Why I invite readers to leave reviews for my book on Amazon — but suggest they buy it elsewhere
To push a values-aligned book out into the world is to make a series of choices: where to direct sales, how to raise visibility, and generally how you’ll make sure this thing (read: body of work you spent y e a r s of your life energy crafting) actually reaches humans who can benefit from it.
The default setting in 2024, of course, is to leverage the world’s number one bookseller: Amazon.com
With an estimated 50-70% share of the global book market, Amazon’s model creates advantages for authors who can afford to pay for ad placements, targeted visibility, and premium features. This pay-to-play structure (let’s call it what it is) of course makes it challenging for new, independent, or resource-limited authors to compete with larger publishing houses or authors who can sustain higher ad budgets, creating an environment where visibility is often financially influenced.
So, when it comes to promoting The Financial Activist Playbook — a book about how we reclaim wealth and collective well-being from the extractive economy — I decided to try something new… to the horror, curiosity, and delight of other fed-up folks in the publishing industry.
What I did
Rather than sharing the link to the Amazon pre-order page, I directed folks to alternatives like Bookshop.org, which offers the same convenience of online purchases while supporting independent bookstores (instead of a corporate behemoth) with every sale.
I encouraged people to take themselves on a date to their local indie bookstore, meet the person working behind the checkout desk, and place an order for my book and any other books they’re ready to have in their hands.
And, finally, I reminded people that if they’d like to borrow The Financial Activist Playbook from their local public library for free.99, they can submit a request directly through said library or through a library e-reader app like Libby.
Fellow authors: We. Have. Options. For how our books reach people.
The truth is, to live under modern capitalism is to navigate contradictions, constantly. There is no singular right way. I don’t pretend that Amazon doesn’t exist, and I deeply appreciate when people purchase my book, wherever is convenient for them, including, yes, Amazon. But I know that when systems weren’t designed for our flourishing, we have to figure out ways to repurpose them to work for our communities and support alternatives that actually build wealth for communities.
So let me explain why I’m soliciting Amazon reviews instead of Amazon sales.
My beef with Amazon: the quick & dirty
Amazon has reshaped the book industry at a staggering cost to authors, publishers, and local communities. Here’s how:
Impact on independent bookstores: Amazon’s business model relies on offering steep discounts, drawing readers away from local bookstores that can’t afford to match those prices. The loss of independent bookstores doesn’t just affect book sales; it also diminishes “third places” designed to foster community connection.
Strained publisher margins: Amazon’s control over the international book market means it often sets the terms for pricing. This pressures publishers to cut costs, which makes it harder for them to take risks on new and diverse voices. This means less diversity on our shelves and fewer royalties for authors.
Algorithms over art: Amazon’s platform is designed to showcase products based on algorithms and often favors those who pay for premium placement. This creates an uneven playing field for independent authors and small publishers who can’t compete financially, making it harder for them to be discovered by readers.
Zooming out from just the book industry, Amazon has been a repeat corporate target of financial activist campaigns for many reasons, including (but definitely not limited to) its decades of documented unethical treatment of workers, inadequate pay, anti-union efforts, mammoth tax avoidance, surveillance technology, data privacy concerns, unsustainable business model, and ungodly carbon footprint. More on this, unsurprisingly, in my book.
Pulling back the veil: Why Amazon reviews hella matter for authors
Despite this very real negative impact, Amazon remains a massive hub for book discovery, and that’s why reviews are so crucial. Many readers use Amazon or Goodreads (which is, surprise, also owned by Amazon) to decide on their next read, regardless of where they ultimately purchase the book. Here’s why reviews are powerful:
Boosting visibility: Reviews directly impact how frequently a book appears in Amazon’s recommendations and search results. More reviews can help the book gain traction, potentially bringing it to readers who might not otherwise find it.
Building trust: People often trust other readers’ opinions over marketing messages. Reviews provide a form of social proof that helps readers know whether a book aligns with their interests or values.
Supporting author success: For new authors or those tackling niche topics, reviews can make a substantial difference in a book’s reach. More visibility helps authors get noticed and continue to advocate for the ideas they’re passionate about.
So, regardless of where you get your copy of The Financial Activist Playbook, I would be incredibly grateful if you took a minute to leave a review for it on GoodReads and/or Amazon: a few words, sentences, or paragraphs — whatever's your style.
Every book sale and every review matters immensely. This invitation to support me and other authors in this way is also an invitation to think about:
Your financial capital — aka which institutions get your money when you buy a book; and also
Your social capital — aka your testaments and endorsements, as a real person, who can identify real value in the world.
After you leave your review… leave a community endorsement!
To amplify your impact, consider taking a minute to copy and paste your review on your social media with #reclaimwealth (feel free to get creative, tag me, tag the bookstore you got it from, etc.), and/or leave me a community endorsement here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXUkhqvRTS5pzJWzJkrcTTlF0np63tBRj6UM02_dJMO5K2YQ/viewform
What’s a community endorsement? I’m so glad you asked.
Inspired by Jezz Chung and their book, This Way to Change! (and my full-time job in impact analysis) I'm now also experimenting with this Google form as a way to welcome in my community — i.e. people who know me and have read my book — to share their experiences/reflections/general vibes about The Financial Activist Playbook.
This is for me to gather some ~quantitative and qualitative community data~:
1) To help get a better sense of the book's impact in the world 👩🏽🏫 (beyond the traditional book ranking metrics), and also to
2) read through for inspiration 💞, motivation 🫱🏽🫲🏾, ideas 🪄on what other kinds of resources for reclaiming wealth and collective well-being I could produce.
Once you submit, I may also share your endorsement on my website or social media, so feel free to add your name, or leave it blank if you'd prefer to be anonymous. Please note we may edit down longer blurbs down for clarity and brevity if needed before sharing! Thank you for understanding!
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Okay, this blog post turned out way longer than I expected. So I’ll end here by saying it's an honor to have your attention, interest, and trust; in me as a writer, and in the broader collective work of financial activism and just economy-building. We get to navigate the messy contradictions, together.
I truly can’t wait to read your reviews!
In community,
