Writing the book was the hard part. Getting it seen feels harder.

Most self-published authors start with a small budget. Some start with no budget at all. The good news is that you can still promote your book well.

There are free sites that put your book in front of readers. There are free tools that make you look professional. You just need to know where to look.

This guide covers both. First the promotion sites. Then the tools. All of them free to start.

One honest note before we begin. Not every site labelled free is free in the same way. Some let you submit at no cost, but you only get visibility if you match their criteria, and others are free to list but limited unless you pay for upgrades. We have kept this list to options where the free path genuinely works.

Goodreads

Goodreads is where committed readers spend their time.

Set up your author profile through the Author Programme. Add all your books. Fill in your bio and link your website.

Join groups in your genre and take part in real conversations. Answer reader questions. Add your book to relevant lists.

Do not spam links. Show up as a reader first. The visibility comes naturally when people trust you.

BookBub

BookBub is famous for its paid Featured Deals. Those cost money and are hard to get. The Featured Deal reaches over 15 million subscribers and accepts only around 20 percent of submissions.

But the free side is useful too.

Create a free author profile. Readers can follow you there. When you release a new book or run a deal, your followers get an alert.

Build that follower base over time. It becomes a free launch channel you control.

LibraryThing

LibraryThing is a quieter cousin of Goodreads. Its readers are serious and loyal.

You can list your book and offer copies through their Member Giveaways. Readers request them in exchange for honest reviews.

It is a gentle way to gather early reviews and reach people who genuinely love books.

Reddit Book Communities

Reddit has huge reader communities. Some are built around free and discounted ebooks.

Look for subreddits like r/freeEBOOKS and r/kindlefreebies. Look for genre groups too, such as r/Fantasy or r/RomanceBooks.

Read the rules of each community before you post. Many limit self-promotion. Follow the rules, add value, and the right readers will find you.

BookAngel

BookAngel runs a daily free ebook newsletter and a website that features titles.

It started as a London book club sharing recommendations. Now it lists free books for a wide reader base.

Submitting a free book costs nothing. It is a simple way to reach readers during a free promo run.

Book Basset

Book Basset features a hand-picked batch of free ebooks each day.

It focuses on freebies, which makes it a strong pick for KDP free days. Readers who visit are actively hunting for their next free read.

Submit early. Slots fill up, and only a limited number of books make each day's list.

BookDoggy

BookDoggy promotes free, discounted, and new-release ebooks through its newsletter.

It features your book on the website indefinitely, and many authors report sales weeks after the promotion ends.

The basic listing options make it a handy addition to any free promo push.

AskDavid

AskDavid offers a free book listing that stays on the site.

You add your book details, cover, and buy links. It gives your title a permanent home on a book discovery site and a small backlink for search visibility.

It is quick to set up and asks nothing in return.

ManyBooks

ManyBooks is a long-running site with a large reader following.

It has free submission paths, especially useful when your book is free or on offer. Readers browse by genre and mood, so a good listing can find its exact audience.

Fill in every field. A complete, tidy listing performs far better than a rushed one.

Indie Reading Community

Your own community matters as much as any promo site.

Indie Reading Community is built for indie authors and the readers who seek them out. You can list your book, share your story through articles and interviews, and join forums where readers actually want to discover new voices.

Unlike a one-day newsletter blast, a community gives your book a lasting home. That is where genuine word of mouth begins.

Canva

Now for the tools. We start with Canva.

Canva is a free design tool that makes you look polished. Use it for social media graphics, quote cards, teaser images, and newsletter banners.

The free tier covers most author needs. Templates do the heavy lifting, so you do not need design skills.

A consistent visual style across your posts makes your brand feel professional.

BookBrush

BookBrush is built for authors specifically.

It creates 3D book mockups, social media ads, and promo graphics with your cover. The free tier lets you produce sharp visuals without hiring a designer.

Use it to show your book in a real setting. Readers respond to images that feel tangible.

MailerLite

Your email list is your most valuable asset. It is the one audience no algorithm can take from you.

MailerLite offers a generous free plan. Build a sign-up form, collect subscribers, and send newsletters at no cost until your list grows large.

Start early. Even a small list of engaged readers is worth more than a big social following.

Amazon Author Central

Amazon Author Central is free and often overlooked.

Set up your author page. Add a photo, a bio, and links to all your books. Let readers follow you for release alerts.

A complete author page builds trust on the exact platform where people are ready to buy.

Books2Read

Books2Read, from Draft2Digital, creates one universal link for your book.

That single link sends each reader to their preferred store, whether that is Amazon, Apple, Kobo, or another. It is free to use.

Share one clean link everywhere instead of a messy pile of store URLs.

Reedsy Tools

Reedsy offers a set of free author tools.

Its Book Editor helps you format a clean manuscript. Its other free resources support blurb writing and cover ideas.

These tools raise the quality of your book and your marketing without adding cost.

Buffer

Buffer helps you schedule social media posts.

The free plan lets you queue posts across your main platforms. Set aside an hour, plan a week of content, and let it publish while you write.

Consistency matters more than volume. A tool like this keeps you visible without eating your writing time.

Linktree

Linktree gives you one link that holds all your other links.

Put it in your social media bio. It can point to your book, your newsletter sign-up, your website, and your latest news.

The free version is enough for most authors. It turns a single bio link into a small hub.

Google Analytics

If you have an author website, Google Analytics tells you what works.

It is free. It shows how many people visit, where they come from, and which pages they read.

Use it to learn what draws readers in. Then do more of that. Marketing without data is guesswork.

How to Use These Together

Tools and sites work best as a system, not a scramble.

Build your email list with MailerLite. Design your graphics in Canva and BookBrush. Set up your homes on Goodreads, BookBub, and Indie Reading Community.

When you run a free promo, submit to the free newsletter sites in the days around it. Share your Books2Read link everywhere. Track the results in Google Analytics.

Small, steady steps stacked together create real momentum.

 

You do not need a marketing budget to reach readers in 2026. You need the right free tools and a little consistency.

Pick two or three sites and one or two tools to start. Learn them well. Add more once they become routine.

Your readers are out there, searching for their next book. These free resources help them find yours.

Start with one today.