A free home for every indie author

The Book List is a community-built platform where independent authors can share their books with readers around the world. No fees, no commissions, no gatekeepers. Just books and the people who love them.

Our Story

Why we built The Book List

Most book platforms weren't built for indie authors. They were built for publishers, advertisers, and algorithms. If you've ever tried listing a self-published book on a major bookstore, you already know the story. Endless approval processes, hidden fees, opaque ranking systems, and a constant pressure to pay for visibility.

We thought there should be a simpler way.

The Book List started as a small experiment: what if any author, anywhere in the world, could list their book in under a minute, share it freely, and connect directly with readers? No middlemen. No commissions. No paid promotions pretending to be recommendations.

What began as a small idea has grown into a community of authors and readers who believe books deserve a fairer home.

What We Stand For

What we believe

Books should be discoverable. Every book deserves a chance to find its readers, not just the ones with the biggest marketing budget.

Authors should keep what they earn. When a reader buys your book, that money belongs to you. We never take a cut, never charge a listing fee, and never insert ourselves between you and your sale.

Recommendations should be honest. The books trending on The Book List are trending because real readers are clicking, sharing, and coming back to them. Not because someone paid for placement.

The community should own the platform. The Book List is built for authors and readers, not advertisers. Every decision we make is guided by what's best for the people who actually use the site.

How It Works

Simple by design

Listing a book on The Book List takes about a minute. Here's how it works:

1. Share the link. Each new listing starts with a unique link you can share on social media, email, or anywhere you connect with readers.

2. Add your book details. Title, description, cover image, and a direct purchase link to wherever you sell, whether that's Amazon, your own website, or anywhere else.

3. Verify and go live. Confirm your email with a one-time code and your book is instantly listed for readers to discover.

That's it. No paperwork. No approval queues. No hidden steps.

What Makes Us Different

What sets us apart

Free forever. No listing fees, no premium tiers, no upsells. The Book List has been free since day one and will stay that way.

No commissions. When a reader buys your book through your purchase link, you keep 100 percent of the sale. We never touch the money.

No paid placements. Every book on the trending lists earned its spot through genuine reader interest. You can't pay your way to the top.

Built for readers and authors equally. We care just as much about helping readers find great books as we do about helping authors get discovered. Both sides win when the platform stays honest.

No account required to browse. Readers can explore the entire platform without signing up. We don't gate content behind accounts or email walls.

Join the Community

Be part of something honest

Whether you're an indie author with a story to share or a reader looking for your next great book, The Book List is for you. We're building a kinder home for books, and we'd love to have you in it.

[List Your Book →] [Browse the Shelf →]

Questions, ideas, or feedback?

The Book List is shaped by the people who use it. If you have a suggestion, found a bug, or just want to say hello, we'd love to hear from you.