Support Indie Books During the Quarantine

Greetings from the quarantine. While most of my blog posts have been about the writing craft, I’ve decided to focus on how the book industry is faring with COVID-19. It’s not looking good right now for publishers, booksellers or authors.

International book expos and conferences have been canceled, while many bookstores have laid-off their workers and closed without any idea of when they’ll open again. Authors who had planned book appearances —  a way to promote their new books and sell more copies — are now forced to stay home.

The only good news I have to share is that we can all help by buying and reading books. We’re all stuck at home, right? Why not order a few titles to be delivered to your front door?

Large e-commerce sites will see a drop in sales this year, but they can weather the storm. Independent publishers and mom-and-pop bookstores could really use your help right now.

We All Benefit from Independent Publishing

Most writers dream of scoring a book contract with one of the “Big Five.” It’s possible, and most of the time it’s a decent deal for an author, but these conglomerates aren’t what they used to be. Indie publishers are filling a huge void.

Traditional publishers base a majority of their decisions on what can be marketed, not always on literary value. As a result, there is a ton of new talent that gets shut out of the industry because they don’t follow the same old mold.

On the flip side, independent publishers release thousands of titles a year that you may not always hear about (without the “Big Five” marketing amplification) but they’re fabulous books nonetheless. Think of these books as raw gems waiting to be plucked for your reading pleasure. Oftentimes these indie books sell more than their traditional counterparts.

Here is a list of  “The 9 Best Independent Publishers in the US” to browse through while you’re in quarantine. A few examples include:

• New Directions
• Mango Publishing
• Akashic Books
• Algonquin Books
• Kensington Publishing Corp

There are hundreds of excellent indie publishers selling books that push literary boundaries and represent more modern, diverse perspectives. You can search the web and find one that fits your preferred styles and interests.

Place Quarantine Orders From Local Bookstores

Interested in getting hyperlocal with your support of small business? Your neighborhood bookstore may be closed during the quarantine, but some are still shipping online orders. Without foot traffic, it’s all they can do to stay afloat.

Here are some examples of independent bookstores across Florida:

• Books & Books in Miami
• Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore in Delray Beach
• Key West Island Books
• Sandman Books in Punta Gorda
• Sundog Books in Seaside
• The Muse Bookshop in DeLand
• Gene’s Books in Sanibel
• Writer’s Block Bookstore in Winter Park

This is only a random sampling. There are hundreds more.

Visit the Indie Bookstore Finder to locate other stores near you. Whoever you decide to buy from, feel proud knowing you’ve helped support a local business in your community.

How Can I Support Authors During This Crisis?

There are several ways to support authors directly. The easiest thing to do is buy a copy of their book and leave an online review. As I said earlier, many authors with books coming out in 2020 had to put a hold on their promotions. Others have moved online, hosting readings or panels through social media or video conferencing software.

So what else can you do?

Attend a virtual book event and share the registration link with your online network of writers. Heck, invite your family and friends if you think they’d like to hear about that topic. There are differing opinions on whether social media helps sell books, but it doesn’t hurt to also share updates from writers who have a book coming out this year.

Keep in mind these books are an author’s livelihood and the culmination of years of hard work. Good luck everyone!