How Can You, as a Reader, Support Indie Authors?

Indie authors often work solo — doing their own designing, marketing, and promoting, and building their own fanbase through carefully implemented SEO and keyword research. If you’re an indie author yourself, you already know the struggles of the journey. And if you’re a reader who loves an indie published book, you would most likely need to know how you can support the author further. 

There are, in fact, plenty of ways you can support an indie author beyond just buying their book. From where you buy your book to when and how much you pay for it, all the little changes you make in your established routine of book-buying can make a vast difference in an indie author’s life.

1. Buy directly from the author

The author is likely to get different percentages of the amount you pay for the book depending on where you buy it from. That’s why buying directly from the author — if there is such an option — is mostly beneficial for them. Visit the author’s website and check if they have an option for you to buy the book directly from them. 

If it’s not possible to buy directly from the author due to unavailability or shipping issues, go to local indie bookstores or even purchase online. When you buy books from large bookstores, authors rarely see much of a profit due to all the money involved to get the book on those bookshelves.

2. Talk about the book

Word of mouth has always been one of the primary sources of book recommendations for every reader. Ever had a friend who read all these awesome books and then came to school and gushed about it so enthusiastically that you had to read the book yourself?

You can be that person to advocate for the book. If you loved the book, talk about it on social media and with friends and coworkers and even random people on the bus who ask you what you’re reading.

3. Request the book at the library 

Even if you have your own copy of the book, make sure to request it at your local library so other readers can discover it, either accidentally or through recommendations. Most of our favourite books were found among the dusty shelves of our neighborhood libraries. Why not enable someone else to experience this magical moment, while also supporting the author?

If you’re an indie author reading this, and wondering how to get your book into libraries yourself, go check out this blog post!

4. Leave reviews

My fatal flaw is reading a book and being too lazy to write about it. But reviews are what readers look for before they purchase any book, and hence, an insightful review will be the most helpful thing you can do for the author.

Write a small review (without spoilers!) with your thoughts and opinions about the book, and post it on all major sites, like Amazon, Goodreads, etc., where readers often haunt. 

5. Go to the author’s book events with friends

Book events like book launches and book readings are opportunities for writers to get to know their fanbase. You can support the author by being physically present, and even get your copy signed!

You can also take your friends along and introduce them to the author. It’s more likely they’ll be compelled to read their books if they like the author’s personality.