Independent (Indie) authors, artists, publishers, and bookshops are on the rise. More and more individuals are seeking ways to avoid spending money with giant corporations. Instead, they look toward their local entities. Even with the convenience of print-on-demand, people seem to desire that connection that comes with shopping at local bookstores.
Still, independent bookstores struggle to compete with larger companies that have more resources and an extended reach. Even the purchasers with the best intentions cannot buy from local independent stores if they don’t know the store exists. After all, the marketing budget difference between a bookshop with a single storefront varies from the might of Amazon and other booksellers.
Perhaps because of this, Indie bookstores are fiercely protective of their business. They tend to be quite selective of books chosen to sit on limited shelving. Even independent authors may struggle to get their books on the shelves in indie bookstores if they also sell through Amazon. It’s very much a dog-eat-dog world out there!
Lastly, Amazon is often a good “go-to” option for many readers. They may think Amazon is one of the only options for accessing alternative reading methods like ebooks or audiobooks. The great news for those who would rather invest in small and independent businesses is there are other options to find physical, ebooks, and audiobooks. In fact, there are ways to support your local bookstores without even leaving your house.
Supporting Indie Bookshops &
Avoiding the ‘Zon
Bookshop.org over Amazon
Bookhop.org is a fantastic resource for independent and small bookstores as it is designed to allow readers to view local bookstores and support those shops directly. The bookstore selected receives the entire profit from purchases made through Bookshop.org (Bookshop.org, 2025). Isn’t that amazing?! Not looking to support any particular bookstore? That’s okay too because there is an active profit pool that is taken and distributed among the bookstores with webpages established with Bookshop.org (Bookshop.org, 2025).
IndieBound.org for Finding Indie Bookstores
Founded as an initiative of the American Booksellers Association, IndieBound.org is similar to Bookshop.org in that its primary focus is on supporting local and small independent bookshops (IndieBound.org, 2025). Essentially, IndieBound.org helps to connect readers with local bookstores to keep community funds local and I love that!
Libro.fm over Audible
Another great option that supports independent bookstores, Libro.fm focuses on those who enjoy audiobooks. Similar to Amazon’s Audible, Libro.fm has a membership option that provides subscribers with a monthly audiobook credit and ongoing discounts (Zavaleta, 2025). Not looking to sign up for yet another subscription? Libro.fm also offers an unpaid option in which readers can purchase books individually without credits (Zavaleta, 2025). With the rise of audiobooks, a company like Libro.fm which supports local and independent bookstores is a cool option to have!
Thriftbooks.com for Giving Books a Second Life
My cousin actually introduced me to this one a few months ago when she went on a book-buying spree on a budget. Her goal was to finish purchasing the books she needed for several of her favorite series from our high school days and man did she make out like a bandit! Thriftbooks.com is a great option for those looking to score gently-loved books for fantastic prices! Thriftbooks keep books from going to landfills every year and in turn, donate to society institutions including schools and prisons (Brittain, 2020).
Support the Author/Bookstore Directly
Beyond Bookshop.org, some independent bookstores may have their own websites as well as a list of activities occurring locally. Support your local bookstores by participating in events hosted at the location or by purchasing directly from that store, in person, or online. Similarly, many indie authors have their own websites, and newsletters, and may even sell copies of their work directly on their website. Support those authors by purchasing directly from them and subscribing to their newsletter to stay up on local news.
Supporting local, independently owned bookstores is vital in developing and growing towns. Keeping money local allows readers to invest directly in the things that matter most to them on a personal level. In some cases, this can lead to new and fun improvements in small towns! Even resulting in donations that make places like parks and playgrounds more accessible. It also makes wonderful investment opportunities to show your neighbors that you care.
Local bookstores are vital in communities, creating spaces for commerce, conversing, and coming together over shared interests. For anyone looking to put their dollars back into their communities through their reading habits, consider checking out Bookshop.org or Libre.fm and support independent bookstores!
Happy Reading!
References
“About IndieBound.” About IndieBound | IndieBound.Org, 2025,
Books Online. Support Local Bookstores.” bookshop.org, 2025, bookshop.org/.
Brittain, Rachel. “6 Places to Buy Books Online That Aren’t Amazon.” BOOK RIOT, 2 Dec. 2020, bookriot.com/places-to-buy-books-online-that-arent-amazon/.
Zavaleta, Jonathan. “The Best Amazon Alternatives for Books: Where to Buy Print, Ebooks, and Audiobooks.” Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025, www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/books/best-amazon-alternatives-for-books-online-bookstore-1235289863/.
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