The 1300% Growth That Made My Week

How One Indie Author Found Her Readers - Without Ads or Algorithms. And why moments like this are exactly why I built The Substack Bookstore

Every so often, something happens behind the scenes at Stacks Publishing that reminds me why I do what I do. Why I stay up late building systems, writing posts, analysing categories, and cheering other authors on.

This story is one of those moments.

Last week, an author from our Substack Bookstore community, Jo Taylor, sent me a message. Her book, Margaret of Thibodaux, had been quietly sitting on Amazon for months. Not flatlining, but not exactly taking the world by storm either: which is the reality for so many beautiful indie books that never quite get the visibility they deserve.

In mid-August, we featured her book in The Substack Bookstore.

And then… something shifted.

Her September KENP reads jumped to 5.5× her August numbers.
Her October reads? A jaw-dropping 13×.

She wrote:

“I haven't done any other ads or promotions… but I think the Bookstore is at least partly responsible for the significant increase. Thanks so much!”

I sat there staring at her message with the biggest smile on my face: because this is exactly the kind of quiet miracle I want authors to experience.

This is why I built the Bookstore in the first place.

Not for hype. Not for algorithms. Not for vanity metrics.

But for that feeling when an author finally sees readers finding their book.

The Part You Don’t See in the Graph

Here’s the screenshot she sent — a little cluster of modest monthly bars that suddenly shot upward like someone turned the lights on.

Screenshot from Jo Taylor’s Amazon KDP dashboard

But what the graph doesn’t show is the emotion behind it: The hope. The persistence. The “maybe my book just isn’t meant to be seen” doubts. The secret wish that someone would take a chance on her story.

So when she told me book clubs were starting to pick it up, and that she hadn’t changed a single thing in her marketing… I felt genuinely proud. Not proud of myself: proud of her.

Because all she needed was a space where readers actually discover new authors. A space where visibility isn’t a luxury or a lottery, but a community practice.

Why This Kind of Growth Happens in The Substack Bookstore

When authors join The Substack Bookstore, something subtle but powerful begins to happen:

People talk about books, they restack each other, they buy each other’s work.

Book clubs browse the listings, readers share recommendations, reviewers pick up books they never would have found on Amazon.

It’s a very human place. A slow burn that suddenly becomes a wildfire.

This author didn’t “go viral.” She didn’t game an algorithm or throw money at Facebook. Jo Taylor simply became visible: consistently, gently, and in front of people who actually love books.

What This Means for Indie Authors

If you’ve ever felt like your book is being swallowed by the void…

I want you to know a few things:

• There is nothing wrong with your book

• There is nothing wrong with your writing

• You’re not “bad at marketing.”

• You’re not late.

• You’re not behind.

You probably just haven’t had the visibility you deserve yet.

And visibility (the right kind) can change everything. 500% growth, 1000% growth, 1300% growth, because real readers finally found you.

If You Want Your Book to Be Seen

The Substack Bookstore exists for exactly this purpose. To give indie authors a genuine, supportive, reliable place to be discovered, not buried.

If you’d like your book featured in the ecosystem, you can subscribe and list one book for free here:

No pressure, fear or hustle culture. Just a community where your book doesn’t have to fight for oxygen.

All the Feels

When I read Jo’s message, I felt something settle in me: a little reminder that this work matters. Not in a grand, award-winning, world-changing way. In a deeply personal way.

Because behind every growth chart is a human who put their soul on a page… and just needed someone to help it be seen. And I’m so grateful I get to be that someone, even in a small way.

Here’s to more 5×, 10×, and 13× stories ahead. Here’s to your book being next.

With pride (and a very full heart),
Fleur

The Substack Bookstore Ecosystem

This blog is part of The Substack Bookstore ecosystem — Substack’s most trusted hub for indie authors.

Together, our publications support every step of your author journey:

• The Substack Bookstore – The heart of our ecosystem. List your book for free and get increased visibility with our subscriber base of 2.6k+ authors and readers. Discover and support independent authors, and see how every Bestseller Tier author campaign reached Amazon category bestseller status since the Bookstore launched.

• The Online Writing Club – A newsletter which helps writers start, grow, monetize and market their writing and newsletter online, created by global top #20 Education Substack Bestseller and mompreneur Kristina God. Her newsletter covers Substack, freelancing, Medium blogging, and book publishing - the motto: get paid to be you!

• Author Growth - Stop writing books that nobody will buy. Get the strategy behind a successful indie book launch from an Amazon best-selling author with 25+ years writing and marketing experience.

• Free Books First – Readers get early access to free and discounted indie books before they hit the charts. Authors get access to 2k+ readers to request Beta and ARC reviews. 

• Editorial Reviews – Connect with vetted reviewers and earn powerful blurbs to boost your book’s credibility and conversions.

Every publication in The Substack Bookstore Ecosystem exists to help indie authors get seen, sell more books, and build lasting visibility.

Work with Fleur

If you’re ready to take your author journey further, I’d love to help. Whether you need clarity on your publishing path, hands-on book marketing support, or guidance to grow your author platform, you don’t have to do it alone. Explore my author services below and start building your platform with purpose, clarity, and confidence.

• The Indie Author Hotline - Subscribe and I’ll answer your questions via DM or voice note within one working day, so you don’t have to wait for a weekly coaching call. 

• 360-degree Book Marketing Blueprint - I’ll give you the exact playbook we’ve used to get dozens of authors to Amazon category bestseller status. Upgrade to Founding Member in the Author Growth Substack to access this service. 

• Substack Clarity Audit - Your Substack deserves the clarity and polish that turns casual readers into loyal subscribers.

All of my services are listed on my Stacks Publishing website Author Services Page.

Disclaimer

This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered business, financial, or strategic advice.

There are no guarantees of growth, revenue, or results.

Information is current at the time of publication but may become outdated, so please double-check with current sources before relying on anything shared here.

Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions related to your platform, business, or income.

What I share is meant to spark ideas, not promise outcomes.