themed rec list: indie authors

Inspired by The Smut Report’s curated list of indie authors, which you should also check out, here is a big list of indie authors whose work I’ve enjoyed!

They’re alphabetical by last name. I’ve tried to give a brief idea of what they write—mostly, but not entirely, romance—and I’ve linked my reviews of their work. Some of these authors may write in other genres that I haven’t explored yet. I considered marking queer books, but the effort proved overwhelming; I promise you will find lots of queer work if you go exploring.

For authors who also publish traditionally, I’m only mentioning indie published works.

This list was last updated in November 2026.

Liz Alden (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: The Fling in Panama, Bailey Bangs Her Brother’s Best Friend)

Emily Antoinette (genres: sci-fi romance; reviews: Space for More)

Claudie Arseneault (genres: fantasy, sci-fi; reviews: Baker Thief)

Xio Axelrod (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: When Frankie Meets Johnny)

Emma Barry (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Appassionata)

Talia Bhatt (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Dulhaniyaa)

Melissa Blue (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Grumpy Jake)

J. Broson (genres: contemporary romance, erotic romance; reviews: The Night of the Wedding)

Adele Buck (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Acting Up, Method Acting)

Stephanie Burgis (genres: historical fantasy romance; reviews: Scales and Sensibility, Snowspelled, Thornbound, Moontangled)

‘Nathan Burgoine (genres: contemporary romance, sci-fi, young adult; reviews: Rear Admiral, Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks)

J. Winifred Butterworth (genres: historical romance; reviews: A Bloomy Head)

Juniper Butterworth (genres: fantasy romance; reviews: The Changeling, Priest-Queen, The Dragon Under the Hill)

Grace Callaway (genres: historical romance; reviews: Regarding the Duke)

EM Caro (genres: historical romance; reviews: Rears & Vices)

Suzanne Clay (genres: contemporary romance, erotic romance; reviews: Strings Attached, Release)

Lena Cole (genre: fantasy romance; reviews: The Happy Secret of It All)

Amy Jo Cousins (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Nothing Like Paris, The Girl Next Door)

Iona Datt Sharma (genres: contemporary romance, fantasy; reviews: Blood Sweat Glitter, Division Bells, Sing for the Coming of the Longest Night [co-authored with KR Fabian], Penhallow Amid Passing Things)

Kali Decker (genres: contemporary romance, erotic romance; reviews: Nobody’s Bargain)

AJ Demas (genres: fantasy romance; reviews: The Boy Bride, The House of the Red Balconies, Sword Dance, Saffron Alley, Strong Wine, Something Human, One Night in Boukos)

KR Fabian (genres: fantasy; reviews: Sing for the Coming of the Longest Night [co-authored with Iona Datt Sharma])

Frankie Fyre (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: The Honeymoon Mix-up)

Cat Giraldo (genres: contemporary romance, erotic romance; reviews: Wild Pitch)

Aster Glenn Gray (genres: historical romance, fantasy romance; reviews: Deck the Halls with Secret Agents, A Garter as a Lesser Gift, Tramps and Vagabonds, The Larks Still Bravely Singing, Enemies to Lovers, The Threefold Tie, Honeytrap, Briarley)

Rien Gray (genres: contemporary romance, romantic suspense, fantasy romance; reviews: Valerin the Fair, Martis the Brazen, Seure the Tempered, Double Exposure, Love Kills Twice)

Karen Grey (genres: historical romance; reviews: What I’m Looking For)

Jordan L. Hawk (genres: fantasy romance; reviews: Widdershins, Threshold, Stormhaven, Necropolis, Bloodline, Hoarfrost, Maelstrom, Fallow, Draakenwood, Balefire, Deosil)

Jack Harbon (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Meet-Cute Club)

Tasha L. Harrison (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: A Taste of Her Own Medicine)

Al Hess (genres: sci-fi romance; reviews: World Running Down)

Alexandria House (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Let Me Free You)

Piper Huguley (genres: historical romance; reviews: A Virtuous Ruby)

Katrina Jackson (genres: contemporary romance, erotic romance, historical romance; reviews: A Blue Note, The Tenant, Back in the Day, Office Hours, Pink Slip, Grand Theft NYE)

Meka James (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Being Hospitable)

Tamara Jerée (genres: fantasy romance; reviews: A Wolf Steps in Blood)

Christina C. Jones (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Getting Schooled)

Olive J. Kelley (genres: sci-fi romance; reviews: Junker Seven)

Anita Kelly (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Sing Anyway, Our Favorite Songs, Wherever Is Your Heart)

Skye Kilaen (genres: contemporary romance, sci-fi romance; reviews: Tell Me Anything, Check Your Work, Shake Things Up, If I Were A Weapon, Glorious Day, Get It Right)

Lara Kinsey (genres: historical romance; reviews: Budding Romance)

Ruthie Knox (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Big Boy)

AJ Lancaster (genres: fantasy; reviews: The Lord of Stariel)

Ruby Lang (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: The Art of Losing)

Jackie Lau (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: He’s Not My Boyfriend, The Ultimate Pi Day Party)

Emery Lee (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Don’t Drag This Out)

Darcy Liao (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Make Room for Love)

Hudson Lin (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Fly With Me)

Jeannie Lin (genres: historical romance, romantic suspense; The Jade Temptress, Red Blossom in Snow, The Liar’s Dice)

Karmen Lee (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Passion Over Power)

EH Lupton (genres: historical fantasy romance; reviews: Dionysus in Wisconsin, Old Time Religion, Troth, Lazarus, Home from the War)

Erin McLellan (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Cross-Country Love, Perfect Matcha, Stocking Stuffers, Candy Hearts, Bottle Rocket, Party Favors)

Courtney Milan (genres: historical romance; reviews: The Duke Who Didn’t, The Marquis Who Mustn’t, The Governess Affair, Once Upon a Marquess, After the Wedding, The Devil Comes Courting)

Roxie Noir (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Enemies with Benefits)

Kathryn Nolan (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Keep You Both)

Tabitha O’Connell (genres: fantasy romance; reviews: Dirt-Stained Hands, Thorn-Pierced Skin)

Viano Oniomoh (genres: contemporary romance, erotic romance; reviews: Just for the Cameras)

EE Ottoman (genres: historical romance; reviews: The Companion)

Alyssa Linn Palmer (genres: historical romance; reviews: Midnight at the Orpheus)

Alex Pendragon (genres: contemporary romance, erotica; reviews: Bodies of Water, Seven Days to Squirm)

Arden Powell (genres: historical fantasy romance; reviews: Winter’s Dawn, The Solstice Cabin, The Potion Gardener, A Novel Arrangement, Of Socialites and Prizefights)

London Price (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Overture)

Anton Prosser (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Blithe Spirits)

Katee Robert (genres: fantasy romance, erotic romance; reviews: Broderick)

Delphine Roy (genres: historical romance; reviews: Seduction at the Chateau)

Cat Sebastian (genres: historical romance; reviews: After Hours at Dooryard Books, Peter Cabot Gets Lost)

Sierra Simone (genres: contemporary romance, fantasy romance, erotic romance; reviews: Sherwood)

Jodie Slaughter (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: To Be Alone With You, White Whiskey Bargain)

Suleikha Snyder (genres: fantasy romance; reviews: Frostburn)

Chuck Tingle (genres: Tingler; reviews: Not Pounded by Romance Wranglers of America Because Their New Leadership Is from the Depths of the Endless Cosmic Void)

Chace Verity (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: Comfort, Team Phison, Team Phison Forever)

Kit Walker (genres: mystery/thriller; reviews: The Casefile of Jay Moriarty)

Sarah Wallace (genres: historical fantasy romance; reviews: Letters to Half Moon Street)

Rebekah Weatherspoon (genres: contemporary romance, erotic romance; reviews: Rafe, Xeni, Treasure, Haven, Sanctuary)

Lee Welch (genres: historical fantasy romance, fantasy romance; reviews: Seducing the Sorcerer, Salt Magic Skin Magic)

Valentine Wheeler (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: No Parking)

Elia Winters (genres: historical fantasy romance, erotic romance; reviews: Combustion)

Zoe York (genres: contemporary romance; reviews: All That They Desire)

Fiona Zedde (genres: contemporary romance, historical fantasy romance; reviews: Femme Like Her, Rise of the Rain Queen)

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