Resources for Indie Authors
This list is provided as a tool intended to help writers find relevant information. The Library does not endorse information provided by third parties.
Writing and Writer’s Groups in Western New York
Software for Writing, Illustration, and Design
Indie Book Blogs and Forums
Local Conventions, Conferences, and Expos of Interest to Writers and Readers
Fun for Authors and Book Lovers
Book Publishers in Western New York
Book Editors
Designers and Illustrators
Printers in Western New York
Marketing Resources
Bookstores and Booksellers in Western New York
Getting Your Book in the Library
Writing and Writer’s Groups in Western New York
Buffalo-Niagara Children's Writers & Illustrators
A group from the Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Western New York area geared toward writers and
illustrators of picture books, middle-grade, and young adult books. However, writers and illustrators of other age groups, categories, and genres are always welcome.
Dreaming in Ink Writing Group
A group of writers use prose and poetry, whether fiction or non-fiction, to recount their dreams, what they mean to them, and what they might mean to their readers. The group currently meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at Aurora Town Public Library. Contact Jimmy Neureuther at jneureuther1955@yahoo.com for more information.
Just Buffalo Literary Center
A non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant literary community by hosting events with renowned authors, supporting young writers through creative writing programs, and providing a space for people to engage with literature and explore their creativity, mainly through their "Just Buffalo Writing Center," which focuses on youth development.
Open Sources for Writers
Open Source is a working philosophy that reflects software development. They all share a little of what they know together, so they all come away with their unique projects. Their primary purpose is to create a community of people doing similar work -writing- and sharing what works for them individually, hoping that everyone contributing a little bit makes a whole bigger than the sum of its members. They meet monthly at the Hamburg Public Library.
Shut Up & Write! Buffalo
Bring your writing to the meeting. The first half hour is dedicated to introductions, group discussion, and questions related to writing. The next ninety minutes are dedicated to silent writing. Locations of meetings vary.
Software for Writing, Illustration, and Design
There is a wide variety of free, freemium, and paid software. This list is a sample of popular tools provided for information purposes and, not an endorsement of any particular product.
Writing, Drafting, and Note-Taking
Aeon Timeline
A specialized timeline and project management tool designed for authors, researchers, and professionals handling complex narratives or data. It allows you to create interactive timelines where events can be linked to characters, story arcs, or categories. You can visualize dependencies, track subplots, and manage hundreds of records with custom attributes. Aeon Timeline integrates with Scrivener, making it easy to sync scenes and story structures. It’s best for writers who need to coordinate intricate plots, world-building, or historical research, offering a clear chronological view alongside narrative planning.
Bibsico
A minimalist writing environment designed for authors. It emphasizes distraction-free drafting with simple formatting tools and straightforward export options (PDF, EPUB). It doesn’t include advanced project management or character tools, making it best for writers who want a clean, lightweight workspace.
Google Docs
A cloud-based word processor that excels at collaboration. Multiple users can edit simultaneously, with built-in commenting, suggesting, and version history. It integrates with Google Drive for storage and sharing, supports add-ons for citations and formatting, and is accessible across devices. While powerful for team writing, it lacks specialized author tools like character tracking.
LibreOffice
An open-source word processor with robust formatting capabilities. It supports styles, templates, and advanced layout options for long documents. Writer can export to PDF and open Microsoft Word files, making it versatile for professional writing. It’s strong for technical or academic projects but doesn’t include novel-specific features like scene or character management.
Microsoft Word
The industry standard for word processing, offering extensive formatting, mail merge, and collaboration features. It integrates with the Microsoft Office ecosystem (Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive) and provides a wide range of templates for resumes, reports, and books. Word is flexible but general-purpose, so authors often supplement it with external tools for character or scene tracking.
Obsidian
A Markdown-based note-taking and knowledge management app. It organizes writing into linked notes, visualized in a graph view. Highly extensible with plug-ins, Obsidian can be customized for character sheets, timelines, or research databases. It’s especially useful for authors managing complex world-building or interconnected story elements.
OpenOffice
Similar to LibreOffice, this open-source suite provides word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. It supports older file formats and basic export options. While functional, it’s less actively developed than LibreOffice and lacks specialized author features.
Plottr
A visual story-planning tool designed for authors who prefer to outline with timelines and charts. It allows you to drag and drop scenes into a chronological or narrative order, create color-coded story arcs, and map character journeys. Plottr includes templates for popular structures like the Hero’s Journey or Three-Act Plot, making it easy to experiment with different frameworks. You can also generate automatic outlines from your visual plans and export them to Word or Scrivener. It’s best for writers who want a clear, visual overview of their story before or during drafting.
Quoll Writer
Quoll Writer is designed specifically for novelists. It includes tools to create and manage character profiles, locations, and notes, alongside your manuscript. You can track relationships, motivations, and traits, and link them to scenes or chapters. It also provides progress statistics and project management features tailored to long-form fiction.
Scrivener
Scrivener offers a flexible binder system where you can create character sheets, research folders, and custom templates. Many authors use its corkboard and metadata features to organize character arcs, backstories, and development across a manuscript.
Ulysses
A minimalist writing app built for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. It combines a distraction-free interface with organizational tools, including a unified library and project folders. Ulysses features a built-in proofreader and style check across multiple languages, and supports seamless export to PDF, Word, ePub, and even direct publishing to WordPress, Ghost, and Medium.
yWriter
yWriter breaks manuscripts into chapters and scenes, and includes dedicated fields for characters, locations, and items. You can assign characters to scenes, track their appearances, and monitor consistency across the story. It’s lightweight but very practical for keeping character details organized.
Illustration and Design
Adobe Illustrator
A professional vector graphics editor used for logos, icons, and scalable artwork. Features include precision drawing tools, advanced typography, and color management. It integrates with Photoshop and InDesign, making it central to professional design workflows.
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign is a desktop publishing and page layout application that creates print and digital media. InDesign creates multi-page documents like magazines, books, catalogs, stationery, business cards, and more. It offers tools for precise typography control, built-in creative tools, and customizable grids and guides. InDesign also integrates with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat.
Adobe Photoshop
The leading image editing software for photo manipulation, compositing, and digital painting. Features include layer-based editing, advanced filters, and effects. Widely used in photography, design, and digital art, it’s less suited for text-heavy projects but essential for cover design and illustrations.
Canva
A cloud-based design suite with drag-and-drop templates for social media, presentations, and print. It’s accessible to non-designers and includes collaboration features for teams. Premium plans unlock advanced assets, branding kits, and export options. Canva is popular for quick, polished book covers and marketing materials.
GIMP
An open-source image editor with advanced photo retouching, composition, and graphic design tools. It supports layers, masks, and plug-ins, making it a strong alternative to Photoshop for budget-conscious users.
Inkscape
An open-source vector graphics editor ideal for scalable illustrations, diagrams, and technical drawings. It supports formats like SVG, PDF, and EPS. Comparable to Illustrator, it’s widely used for cover design and illustrations in publishing.
Krita
A free digital painting and illustration program optimized for concept art, comics, and professional drawing workflows. Features include customizable brush engines, stabilizers, and animation tools. It’s especially popular among digital artists for character art and cover illustrations.
Layout and Formatting
Atticus
A platform primarily focused on helping authors write and format their books, acting as an all-in-one writing and formatting tool where users can draft their manuscript, customize design elements, and preview their book in different formats, all within a user-friendly interface designed specifically for self-publishing authors.
Scribus
An open-source desktop publishing tool for professional layouts. It supports CMYK colors, ICC profiles, and advanced print workflows, making it suitable for books, brochures, and magazines. Scribus offers precise design control but requires manual setup and design knowledge, unlike streamlined author tools like Vellum or Atticus.
Vellum
A book creation tool for Mac that allows you to prepare your book for professional publication.
Indie Book Blogs and Forums
The Book Designer
Their goal is to be your go-to resource for everything related to high-quality book design. Whether you are a first-time author or book designer by trade, we are committed to helping you navigate self-publishing by giving you the tools and resources you need to stand out in a competitive industry.
Helping Writers Become Authors
K. M. Weiland teaches story theory and technique on her award-winning blog.
Indie Reader
This site is a review service for self, hybrid, and small press-published indie authors.
The IndieView
A platform that primarily connects independent ("indie") authors with volunteer reviewers, allowing authors to find reviewers who match their genre and interests to receive feedback on their books, essentially acting as a directory for finding book reviewers within the self-publishing community.
Jane Friedman
Jane's expertise is book publishing. She uses her knowledge to help authors navigate the publishing industry.
Just Lit Blog (Just Buffalo Literacy Center)
This blog shares news, reviews, and discussions about recently released books.
Mythcreants
An online publication for speculative fiction storytellers. They analyze popular works, theorize on storytelling craft, and explore the technical aspects of writing and tabletop roleplaying.
Writer Beware
The official blog of Writer Beware shines a bright light into the dark corners of the shadow world of literary scams, schemes, and pitfalls. Also, they provide advice for writers, industry news, and commentary. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association sponsors Writer Beware.
Writers Helping Writers
The "Writers Helping Writers" blog focuses on providing resources and advice for writers of all levels, particularly on the craft of storytelling, with a heavy emphasis on character development, plot structure, and descriptive writing through detailed "thesauruses" that offer lists of words and phrases to help writers effectively convey emotions, motivations, and settings in their stories.
Writer Unboxed
Provides information and advice about the craft and business of fiction writing, offering insights on techniques, industry trends, and the writing life, often featuring contributions from established authors and industry professionals; essentially, it's a platform to empower writers with knowledge about the publishing world and help them improve their writing skills.
Local Conventions, Conferences, and Expos of Interest to Writers and Readers
Band of Bards/Buffalo Creative Workshop - Buffalo Indie Lit Expo (BILE)
Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Author Readings, Literary Arts, and Writer’s Group Events
Indies Today Conference and Fair List
Just Buffalo Literary Center Events
Jewish Community Center Buffalo – Cover to Cover Book Festival
Fun for Authors and Book Lovers
A list of book, print, and writing themed organizations and activities.
The Merry Shelley
A literary-themed romantic horror bar.
WNY Book Arts
A nonprofit organization and a working museum dedicated to preserving the book arts through collaboration and innovation, bridging antique equipment and processes with modern artmaking techniques, and celebrating the heritage of Buffalo’s printing industry.
Book Publishers in Western New York
ChosenButterfly Publishing
ChosenButterfly Publishing is a Christian-based publishing company for those looking to publish religious-themed books.
City of Light Publishing
A Buffalo, New York publishing company that publishes various books, including nonfiction and children's books.
NFB Publishing – Amelia Press
The New Foundations of Books (NFB) is a publishing company that focuses on community and providing authors with the resources they need to succeed.
Pint Size Productions, LLC
A company specializing in the manufacturing of custom, personalized board books for children, allowing individuals to create unique storybooks with their photos and text, primarily focused on small-batch production and proudly printed entirely in the USA at their facility in New York State.
Prometheus Books, LLC
An independent American publisher of nonfiction in a variety of categories: Popular science, critical thinking, philosophy, history, atheism, humanism, current events, psychology, and true crime. Prometheus Books is known for publishing books that challenge established thought and are considered authoritative.
The Rosen Publishing Group
An independent publishing company specializing in educational materials for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students. The company aims to inform, support, and inspire students through high-interest educational materials. Rosen Publishing is known for its sensitive treatment of complex subjects, accurate and age-appropriate information, and reassuring tone.
West 44 Books
The West 44 Books website presents itself as a focused platform showcasing primarily young adult and middle grade fiction books, particularly highlighting "hi-lo" (high-interest, low reading level) titles with diverse themes and characters, often tackling complex topics in a relatable way, while emphasizing their commitment to inclusivity and new voices in literature; the design is clean and user-friendly, with a strong focus on book covers and author information, allowing easy navigation to discover titles based on interests and reading levels.
Book Editors
Editorial Freelancers Association on Linktree
A source for finding a freelance editor through the EFA Member Directory - access a network of experienced professionals specializing in various genres, from fiction to academic, with expertise in developmental editing, copyediting, and more.
Editors for Hire by ACES: The Society for Editing
A professional association of international scope for editors who work on every kind of content,including newspapers, magazines, websites, books, scholarly journals, and corporate communications.
Lisa Fellinger
Lisa is a professionally trained developmental editor and book coach specializing in women's fiction, romance, and contemporary fiction.
NFB Publishing - Amelia Press
Authors have access to editors specializing in various genres. NFB utilizes independent contractors. The author and the editor negotiate a reasonable fee.
Reedsy
A platform that offers editing services, including developmental editing, and connects users with editors and book designers.
Designers and Illustrators
Buffalo Creative Group
A design studio and co-working space specializing in graphic design, web design, and book design services, focusing on helping clients build their brand identity through visually appealing and effective marketing materials, leveraging their extensive experience in the creative field to deliver tailored solutions for diverse client needs.
Cartoonist For Hire
Choose from various cartoonists to match your visual expectations for your book.
Fiverr
An online marketplace that connects businesses with freelancers to offer digital services.
Frank Mariani / Mariani Design
Frank is a talented cartoonist and illustrator with over 40 years of experience in the graphic arts arena.
Illustrators for Hire
Illustrators for Hire (IFH) is a curated list of freelance illustrators—from around the world—who specializes in various subject matters and has expertise in specific products and formats.
JCarlier Design
Jim Charlier is an advertising designer/photographer/crafter. Whether you're launching a business, expanding a non-profit, seeking consistency across your materials, or aiming to meet goals without the expense of an ad agency retainer or freelance designer charging by the hour, a design subscription can significantly impact your marketing efforts and bottom line.
Upwork
Upwork is an online platform that acts as a marketplace connecting businesses with independent professionals (freelancers) from around the world, allowing companies to hire remote talent for various tasks like writing, design, programming, marketing, and more, essentially providing a platform for businesses to find and collaborate with skilled individuals on a project basis; it is considered one of the largest online work marketplaces globally.
Working not Working
Working Not Working is an online platform that acts as a curated community of top creative talent, connecting them with companies seeking freelance and full-time creative professionals across various disciplines like design, copywriting, animation, and photography; essentially, it functions as a marketplace where companies can access highly vetted creative individuals, eliminating the need for extensive searches to find the best talent in the industry.
Printers in Western New York
Buffalo Newspress Inc.
Provider of web offset printing services based in Buffalo, New York. The company's services include web offset and digital printing as well as mailing and bindery.
Quality Bindery Services Inc.
A comprehensive bookbinding company specializing in hardcover and softcover binding, mainly known for their expertise in thesis binding and Bible repair, catering to book lovers with a focus on restoring and preserving old materials alongside new projects. They do have the skills and equipment for a variety of jobs.
Marketing Resources
The Book Designer
Their goal is to be your go-to resource for everything related to high-quality book design. Whether you are a first-time author or book designer by trade, they are committed to helping you navigate self-publishing by giving you the tools and resources you need to stand out in a competitive industry.
Bowker Publishing Services
A company that provides essential tools and services to the publishing industry, primarily focused on identifying and distributing information about books by offering ISBNs, barcodes, metadata management, and other resources that help authors, publishers, and retailers connect readers with new titles, acting as a central hub for book discovery and distribution across the market.
How to Market Your Book
A YouTube video by Bethany Atazadeh, a young adult fantasy indie author, shares thirty-five ways to market your book.
PodcastGuests.com
An online platform that connects podcasters with potential guests for their shows by providing a directory of experts where podcasters can search for relevant individuals to interview.
PodMatch
PodMatch helps the right podcast guests & hosts find each other faster and automates administrative work so you can focus on what matters: recording interviews that serve listeners.
Publisher Rocket
A website that provides a software tool designed specifically for authors and publishers, allowing them to research and optimize their book's visibility on Amazon by analyzing keywords, categories, and competitor data, essentially helping them make informed decisions to boost their book sales through effective marketing strategies on the platform.
Qwoted
A web platform that acts as a marketplace connecting journalists and media creators with expert sources, including small businesses and individuals, allows them to find relevant quotes and insights for their stories quickly.
Reedsy
An online marketplace where authors can connect with professional editors, designers, marketers, and other publishing professionals to help them create and self-publish their books, essentially acting as a platform to find high-quality freelance services specifically tailored to the book publishing industry, with a focus on vetting professionals to ensure quality work for authors.
Squaredspace
A user-friendly, visually appealing website built using the Squarespace platform allows users to create professional-looking sites without coding knowledge, utilizing drag-and-drop functionality, customizable templates, and built-in features to design and manage their online presence easily.
Bookstores and Booksellers in Western New York
Afterglow Books
A women owned bookstore that focuses on books in the romance and fantasy genres.
Alice, Ever After Books
A children’s bookstore that provides a collection of diverse, high-quality children’s literature and toys.
Barnes and Noble
A bookstore chain that sells books, magazines, newspapers, and other content.
The Bookworm
The Bookworm is an independently owned bookstore and gift shop located in the heart of East Aurora.
Burning Books
A bookstore in Buffalo that focuses on social justice issues and works to support individuals and movements struggling against oppression and domination in all its forms.
Chautauqua Bookstore
The books they carry emphasize titles about Chautauqua’s history and community, books written by speakers featured in CHQ’s current lecture platforms, and current and previous CLSC selections. Their wider collection of new titles include books by local authors, current New York Times Best Sellers, perennial favorites, and hidden gems.
Darul Hikmah Bookstore
This bookstore is dedicated to Islamic literature and scholarship. It offers a wide selection of books on Islamic theology, history, jurisprudence, and related topics, often focusing on Arabic-language texts and translated works.
Dog Ears Bookstore & Café
A nonprofit community bookstore and cafe that sells books for all ages and genres. It is known for its welcoming atmosphere, community events, and free after-school programs for kids
Fitz Books & Waffles
A store that sells new and used books focusing on hidden histories and books that motivate change for a world of equity and social justice.
Good Neighbor Bookstore
Good Neighbor Bookstore is located in the historic Village of Lakewood they work on curating titles for the community that promote understanding, diversity, and creativity.
Lock City Books
A small independent bookstore offering new, used, and bargain books for all ages. They host free community events throughout the year, including storytime, open mic night, adoption events, and more.
Merit Badge Books
A women-owned independent bookstore in Hamburg that carries books for the whole family.
Old Editions Book Shop & Gallery
A large antiquarian bookstore in North Tonawanda specializing in used and rare books, including first editions and signed books.
Read It & Eat Bookshop: A Culinary Bookstore
The Read It & Eat bookshop specializes in cookbooks, food writing (chef memoirs, food history), and good reads about food.
Rust Belt Books
An independent used book store with fiction, poetry, sci-fi/fantasy, philosophy, history, children’s/YA, art, science & more. Rust Belt Books is also a space for community events, readings, and art.
Second Chapter Bookstore
Second Chapter Bookstore is a small black-owned business that operates in Buffalo, NY. As a mother-daughter duo, they combine their mutual passion for Black culture and love for reading to create spaces that cultivate joy, community, and shared learning while centering on the Black experience.
Talking Leaves…Books
This independent bookstore is known for its unique and diverse selection of books, often featuring lesser-known or critically acclaimed titles. It provides a curated space for avid readers seeking a distinctive literary experience with a strong focus on local authors and community engagement.
Westside Stories
A family-owned, neighborhood used bookstore in Buffalo, New York, known for its diverse selection of interesting books across various genres, curated by a former librarian focusing on providing "curious readers of all ages" with unique titles, including lesser-known authors, alongside bookish gifts and games.
Zawadi Books
Zawadi Books is a bookstore specializing in books and materials by and about people of African descent. Their store holds author readings, book discussions, a reading room, and a storytelling resource center.
Getting Your Book in the Library
The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System is very proud of the local writing community and welcomes your book, subject to the Gift and Donor Recognition Policy.
Mail or drop off a copy of your book, with your contact information enclosed, to:
Attn: Jacqueline Hovey, TechKnow Lab
Central Library
1 Lafayette Square
Buffalo, NY 14203
Please keep in mind that it may take a few months to get the title included in our catalog, on the shelf, and available for patron borrowing. If you have questions, call 716-858-7384.