We all have those “comfort authors”—the big names that dominate the endcaps at the airport or the front page of Amazon. But some of the most daring, original, and soul-stirring writing is happening in the trenches of independent publishing. Here at The Book Collective, we believe in the power of the “hidden gem,” and we want to challenge you to step outside the mainstream for just one book a month.
The 2026 Collective Challenge is simple: Can you read 12 indie books this year? That’s one story every thirty days that was born from the pure grit and passion of an independent creator. Whether it’s a self-published thriller from a local author or a speculative novella from a small press, these are the stories that define the future of fiction.
Why Take the Challenge?
- Support the Creators Directly: When you buy an indie book, you aren’t just a number in a massive corporate algorithm. You are directly fueling an author’s ability to keep writing.
- Discover “The Next Big Thing”: Indie authors like Morrigan King and Audrée Laveau are taking risks that traditional publishing often waits years to catch up on. You get to be the one who saw it first.
- Unfiltered Storytelling: Without a corporate boardroom smoothing out the “edges,” indie books are often raw, experimental, and incredibly honest.
- Diversify Your Shelf: Indie publishing is the home of unique voices, niche genres (like “Menopausal Superheroes” or “Sky-City Vipers”), and perspectives that deserve to be heard.
How to Participate
- Commit to One a Month: Don’t overcomplicate it. Just pick one title each month that isn’t from the “Big Five” publishers.
- Share Your Progress: Use the hashtag #TheCollective12 on social media. Post a photo of your current indie read next to your morning coffee or your favorite reading nook.
- Leave a Review: This is the “secret sauce” of the indie world. A single review on Amazon or Goodreads is worth more to an indie author than a thousand-dollar ad campaign.
- Join the Discussion: Every month, we’ll be highlighting a “Collective Choice” right here on the blog to help you fill your slot!
Are You In?
Twelve books. Twelve independent voices. One year of incredible discovery. This isn’t just a reading goal; it’s a movement to reclaim the “human” element of storytelling. We know the madness of the TBR pile is real, but there is always room for a story that was written from the heart, for the heart.
Are you ready to take the #TheCollective12 challenge? Let us know in the comments “I’M IN!” and tell us the first indie book you’re planning to devour this month!