Supporting Indie Authors: Finding the Real Communities in a Sea of Performative Posts
- Helen Taylor
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
If you’ve ever dipped into Facebook groups for thriller writers, you’ll know the pattern: the same handful of big names dominate the conversation, and indie authors barely get a look in. You can share your work, offer help, join discussions — and still feel invisible.
But it’s not just Facebook.
On Instagram, TikTok, and Threads, there’s a constant stream of posts urging people to “support indie authors,” “drop your books below,” or “share your links so I can boost you.” It sounds wonderful. It looks supportive. It feels like a chance to be seen.
Except… most of the time, nothing happens.
You comment. You share your books. You offer ARC links, website links, blurbs, covers — everything they ask for.
And then?
No sales.
No reviews.
No reposts.
No follows.
No sign‑ups.
Because the truth is, many of those posts aren’t about supporting indie authors at all. They’re about boosting the creator’s engagement. Your comment helps their algorithm, but they have no intention of ever clicking your link.
It’s disheartening. It’s exhausting. And it can make you feel like you’re shouting into a void while everyone else is being heard.
But here’s the part that matters: not all communities are like that.
Last week, after months of showing up, replying, posting, and refusing to disappear, something finally shifted. I was chosen for the very first Author Support Circle — the image above — as you will have seen we support a different author each week and even though this is week 1 it already feels like a little community of warm hugs when one of them pops up with a like or a comment or an email.
I am also working with WisteriaMagz after connecting with them on Instagram. A real opportunity. A real collaboration. A real “yes.”
And it didn’t stop there.
I’ve joined the Killer Thrillers “Adopt an Indie Author” event on Facebook — and it’s everything those performative posts pretend to be. Organised. Supportive. Genuine. People actually read each other’s work. They follow through. They show up.
I feel incredibly lucky to be part of it.
But I also believe in giving back. I always do what I say I will. I read and review indie authors every week because there are some truly brilliant books out there that deserve far more attention. I’m happy to be an ARC reader, a beta reader, a cheerleader, or the person who helps you untangle an Amazon issue when you’re ready to throw your laptop out the window.
And I can’t wait to see which indie author I get to “adopt” on 1st April. Whoever they are, they’ll have my full support — because I know exactly what it feels like to be overlooked, and exactly how much it means when someone finally sees you.
Indie authors don’t need empty gestures. We don’t need algorithm bait. We don’t need performative “drop your link” posts.
We need real community. We need people who follow through. We need each other.
And when you find the circles that genuinely care, everything changes.
All of these are linked below. If you want genuine support as an Indie Author then head on over.
Have a great week,
Helen x
Killer Thrillers Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/killerthrillers
WisteriaMags Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wisterialynemagz
The Authors Support Circle https://www.facebook.com/theauthorssupportcircle
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