Indie publishing has also become a thriving avenue for supporting authors of color or promoting diverse books, as traditional publishing often lags behind in this area.
If you want to contribute to this growth, here are 10 ways that you can support indie authors.
1. Buy our books. Yes, this may seem obvious, but it's not just about the tangible support that a purchase provides to the author. It's about using YOUR purchasing power to show local bookstores and online retailers, such as Amazon, that this is the type of content you enjoy and want to see more of in the future.
2. Ask your local library to stock a book by an indie author. It's a great way to make books accessible to more people. Bonus points for asking the library to have indie authors in for a visit!
3. Give indie books as gifts. I am a serial book-gifter and am committing to purchasing more books by self-published authors. Your friends and family may really appreciate receiving a book they hadn't seen before.
4. Suggest an indie book for your next book club. You may just discover your next favorite author! Insider tip: contact the author to see if they would be willing to Skype into your next meeting!
5. Post and share. When you do find a self-published book that you enjoy, be sure to share with others via email or social media. Don't forget to tag the author and link to their sales page!
6. Invite local authors to give a talk at your child's school, present a 'lunch and learn' at your office, or do a reading at your local community center. It's such a great way to feature talent in your own community!
7. Bring an indie book when you are a guest reader in your child's classroom. It's a wonderful way to introduce kids (and teachers or school librarians) to some of the fantastic self- published content that is out there.
8. Do you have your own blog? Find an indie author who has expertise in your content area and invite them to do a guest post.
9. Do you have your own podcast? Invite self-published authors to share their writing journey, read an excerpt from their book, or speak to the inspiration behind their work.
10. Finally, leave reviews! Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, or other platforms can REALLY help increase awareness for any book. So if you love what you read, share what you love!
Who are some of your favorite indie authors? Let me know so I can share & support their work!
PS- In the mood to support an indie author? I’d love for you to check out my books!
