Last reviewed by James Mortimer — May 2026
Reddit and forums can reach thousands of genre readers — or get you banned in an afternoon. The difference is entirely in the approach. These communities have a finely-tuned allergy to authors who show up only to sell.
The one rule that governs everything
90% contribution, 10% promotion — and only where promotion is explicitly allowed. Most subreddits and forums ban self-promo links by default. The authors who succeed here are the ones who'd be valued members even if they'd never written a book.
Where authors are actually welcome
- r/selfpublishing, r/writing, r/eBooks — for craft and process discussion, not selling. Build reputation here.
- Genre subreddits (r/Fantasy, r/RomanceBooks, r/horrorlit, etc.) — many run designated self-promo threads (often weekly). Use those; never the main feed.
- r/freeEBOOKS, r/kindlefreebies — appropriate for free promotions only.
- Genre forums — the communities that succeeded Kboards, plus niche genre forums, often have author sections.
How to not get banned
- Read the rules first. Every community has them; most prohibit links and self-promo. Honour them exactly.
- Never use a new account to promote. A days-old account dropping an Amazon link is the clearest ban signal there is.
- Build history first. Comment helpfully for weeks before you ever mention your book.
- Disclose you're the author when relevant. Communities forgive honesty and punish stealth marketing.
- Link sparingly, and prefer your author website or a universal book link over a bare Amazon URL.
What actually works
The compounding play: become a genuinely helpful regular in two or three communities. Answer questions, share what you've learned, support other authors. Over months, people check your profile, find your book, and — crucially — recommend it to others when someone asks "what should I read next?" That reader-to-reader recommendation is worth more than any link you could drop.
This is the same patient, organic logic as book-club outreach and podcast guesting — presence and trust, not blasting.
Genre subreddit quick reference
Most large genre subreddits run a designated self-promo thread — use that, never the main feed:
| Genre | Subreddit | Promo allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Fantasy | r/Fantasy | Weekly self-promo thread |
| Romance | r/RomanceBooks | Designated threads only |
| Sci-fi | r/printSF, r/sciencefiction | Limited; read rules |
| Horror | r/horrorlit | Designated threads |
| Crime/thriller | r/suggestmeabook, r/booksuggestions | Only when genuinely answering |
| Free promos | r/freeEBOOKS, r/kindlefreebies | Yes, for free books |
| Craft/process | r/selfpublishing, r/writing | Discussion, not selling |
The rule never changes: contribute first, promote rarely, and only where the community explicitly allows it. A genre subreddit where you're a known, helpful regular will sell more books through organic recommendation than any link you drop. Pair this with book-club outreach for a complete organic strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I post my Amazon link on Reddit?
Only in communities and threads that explicitly allow it (often weekly self-promo threads in genre subreddits). Posting buy links in general feeds will get you banned in most subreddits.
Which subreddits are best for authors?
r/selfpublishing and r/writing for craft and reputation; genre subreddits' designated promo threads for reaching readers; r/freeEBOOKS and r/kindlefreebies for free promos.
How long before I can promote?
Weeks of genuine participation first. There's no fixed number, but a new account that only promotes is the fastest route to a ban.
Do forums still matter in 2026?
Yes — niche genre forums have small but highly engaged readerships, and recommendations there carry real weight precisely because the communities are tight.
Related guides
- Book clubs and reading groups outreach
- Podcast guesting strategy
- Free promotion strategy (KDP)
- Goodreads for authors
- BookTok marketing
External references
- r/selfpublishing — self-publishing community + rules
- Alliance of Independent Authors — ethical author marketing guidance
About this guide
Written by James Mortimer for publishing.co.uk. Last reviewed May 2026.