Why You Should Read Indie Books + Recommendations

Disclaimer: I am not bashing on big authors or publishers at all. I love so many popular books out there and I’ve got the chance to meet several of the authors and they’re lovely people. The point of this post is to give an argument for why we should give a little love to the indie authors out there!

Let’s get the definition of “Indie Author” out of the way. For the sake of this post, I’m condensing it down. Meaning, this is probably an inaccurate definition and is more of an umbrella term. Indie Author, for this post, means an author who is either self-published or published under a small or micro press.

With that out of the way, let’s chat!

Bookstagram, Twitter, and blogs are full of fangirling and raving about all the biggest and newest books. I don’t know about you, but I usually see the same 10 books circulating (especially on bookstagram). It’s the same authors, same books, same series, same anticipated releases every time. Sure, there are a few exceptions to this, but the majority of us share books that are popular.

That’s great because we all know what the book it is, most of us have read it and are familiar with the author and all of that means we can discuss it together! What’s not great about this is that so many books get thrown under the rug and forgotten about, or not even talked about at all – like indies.

There’s this stigma on indies that brands them as bad quality, terrible stories, and not worth our time. Yes, this can be true in certain cases. Essentially, anyone can publish a book without any editing, so you’re bound to get a few bad ones – but don’t let one bad apple ruin the bunch. There are so many great books out there that are self-published or published under a small publisher, let’s give them a chance!

THE STORIES ARE JUST AS GOOD 

Honestly, some of the best stories I’ve read are from indie authors. I’m not here to hate on big publishers because some of my favorite books come from them. However, big publishers want to sell books they know will sell. They want to sell books that fit in a niche – that fit a space in the market that they already know will be the next big thing.

Indie authors are writing a story, most of the time, because it’s what they want to write. There is not a big publisher behind them telling them what will sell and what won’t – they put their whole life into this book and it goes out into the world in a pure state.

(I am not discrediting the hard work mainstream authors put into their books, at all. They put their whole life into their books as well, but they do have a lot of people who their book goes through before it reaches the shelves. Also, some stories just aren’t unique because of the “Next Big Thing” mentality)

Possible relationship with the authors

Twitter allows us to communicate with authors today, some more than others, which is great! With indie authors, there’s a unique relationship that can be formed, they can almost become your besties because they’re so easily accessible. They also want to market their book, so as a blogger, that opens up a door for both a personal and business relationship.

For example, last year I ran a feature called “Authorly Love” in which I featured a new indie author every month. It allowed me to get to know each one and regularly talk to them throughout the month. Most I still talk to to this day and I was contacted by their publishers for review mailing lists. That’s something unique compared to the one time a big author may like or retweet your fangirling.

Boosts stories, may cause a publishing change, and supports the writer

If we give support and boost books by indie authors, there’s a chance that it will be picked up by a publisher! Or, if it’s already published under one, it gives more attention to that book, that publisher, and their other books – which only has positive results! If all we talk about are the most popular books, how are the indie authors ever supposed to have their big moment?

So, did I convince you yet? Or do you already read indies and need some recommendations? Well, here are some of my favorites!

Aftermath
by Clara Kensie

Publisher: Merit Press
Genre: Fiction
Content Warning: Child abduction
Goodreads | My Review

• There is a campaign at Blu Bear Bazaar – if you buy an Aftermath tote or pillow, proceeds go to either the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children or Rape, Incest, Abuse National Network.

Charlotte survived four long years as a prisoner in the attic of her kidnapper, sustained only by dreams of her loving family. The chance to escape suddenly arrives, and Charlotte fights her way to freedom. But an answered prayer turns into heartbreak. Losing her has torn her family apart. Her parents have divorced: Dad’s a glutton for fame, Mom drinks too much, and Charlotte’s twin is a zoned-out druggie. Her father wants Charlotte write a book and go on a lecture tour, and her mom wants to keep her safe, a virtual prisoner in her own home. But Charlotte is obsessed with the other girl who was kidnapped, who never got a second chance at life–the girl who nobody but Charlotte believes really existed. Until she can get justice for that girl, even if she has to do it on her own, whatever the danger, Charlotte will never be free.

Aria
by M.D. Luis

Publisher: Self-published
Genre: YA Paranormal
Goodreads | My Review

Nineteen-year-old Nya Reed never thought her simple life could get so complicated so quickly, until one horrifying night with friends she won’t ever forget, or remember…

Nya awakens in the ER, bruised, bloodied and has little memory of the night prior. Her new friend, Matt, is dead and the police are baffled when they have no leads in the case. Nya struggles to piece together any fragments of broken memory she can salvage. Her only clue? A gold pendant in her pocket she’s never touched or seen before.

Worried that Matt’s killers will surface, Nya seeks comfort from her neighbor, Jack. He is the only person that can reign in Nya’s ever racing mind and bring some peace to her troubled and chaotic world. But Jack has issues of his own. His past is shrouded in mystery, his whereabouts are unknown and there are things about him that Nya cannot explain. As the romance blossoms, she begins to question if this new found love is truly her friend or her foe and is determined, now more than ever, to find out exactly who…or what…Jack truly is.

The Reluctant Sacrifice
by Kerr-Ann Dempster

Publisher: Ink City Books
Genre: YA Paranormal
Goodreads | My Review

Centuries ago, sibling rivalry tore Aramith apart. As punishment, the losers were stripped of their immortal birthright and banished to Earth. There, they wasted away from old age and diseases. However, there is hope…

If a Shaw child, born on the 12th day of the 12th month offers her soul in a public sacrifice, then the exiles will be forgiven and welcomed home to Aramith.

Aubrey Shaw is that child, but dying for the exiles is not on her to-do list. Using her gift as a Jumper, Aubrey leaps between bodies to escape relentless shape-shifting hunters. Only, shedding her skin is not enough. Not when Joshua, her best-friend-turned-hunter, is hell-bent on dragging her to the altar.

New World: Rising
by Jennifer Wilson

Publisher: Oftomes Publishing (first self-published)
Genre: YA Dystopian
Goodreads | My Review

Since witnessing her parents’ murders at the age of eleven, Phoenix’s only purpose in life has been to uphold her mother’s dying words- to be strong and survive. But surviving outside of The Walls- outside of The Sanctuary- is more like a drawn-out death sentence. A cruel and ruthless city, Tartarus is run by the Tribes whose motto is simple, “Join or die.”

Refusing to join and determined to live, Phoenix fights to survive in this savage world. But who can she trust, when no one can be trusted? Not even herself.

Project W.A.R.  series
by M.A. Phipps

Publisher: CHBB Publishing
Genre: YA Dystopian/Sci-Fi
Goodreads | My Review

Wynter Reeves is a law-abiding citizen of the State, a willing conformist whose daily life is haunted by terrorism and oppression. With the constant threat of death hanging over her like a shadow, she forces herself to live by a strict set of rules, all in the hope of ensuring she is never noticed. However, on her twenty-first birthday, as she prepares to take the placement exam that will determine her future within society, she begins to show symptoms of a rare and debilitating illness—ultimately attracting the attention of the State. Taken into the custody of the feared research facility known as the DSD, her worst nightmare becomes reality.

Ripped away from the life she knew, Wynter is forced to become the test subject of the mysterious Dr. Richter. Through him, she learns the true and terrifying nature of her condition: a disease called Ultraxenopia.

From a Distant Star
by Karen McQuestion

Publisher: Self-published
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Goodreads | My Review

• Also wrote Edgewood (YA, Sci-Fi) and Grimm House (MG).

When Lucas Walker inexplicably recovers from a terminal illness, everyone is astonished –except for his girlfriend Emma, who never gave up hope. However, as friends and family celebrate the miracle, Emma becomes alarmed: Lucas has changed. He speaks haltingly, can’t recall past events, and even his own dog doesn’t recognize him. Emma begins to suspect something is terribly wrong. What happened to the Lucas she loved? Does his strange behavior have something to do with the shooting light that fell into Lucas’s backyard the night he recovered?

As the two set off on a road trip in search of the truth, the journey takes an unexpected turn. First they’re shot at by unknown enemies and then helped by unlikely allies. Before long, Emma and Lucas are plunged into a desperate life or death race against time.

In the Context of Love
by Linda K. Sienkiewicz

Publisher: Buddhapuss Ink LLC
Genre: Adult Fiction
Goodreads | My Review

Angelica had always suspected there was something deeply disturbing about her family, but the truth was more than she bargained for.
After a devastating family secret derails every aspect of her life she is caught up in a whirlwind of bad decisions and wrong turns. Her journey of self discovery carries her backward as she once again learns to believe in love and the power of redemption.

What Lies Within by James Morris

Publisher: Self-published
Genre: YA Thriller
Goodreads | My Review

• Also wrote Melophobia, which is great!

Shelley Marano is an ordinary, unexceptional high school senior…until the day she receives a cryptic text message, and her world tilts sideways. Now she’s in real danger, although she doesn’t know who would want her dead, or why. As she starts to unravel the mystery, the truth about who she really is proves to be more frightening than she ever imagined. With the lives of her and her friends hanging in the balance, one thing is certain: Nothing will ever be the same.

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Do you read indies? What are some of your favorites?
Do you avoid them? Did you have a bad experience?
Let me know any of your thoughts!