6 Must-Read Books For Creators In Celebration Of Indie Bookstore Day

Creators today aren’t just making content. They’re building businesses. As the creator economy evolves, more creators are stepping into entrepreneurial roles, creating their own digital products, courses, memberships, and services to build sustainable income streams. In honor of Indie Bookstore Day on April 26, it’s the perfect time to support independent bookstores and invest in your business knowledge.

Bookshop.org, a platform dedicated to financially supporting over 1,900 independent bookstores worldwide, has raised more than $37 million for local stores since 2020. They give over 80% of their profit margin back to bookstores, keeping essential community hubs thriving. This year, show your support by picking up one (or more) of these seven must-read books every creator should have on their shelf to build income, confidence, and long-term success.

1. Sponsor Magnet By Justin Moore

Brand deals can feel like a mystery for many creators, but Sponsor Magnet breaks it down with clear frameworks and actionable templates. Justin Moore teaches creators how to attract sponsorships, price partnerships confidently, and turn one-off deals into recurring revenue. If you’re tired of waiting for brands to find you, this book gives you the tools to proactively build a sponsorship business.

2. We Should All Be Millionaires By Rachel Rodgers

Financial empowerment is a must for creators building businesses. In We Should All Be Millionaires, Rachel Rodgers proves that most financial advice is outdated and offers a step-by-step path to creating wealth, especially for women and people of color. This book will change the way you think about money, earning potential, and building a business that supports your biggest life goals.

3. Buy Back Your Time By Dan Martell

With many creators running their creator business on top of a full-time job, time is the most valuable resource. In Buy Back Your Time, entrepreneur Dan Martell teaches how to scale your business by outsourcing and delegating strategically. Creators often burn out trying to do it all themselves, and this book offers the blueprint for reclaiming your schedule, focusing on your zone of genius, and accelerating your success without sacrificing freedom.

4. 10x Is Easier Than 2x By Dan Sullivan

Creators are no stranger to imposter syndrome, and thinking small won’t build a big brand. Dan Sullivan’s 10x Is Easier Than 2x challenges creators to expand their mindset around growth. Instead of working harder, he teaches how to focus on the few activities that create the most impact, multiplying income, relationships, and purpose without multiplying stress.

5. Rich AF By Vivian Tu

Vivian Tu, known on social media as “Your Rich BFF’”, brings her Wall Street wisdom to creators and entrepreneurs looking to master personal finance. In Rich AF, she shares strategies on maximizing income, navigating taxes, overcoming money fears, and investing for the long term. This book empowers creators to stop living paycheck-to-paycheck, even if their income fluctuates with platform changes.

6. The Big Leap By Gay Hendricks

Many creators unknowingly limit themselves and don’t truly understand where they are meant to spend their energy (mostly because they feel they have to do it all alone). The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks explores how self-imposed barriers prevent people from achieving their true potential. Learning how to operate from your “zone of genius” (and what your “zone of genius” even is) is critical for creators who want to build businesses that are both fulfilling and profitable.

The Bottom Line

The future of the creator economy is entrepreneurship. You don’t need a million followers to earn a full-time living. Rather, you need systems, mindset shifts, and scalable offers. These books offer the financial, entrepreneurial, and personal development knowledge needed to thrive beyond the next algorithm change. And by investing in your education via some new reads on Indie Bookstore Day (and beyond), you’re helping support independent bookstores that keep creativity and curiosity alive in our communities.