Where stories find their people

Not every book is for everyone, but there is definitely one out there just for you.

Our Mission

Stories shape how we see ourselves and others. Conceived as “a dating app with books” — Nightstand was built to help readers and writers find representation, empathy, and connection in a digital space that’s actually human.

Beta Notice

Nightstand is currently in its beta and active development phase. We apologize in advance for any bugs or hiccups you may encounter, and well as the limited books on our platform. Books are only on here if an author adds them. Feature development is guided by user feedback and community needs—our goal is to create a truly human-centered platform.

If you’d like to help us improve, report a bug, share feedback, or ask a question, please visit our Contact Page.

Human-Centered Discovery

Find books and authors that speak to you—not to an unknown prediction algorithm or purchase history biased to only show you what’s popular.

Author-Reader Connection

Skip the noise of social media. Message, follow, and engage directly with your audience or favorite writers in one focused space.

Ethical by Design

Nightstand is committed to ethical AI and transparent tech practices—no data harvesting, no manipulation, no dark patterns.

For Escapists and Empaths Alike

Whether you read to feel seen or to disappear for a while, Nightstand helps you find the stories—and people—that understand you.

Support Local, Think Global

We highlight local bookstores, library events, and independent authors while connecting readers across the world.

No Strings Attached

No engagement farming. No data traps. No AI-written spam.
Just readers, writers, and stories that mean something.

Find stories that feel like you—or who you want to be.

Search by character traits, identities, themes, or moods—not just genres or trends. Whether you’re looking for representation you’ve rarely seen or a story that challenges how you see the world, Nightstand helps you discover books that truly resonate.

Connect your stories with the readers who need them.

Tag your work by character demographics, experiences, and themes—not marketing buzzwords. Reach readers searching for authentic representation, honest emotion, and the kinds of stories traditional algorithms overlook.

Showcase diverse stories. Reach curious readers.

We’re building tools for publishers, bookstores, and literary collectives to share their authors and titles with readers seeking meaningful representation and human-focused storytelling. Partner with us to shape the next era of book discovery.

How it works


For Readers

Find stories that feel like you.

Filter

Tell us what you’re looking for—representation, themes, or character types.

Stash

Swipe, save, or skip books just like you would in a dating app—minus the awkward small talk.

Follow

Follow authors whose work speaks to you.

Connect

Connect with other readers exploring the same worlds.

For Authors

Share your worlds with the readers who need them.

Add

Add your book and share details about the story, characters, and yourself.

Chill

Get discovered for free—your book stays visible for one year (and all throughout beta).

Pitch

Pitch directly to interested readers and beta readers.

Network

Network with fellow authors and build your audience.

Latest from the blog

Mostly updates and other relevant information.

(No blog posts yet)

Help us improve Nightstand!

Found a bug, have an idea, or want to request a feature? We’d love to hear from you.