For independent authors, the work doesn’t end when the writing does.

As an indie author, you still have to publish, distribute, and promote your books. To support the independent author community, we’ve compiled a list of ten trusted resources. These resources can help indie authors with marketing, promotions, self-publishing, producing digital formats, creative writing, distribution, and book reviews.

 1.  Alliance of Independent Authors - Organization Dedicated to Indie Authors

The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting and providing assistance to independent authors. ALLi's team is composed entirely of working indie authors, making them experts in their field.

ALLi offers a wide range of educational programs and resources to help indie authors succeed in self-publishing. Some of their most popular services include their watchdog desk that alerts authors about bad actors in the industry, a Self-Publishing Advice Center, a member care desk, and contract and agreement assistance.

Here at Author’s Republic, we are such big fans of ALLi that we became members ourselves! As an ALLi Partner Member, Author’s Republic follows ALLi’s code of standards and their partnership approval process.

 

2.  StoryOrigin - Marketing Tool for Indie Authors

StoryOrigin is the place for indie authors to start building both their network and audience. It’s a cross-promotional marketing tool and community where independent authors compile their resources to build better mailing lists, increase sales, and grow their reviews.

StoryOrigin leverages teamwork and cooperation so you can build your audience and your professional network at the same time.

 

3.  Author’s Republic - Audiobook Self-Publishing, Distribution, and Production

Many experts in the industry will give you the same advice: to maximize sales, distribute your book in as many formats as possible through as many retailers as possible. By creating an audiobook, you can broaden your readership to include people who may not otherwise have the time or physical ability to read your book. 

Author’s Republic helps indie authors produce audiobooks and distribute them to over 50 retailers – so you can maximize your earnings.

As a one-stop shop for all things indie audiobook, we provide everything you need to create and sell a self-published audiobook:

• Distribute your audiobook to over 50 retailers
• Find, hire, and securely pay the perfect narrator for your audiobook
• Learn how to produce and record an audiobook yourself
• Opt for a fully managed production by our experts
• Retain the rights to your audiobook, no matter how it is produced

Want to learn more? Head to our other resources or sign up now! 

 

4.  Draft2Digital - Print and eBook Self-Publishing

Draft2Digital is similar to Author’s Republic, but instead of audiobooks, they specialize in producing and distributing indie eBooks and print books!

Draft2Digital takes your manuscript and converts it to an eBook or a POD (print on demand) paperback book. If you’re planning on self-publishing, you’ll absolutely need a service like Draft2Digital. 

Don’t forget that you make more sales when you offer your book in a variety of formats. We recommend publishing all of the following:

• Print book
• eBook
• Audiobook (you can self-publish, distribute, and produce audiobooks through Author’s Republic)

 

5.  The Write Practice - A Blog Focused on Writing Practice

Of course, the most important part of being an indie writer is that you write.

A lot of aspiring writers (incorrectly) think that amazing writers are just born that way, and if their writing isn’t good from the start, then they should just give up. Fortunately, the truth is much more encouraging than that. If you ask any successful person—Michael Jordan, Taylor Swift, Simone Biles—how they became so good at what they do, they tell you they practiced.

The Write Practice is a blog that focuses on helping writers develop and maintain a writing practice. They offer guides, writing prompts, courses, a robust writing community, and more!

 

6.  Daily Prompt - An App for Writing Practice

If blogs aren’t really your thing, but you’d still like help with starting your writing practice, Daily Prompt is for you. You can access the app from the web, mobile, or tablet, which makes it easier to squeeze in some practice no matter where you are.

You can take part in their daily prompts, or you can choose one based on genre in their prompt catalog. Their prompts are updated frequently and range from common tropes to unexpected, out-of-the-box ideas to help you develop range.

Practice is essential to your success as a writer, so get out there and write!

 

7.  Reedsy - Freelance Marketplace

Reedsy is an amazing resource for indie authors that connects you with credible freelancers who can do editing, design, PR, marketing, ghostwriting, and web design! It’s like Fiverr, but just for books. 

Reedsy also maintains a service called reedsylearning, where you can take all sorts of free or paid courses on writing and publishing for indie authors.

Note: Reedsy does not offer audiobook narration as a service. If you’re looking to hire audiobook narrators, you can visit the Author’s Republic Narrator Marketplace!

 

8.  Funds For Writers - Paid Gigs and Funds for Indie Writers

If you’re looking for a way to fund your next passion project, then you’re looking for Funds for Writers. Funds For Writers provides what all indie authors want: to be paid for their work. They compile contests, grants, and freelance jobs for writers.

For a free resource, this website packs a punch. Their weekly newsletter, where they compile advice, freelance jobs, contests, crowdfunding, and grants, is especially useful. It’s also great that they only accept sponsors offering paid opportunities for writers, so you don’t have to worry about sifting through unpaid gigs, trades, or scams.

 

9.  Written Word Media - Book Promotion Tool

In a rapidly expanding digital landscape where the ease of self-publishing has flooded the market with an overwhelming number of books, the challenge for indie authors has shifted from getting published to promoting their work.

Written Word Media addresses this challenge by operating an eBook marketplace with a dual purpose: helping readers discover great books and assisting authors in finding their audience.

You’ve probably already heard of Goodreads, which offers a similar service. However, Written Word Media operates specially branded sites to ensure that your books are promoted to highly engaged readers in your niche. Written Word Media has niche sites for bargain books, free books, romance books, audiobooks, and new releases.

 

10. BookBub & Chirp - Print, eBook, and Audiobook Promotion Tools

Similar to Written Word Media, BookBub allows authors to promote their works through promotions on their reader-facing site and through email campaigns. They target your promotion toward readers who have expressed interest in your book’s specific genre, topic, or author. For indie authors, this means a strategic opportunity to connect with an engaged audience and boost book sales.

Chirp is BookBub’s audiobook retailer that lets authors promote discounts on their audiobooks. It offers many of the same features as BookBub’s promotions and is widely praised by indie audiobook authors. Author's Republic has a direct partnership with Chirp, so we can help you distribute to Chirp and submit your audiobook for special promotions on their site.

The platform's effectiveness lies in its ability to tailor promotions to readers' preferences, ensuring that authors can efficiently market their books to an audience genuinely interested in their genre or writing style.

 

Looking for more resources?

Author’s Republic offers many resources for independent authors over on Our Blog.