Frequently Asked Questions
What does Indie Books do?
Indie Books showcases new books from the diverse and talented community of independent authors here in New Zealand.
We update our website homepage every two months with a new selection books, send an email newsletter out featuring these books, and create social media posts for our channels.
Authors opt in to feature their books – we offer a range of paid spaces on the website and newsletter.
We are not a publisher, and cannot offer self-publishing advice – we are primarily a marketing service and help to get your book in front of mainly commercial buyers.
Who is behind Indie Books?
Who do you send the Indie Books newsletter to?
We send a newsletter out every 2 months (with a reminder newsletter in between) to retailers, libraries and secondary schools across New Zealand.
Will I get sales from the newsletter?
We cannot guarantee sales from the newsletter, as each retailer, school and library has different needs or buying patterns. Most are very open to indie books and authors, and are always looking for new and interesting kiwi books for their collections. Our job is to get your books in front of them. Buyers enjoy seeing a collection of books all in one place, rather than being approached individually by many different authors.
Where else do you promote Indie Books?
We have Facebook and Instagram pages, where we feature books from our current update. We attend local book festivals where possible, and network with authors and other book professionals.
Why should I have an author bio page on the Indie Books website?
We love showing how large, diverse and active the indie author community is here in Aotearoa New Zealand. A directory listing connects you with this community, and provide a valuable backlink to your own website, benefiting your SEO (search engine optimisation).
How do retailers, schools and libraries usually purchase books?
How a book gets from you to the buyer is called a channel.
Usually retailers buy through distributors or large publishing companies. Shop owners want a good discount so they may come to you directly. Make it easy for them to contact you as soon as they see your book. Most shops won’t take anything less than 40% discount.
Most Libraries are limited to buying through Wheelers. Some are able to buy through other channels, or direct from you and will pay full price, but they might ask you to fill out a form to be set up as a supplier to the Council who owns the library – it’s an easy hoop to jump through.
Schools also buy through Scholastic because they earn reward points but they will buy your books IF it fills a gap they can’t get through Scholastic – make sure you highlight your niche so they can decide it’s worth going outside of their usual Scholastic channel.
Will commercial buyers buy directly from me?
It’s easier for accounting and stock management systems when books are purchased through their regular distributors who supply multiple titles from loads of different authors. You need to convince them your book is worth venturing outside their normal routine. Highlight the niche you fill for them.
Will retailers, schools and libraries purchase from Amazon or my POD service?
Local shops and libraries will not buy from Amazon or POD overseas because of the huge shipping fees to NZ. At best they might look up your book on Amazon to see reviews if your blurb hooked them well enough. Amazon and POD is the best channel for your consumer/reader/end-user.
If you have printed stock to sell directly – please make this clear to buyers.
How can I get my indie book noticed when marketing to retailers, schools or libraries?
The audience/reader/genre needs to be clear. The buyers looking at this newsletter are buying to put on their shelves for other people. They are shop owners and librarians who have gaps/genres they need to fill.
For example: Is it a historical fiction set in a pandemic for teen readers? Is it NZ themed stories for kids aged 8-10 years old? Is it extreme action for adult readers? Is it non-fiction self help for women?
You might not use these exact words, but it does need to be very clear, because your book is sitting alongside some completely different genres in the newsletter.
Where can I get information on how to self-publish my book?
There is a lot of information out there on the journey to self-publishing via author groups, social media groups, book editors, book printers and the NZ Society of Authors. Here’s a few useful links:
NZSA – Private/Self-Publishing
What groups or societies can I join as an independent author?
There are many online author groups – reach out to other authors in your genre/community to find out!
Facebook has an active NZ Indie Author group here – this group is welcoming and there are no silly questions.
Where else can I sell or promote my books?
Local markets, Writer’s and Arts Festivals, library events, local book shops, local gift shops, social media, your own website.
Ages of Pages Book Fair – Hamilton, May 2026
How can I collaborate with Indie Books?
We welcome collaborations with book lovers, podcasters, websites and anyone who loves promoting local books. Please send us a message if you’d like to chat indie books with us or one of our authors!
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