Right now one of the biggest conversations in the indie publishing world is this: How much should authors rely on the big platforms vs. building their own direct connection with readers?
For years many of us have leaned heavily on places like Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, and social media algorithms to reach readers. And they do work… until the algorithm changes, visibility drops, or royalties shift overnight.
More and more indie authors are asking a different question:
What happens if we build our own ecosystems?
Websites. Newsletters. Direct bookshops. Reader communities.
Spaces where readers can find us without an algorithm deciding if we’re visible that day.
It’s a fascinating shift happening across the indie world right now. Some authors are thriving with it. Others feel overwhelmed by the tech, marketing, and time it takes.
So I’m curious:
✍️ Authors: Are you focusing more on building your own platforms (websites, newsletters, direct sales), or are you still leaning mostly on the big retailers?
📖 Readers: Where do you prefer discovering new books — Amazon, social media, newsletters, or directly from an author’s website?
Drop your thoughts below. The indie community works best when we share what’s actually working. 👇