As a mom to two young children, nurturing a love for literacy is close to my heart.
I know that holding on to that love for reading through the preteen and teen years can be tough. But it can also be incredibly empowering to discover stories where people like you are reflected: people with the same hopes and dreams, who overcome obstacles, find friendship, love, and inner strength along the way. Books helped me through my own teen years, which is why, after meeting an indie author who encouraged me to publish my first book, I knew I wanted to write YA.
I’ll never forget what someone told me while I was drafting Saving Eden, my debut YA novel: “If you write YA, you’re writing for adults who happen to like to read YA.”
It’s true! Many adult readers love YA. It’s also true that it can be hard for indie YA books to reach actual teens. Most younger readers aren’t browsing Amazon or asking for Kindle Unlimited subscriptions. They’re getting their books from parents, teachers, libraries, and brick-and-mortar bookstores (or, let’s be honest, devouring fanfiction!).
Many schools, libraries, and bookstores don’t traditionally carry independently published authors. But as the publishing industry shifts and as more people look to shop small, support local creators, and find books that are just right for the young people in their lives—I wanted to create a cozy corner of the internet to help them find us indie YA authors.
Eventually, I want this space to be searchable by genre, tropes, and content, so families and readers can easily discover their next great middle grade or YA read—books they might not find on store shelves. I also hope to team up with indie authors for fun events and campaigns to help spread the word.
YA indie authors are out here. And we’re ready to move beyond the traditional spaces indie authors usually occupy so we can connect with more young readers.
I hope you find your next favorite story here—and maybe even pass it along to a young reader in your life.
Discover YA and Middle-Grade Indie Books 