Tag: writing

From BookTok to Bookshelf: How a TikTok Ban Spells Trouble for Readers and Publishers Everywhere

by Amelia MacKinnon

The indie book publishing industry has been steadily growing in recent years, with a significant impact on the literary landscape. According to industry reports, the annual revenue of the indie book publishing sector surpassed $2 billion in the most recent fiscal year.

This remarkable figure underscores the increasing influence and viability of independent publishers in the competitive market.

Indie publishers often champion diverse voices and niche genres that may not receive as much attention from larger publishing houses, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive literary ecosystem. As such, understanding how a potential TikTok ban could affect this dynamic industry is crucial for assessing its broader implications for readers, authors, and publishers alike.

But hold up, because this ban could have some serious ripple effects, especially in an unexpected corner—the global book publishing industry.

Let’s break it down. TikTok isn’t just about dances and memes anymore. It’s become a powerhouse for book recommendations and literary discussions.

You’ve got bookish creators with millions of followers, sharing their favorite reads and sparking conversations that lead to actual book sales. Take BookTok, for instance—a vibrant community where readers share their love for everything from fantasy epics to romance novels.

Now, imagine if all that vanished overnight. Poof! No more BookTok. No more viral book recommendations reaching millions of potential readers. Suddenly, authors and publishers are left scrambling to find new ways to connect with audiences.

TikTok’s unique format and algorithm have proven to be particularly effective in boosting book sales for authors compared to other social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads. Unlike traditional platforms where users primarily engage with static images or lengthy posts, TikTok’s short-form video format allows for quick, engaging content that captures users’ attention in mere seconds.

This makes it easier for authors to showcase their personalities, share book recommendations, and connect with readers on a more personal level.

Additionally, TikTok’s algorithm is designed to promote content based on user interests rather than follower count, giving even lesser-known authors a chance to reach a wider audience.

As a result, books recommended on TikTok often experience a rapid increase in sales, outperforming promotions on other platforms where content can easily get lost in the noise. The viral nature of TikTok further amplifies the reach of book recommendations, creating a snowball effect that can lead to exponential growth in sales and visibility for authors.

But it’s not just about losing a platform for promotion. TikTok has been a game-changer for discovering diverse voices and niche genres. Think about the surge in interest in poetry, thanks to poets sharing their work in short, captivating videos. Without TikTok, these voices risk being drowned out in a sea of mainstream content.

And let’s talk numbers for a second. TikTok has over 100 million monthly active users in the U.S. alone. That’s a massive pool of potential readers. If even a fraction of those users were influenced by BookTok to buy just one book a month, you’re looking at a significant boost for the publishing industry.

But with a ban looming, publishers might need to rethink their marketing strategies. They’ll have to pivot away from TikTok and find new ways to engage with readers. Maybe they’ll invest more in other social media platforms or explore partnerships with influencers on different platforms. Either way, it’s going to shake things up.

One notable example is Abigail Hing Wen, the author of “Loveboat, Taipei.” Her novel gained significant traction on BookTok, leading to increased sales and visibility.

Loveboat, Taipei Hardcover – January 7, 2020

“Loveboat, Taipei” is a young adult novel that follows the story of Ever Wong, who is sent to Taiwan to study Mandarin for the summer but ends up experiencing love, adventure, and self-discovery. The book resonated strongly with BookTok users, who praised its diverse characters, engaging plot, and exploration of identity and culture.

As BookTok users shared their enthusiasm for “Loveboat, Taipei” through videos and recommendations, the novel gained momentum within the platform’s community. This surge in interest translated into increased sales and recognition for Abigail Hing Wen, propelling her book onto bestseller lists and garnering widespread acclaim.

Abigail Hing Wen’s experience serves as a real-life example of how BookTok can significantly impact an author’s career, leading to greater visibility, book sales, and ultimately, success in the publishing industry.

While a TikTok ban may initially seem like a routine political decision, its ramifications extend far beyond mere community-building activities. Its effects could potentially reshape the landscape of book discovery, sharing, and celebration on a global scale.Report this

It’s Easy to Lose Yourself in Love

In honor of Valentine’s Day, the author’s of Wild Ink Publishing and Conquest Publishing were given a little 24-hour challenge. Write about that all consuming, one human emotion that rises above the rest, thing that drives us all forward. Love. The challenge was simple enough… use your choice of three short forms; a mini-saga, 6-line free verse, or a mini-essay.

We were blown away by the response in such a short amount of time. And tonight, we would like to present to you, why it’s so easy to lose yourself in love, with the first annual 24-hour Valentine’s Day writing challenge.

Old Love

Abigail Wild

Staring at the box of chocolates propped against the vase of roses that will wilt and die.

He snores.

I stare harder at the thorns that will prick,

and the chocolate that will melt on my fingertips,

as his apnea replaces sweet nothings. My true love.

Love Does Not Hold Captives

Melanie Mar

As Asha looked out her window, she wondered if the man who locked her in regretted it. Did he know that she counted the seconds until he appeared again? She wished she could tell him the locksmith showed her a way out—and that he deserved freedom from himself as well.

My Love and Me

Kylie Wiggins

I want a love of the ages,

one that is scrawled within pages.

I want my romance to be a muse,

one that sends the heart aching like a bruise.

We will go down in history,

my love and me.

My Sweet Valentine

Magdalene Dietchka

Their hands were still intertwined. She’d left an hour ago. Her roses sat beside the bed, their beauty unaware that sixty-three years had faded into the most recent of memories. He brushed her hair from her peaceful face. The last words she heard were, “I love you, my sweet Valentine.”

A Moment in Time

Amy Nielsen

I cradled my days-old newborn son on the couch. My husband snuggled next to us. “These moments,” I said, “The ones that aren’t significant, these are the ones we forget.” He kissed the top of our son’s head. I then knew I’d remember. And I did.

My Only Valentine Brought Me French Fries

Abigail F. Taylor

A single, bright rose stuck out of the greasy paper sack.

I had to work late and was on my period.

I didn’t have to ask. Still he understood

that what I needed then was not a grand gesture

but a singular moment that whispered ‘I see you’.

Rose-Colored Lenses

Brianne Córdova

Love is patient, love is kind,

but above all else, love is blind.

Broken bones, broken skin—

wouldn’t be so if you’d listened.

He sent some flowers, apologized.

“I just got so mad. You know I love you, right?”

Love is Fickle

Brittany McMunn

Love is but a fickle thing, the most volatile of all the emotions. Samson knew of Delilah’s betrayal, but his heart remained true. He stood with pride in the frigid, desert night as it was a strength to love another despite their flaws, not a weakness.

Just Say NO to V-Day

Haddessah Anne Brice

I simply do not understand why anyone would want to celebrate the anniversary of both the brutal murder of the man in the third century that the day is named for and the bloody execution of seven men by the American mob in the 1920s as the day to excessively dote on someone you supposedly love.

So why do we let society make us feel incomplete as people if we aren’t coupled to another person romantically on this one day above all others? Shouldn’t we strive to express our love for others just as much every other day of the year?

Please let’s start treating our fellow humans with all the love, and turn Valentine’s Day into Halloween #2!

Pink Grinch

Rebecca Minelga

They say Halloween is the Devil’s day, and he may come out to party on All Hallow’s Eve, but he’s a sneaky one, and I think he does his dirtiest work on Valentine’s Day. Breaking promises and bank accounts, coercing sex, forcing proposals. Fitting a year’s worth of love into a single day like checking off a to-do list, a transaction in place of a relationship. No diamond jewelry, candy hearts, or chocolate boxes for me, please. If it doesn’t include a gruesome and bloody beheading, I’m not here for it.

Two Dimensional

Jessica Salina

Stars twinkled above the castle. Tucking a strand of hair behind a pointed ear, the elf looked at the satyr beside him. Pale, sweet-smelling flowers bloomed at her feet.

“What an adventure,” he said. “I’ve come to love you.”

Then, a meow. I paused the game to feed my cat.

Just Say Yes

S.E. Reed

Your lips, red wine. You throw your head back and laugh at my bad jokes. My heart, red flesh. You grab my beard and pull me closer to your face. Our kiss, red hot. You whisper, never leave me baby, and I promise you I never will. Our love story.

Welcome to the Void

By Ollie Shane

in a year after back to the future three made you scream “give me the future”

Said future gives you more unreal than reality, headlines the type the onion et al could dream of

will we be all right? will we survive the anthropocene/climate chaos

is it any wonder you’ve lost hours falling down rabbit holes?

is it any wonder you come away thinking the end of the world is nigh?

There is a place where the rabbit holes meet, where your pessimism finds a soft spot

it’s called the void, as dark as the darkest night

before or even during the dawn

the void hopes that the more time you spend, the more you find yourself (or the parts you do not want to think of when thinking of Self (and the other))

you’ll learn about yourself

but also the world

you’ll take notes in a nice journal, in pen scrawl

notes from the void coming soon.

About Ollie Shane

Ollie Shane is a poet, undergraduate English major, and the number one tote bag carrier and iced coffee sipper in the Tri-State Area (Delaware and Pennsylvania).He is Autistic and their special interest revolves around literature (currently on 20th century literature (such as W. Somerset Maugham, who they’re doing their thesis on) in conjunction with contemporary poets such as Danez Smith, sam sax, Franny Choi, Terrance Hayes, Mary Alice Daniel and others). Also, he is constantly looking for more poetry and prose recommendations.

On a writerly note, they are the author of the chapbook I Do It So It Feels Like Hell (Bottlecap Press, 2022), and their work has been published in Thirty West’s magazine AfterImages, Poetry As Promised, Palindrome Journal, and elsewhere. They also have a newsletter on Substack called Not Another Newsletter. To see more of their work, check him out on Instagram @aolshane and Chill Subs under olshane17.

Author Interview with Haddessah Anne Brice

We are so excited to meet with one of our wonderful children’s author’s Haddessah Anne Brice, or as we like to call her, Haddie. Her children book, Once Upon A Tower, about a young princess under the thumb of her cruel parents, is available now for purchase! It was artfully illustrated by Emily St. Marie and captures the whimsy and magic of a powerful fairytale that will teach children to gather the strength residing within their young souls and tear down barriers holding them back from their true calling.

Once Upon a Tower With Haddessah Anne Brice Cover

Haddie, thank you for meeting with us today! Can you tell us a little about yourself.

Ummm… I don’t know where to start, and don’t like talking much about myself. But I’ll brag on my friends and Godkids for hours! LoL

What type of material do you usually write?

That depends. I dabble in a lot of things, but mostly I write kid’s books and poetry in various genres.

What does your writing and revision process look like?

If the story isn’t working, I go back to the beginning and work my way through it until I figure out what the characters are trying to say that I missed. This typically happens every few chapters. So by the time I show it to Abby and Brittany, I have literally done everything I can with it and need another set or two of eyes to help me dig deeper into the story.

What is the hardest part about writing, in your opinion?

Getting what’s in my head, onto the page. I have two sayings that I use equally as often. 1. I wish I could run a patch cord from my brain to the computer, so then all I’d have to do is edit. 2. I can’t edit what isn’t on the page. Type ANYTHING!

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

I’ve been a story teller since I could talk and a writer since I learned to read and write. The written word and the images your particular set of word choices creates are my drug. I am addicted to stories.

What advice do you have for new/debut authors?

Read A LOT! Write fanfic and RP as practice for new techniques you want to try out. Don’t hold yourself to a higher standard than you would others. If you would be understanding of someone else’s gaff, be understanding toward yourself for the same gaff.

Do you have any links or resources you’d like to share about writing or for your own materials?

I tell anyone who’s interested in ANY kind of writing, that they need to read “Noble’s Book of Writing Blunders (and how to avoid them)” by William Noble.

I’ve read several books about writing but that one doesn’t read like a textbook and it changed my life (as far as my writing goes).

Do you have a favorite quote from a book?

“I could no sooner choose a favorite star in the heavens!” Danielle De Barbarac ~ Ever After

The Art of Writing a Book Blurb

There often comes a point during the publishing process in which you will be asked to write a #BookBlurb. Now, don’t start panicking just yet. You’ve been doing this for years (even if you didn’t know it).

Everytime a friend asks you about a movie and you give them the quick rundown– the main character and all the exciting parts. Or when someone asks you about a book you just read, again, you can quickly tell them the theme, characters and what happened.

THAT is a blurb! In 150 to 300 words, you were able to quickly pitch the story.

The heart of the book blurb is its ability to capture the attention of a reader who is scrolling the latest releases online. And as an author, one of your goals should be to master the art of writing an eye-catching book blurb. One that will get your potential audience to stop scrolling and pay attention.

We’ve condensed the steps down into their simplest terms. Because if you over complicate a book blurb, you’ll lose the reader’s attention.

First, you’re going to hook the reader, by writing down a few sentences to set the scene and the tone. Perhaps two strangers meet in the night and fall madly in love.

Second, you need to tell us about the main characters. Who are these strangers and what about them is so special?

Last, you want to ramp up and describe the conflict! When tragedy strikes and our strangers turned lovers are forced apart, they must fight for everything they believe in.

Now, sometimes it is easier to see something in action, before trying to do it on your own. So take a few moments and check out this perfectly executed 149 word book blurb for The Bone Below, a dark fantasy by Sylwia Koziel. Releasing with Conquest Publishing in April 2024.

Nelka, born to a small village in Nidora, meets Kazimir, a passing traveler. Each time Nelka leaves her cottage, she seems to bump into this stranger who teases her relentlessly, and ignites feelings she wasn’t prepared for.

When Nelka’s sister becomes ill, Nelka leaves the safety of her village, and Kazimir, to find a cure. As trouble becomes imminent, Nelka is taken prisoner and held hostage by the foreign King and Queen. Their son and soon to be King, Prince Andrius, has plans and Nelka is exactly what he needs to set them into motion.

Each day Nelka spends in the castle with Prince Andrius brings her closer to a truth she didn’t know had been hidden, while pushing her farther from the village farmer of her past.

The Bone Below is a journey of self-discovery, first love, and learning about one’s place in a vast world.

If you enjoyed learning about writing a book blurb and reading our example, go ahead and read some of the other amazing book blurbs at Conquest Publishing and Wild Ink Publishing. Then, take the time to write a book blurb for your own book! Even if you’re still #Querying or in the editing phase or just starting out, having a quick blurb to tell your family and friends will be highly rewarding.

Cheers!

Author Interview with M.E. Shao

Recently, I had the pleasure of doing an interview with author (and basically comedian) M.E. Shao. He’s a renaissance man, having achieved some impressive personal and professional accomplishments. He was kind enough to share a little about himself, his writing style AND his adorable puppy Pipsqueak.

Thanks so much for sitting down with me today, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Thank’s so much for having me. Let’s see here. Well, I was born in Baltimore, MD but lived most of my life in a suburb outside Nashville, TN. While I always had this dream of becoming a writer tucked away in the back of my head, I imagine most people viewed me as just your run of the mill jock. My whole world basically revolved around schooling or baseball, and I ended up getting the opportunity to play with my brother at Vanderbilt University (which was super cool since staying teammates with a sibling is somewhat rare in college sports). I graduated in 2009 with a degree in Economics and Corporate Strategy, and spent about the next ten years as an insurance agent.

Sadly, it took a severely traumatic event for me to finally muster the courage to explore my childhood dream and to finally start writing. My beloved mother passed away in August of 2015 after a years-long battle with rheumatoid arthritis and COPD, and being that it was always her who tried pushing me toward writing/general happiness against the somewhat “less enthusiastic” influences I got from my father, losing her was the spark I needed to ignite the fire underneath my writing pursuit. It’s a bittersweet testimony for an “about” section, I know, but the most important one nonetheless.

Oh, I also have a wonderful daughter as of last January. She’s a fluffy little Pekingese named Pipsqueak, who I named after my MCs pet space-dog, Squeak. She only goes by Pip though, unless of course she’s in trouble.

So, what type of material do you usually write?

As far as commercially marketable material, primarily narrative fiction. Namely sci-fi, but I’m also working on a political thriller right now about a girl who inadvertently changes how legislation is passed in America by developing an app that holds hypothetical votes on Congressional bills that the public can participate in. I also do the occasional business copy gig, mostly for acquaintances from my pre-writing career of being an insurance agent. Aside from that, I write a lot of poetry as a passion project. I’ve also had some short story work printed in newspapers and a column in my own local paper called “Millennials Making a Difference”.

I’m dying to know, what does your writing and revision process look like?

I have to use this term since I first heard it in the Wild Ink slack group and I love it. I’d say I’m a “plantser”, which I’ve learned is a mix between plotter and pantser. I start with a very basic, high-level bullet point outline of what each chapter is generally going to be about. After that, I lower the curtains, turn off the lights, and dive in headfirst. I’ve found that’s the best way for me to let my imagination be as free and open as possible while making sure it’s still moving the story along in a structured manner. For revision, I have a killer combo of being both OCD and ADD, so I probably way over-edit if I’m being honest. I use beta readers for that reason. I have a collection of about 10-15 awesome people I’m connected to on Facebook who reign me in when it comes to that. Sometimes I’ll ask for feedback on a forum like Reddit or the like if I’m feeling I need a more neutral, totally unbiased take on a piece.

Okay, M.E. what advice do you have for new debut authors?

Find. Your. Courage. Remember that sunscreen song from way back in the day? The one that teaches all those profound life lessons, then ends with “but if I had only one piece of advice, sunscreen would be it”? This is my sunscreen. Because amidst all the nuggets of knowledge a writer might obtain over the years, none of them matter if that very first, very daunting, obstacle is never overcome. I envy the ones who might not struggle with it, but I’d be willing to bet nearly all of us can attest to how difficult it can be to put yourself out there. Sure, outwardly we might appear to say, “have at it folks, hope you like it”. On the inside, however…it feels more like we just dropped a hydrogen bomb on our head as the mental anxiety waiting for feedback is telling us we need therapy ASAP.

So that’s my advice. If writing is your dream, don’t let it take the death of a loved one for you to start the fire. Save yourself that regret, be proactive, and create the kindling out of whatever you can.

Last, but not least, who is your personal favorite author? And what is your favorite book?

At the risk of sounding cliché, I have to say it: JK Rowling is my favorite author. I have a good excuse, I promise! It’s not just her inexplicable talent as a writer, which is very much an obvious presence throughout everything she pens, it’s more for how I relate to her personal background. She lost her mother during her mid-twenties just as I did, and she openly discusses that despite how hard it was to not succumb to the depression, she took solace by leveraging the “wrecking ball to my life” and instead created something positive from the fallout. She often credits her mother’s loss as her inspiration behind the beautiful story arch that is Harry’s relationship with his late parents, and how that parental love and tenderness quite literally saved his life. This ability of hers to turn the pain of death into the joy of life, so to speak, is why I look up to her so much.

Oh, and my favorite book hands down is Lois Lowry’s The Giver. I read it when I was in fifth grade, and it totally changed my life in so many ways. It opened my mind in terms of how I view the structure of governments/societies, it helped me understand that we shouldn’t judge people based on stereotyped predispositions, and most it all, it was the book that made me want to become a writer. After finishing it I knew I wanted to give others the same feeling of awe and wonderment I was left with, something for which I’m so grateful to now spend every day trying to achieve.

Thank you for this! And please thank your readers, too : )

Cheers!

6 Tips on Being an Author

What exactly is “being” an author? Well, we are all authors, believe it or not. When we write emails, texts, and make grocery lists, we are all authoring words. But, to be an author of a story, now that’s something else entirely. Or is it? We’re going to stop you there and say no. Being an author, simply means you are putting words on the page to say something of meaning, something valuable to your intended audience.

Every author gets into the business for different reasons. Most of us author types do it because we have characters swirling in our minds and want to put them on paper to share with others. Some of us do it because we love to teach and share ideas. And there’s a few who get into it for the money…

Pause for laughter.

So, none of us get into this for the money. And if we did, we are in the WRONG profession. Sure, there are authors who pay the bills with their words. But they are few and far between. Writers are artists. As the saying goes, something about starving artists, am I right?

But seriously, it is important to take your craft seriously.

So, check out S.E. Reed’s 6 Tips on Being an Author for the best ways to take your writing game to the next level.

Write

Okay, yeah, that makes sense. But, seriously. Every day you have to write something. Anything! Just write! You could write a letter. You could write a song. A poem. A short story. Or the first (or last) chapter of a murder mystery! It doesn’t matter, just pick a word count and commit to it for one week. Then another and another. I promise. You’ll find your voice and your style if you just keep writing.

Personally, I write anywhere from 2-10k words every day. Sometimes it’s cringe worthy hot garbage. And sometimes it’s so freaking good it makes me laugh and cry and get goosebumps.

Just write.

Tell People You’re Writing

Yes. Do it. Don’t be scared! I promise, it’s thrilling. Plus, it’s very helpful to start learning how to summarize what you are working on. Look at the back cover of your favorite book. A nice and tidy little summary that gives you a quick visual. It hooks you. Learn to do that.

Plus, once you have fans who are vested they will want to know how your story ends! And no one wants to disappoint the fans.

Read a Book

This might sound counterproductive– to put down the pencil and pick up a book. But, the more you read and understand what kind of books you are drawn to the easier it will be to determine what kind of writer you want to be.

Do you love reading #YAbooks or #Fantasy or #Romance? Or are you into magazines, journals, non-fiction stories about animals? The best writers love the worlds they live in. So what do you love? Not sure, head to the library for some inspiration.

Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of books?

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

Every writer is on a different journey. Yours is special. Unique. Just like your writing! Just because I can write 10k words in one session doesn’t mean a damn thing.

You have a story to tell. So tell it!

Learn to block out the noise. Not every debut author is debuting their first book. It might be their tenth try that finally landed the big deal.

Just keep writing.

Find your Purpose

So you have an idea. A theme. A vision. But, you still aren’t really sure where to begin. It can help by developing a high-level view of what you are writing.

For example– let’s say you want to write a fiction story geared towards middle grades readers. Start by writing the back cover. The soundbite. Tell the reader who your main character is, what (mis)adventures he/she/they will go on and a couple of surprises they might find along the way.

From there, you can write the basic outline, you know– the roadmap of your story and how it ends. (When in doubt use the who, what, where, why and when method).

Ask for help

Most people love to give advice. “Writers” are no different! There are all kinds of online communities with aspiring authors, writers, bloggers, journalists, script writers, etc. Find your people. That place you feel safe to ask whatever!

Then ask away! Ask how to transition scenes. Ask about the character arch. Gather up some Beta Readers and find out if they think your heroes are heroic enough. Are your villain’s too scary? Is your work YA or New Adult? Should it be longer, shorter, does chapter five need a punchier twist?

When you ask for help, it makes you a better writer.

And remember… YOU are already a writer.

Cheers!

Episode Seven: An Interview with Emily St. Marie about the Magical Muse Library

In this episode, Abigail sits down with Emily St. Marie, illustrator / author, to discuss the Magical Muse Library.

You can find Calliope’s Collection of Magical Mayhem here.

You can find Ourania’s Orrery of Imagination here.

To learn more about Emily St. Marie, visit her website.

Episode Five: Plotting, Pantsing, Outlining! Oh My!

In this episode, Brittany and Abby talk about writing as busy moms. They also talk about plot structure, and how to make the most of your story’s plot. Then they tell us how they outline their books, discussing the pros and cons of plotting and pantsing.

Episode Two: Considering Book Ideas. Where to begin? (The Writing Process Part One)

In this episode, we begin our journey in novel writing. Over the next few weeks, we will be taking you through the novel writing process, one step and a time. This week Abby and Brittany discuss where ideas come from, and how to find them.

Links important to this episode:
DIYMFA.com Writer Igniter: diymfa.com/writer-igniter
NYC Midnight Writing Competition: www.nycmidnight.com/
Passive Voice Checker: datayze.com/passive-voice-detector

As always, check out Wild Ink Publishing and our amazing books: wild-ink-publishing.com/

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