Most readers who love a book want the author to write another. Yet few know how much of an ebook's price actually reaches the writer, or which small actions make the biggest difference. This guide explains both, so your reading supports the people who make it possible.
Where your ebook money goes
An ebook's price is shared between the store, sometimes a distributor or publisher, and the author. The split varies widely:
| How the book is sold | Roughly what the author keeps |
|---|---|
| Traditionally published, big store | A royalty from the publisher, often a modest share of the price |
| Self-published on a big store | Often about 35% to 70% of the price, depending on price and terms |
| Self-published through a distributor | Somewhat less than direct, after the distributor's share |
| Author's own store | Most of the price, minus payment fees |
| BooksOasis | 100% of the ebook price for independent authors |
General ranges; each store and publisher has its own terms.
So the same purchase can put very different amounts in an author's pocket. When you have a choice and the price is similar, buying where the author keeps more is a simple way to help.
Buy where authors keep more
- The author's own store: many independent authors sell ebooks and signed paperbacks on their websites.
- Independent stores: stores that take a smaller cut, or none, leave more for the author. See independent ebook stores.
- Series and bundles: buying a whole series supports an author across several books at once.
- Print editions: if you'll keep a book for years, a paperback or hardcover supports the author too.
More in how to buy ebooks direct from authors.
Leave honest reviews
Reviews help other readers decide, and stores often use ratings and reviews when recommending books. A review doesn't need to be long:
- Be specific: "The chapter on Augustus finally made the Republic's fall make sense" helps more than "Great book".
- Be honest: a fair three-star review is useful; authors don't need only five-star reviews.
- Say who it's for: "Perfect for readers who loved SPQR" helps the right people find it.
- Avoid spoilers, or mark them clearly.
On BooksOasis, every review comes from a reader who bought the book and carries a Verified Purchase label, so your review is trusted by other readers.
Pre-order new books
A pre-order tells an author readers are waiting, and gives a new book early momentum on release day. On BooksOasis, some authors list books before their release date: you pay when you order, ebooks open in your library on release day, and print copies are printed and shipped then. See how pre-ordering works.
Ask your library
Libraries buy or license the books they lend, and many welcome suggestions. Ask your library to add a book you love, in print or as an ebook. Library readers often go on to buy an author's other books, so a single library purchase can lead to many sales.
Recommend and share
- Tell one friend who would enjoy the book. Personal recommendations are still the most powerful way books spread.
- Share on social media, with a photo of the book or a favourite line.
- Suggest it for a book club.
- Give it as a gift. See books as gifts.
Join the author's newsletter
For many independent authors, the newsletter is their most important way to reach readers. Joining costs nothing, tells you about new books and deals first, and helps the author launch their next book to people who already care.
Support that costs nothing
| Action | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Leave a review | Helps readers decide and helps stores recommend the book |
| Recommend to a friend | Word of mouth sells more books than almost anything |
| Ask your library to stock it | A sale, and new readers who may buy later books |
| Share on social media | Reaches readers the author can't |
| Join the newsletter | Gives the author a direct line to readers |
| Save it to favourites and wait for a deal | Still a sale, at a price that suits you |
What doesn't help
- Sharing ebook files. It's usually against the terms of sale, and the author isn't paid.
- Pirated copies. See how to find ebook deals for affordable legal options instead.
- Fake or exaggerated reviews. They mislead readers and can get books removed.
- Demanding free copies. Authors sometimes offer them; asking puts them in an awkward position.
Supporting authors on a tight budget
You don't have to spend much to make a difference. Borrow from the library, buy when a book is on sale, choose a series bundle for better value, and put your effort into free support: reviews, recommendations and library requests. A reader who borrows a book and then tells five friends has done more for the author than many buyers.
Supporting traditionally published authors
Authors with publishers benefit from the same actions: reviews, library requests, pre-orders and recommendations. Pre-orders and first-week sales matter a great deal to publishers deciding whether to keep backing an author, so ordering a new book early, from any store, is one of the most useful things a reader can do. Buying from independent bookshops also helps keep a healthy variety of places where books are sold.
Author events and signings
If an author you enjoy is speaking or signing near you, go. Attendance shows bookshops and organisers that readers care, and buying a signed copy at the event supports both the author and the venue. Many authors also run online readings and question sessions, which cost nothing to attend and help them reach new readers.
Writing to an author
A short, genuine message telling an author what their book meant to you can matter more than you'd expect, especially to independent writers working alone. Keep it kind and specific, and don't expect a long reply; many authors read every message even when they can't answer them all.
Supporting independent authors
Independent authors handle their own editing, covers, marketing and sales, often while working other jobs. Every sale and review matters more to them than to a bestselling author with a publisher's marketing team. When you find an independent author you enjoy, buying their next book and telling others is the most powerful support there is.
How BooksOasis supports authors
BooksOasis is an independent bookstore for ebooks, paperbacks and hardcovers. Independent authors and small presses list their books here and keep 100% of their ebook price, paying a flat yearly plan instead of a cut of every sale. So when you buy an ebook here, the full price goes to the author.
- 100% of the ebook price to the author.
- Verified reviews from readers who bought the book.
- Author pages listing all of an author's books.
- Series pages and bundles for buying a whole series.
What BooksOasis does not do
- It doesn't carry every book; its catalogue focuses on independent authors and small presses.
- It doesn't sell audiobooks.
- Its ebooks open in Oasis Reader, not on Kindle or Kobo e-readers.
Following authors you love
It's easy to love a book and then lose track of its author. Save the author's page, follow them where they share news, and note their name so you notice their next book. Readers who follow an author from book to book are the foundation of every writing career.
Supporting authors through book clubs
Book clubs are one of the best things that can happen to a book. If you run or join one, suggest a book by an author you want to support, encourage members to buy or borrow it, and invite everyone to leave a review afterwards. Some independent authors will join a club's meeting by video if asked politely; it's a memorable evening for members and a lift for the author.
Supporting authors as a gift-giver
Books make thoughtful presents, and giving one introduces the author to a new reader who may buy their next book. A signed copy from the author's own store, or a paperback of a book you loved, is a gift that supports the writer twice: once through your purchase and again through the reader you've introduced.
A simple habit
Each time you finish a book you enjoyed, do two things within a week: leave a short honest review, and tell one person who'd love it. It takes five minutes, costs nothing, and over a year it adds up to real support for the writers whose work you value.
Three readers, three ways
A student with little money borrows from the library, requests books she loves for the collection, and reviews every one.
A book club host chooses one independent author each quarter, buys direct, and invites the group to review.
A commuter buys series bundles from independent stores and joins the newsletter of every author he enjoys.
Books to start with
In short
Support authors by buying where they keep more, reviewing honestly, pre-ordering, asking your library, and telling friends. The free actions are as valuable as the purchases. And whenever you buy an ebook on BooksOasis, the full price goes to the independent author who wrote it.
Questions
How much of an ebook's price does the author get?
It depends on the store and the author's arrangement. On many big stores, self-published authors receive about 35% to 70% of the price. Traditionally published authors usually receive a smaller royalty through their publisher. On BooksOasis, independent authors keep 100% of their ebook price.
Is buying direct from authors better for them?
Usually. Authors typically keep a larger share when you buy from their own store or from stores with lower fees.
Do reviews really help authors?
Yes. Honest reviews help other readers decide, and many stores use reviews and ratings when recommending books.
How else can I support authors for free?
Leave an honest review, recommend their books to friends, share on social media, ask your library to stock their books, and join their newsletter.
Do pre-orders help authors?
Pre-orders give authors early momentum and a sense of demand before release, and they tell the author readers are waiting.
Does borrowing from the library help authors?
Yes. Libraries buy or license the books they lend, and library readers often become buyers of an author's other books.
Does buying used books help authors?
Used sales don't pay the author, but they can still introduce you to a writer whose next book you buy new.
Is it okay to share an ebook file with friends?
Sharing a purchased file is usually against the terms of sale and means the author isn't paid. Recommend the book or lend a print copy instead.
What is the most helpful thing I can do?
Buy the next book, and tell one person who would enjoy it. Word of mouth remains the most powerful thing for any author.
How do I find where an author keeps the most?
Check their website: many list where to buy, and some sell direct. Independent stores that don't take a large cut are another good choice.
Do first-week sales matter to authors?
Often, yes. Pre-orders and early sales help a new book gain visibility, and they show publishers and stores that readers want the author's work.
How can a book club support authors?
Choose books by authors you want to support, encourage members to buy or borrow them, and invite everyone to leave an honest review afterwards.
How do I keep track of authors I like?
Save their author page, follow where they share news, and join their newsletter so you hear about new books first.
Buy where authors keep more
On BooksOasis, independent authors keep 100% of their ebook price.