Literary Hidden Gems: How to Find Indie Books
In a world dominated by bestsellers and mainstream publishing that tend to focus more on commercial success rather than artistic value, indie books often fly under the radar. Yet, these hidden gems offer unique perspectives, innovative storytelling, and a chance to support authors who are passionate about their craft. If you’re tired of the same old recommendations and want to explore something fresh, here’s how to uncover the indie books that deserve your attention.
1. Visit Local Bookstores
Big bookstores have done a great job getting more people reading, but they can have a shallow selection. If you want to read what everyone on all of the apps are reading, that’s a great place to go, but if you want to find independent writers whose books are true hidden gems, you will want to search in local bookstores.
This is additionally helpful in meeting people who will have some great recommendations. Small bookstores are hardly money-makers. The people that run them are doing it because they truly love books. They’ve most likely been in the world for a while and will have some great works to point you toward.
2. Get Involved in “The Scene”
The absolute best way to discover any underground art, including literature, is to get involved in your local scenes. This can mean a lot of things, and will take some effort and time.
What’s important to remember is that there is an overlap. This is where your opportunity lies. By getting involved in local music scenes, meeting painters, and finding yourself among artists of all types, you will meet writers.
If you want to find indie authors, and take the opportunity to support local authors specifically, meet them where they’re at.
3. Rethink Your Online Searches
If you want to find the right indie book for you, you can’t just search “Book Recommendations” or “Top-Rated Books”. Book publishers practice SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, which is a practice of setting up your website or other online listings to appear as high as possible on search engines like Google. This takes far more time and money than indie authors or underground publishers have. In addition, search engines favor showing higher authority companies first.
If you want to find the right indie book for you, you need to add more detail to what you search for. This means searching for things like:
- Indie books released in 2025
- Underground authors from Detroit
- New Indie Literary Fiction Novels
- Best Small Book Publishers
4. Look For Related Authors
Many indie authors are connected in the community. This is great for you as a reader because it means that when you find one indie author that you like, most likely you can follow that thread to another indie author with a similar vision.
There are a number of ways to find these “related authors”. Most eBook or book review sites have some form of a section for this. Most will allow you to either look for related books and related authors. In addition, you can go through social media, as many self-published authors will promote other self-published authors.
5. Explore Online Communities
You are not alone in the search for great indie books. There are many like you, many of whom have already found indie books that they have read and would recommend. Finding these people can be a challenge, but social media sites, such as Discord, Goodreads, and Reddit, and other online sites like forums, will give you opportunities to connect with people who want to discuss indie books with you.
6. Attend Literary Events
Events such as book signings, literary festivals, and book fairs aren’t just for big-name authors and publishers. Many events, both local and international, are a great place to meet and learn about indie authors and small presses. These gatherings are a goldmine for discovering unique voices and stories that might not get mainstream attention.
Smaller local gatherings often feature panels, readings, and book signings by indie authors. Attending these events gives you the chance to meet writers in person, learn about their creative processes, and pick up signed copies of their work. Plus, you’ll often find exclusive deals or limited-edition prints that aren’t available elsewhere.
Final Thoughts
Finding indie books is like embarking on a treasure hunt—it requires curiosity, effort, and a willingness to explore beyond the mainstream. By visiting local bookstores, immersing yourself in artistic communities, refining your online searches, connecting with related authors, engaging with online indie platforms, and attending literary events, you’ll uncover a world of stories that resonate deeply and uniquely.
While the search can be daunting, the result of finding a book that truly speaks to you, written by someone with true passion for the craft, is well worth it.