5 Ways to Support Independent Authors Without Spending Money

As someone who loves supporting indie authors, I know how rewarding it is to champion new voices and fresh stories. But let’s be honest—none of us have unlimited funds to buy every book that catches our eye. If you’re like me and want to support more authors than your budget allows, the good news is there are plenty of ways to make a difference without spending a dime. Here are five meaningful ways you can help independent authors thrive, even if you can’t always buy their books.

Share Their Posts and Books With Friends

Word of mouth is powerful! If you enjoy an author’s work or even just their online presence, share their posts, book announcements, or excerpts with your friends and followers. A simple share on social media or a personal recommendation can introduce new readers to an author and help their audience grow.

Promoting independent authors' work through personal connections.

Encouraging someone to check out an indie author you love not only aids the author but fosters a community of readers eager for diverse stories. You never know, your enthusiastic recommendation could lead to someone discovering their new favorite book!

Request Their Book at Your Local Library

Libraries are wonderful gateways for readers and authors alike. If you’d love to read a book but can’t purchase it, ask your local library to order a copy. Not only does this give you access to the book, but it also puts the author’s work in front of countless other readers in your community.

Local libraries help promote indie authors.

A simple visit to your local library can create a ripple effect. By requesting a book, you're essentially advocating for the author's work, which could lead to more readers discovering their stories—potentially leading to increased sales and visibility in the future!

Leave a Review

Reviews are gold for independent authors. Even a short, honest review on Amazon, Goodreads, or the author’s website can boost their visibility and credibility. You don’t have to write an essay—a few sentences about what you enjoyed can make a huge difference and encourage others to give the book a try.

Sharing your thoughts helps indie authors gain visibility.

Consider this: many readers rely on reviews to decide which books to buy or borrow. By sharing your opinion, you're helping to build an author’s reputation. It’s a minimal time investment with maximum impact—something every indie author greatly appreciates.

Engage With Their Social Media

Authors often spend a lot of time building their online presence. Liking, commenting on, or sharing their posts helps increase their reach and shows them that their efforts are appreciated. Your engagement can also help their posts get seen by more people, thanks to social media algorithms.

Engaging with an author's social media isn't just about increasing likes and followers; it's about building relationships. Authors appreciate their readers' interactions, and every comment or like helps create a supportive community around their work.

Subscribe and Respond to Their Newsletters or Blogs

Many indie authors send out newsletters or write blog posts to keep readers updated. Subscribing is a great way to stay connected, and replying to their updates with encouragement or feedback can mean the world to them. It’s a simple way to show you care and to build a genuine connection.

By keeping up with an author’s newsletters or blogs, you can gain insights into their writing journey, upcoming projects, and personal experiences. A thoughtful reply can create a dialogue and may even inspire the author to keep pushing forward in their craft.

Your Voice Matters

Supporting independent authors doesn’t have to break the bank. Every little action—whether it’s sharing a post, leaving a review, or simply cheering them on—adds up and helps authors continue doing what they love. As a reader and a fan, your support matters more than you know. So, if you love indie books but can’t buy them all, remember: your voice, your enthusiasm, and your kindness are priceless gifts to the authors you admire.

Engage with your favorite indie authors today! What actions will you take to support them without spending money?