Welcome to IndieHub

Hey reader,

There are books out there you don’t even know you’re going to love. Whole genres you’ve never heard of. Authors you’ve never seen in stores who are writing their hearts out. That’s why IndieHub exists.

We’re a group of readers with chaotic taste. YA? Love it. Nonfiction? Yes, please. Shapeshifting historical sci-fi romantic fiction? We’re into that too. What ties it all together is our belief that some of the best stories being told right now are happening outside the traditional publishing machine.

Each week, we’ll send you:

Not everything great ends up in a bookstore. Honestly, the indie space is where the real magic happens. It’s scrappy, innovative, and deeply personal.

Before we go further, let’s prove this matters.

You’ve probably heard of The Martian by Andy Weir. Before it was a bestseller and blockbuster movie, it was a self-published labor of love. That is the power of indie books. And it’s what we’re hunting every week. By being here, you’re supporting the underdogs and proving that great art doesn't need a corporate seal of approval to be worth reading.

Genre Dive: Gaslamp Fantasy

Let’s start strong. Our first genre spotlight is Gaslamp Fantasy, a term that sounds fancy but really just means Victorian vibes with magical chaos.

Gaslamp Fantasy blends the manners and mystery of 19th-century society with magical systems, supernatural creatures, and a healthy amount of dramatic tension. Think Sherlock Holmes if he were solving crimes involving sorcery, secret orders, and maybe a cursed mirror or two.

Where steampunk focuses on brass gears and tech, Gaslamp Fantasy is all about mood, mystery, and arcane danger. You’ll find haunted halls, well-dressed sorcerers, and characters with way too much curiosity for their own good.

📖 Gaslamp Fantasy Pick of the Week

A Hunt By Moonlight by Shawna Reppert
A Victorian Detective Novel in a Gaslamp Fantasy Setting

🔗 Buy it from Bookshop.org
🔗 Read it on Amazon

Forget what you know about Victorian mysteries.

Hunt By Moonlight throws you into a fast-paced whodunnit where the detective is hiding a secret, the prose is razor-sharp, and yes, werewolves walk among polite society like they own the place. Spoiler: some of them kind of do.

This is not your average foggy London murder mystery. It’s sharp, fast-paced, and filled with just the right amount of fur and fangs.

Readers are raving about how naturally werewolves are woven into Victorian society. Nothing feels forced. Everything feels possible. The detective work hits hard too, with a main character who doesn't come from power or privilege but still manages to outsmart everyone in the room.

The plot twists land, the prose is clean and clever, and the world feels lived in. If you're into moody streets, supernatural intrigue, and solving crimes that don’t fit inside a teacup, this is a strong pick.

📚 The Indie Stack

Here are three more indie books we think deserve your eyeballs this week. Different genres. Different vibes. All good.

📘 Kingshold

Book 1 of The Wildfire Cycle
Author: D. P. Woolliscroft
Genre: High Fantasy
🔗 Read it on Amazon

Kingshold has no king. And the people have never had a voice. That’s about to change. This is a bold, sprawling fantasy with political scheming, a colorful cast, and a sharp sense of humor. If you love worldbuilding and magic systems that feel fresh, this belongs on your list.

If you like your fantasy with fewer chosen ones and more public uprisings, Kingshold is your kind of book.

Readers are drawn into its well-built world, full of shifting alliances, sharp political commentary, and a cast of characters that actually feels human. The story unfolds through multiple points of view, each with a distinct voice, which helps this sprawling tale stay grounded.

The tone is modern and fresh, with dialogue that feels believable and smart. Some readers found the pacing a little uneven, but most agree the payoff is worth the investment.

This is high fantasy that isn’t afraid to question power, stir up trouble, and give you a lot to think about between sword fights.

💕 Where We Started

Stone Riders MC, Book 1
Author: Ashley Muñoz
Genre: Small Town Romance

🔗 Buy it from Bookshop.org
🔗 Read it on Amazon

Bikers. Heartbreak. Redemption. This story is about starting over, loving hard, and healing in unexpected places. It’s grounded and emotional, with just the right mix of grit and sweetness. Romance readers, this one will stick with you.

This one delivers the emotional punch of a heavyweight romance with just the right amount of heat to keep your pulse up.

Readers are loving the fast, twist-filled plot and the slow-burn tension between two characters who were never supposed to fall for each other. It’s messy, raw, and beautifully written. The angst hits hard, the flashbacks hit harder, and the chemistry practically smokes off the page.

If you’re in the mood for intense drama, steamy payoff, and a love story that feels both earned and unforgettable, Where We Started is calling your name.

🗺️ The Ark Files

Author: Luke Richardson
Genre: Archaeological Action-Adventure

🔗 Buy it from Bookshop.org
🔗 Read it on Amazon

A missing artifact. A race against time. And a hero who has more questions than answers. This indie thriller is perfect for fans of Indiana Jones, Dan Brown, or anyone who likes their books packed with danger and buried secrets.

This one’s built for fans of puzzles, pressure, and ancient secrets buried where they don’t belong.

Readers are tearing through The Ark Files in one sitting thanks to its fast pace, nonstop action, and a story that keeps shifting just when you think you’ve got it figured out. It’s a globe-trotting archaeological thriller that balances cinematic energy with grounded, well-developed characters.

Eden Black is the standout. Readers love her complexity. She’s not just here to crack codes or find treasure. She’s layered, smart, and driven by more than just the next clue.

If you want something that blends historical mystery, adrenaline, and a fresh voice, this is your next weekend binge.

📲 BookTok Madness

Special Edition Obsession: Sprayed Edges and Aesthetic Editions

If you think book love stops at great writing, think again. Over on BookTok there’s a whole subculture that treats physical books like art objects, not just stories.

Right now, one trend that has pure chaos energy? Sprayed edges, special editions, and collectible print runs that are almost too pretty to read.

Check this out:
👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneystbr/video/7452043587455438122?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7545940478273897998

Here’s the wild thing:
This isn’t just about looking cool on your shelf. For indie authors and indie presses, creative editions like these can turn a book into a collector’s item. Limited runs, themed colorways, hand‑numbered copies, these help indie books stand out in a world where the only thing louder than a huge publisher’s ad campaign is a reader who loves shiny things.

What we’re watching on BookTok:

So if you thought indie publishing was only about great stories, think again. The book itself is becoming an object of beauty and desire and indie creators are leading that charge.

Have you seen a special edition that made you go “wow”? Hit reply and tell us. We might feature your find next week.

📣 That’s a Wrap, but You Can Help Us Grow

If you liked this issue of IndieHub, here’s how you can help spread the indie gospel:

👉 Forward this email to one reader friend
You know the one. They’re always looking for their next obsession, hate mainstream lists, and still believe in the magic of books that fly under the radar.

👉 Post a screenshot or quote on your socials
Tag us. We’ll be awkwardly grateful and possibly shout you out in a future issue. @indiehubnewsletter

👉 Have thoughts, feedback, or a hot book tip?
Email us anytime at indiehubnewsletter@gmail.com
We actually read every message. Unless we’re reading a book with sprayed edges. Then we read them after.

💰 A Quick Word About Affiliate Links (And Our Book Problem)

Some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you click them and buy something, we may earn a small commission.

That money does not go to yachts or NFTs. It goes to special edition books with sprayed edges, sticker packs we pretend are for "future giveaways," and enabling our absolutely unhinged bookhaul energy.

Thanks for helping us stay caffeinated, paper-scented, and obsessed.

See you next Friday,
Team IndieHub