5 Ways to Build Community as an Indie Author
Whether you’re still in the research and writing process of your first book and are looking to connect with other writers or you are an established author with several books under your belt and are looking to expand your readership, community is critical to your success.
1. Collaborate with Authors and Non-Authors
One of the easiest ways to grow your own literary community is by tapping into other writers’ communities. However, taking the initiative to create your own literary events and projects can help you build your literary community while establishing you as a leader and innovator. Think outside the box and consider non-literary collaborations as well to expand your literary community.
Coauthor a Publication
Answering calls for essays and poems for anthologies can help put you in community with like-minded writers. Together, you can work on marketing efforts, such as joint readings to promote the book. Or, you can create a literary collaboration of your own by asking a writer you admire to coauthor a book with you. When you write with others, you get to know them and their previously established fans.
Participate in Online Writing Communities
There are a wide variety of online communities. Some are devoted to virtual body doubling, in which you join a video call to silently work on your projects together. Others offer live or written critique of members’ projects. Still others are opportunities to publish a blog together. You could also participate in an author blog tour, where you are featured on other writers’ blogs.
Writers Groups
Many authors are looking for feedback on their manuscript. Joining or founding a writers group is a great way to network with fellow writers and generate honest feedback about how you can improve. These networks can help connect you to partners like editors, cover designers, and interior layout formatters as well.
Beta and ARC Reader Programs
Starting to build buzz through beta or advanced copy (ARC) reader programs is a great way to pull readers into your orbit. You can get valuable feedback on your manuscript before it is finished, and also pre-fill some reviews for your book by giving away free copies. Your email subscription list and social media provide convenient ways to announce the availability of these programs.
Non-Literary Collaborations
It’s important to build community around your target niche too. For example, if you write in the health and wellness category, you and a friend who is a trainer at a gym could cross-promote each other’s work. Or, if you write about dating and relationships, you could be a guest on dating podcasts, write a relationship advice column for your local newspaper, or be a speaker at a speed dating event.
2. Participate in Your Local Literary Community
Getting involved in your local literary community can be one of the most rewarding experiences as an author. From local libraries and bookstores to the coffeehouse you spend hours writing in every morning, places you already frequent may be inroads to building your literary community.
Local Libraries
As you’re researching for your book, your local librarian may offer help finding relevant books and articles, research strategies and access to databases, and referrals for other services in the community. You can get involved in community events at the library—such as readings and lectures, bookclubs, and educational workshops—which will help you get to know like-minded readers.
Adding a Quilltips QR code in your book could help you earn money from readers who check out your book from their local library. Find out how to add a Quilltips QR code here.
Local Bookstores
Whether you have a big-box retailer like Barnes & Noble near you or an independent used bookstore, connecting with booksellers and the readers that frequent them is an important way to get to know your local literary community. Bookstores often host author readings, signings, and book clubs that you can attend as both an author and a fellow reader.
Local Coffeehouses and Neighborhood Bars
If you’re lucky, your favorite coffeeshop or neighborhood bar may already host an open mic night or bookclub. If not, many would be thrilled to host you. If you’re able to get paying customers to help fill their venue on a quiet day of the week, it’s a win-win for you and them. Being the organizer of a local open mic helps position you as a leader in your local literary community while supporting other local authors.
Literary Conferences
Great literary conferences and book festivals take place across the country throughout the year. By attending events local to you, you can meet authors, agents, publishers, editors, publicists, librarians, readers, and many more industry insiders and bibliophiles. Find a list of upcoming conferences to help you build your literary community at Poets & Writers.
3. Post on Social Media to Grow a Global Community
You don’t need to spend hours a day creating unique content for Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and all the other popular social media platforms. You just need to pick one or two, and invest in getting to know the community there.
Which social media platforms should you pick? Pick the ones that are best suited for your content creator style and where your target audience is most active. For example, if you’re writing a business book and can commit to long-form thought leadership posts, LinkedIn is ideal for you. If you’re writing an instructional guidebook and enjoy talking to people, posting how-to videos on YouTube or TikTok could be a great way to engage your reader community.
Once you’ve picked a social media platform, create consistent content that speaks directly to how you solve your target audience’s needs. Use relevant hashtags so more people interested in what you post about can find your posts.
Remember: it’s not enough to post. You also have to interact with your community. This means replying to comments on your posts and direct messages as well as commenting on your followers’ posts. Make time to also follow and comment on posts by those who aren’t a part of your community yet, particularly if they are part of your target audience.
4. Reach Your Niche Through Clubs & Organizations
Not everyone who would be interested in your book self-identifies as an avid reader, so look beyond the literary community to find readers interested in the same topics as what you write about. Everyone you meet is a potential reader, so be ready to talk about your book when an opportunity presents itself organically in the conversation.
Nonfiction Authors
Particularly if you’re a nonfiction writer, clubs, meet-ups, organizations, societies, and events are great places to find like-minded communities. If you write nonfiction books about political activism, for example, attend town halls, join a community board, or volunteer for campaigns. If you write cookbooks, you could take group cooking classes, participate in food tours, or attend wine tastings. Your involvement in these communities can help establish your subject matter authority and give you an author platform.
Fiction Authors
If you write fiction, consider finding community connections based on your novel’s setting, your main character’s job or hobby, or another critical element of your story. For example, if the main character of your novel is an artist, you could get involved in art history clubs, volunteer at your local art gallery or museum, or take art workshops at community centers. If your novel is set in the Roaring Twenties, you could take group swing dance lessons to learn the Charleston and Lindy Hop, participate in historical societies, join a classic car club, or get to know owners of local vintage shops who specialize in that era. Socializing and making authentic friendships over shared experiences builds your community.
Give people you meet a postcard with a QR code they can scan for more information about your book.
5. Use QR Codes to Establish Superfans
Many readers have no idea how easy it may be to get in touch with you. By placing a QR code on the back cover of your book or on marketing materials to potential readers, you’re letting fans know the best way to connect with you.
Quilltips makes this easy by creating QR codes for you and providing a safe, interactive environment where you can build community with your readers. When someone scans the Quilltips QR code on your book, they’ll be able to leave reader feedback, join your email subscription list, follow you on social media, and even add money to your Quilltips tip jar to show appreciation and support your work.
You can “like” and respond back to their comments through Quilltips, offering a unique digital autograph. By personally responding, you’re creating a connection with the reader. This engagement is invaluable, as it can create loyal superfans that help grow your reader community for you.
Build Community with Quilltips
After you sign up for Quilltips, be sure to complete the Stripe onboarding which will allow you to receive payments from readers into your virtual tip jar. Then, request your custom QR code from Quilltips, download it, and add it to your book.
Any time someone scans your Quilltips QR code, they’ll be taken to your custom Quilltips book page and author profile, where they can send comments, give you tips, and check out your linked social sites.
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