Behind the Scenes: When Authors Collab and Commiserate

Let’s get one thing straight: writing can be a lonely business. It’s just you, your characters, and a growing pile of coffee-stained notes wondering if this chapter is genius or garbage (answer: probably both).

But here’s what they don’t tell you—one of the most rewarding parts of being an indie author is not going it alone.

From Newsletter Swaps to Real-Life Support

A while ago, I started doing newsletter swaps with other indie authors. It’s a simple concept: I tell my readers about a fellow author’s book, and they do the same for mine. But what started as a marketing strategy turned into something much more rewarding because I recently started a conversation with an author who connected with my book and promoted a lot more widely on her other platforms. Not only that, I got very interested in the book, which is now on my TBR and which I will be reviewing on Amazon for her.

I use blog tours to promote my books when they first come out. An author, who was on the tour to promote one of my books, became an Instagram friend which led to a friendly email chain. That chain turned into a kind of unofficial therapy thread—where we moan, scream (virtually), and celebrate every little win together. We share marketing ideas, but also moans, and the occasional moment of panic before a launch. Reviewing each other’s work, sharing honest feedback, and being each other’s hype person—this is the kind of collaboration that makes the writing life feel less isolated and more like a team effort.

There’s something incredibly comforting about having an author friend who gets it. Someone who knows what it’s like to write a book you love… and then realise you also have to promote the thing.

Reunions and Real Talk

Recently, I reconnected with an author friend I hadn’t spoken to in a while, and we’re now planning a proper sit-down to bounce around advertising ideas and promo strategies. Not just the glossy “this worked great!” ones, but the real, behind-the-scenes stuff. Like, “Here’s what didn’t work and here’s why I nearly deleted my entire Instagram account.”

We have a common connection, being writers of colour, which can lead to even more collaborative ideas. Who knows. We’ll be getting a date in the diary soon!

Why It Matters

Supporting each other as indie authors isn’t just nice—it’s necessary. No big marketing budgets. No PR teams. Just a small army of passionate writers (and readers) who believe in storytelling and community.

And honestly? I love it.

Next week, I’ll flip the script and chat about how readers can support indie authors. Because while we do our bit to lift each other up, you—dear reader—are the magic that makes it all worth it.

But for now, a shout out to my author friends: the ones who listen to the rants, celebrate the launches, and never say, “Maybe you should get a real job.” You’re my people.