As the holiday season kicks off, there’s one gift that never goes out of style: a good story. And behind so many of those unforgettable stories are indie authors, writers who pour their heart, time, and energy into creating worlds for us to escape into. This Black Friday, we want to shine a spotlight on them. Why Indie Authors Need Us More Than Ever Most indie authors aren’t sitting on bestseller lists or topping algorithm charts. They’re writing late at night, designing graphics on their lunch break, learning advertising on the fly, and juggling every piece of publishing that big publishing houses normally handle. Indie publishing is empowering, but it also means authors are often their own: Marketing team Publicist Editor Designer Social media manager And somehow still… full-time writer So when you support an indie author, you’re not just buying a book, you’re helping keep their dream alive. Your Holiday Challenge: Pick One Indie Author This week, take a moment to choose one indie author you know or follow. Maybe it’s a friend. Maybe it’s someone whose posts you always scroll past with a little smile. Maybe it’s the writer who’s quietly published five books while raising kids, working a job, and fighting the algorithm gods. Pick one of their books and grab a copy. Think of it as tossing a coin to your Witcher 👈 . Yes, I made that reference. If you don't know, tossing a coin is a small gesture that means the world to the one receiving it. Then Share the Love Buy The Book. This step is how you help them find their next reader. Post about the book on your favorite social platform. Share a picture or even just the cover Tag the author’s page Add a kind word about why you picked it That tiny act of visibility can be the spark that helps them reach a brand new audience. Why This Matters Readers underestimate how much power they have. One post. One share. One review. One tag. It all stacks up. Indie authors don’t have giant marketing budgets backing them. They have community . (That's you.) This holiday, let’s show them how strong that community can be. We’re Here to Help At Author Loot, we know exactly how hard indie marketing can be, because we live and breathe it every day. We help authors build websites, grow their platforms, launch their books, and reach their readers without burning themselves out. If you’re an author who needs support, or a reader who wants to discover new stories, we’re here for you . Let’s make this the year indie authors get the attention, love, and boost they deserve.