Open an Independent Bookshop for Indie Authors

Aim

Help open The Book Shack, an independent bookshop championing indie authors, readers, and community.

Every pledge, no matter the size, helps bring The Book Shack to life

From £5 Founding Supporters to exclusive launch experiences and curated book bundles, every reward has been designed to thank you for believing in this dream. 

The Book Shack already exists as a growing bookish business. Over the past few years, I have created and sold bookish merchandise, launched a monthly snail mail club, and built a community of over 17,000 readers on TikTok.

The name "The Book Shack" has a special meaning to me. My husband built a beautiful bookish shack in our garden, where i design, create and package everything for all my lovely customers.

What started as a small passion project has grown into something much bigger. This campaign is about taking The Book Shack from an online business to a physical independent bookshop where readers, authors, and book lovers can come together.

Today, The Book Shack offers bookish merchandise, a monthly snail mail, and a growing online community. With your support, the next chapter will be opening the doors to a dedicated bookshop and reader community space in Oxfordshire.

Readers already have access to large retailers and online stores, but many incredible books never make it onto those shelves.

The Book Shack will focus on:

📚 Indie authors

📚 Hidden gems and overlooked titles

📚 Romance, sports romance, darker books and romantasy

📚 Signed books and special editions

📚 Books readers may not find in larger retailers such as Waterstones or The Works

Alongside books, we will also stock bookish gifts and merchandise, including bookmarks, stickers, art prints, reading accessories, and products from fellow bookish small businesses.

The Book Shack will be a place where readers can:

• Discover new authors
• Meet fellow book lovers
• Attend author signings
• Join book clubs
• Attend launch events
• Support independent businesses
• Celebrate their love of reading

My goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive space where readers feel at home.

We are aiming to raise £30,000 to help bring The Book Shack to life.

The funds will be used for:

• Shop deposit and setup costs
• Initial book stock
• Shelving and furniture
• Shop signage and branding
• Website and payment systems
• Insurance and business costs
• Working capital during launch

Every contribution brings us one step closer to opening our doors.

The Book Shack isn't just an idea.

✔ Existing bookish business

✔ Monthly snailmail club

✔ Growing community of readers

✔ Over 17,000 TikTok followers

✔ Approved Gardners trade account

✔ A passion for supporting indie authors and independent publishing

This campaign is about building something special for readers and creating a space where books, authors, and community can thrive together.

Every reward has been carefully created to thank you for supporting The Book Shack and helping bring this dream to life.

Whether you'd simply like to show your support, discover incredible new books, receive exclusive bookish goodies, celebrate with us at our launch event, or enjoy unique experiences that will become part of The Book Shack's story, there's something for every kind of reader.

Every pledge, no matter the size, helps take one more step towards opening a welcoming home for readers and championing incredible indie authors. Thank you for believing in this dream.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for supporting The Book Shack.

And a huge thank you to every incredible indie author who has supported this journey so far, from donating books and bookish goodies for our rewards, to sharing our dream on TikTok and sending the loveliest messages of encouragement. Your support has meant more than you know and has helped make this campaign possible.

Whether you pledge £5 or simply share the campaign, you are helping make this dream a reality.

Together, we can create a welcoming home for readers, indie authors, and book lovers.

Lauren

Owner, The Book Shack

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 20th November 2026 at 9:15am