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5 Alternatives to Goodreads for Indie Authors & Readers

  • Feb 11
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 16

Goodreads was once considered an important platform for connecting readers with authors. Following its purchase by Amazon, shortcomings and biases have become increasingly problematic. Today, many bibliophiles and authors are seeking alternatives.



bluesky blue butterfly icon with link to author Sylvia Kay Rose

Independent authors and readers need platforms where feedback is impartial, links lead to legitimate pages, harassment is not permitted, and discovery is authentic. If you're looking for new platforms, here's are five alternatives to Goodreads for indie writers and readers.



a towering stack of books rises up into a sunny blue sky with pinkish clouds


Alternatives to Goodreads for Indie Authors and Readers


Note: I've had a good look at these sites and opened accounts to start, but have not yet tested them each in-depth to check how the true author/reader experience works. You can easily do your own due diligence and decide what's right for you.



Once I test them out individually, I'll post my reviews in The Blog.


  1. The StoryGraph



This site bills itself as a "fully-featured Amazon-free alternative to Goodreads". You can even import your Goodreads files. There are two membership tiers - free, and $50 annually. Paid members get more timely customer support.


While writers are able to upload their books, opinions vary about how difficult it is. I've opened an account here and over the coming days will be inspecting all this from an author's perspective.



person in striped jacket looking through magnifying glass


  1. Scribophile



Scribophile is a writing community where authors share work-in-progress (WIP) and receive detailed critiques. It claims to foster constructive feedback and peer support. The site features free writing tips, contests and beta readers!


Scribophile has a free Basic membership. You work for karma points. They also offer a paid Premium membership for $15 per month. An annual rate is approximately $150 per year.



  1. BookWyrm



User reviews of BookWyrm present this site as a well-liked, open-source, and decentralized alternative to Goodreads. It's commended for its privacy-oriented, federated, and community-driven nature. Users value the capability to track their reading, share reviews, and interact without corporate monitoring. However, some mention a smaller user community and occasional duplicate book listings.



Great promo for indie authors! Get your book cover on a tshirt - shown, Squirrels by Sylvia Kay Rose
Great Promo: Your book cover on a Tshirt - you'll lover it! Shown: Squirrels: Protect Your Nuts by Sylvia Kay Rose. Lots of other shirt styles, sizes & colors.

  1. Litsy



Litsy is a free platform combining social media with book reviews, now owned by LibraryThing. Authors and readers post short reviews, quotes, and photos. Its community-driven approach encourages positive interactions and discovery of lesser-known titles. Authors are asked to promote through engagement - strictly promo or aggressive "buy my book" marketing are not allowed.




  1. LibraryThing



LibraryThing offers cataloging tools and discussion forums. It has a smaller but dedicated user base, and claims to value thoughtful reviews and author-reader engagement.


This platform looks like a viable venue for indie authors and readers. You can join groups with your own interests, add books, post in the online forum. I've opened an account here and will let you know how the user experience thing goes.



silhouette of woman with megaphone shouting
More Indie Author Reader & Writer Site Reviews Coming Up!




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