Many people, including authors, are seeking more ethical ways to purchase books, aiming to support local indie bookshops, book festivals, and small publishers instead of contributing to large corporations like Amazon. Although this approach can be slightly more expensive, it significantly benefits local businesses, publishers, and authors, ensuring the continuous production of quality books.
For digital books, there are several alternatives to Amazon and Audible that offer the satisfaction of supporting smaller entities. While these alternatives may not match the vast catalogues of Amazon and Audible, they provide valuable benefits such as cost savings, supporting independent booksellers, and aiding authors.
Local libraries offer a great option for borrowing e-books and audiobooks through apps like OverDrive’s Libby and BorrowBox in the UK. These services use your library card for access, allowing you to borrow digital titles similarly to physical books.
Bookshop.org is another platform where purchases benefit your chosen local bookshop. Although its audiobook selection is currently smaller in the UK, it offers competitive prices for prominent titles without the clutter of low-quality content.
Libro.fm allows audiobook purchases that support local booksellers, with a subscription model offering discounts and a sizeable catalogue of 600,000 titles. The audiobooks are free of copy protection, allowing flexibility in usage across devices.
Smashwords caters to fans of independent and self-published authors, especially in genres like fantasy and science fiction. The platform offers e-books without copy protection and generous samples, ensuring satisfaction with purchases.
Lastly, buying directly from independent publishers maximizes royalties for authors and supports the growth of small presses, which often nurture future literary talents. Direct sales can be crucial for the survival and success of these publishers.
