions. This connection can motivate authors and expand their audience as well as make them feel a part of the reader community.
I know that I always write just a little more each day when I feel the support and excitement for the next book to release.
Recommend to Friends
Word-of-mouth is powerful! In fact, most people still say that it can be the MOST powerful form of marketing. Recommend your favorite books to friends, family, or book clubs.
Create a Blog of Newsletter
If you’re here on Substack, maybe you already do this! If you enjoy writing or creating videos, consider starting a blog or YouTube channel to review and discuss books. Lately, I have also been seeing a lot of online book clubs which is so fun and amazing.
Attend Virtual Events and In-Person Events
Many self-published authors host virtual and/or in-person book launches, readings, or Q&A sessions. Attend these events and spread the word.
Plus, you’ll probably make that author’s day since they hold the fear no one will show up to these kinds of things.
Support Newsletters and Campaigns
Some authors use platforms like Kickstarter to fund their projects. Supporting these campaigns can help bring their books to life.
Many authors, including myself, also use platforms like Substack to keep you updated on what they are writing as well as create even more content for you! Be sure to subscribe to their newsletters and if possible, upgrade your subscription so that they can afford to write even more.
That’s the real dream for most writers. At least, I know it is for me one day.
(Hopefully soon.)
Purchase Directly—or wherever their books are sold
Most of the time, we’re not picky. Or at least, I’m not.
Many recommend that whenever possible, buy your books directly from the author’s website. This often provides authors with a higher percentage of the sale. This is true!
However, by purchasing through a retailer such as Amazon, you are helping that book gain exposure as it hopefully rises up through category ranks, which is also helpful in the end.
So buy wherever you want (though if you purchase directly from most authors, like me, you’ll likely get your copy signed!).
Advocate at Your Library
Encourage your local library to stock self-published books. You can suggest titles or authors you love! Usually, you can also do this right through your library’s website if you are feeling too nervous to go up to the front desk and ask.
Though, really, you shouldn’t feel nervous when recommending a new book to get on the shelves. They love to talk about books of all kinds and genres too.
Follow on Social Media
Social media, again, is still a powerhouse for authors and their readers!
Follow your favorite authors on social media. Engage however you can.
Not only is this exciting to see behind the scenes of an author most of the time, you likely will also be able to see new releases and upcoming news first, which is good for the author and great for you!
Talk About the Book
Along with Booktok these days (whenever the algorithms behave), word of mouth can still reign supreme when it comes to an amazing story you have to read ASAP. Spread the word of your latest read far and wide in person, over the phone, and posted on social media so it will be on everyone’s mind when they are looking for what they are in the mood to read next.
I’ve certainly given my own unsolicited review of a book when I’ve seen someone picking one up to look at it at Barnes and Noble before.
Please Review!
Didn’t I already say this one? Yes. But, seriously. You would be surprised how much reviews help.
Not only do they help people to see if they may like or dislike a book based on other readers, but reviews also help a book get noticed. It shows people scrolling on Amazon or Goodreads that people are reading this book, and it’s being talked about.
Most of the time, platforms like Amazon don’t even begin to show the book in “Things You May Also Like” or “Reader’s Also Bought” sections until it reaches upwards of 50-ish or more reviews for a book.
So please, leave a review–however short or long in length to support the book and it’s author, especially when it comes to indie. The review can be all of one sentence and you’ll make an authors, and maybe even a reader’s, day.
How else do you think we can help to support small writers and authors still gaining their reading community?
Your support means the world to me!
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