50 Ways to Support Indie Authors (Without Spending Money)

 As I look more into publishing, I lean closer and closer to Indie. I do this for multiple reasons. One, because I'm Christian and finding a Christian publisher that doesn't need a high paid agent to get you in -- well, nothing's impossible. Except for that.

           But to be honest, I don't feel as though I'm being cheated any. A big reason is simply the community of Indie published authors. They're one of the most supportive, drama-free, helpful communities I've found on the internet, and I am so happy to be a small part in the Instagram corner of it.
             So, as a little tribute, (and because I like to make things difficult for myself) I've compiled a list of 50 ways YOU can help on the Indie community. WITHOUT spending money.

1. Follow them on Social Media

It's a given that the more followers someone has, the more publicity. Follow them on ALL social media you have, and help their accounts grow!

2. Like their Posts

Beat the algorithm! Arg! 

3. Give them Shoutouts on your Posts and Stories

Shout outs go a long way - honestly. Even if you only have 100 followers, if even two of those 100 decide to follow the Indie... that's progress! AND it makes the author so happy to see that people care enough to take the time and share!

4. Comment on Posts

This really gets the ball rolling for helping their accounts thrive -- AND it's great as a creator to see interaction!

5. Make Fan Art

*sighs happily* the best notification to see is that someone has posted fan art!!

6. Talk about their Books Word of Mouth

Get the name of the book into people's heads. Talk to your friends about the book, your family - everyone. In great case scenarios, you'll get interested buyers for the author - in awesome ones, they'll know to buy you merch for Christmas :D 

7. Give Honest Reviews on Goodreads and Amazon

HONEST reviews are great reviews. This boosts their views on Amazon and Goodreads, and makes people trust the book more, especially with the Indie stigma. Don't make it look fake or five star it when it deserves four, though. Otherwise, people won't take your word.

8. Make a Blog Post about Them

Get their name out there and talk about them! If people see others talking about an author - especially bloggers they follow - they'll want to know what everything about!

9. Interview them for any Media Platform

All the interviews! People like to think they have special connections with the authors they read - they want to know where this person is at before they read their novel. It makes sense since writing is a very personal art!

10. Ask your Local Library to Buy their Books

Libraries have big audiences. You might be thinking that a library viewing is a step backwards, since now there's only a few buys and many readers - less money, right? But that's not true. Most of the books I buy are only books I've read before. I don't want to spend $20+ on a sucky book. Libraries help get the word out to less fortunate and tentative buyers - and it's not all about the money. Authors like readers, no matter where they're coming from.

11. Ask your Local Bookstores to Stock their Books

Creates demand. When local bookstores start hearing an author's name, they'll want to check them out. And if more bookstores start buying Indie - well, that's a happy story for all of us.

12. Send them Encouragement through DMs and Emails

This. It gets authors through those eight hour editing stints. Those absolute my-writing-sucks moments. To have someone - and actual reader - send you a message saying 'keep going.' or 'I loved your book', it's like fireworks go off in your heart. Dancing around the room like a child... at least, it is for me :)

13. Ask Book Conferences to Get them on a Panel

MORE. INDIE. AUTHORS. AT. BOOKCON. 2020!

14. Vote for their Books in Awards they Enter

When a book has an award sticker, people trust that it's gonna be at least decent - so, buyers. It's a fact. PLUS, it makes the author much more confident, and more likely to publish again... win-win, right?

15. Read and Interact with their Blog

We write these things for a reason guys. Just say'n :P

16. Create a Fandom

Seriously every sane author's dream is to have a fandom. Not kidding. A group of people constantly supporting your work? Heck yeah. 

17. Promote Buying Indie 

Buying Indie is glazed over a lot - but Indie authors deserve the buys! Promote your friends and family buying Indie - tell people about good indie books and don't let the stigma get at you!

18. Set up Book Signings and Events

Of course you have to consult the author before setting stuff up or whatever - but if you have ties into the book industry and can get an event set up in the author's area, shoot them a text and see if they want it!

19. Interact with Raffles

Even if you're not super excited about the thing, tagging other people in their posts really gets the ball moving for followers and potential readers!

20. Become Part of their Street-Team

If they say they're looking for a street-team, shoot them a dm or text! They'll tell you what to do from there, and it's smooth sailing.

21. Go to and Promote their Events and Book Parties

Seriously! Seeing a good turn out for a book event is so relieving. I haven't even done a book event, but seeing other people get good turn outs is relieving. There's a lot invested in events... take an afternoon to check out what they've set up!

22. Request it in your Book Club

If your book club is looking for a new read, suggest your favourite Indie author! Or even start an Indie club entirely!

23. If the Book is Christian, Request it at a Church

Yup, that's right. Churches have libraries too. If your church library is active in buying new books, make sure to request an indie book. It's really hard to find good Christian fiction nowadays - break that 'C.S. Lewis only' wall and request indie!

24. Let them Take Over Your Blog for a Day

Bwahaha, blog-takeovers. They're so much fun and they really let the author introduce themself in a quirky, personal way! Giving them an outlet to do this is great!

25. Add their Books to Goodreads TBR and Lists

Get them over the hill in Goodreads and promote their books on the lists.

26. Join their Public Social Media Groups

If they've created a group... they prob want peeps to join it, I dunno... mehbeh. 

27. Pin their Books and Quotes on Pinterest

Pinterest is so helpful, and it's great to see your own books rising in popularity on Pinterest boards! Quotes go a long way on Pinterest, so don't be shy!

28. Ask Other Book Bloggers to Review the Book

There are many  a book blogger out there, and although their TBR lists are usually insane, a few personal dms from blog readers requesting a book might just catch their eye.

29. Snailmail them encouragement, if possible

Snailmail is ligit the most exciting thing, you have no idea.

30. If you're a Fellow Author, Collaborate with a Short Story

Collaborations! 

31. If you Own a Paperback, Read it in Public 

Book covers are great ways to promote books - and if people see a cover they've never seen before, they may just get curious enough to look it up.

32. If your Business has a Waiting Room, Leave your Copy on the Coffee Table

I know, I know - but what about it getting ruined? But it's worth it. And even though this is 'without spending money', you can just buy another copy if worst comes to worst. This might only be a good idea if you own the company, though, and make sure to leave a note on the book telling people that it's a free-to-read book, so people don't just assume someone left their book behind.

33. Lend Others Your Copy

Again, it's a brave thing to do to give up your preciouses into someone else's hands. But sometimes that's enough to hook a new reader!

34. Promote their Blog on Social Media 

Post their new articles on Instagram stories! Talk about it on Facebook! Tweet quotes! Get excited when they post on their blog!!

35. Take a Lot of Bookstagram Photos - the Cover Sells

If people see a cover a lot on Instagram, they might actually look into it - it's not an indie book, but it worked for me with Nadine Brande's Fawkes. And now I'm obsessed with the book sooo...

36. Feature them on your Podcast

Ask them if you can interview or talk with them on your podcast! If they live in a different city or country, you can record the phone call through a few apps on your phone... I will not link them because I'm lazy, but I'm sure a few experience podcasters know what I'm talking about.

37. Ask Another Podcaster to Feature them

If you don't podcast but you listen to them, request your favourite book podcaster to interview indie authors!

38. If you Have a Friendgroup of Bloggers, Arrange a Blog Tour

Authors will pay good money to have blog tours. Reach out to your blogger friends and ask the author if they'd like to part-take in a makeshift Blog Tour!

39. Offer your Skills

If you're a graphic designer, interior book designer, editor, fantasy cartographer or portrait photographer, ask them if they'd like help with their book cover, formatting, map drawing, illustrations, or even author picture - little talents go a long way, and these services don't come cheap when authors have to buy them.

40. Ask them What they Need

Sometimes shooting them a message around release time or in a marketing slump can be really helpful. The author a lot of times has some things that they would love help with, that maybe you can do!

41. Support Indie Author Festivals in your Area

If you have a book festival or an indie author festival in your area, go to it, request authors at it, partake it in, help it out!

42. Beat the 'Poorly Written' Stigma Against Indie

Make sure you let people know that Indie authors strive for their books to be the best they can be, and indie books aren't published out of lack of care - they're published out of a surplus of it. Indie authors want their book to be the best it can be, and if they know that means they have to go the Indie route, they will.

43. Enter Book Giveaways Even if you Own the Book - And Give it to a Friend

Because 1. tagging people in giveaways helps anyway 2. giving books to a friend usually makes the friend have an attachment to the author, whether they know it or not. Thus, potential buyer and friendship strengthened. Bonus.

44. Watch and Interact with their Live Videos

It's awkward and brave to get onto a live stream. Show your support by joining and interacting with the author!

45. Join their Newsletters

Those pop ups aren't there for nothing. Join their newletters and keep up to date with everything going on in their bookish lives!

46. Share their Book trailers

Book trailers take a lot of time, care, and money to produce. Supporting them in any way possible is really great for authors!

47. Offer to Translate their Book

If you fluently speak and write multiple languages, don't hesitate to offer traslating services for free or cheap to your favourite indie - they might just jump on the offer!

48. Answer Questions About their Book HONESTLY

If someone asks you a question about the book, answer it... but make sure your answer is honest. If they ask if it's a bit freaky and you know they're not big on those types of books and you answer 'no' even though there's a few thrilling scenes, that might make the reader repulsed to the author's other books. Instead, maybe offer a different, lighter book by the author, or another indie author's books altogether. 

49. Add their Book to Goodreads if it Hasn't Been

If their book hasn't been added to Goodreads, add it immediately. This site is a really great way to get author's names out there, and support books from all areas and genres. The site is really growing in popularity, and an author without their book up is at a big disadvantage. Add their book and make sure to link the Amazon or buying page. 

50. Be Excited

Just make sure, whatever you do, to be passionate and excited about the books! When you're excited, it shows through, and others want to join you!

            I just want to mention, all of these things are what I would want as an Indie author. If an author is offended or annoyed by any of these things, that's normal, and you should probably apologize and blame me. Make sure while you do these things not to be creepy. Getting encouraging DMs is great, but getting people saying 'Eh, gurl u purty @ da back of ur book'. Not fun. Not happened to me, but it has to others, and it's not encouraging. Make sure that whatever you say is professional and respectful, and that they know that you're there for them - but not there in literal person to stalk them. 

            Of course one of the best ways to support an author is to buy their books, but if you really are stuck between a rock and a hard place in the cost department, just try in general to be supportive of their books and their work - just one post about their book goes a long way. 

WELL, this has been a long post. Since you might all know that I really should be editing right now (50 item lists are great for procrastinating) I will... well, stop talking now. 

Julie Mozart