How TikTok’s BookTok Phenomenon Is Transforming the Literary World

“I think it’s really just been an evolution. We’ve always had these influencers that put books into readers’ hands and now TikTok has created an exponential growth way of doing that. It’s wonderful and really rewarding for publishers to see that readers are falling in love with our books and sharing it on this platform that can get it to so many people,” Libby McGuire, senior vice president and publisher at Atria Publishing, said to Observer.

In the age of social media, a unique and influential subculture has emerged on TikTok, known as BookTok.

This online gathering of book lovers has transformed the way books are recommended, reviewed, and discussed, with readers becoming the driving force behind viral book trends.

Unlike traditional marketing tactics, BookTok’s impact is based on genuine enthusiasm and reader engagement, resulting in skyrocketing book sales and a newfound sense of community.

Per Today:

“This niche corner of TikTok, with the hashtag #booktok, has amassed over 112 billion views. With numbers like that, no surprise it’s a powerful force within the publishing industry with BookTok darlings tending to fly off the shelves. It has been credited for helping authors sell over 20 million books in 2021, according to NPD BookScan data per the New York Times.”

Emotional Connections and Diversity Drive the Reading Experience

According to The New York Times, the majority of content creators on BookTok are young individuals, particularly women.

Many creators aim to promote diversity in the publishing industry by featuring books written by LGBTQ or BIPOC authors.

One noteworthy aspect of their videos is the emphasis on the creator’s emotional reaction to the book, rather than following the traditional review format.

According to The Observer:

“Fantasy book series tend to do well on BookTok, and there’s a big audience for Young Adult books as well. There’s lately been a surge in romance books, including erotica. BookTok has also led to the popularization of micro genres like dark academia and tropes like enemies to lovers. This ability to distill a book down to these specific themes or structures reflects the algorithm’s ability to pinpoint specific tastes.”

BookTokker Andrea, or @girlbossinred, told Mashable:

“The books that make people feel seen and heard or articulate the feelings or the thoughts that the readers can’t figure out on their own.”

The Birth of BookTok

BookTok originated as a simple hashtag on TikTok, created by a group of passionate book lovers. It quickly gained momentum, evolving into a massive trend.

BookTok has become one of the largest online communities for books, drawing the attention of big box retailers like Barnes & Noble, who have dedicated sections to cater to the BookTok community.

Influencer Power

Similar to Instagram’s Bookstagrammers, BookTok has its own influencers who hold significant sway over their devoted followers.

These influencers leverage their platform to promote books they love, introduce new authors, and initiate engaging conversations with fellow readers.

Their recommendations and discussions have a profound impact on book sales and reader preferences.

Content and Creativity

BookTok creators produce a variety of content centered around books.

They share their current reads, book hauls, and engage in character discussions, often providing funny anecdotes related to the books they love.

Dressing up as favorite book characters has also become a popular trend, giving rise to the aesthetic known as “Twilight Core.”

This creative and interactive approach to discussing literature has captivated audiences and contributed to BookTok’s widespread appeal.

The Author’s Perspective

Authors have recognized the potential of BookTok and have joined the platform to interact with readers and promote their works.

By participating in discussions about their books or sharing insights into upcoming projects, authors can directly connect with their audience and build a dedicated fan base.

BookTok has helped propel several authors to fame, with their books reaching bestseller status, often attributed to the platform’s influence.

Bestsellers Thanks to BookTok

Shawn M. Warner, an aspiring writer, experienced an unforeseen rise in fame on BookTok when a video showcasing his book, “Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor,” went viral.

Warner’s sincere and endearing personality captivated viewers, resulting in a surge of supporters and propelling his book to become an Amazon bestseller.

Black Rose Press in Texas published Warner’s book in November 2022, and his accomplishments can largely be attributed to the enthusiastic response he garnered on this popular social media platform.

Per Gizmodo:

“This incredible rise through the lists due to a stray social media post is not unprecedented. We all remember your friend and mine, Mister Bigolas Dickolas Wolfwood, who earlier in the year sent This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone up the bestseller list like a shot. While both of these examples are extremes, this phenomenon has been going on for the past five or so years, so much so that publishers have started including the phrase “BookTok sensation” in PR copy.”

Impact on the Publishing Industry

BookTok’s influence extends beyond individual book recommendations.

The platform has disrupted the publishing industry by giving independent and self-published authors an opportunity to gain recognition.

Some self-published titles, particularly in the romance genre, have been acquired by traditional publishing houses due to the surge in demand driven by BookTok.

This shift has broadened the scope of publishing and provided more diverse reading options for audiences.

Publishers have even begun contacting the most influential BookTok video creators, offering them free books or even paying them to recommend titles.

Takeaway

BookTok has emerged as a powerful force in the literary world, reshaping the way books are discovered and shared. Its viral trends and genuine enthusiasm have propelled book sales, introduced new authors, and transformed publishing.

This showcases the potential of social media in promoting literature and fostering a community among book lovers. BookTok represents a cultural shift where readers influence book sales and shape the literary landscape.

By embracing readers’ passion and leveraging TikTok’s creative capabilities, BookTok encourages new readers, boosts sales, and fosters camaraderie among book enthusiasts.

Here is an excerpt from Mashable:

But BookTok offers a form of connection not just to another world through books, but to users’ own world; it provides a platform where “you can pick up any book and still be able to connect with other people online as you’re reading it — so not only do you get to enjoy this book on your own, but you get to enjoy it with somebody who lives in a different area of the world.”

Sources:

https://www.today.com/popculture/books/what-is-booktok-meaning-rcna70362?ex=h

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/26/1068063564/booktok-is-a-new-force-driving-book-sales-and-publishing-deals

https://sproutsocial.com/insights/booktok/

https://blog.hootsuite.com/booktok/

https://www.distractify.com/p/what-is-booktok

What are your thoughts on the power of BookTok? Please share in the comments.

A version of this story originally appeared on Medium.