Laura DiNovis Berry | Author

Money (or the hemorrhaging of it) is on many people’s minds these days. It’s certainly on my mind with gas getting close to five dollars a gallon. And while I don’t have any great tips on how to make money, I do have some ideas on how you can access free books.

Libraries are, of course, the BEST resource you have to lose yourself in some entertaining fiction or learn more about current events and history. Utilizing your library is also a fantastic way to support authors. Really want to support your writer friend or that fantastic indie author you found on Bluesky?

Ask your library to purchase the book!

Here’s a little known fact for you: Libraries pay more for books than bookstores. Library sales are a huge boon to indie writers, because more money goes into their bank account — allowing them to focus on writing more books you’ll love — and, you know, afford groceries.

And you, the reader, get to read this book without spending a dime.

Why is this the case? Well, libraries are funding by the community. More people chip in to fund the library, giving this organization more buying power. Your local bookstore gets a cheaper rate, because they don’t have an entire community chipping in to buy more books. The bookseller simply has to be more selective about their purchases.

Which is fine! There’s nothing wrong with that.

But if you want to save some money, just call your library and ask how you can place an order for a book. Or visit the website. Then, share those instructions with your friends (if you go to the same library). If more people show an interest in a book, more copies will (typically) be purchased.

Now, libraries aren’t the only source of free books in this day and age. I’m extremely pleased to say that many of my fellow authors at Indies United offer free books to readers in various formats!

You’ll find free books in a variety of genres — sci-fi, thriller, fantasy, to name a few! And, maybe, you’ll find a new favorite author as well!

The world is in a brutal phase. The economy is tough. But, at the very least, there are books you can read for free. Sometimes, little gifts like that can be just enough to get through the day.

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