Tag: bookinfluencers

2025 Book Trends: Mid-year check-in

Paula July 18, 2025

At the start of the year, I made a list of 6 2025 book trends. To be more precise: predictions of book trends I saw emerging and growing in 2025. We’re halfway through the year now. Time for a mid-year check-in – are my predictions correct and are there any new 2025 book trends? Let’s dive in.

Prediction 1: The comeback of the blog in the form of Substack

Substack is a force to be reckoned with. I think my prediction was totally right here. I see more and more writers joining Substack – George Saunders, Salman Rushdie, Rebecca Makkai and Anna Wharton to name a few. Esquire wrote an article about it, you can read here.

More and more readers and book influencers are writing essays about the book industry over there. It’s a great tool for everyone who loves analysing, writing, and connecting with their favourite authors.

I think Substack will continue to grow in the next part of 2025. We will see more diverse voices – the majority of authors on there currently are white – and we will read more and more about the industry.

Prediction 2: BookTube is back (though, it never really left)

Long-form content is absolutely making a come back. There are longer pieces to read on Substack, but also 20 min+ videos to watch on YouTube. Lots of influencers who started on TikTok are joining YouTube too.

A little extra trend to mention here is the rise of the book influencers who analyze the book industry or talk about current online bookish drama.

On the other side are the cozy ‘read with me’-video’s, sometimes more than an hour long. In 2025 I see both co-exist on YouTube. So yes, another correct prediction!

Prediction 3: Niche genres expand and more blended genres emerge

Definitely a yes. I talked about the blend of romance and thrillers. Think about Butcher & Blackbird, How to Kill Men and Get Away With It, and A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage. In 2025 there are a lot of thrillers with a romance twist. Or romance with a little bit of mystery or suspense in it. Even the new Emily Henry book has a mystery plot line in it! Other 2025 releases that blends romance and thriller are Beach Bodies by Sienna Sharpe and Cinnamon Falls by R. L. Killmore.

Prediction 4: The cozy vibes are getting more cozy in 2025

Everything feels cozy on the internet nowadays. From labubu’s and other cute trinkets to the popularity of Jellycats, coloring books and junk journaling. World politics are scary right now, and lots of people crave connection and softness during these difficult times. Enter: the cozy era. It almost feels like a counter-movement. Cozy fantasy is definitely on the rise and I already mentioned Cinnamon Falls by R.L. Killmore, which feels like a cozy mystery version of The Pumpkin Spice Cafe. So my literal predition “I also expect to see comfort reads in other genres, as the turbulent times we’re living in make us crave escapism more than ever” is absolutely correct! I expect this trend to continue even more as we get into Fall.

Prediction 5: Sports Romance becomes more than ice hockey reads

This trend is not as big as I predicted, but I can see a bit of a shift from ice hockey only to more sports in romance books. Most popular: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood about swim captain, world champion, all-around aquatics golden boy, Lukas Blomqvist and diver, and Olympic hopeful, Scarlett Vandermeer. A sport romance genre that I forgot to mention and is very niche is Formula 1 Romance. I see them more and more! Other than that we do see some other sports too. Pickleball in All’s Fair in Love and Pickleball by Kate Spencer, tennis in Break Point by Yahrah St John. But ice hockey romance keeps going and is still on the number 1 position.

Prediction 6: South Korean Literature is the new kid on the block

“With titles like Dallergut Dream Department Store and Marigold Mind Laundry on the rise on BookTok, I spot a new upcoming sub-genre. Magical-realistic titles from South Korea will become even more prominent this year”, I wrote in January 2025. And yes, this trend is continuing, also sprinkled with a lot of cozyness. Some 2025 releases I noticed are Yeonnam-dong’s Smiley Laundromat by Kim Jiyun, Second Chance Convenience Store by Kim Ho-Yeon and The Wizard’s Bakery by Gu Byeong-mo.

But it’s not all South Korean books, other Asian countries rise up too. Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao that released early 2025 for example – from the Philippines. Goodnight Tokyo by Atsuhiro Yoshida – from Japan. Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata – also from Japan. And it’s not only magical realism. We have a new Han Kang book this year, the author of Almond released a short story collection and A Thousand Blues by Cheon Seon-ran is a sci-fi novel. So yes, South Korean literature is a new kid on the block and becomes bigger in 2025. But it isn’t only magical realism and writers from South Korea that are getting translated to English, other genres and Asian countries are getting represented as well.

So, how did I do? I think I can give myself 4 correct predictions, and 2 partial predictions- which is pretty good success rate if you ask me!

Karma Butler on Going Digital with BookInfluencers.com

Kristin July 11, 2025

In his newest release, Rebound Succeed and Win: 10 Simple Habits to Transform Your Life, author, entrepreneur, and entertainer Karma Butler shares hard-won wisdom from over 30 years of experience across leadership, coaching, and performance.

For the book’s launch, Karma Butler teamed up with Bookinfluencers to run a fully digital book tour– partnering with 10 creators from our global community. We spoke with him about the aftermath of going virtual, what it was like to see his book come to life in posts, captions, and videos from readers around the world, and how digital tours are shaping the future of author marketing.

Hi, Karma Butler, what was it like seeing your message shared by others online instead of delivering it yourself?

It opened up vulnerability on a profound level. On stage or in front of cameras, things are rehearsed and familiar, providing comfort. Having my message shared spontaneously through readers’ perspectives was raw and sometimes uncomfortable. However, feedback is a gift, and discovering readers deeply resonating—such as one who shared how the book helped overcome their struggles—has been incredibly fulfilling. It confirms my purpose: to authentically inspire and serve others.

What was it like watching influencers interpret Rebound Succeed and Win in their own voices and styles? Were there any posts that especially stood out to you?

It felt like watching visions and dreams transform into reality—but a reality that extended far beyond my own expectations. Influencers beautifully expressed their unique journeys and interpretations of the book, each adding their distinct character and depth. The experience was transforming.

One post particularly touched me because it captured the essence of my spirit and the messages I aimed to convey:

“If you’re in need of motivation or stuck in a tough season, this book delivers a high-voltage dose of hope, hustle, and heart.” – @PowerofBooksOfficial

What was the emotional impact of going virtual– did any of the responses or connections surprise you?

Initially, I felt fearful due to uncertainty about whether readers would publicly review my book. Surprisingly, we quickly surpassed our target number of book tour reviewers. My book tour manager and I soon had the exciting challenge of selecting partnerships from a large pool of enthusiastic book lovers globally. Witnessing this overwhelming enthusiasm and genuine connection was exhilarating.

What’s one core message or feeling you hoped people would take away from seeing the book online?

Life is precious and fleeting, so embrace each day with genuine gratitude. Allow your setbacks to fuel your greatest comebacks, paving the way for your ultimate greatness and destiny. Be the positive change the world desperately needs and longs to embrace.

If someone only saw a single post about your book, what’s the one thing you’d want them to walk away with?

In moments of doubt, fear, or failure, always allow your heart, spirit, and mind to guide you toward your true destination—joy, fulfillment, and purpose.

What inspired you to choose a virtual influencer tour over a traditional book tour? Was that always your plan?

With online fulfillment, social media, and artificial intelligence thriving—especially post-pandemic—I intentionally chose a book release model leveraging these dynamic industries. Though trusted colleagues suggested a traditional tour, thorough data and research reinforced the innovative potential of a virtual influencer tour. I’m delighted I trusted my instincts and followed through with my vision.

Do you think this approach helped you reach a more diverse or targeted audience? Was it more accessible for you and for readers?

Absolutely. Reviews flooded in from influencers across Greece, India, Europe, and the USA, proving the immense success of this digital approach. This global exposure directly led to being featured in the internationally acclaimed De Mode Magazine, and another internationally distributed magazine has reached out to me for a feature author publication. I couldn’t be more fulfilled with the organic growth of promotions and networking. Integrating technology and social media has made Rebound Succeed and Win effortlessly accessible and highly shareable worldwide.

Would you recommend influencer campaigns to other authors, even those without a huge platform?

Definitely. For authors without an existing large following or platform, influencer campaigns represent a standout strategy to carve your unique lane and make an impactful connection with readers globally. This approach isn’t just the present—it’s the future of book marketing.

What’s one habit from the book you think especially resonates with today’s digital generation?

“Be Self-Aware.” Today’s digital landscape can feel overwhelming, toxic, and suffocating, often encouraging harmful comparisons and validation-seeking behaviors through likes and followers. True self-awareness fosters strong self-identity, clarifies your values, and strengthens emotional intelligence. Embrace genuine authenticity and powerful intentionality by mastering self-awareness.

What’s next for you– any new projects or ideas you’re excited to explore?

My passion for service and branding continues driving my upcoming ventures. Without revealing too much, media, music, and fashion projects are in exciting stages of development. Each day, I’m energized by these unfolding opportunities, deeply rooted in my journey and strengthened by the support of my family, friends, and colleagues.

Karma Butler’s journey with Bookinfluencers shows how digital book tours can create real connections and reach readers around the world.

Find Rebound Succeed and Win on Amazon

25 Pride book recs

Kristin June 13, 2025

Pride Month is here, and it’s time to celebrate the strength, resilience, and beauty of the LGBTQIA+ community. June is more than just a month, it’s a movement honoring stories of courage, identity, and the ongoing fight for equality and love. Books have always been a powerful way to share stories. So this year, we’re excited to share our selection of 25 Pride books that shine a light on LGBTQIA+ journeys. Whether you’re into romance, fantasy, or darker horror stories, there’s a book for every taste. Happy reading and Happy Pride!

Romance Pride Books

Love & Monsters by Max Walker  

A queer romance between two men navigating love amidst supernatural chaos and monstrous threats.

And They Were Roommates by Page Powars

A hilarious, unputdownable second-chance-romance about the most unlikely, gay roommate mishap. Perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Gwen & Art Are Not in Love.

Once Upon You and Me by Timothy Janovsky

Charming fairy tale meets spicy bedtime story in this deliciously enchanting age-gap LGBTQIA+ romance.

Bears and Bakeries by Dylan Drakes

A cozy cooking romance with low angst and high heat.

Pritty by Keith F. Miller Jr

A tender queer romance between two young men finding connection and love amid family struggles and neighborhood tensions.

A Bone in His Teeth by Kellen Graves

A dark and raw MM romance that explores trauma, healing, and the complexities of love.

A Banh Mi for Two by Trinity Nguyen

Two foodies in love spend the semester unraveling their families’ histories while eating all the street food in Sài Gòn.

Blessed by the Cupid Distribution System by Robin Jo Margaret

A sweet queer romance where a reluctant Cupid helps a lonely woman find love. However, their mission might lead to unexpected feelings.

2 Screams 1 Sugar by Sula Sullivan

A sapphic friends to lovers romance. It’s equal parts twisty mystery and quirky rom-com.

Fantasy Pride Books

The Flowered Blade by Taylor Hubbard

A queer fantasy about love, magic, and destinies.

Swordcrossed by Freya Marske

An epic fantasy romance where two fierce warriors’ destinies intertwine amid political intrigue.

The Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi Pearson

A space fantasy following a time-traveler’s forbidden Regency love and a daring rescue mission in the distant future, where two souls fight against time, tyranny, and ancient prophecies.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

A historical fantasy inspired by the rise of the Ming Dynasty with a queer twist.

The Diablo’s Curse by Gabe Cole Novoa

A high-stakes story about defeating a curse designed to kill a teen demon who wants to be human, a boy cursed to die young, and the murderous island destined to bury them both.

YA Pride Books

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli

A coming-of-age story about identity, friendship, and the messy path to self-discovery.

If I Can Give You That by Michael Gray Bulla

For fans of Kacen Callender and Mason Deaver comes a heart-tugging coming-of-age YA debut that takes a poignant look at gender identity, sexuality, friendship, and family—both the one we’re born into and the one we find for ourselves.

If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So

An exploration of memory, identity, and reconnection.

It Goes Like This by Miel Moreland

Four queer teens realize that sometimes you have to risk hitting repeat heartbreak.

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

Three young semidioses travel through a dark monster-infested world, facing down chaotic Obsidian gods, in a quest to save their friends and return the sun to the sky.

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

A dark fairy tale retelling with a queer protagonist facing magical and moral challenges.

I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea

Ace of Spades meets House of Hollow in this villain origin story.

Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall

A young noblewoman must pair up with a rumoured witch to ward off a curse.

Literary Pride Books

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

Exploration of Black British women’s lives, identity, and relationships.

A Language of Limbs by Dylin Hardcastle

A tender queer love story about body, healing, and the complexities of intimacy.

The Memory Librarian by Janelle Monáe

A collection of speculative stories exploring identity, memory, and resistance.

Happy Pride Month, everyone! Let’s continue to spread love, acceptance, and equality every day.

5 top tips on book review etiquette

Jenny May 30, 2025

Whether you are an author or a reader, book reviews are a big deal. They influence whether other people will pick up the book, and can encourage, or discourage, sales. However, there is always a lot of discourse around reviews; are they just for readers; should authors check their reviews; should you tag an author in reviews; should you use star ratings; what does each star mean? In this blog post we’ll be sharing a few tips on book review etiquette and some best practices.

Who are book reviews for?

A lot of us readers use reviews, and you have reading platforms such as Goodreads or Storygraph that actively encourage reviews. Moreover, reviews on sales sites such as Amazon impact when they will show that book- which can impact sales. So are reviews for readers or authors? In my opinion, it’s both.

Reviews tend to be written by readers, and directed at readers. So I suppose in the simplest terms: reviews are for readers. It will be readers that typically read reviews, and it is readers that are going to be influenced in buying and reading the book after seeing a review. However, I think we have to remember that for authors reviews can impact the reception and sales of their book. Does that mean we should edit or censor our reviews to make them author appropriate? I don’t think so. In my opinion, authors should try to avoid commenting and interacting with reviews- especially if they are anything less than glowing. It always leaves a bad taste when an author tries to tell a reader why their opinion is incorrect. On the other hand, as readers and reviewers, I think we also have a duty to protect authors from reviews- particularly negative ones.

@pavisfrancesca

Star rating for The Tenant at the end!! Will you be picking this up? 🌷✨🎀 — #freidamcfadden #newbook #thrillerbook

♬ original sound – Francesca’s Books

Should you tag an author in a book review?

My opinion here may be extreme, but I think no. It’s absolutely great to tag authors in posts about books, especially when you’re saying how excited you are about it. But for reviews, I think it is best to not tag. The reason I think this is even for a positive review, there may be something that wasn’t your favourite. For example, I might say “I usually hate enemies to lovers when they stop hating each other quickly, but it really worked in this book!” This is a positive statement, however, an author could very easily read this as a criticism of the speed they made the characters fall for each other.

This is just my opinion, however. Some people like to tag authors in positive reviews, but not negative ones. What I would say though, is to please avoid tagging authors in negative reviews. Not every book is for everyone, but it isn’t fair for an author to read about how you hated their book- that they may have spent years working on!

Should you share negative reviews?

I know a lot of people choose to not share reviews of books that they didn’t love, and that is absolutely fine. In my opinion, I think it is fine to share more negative reviews. I quite often get recommendations off negative review posts. I have a friend who prefers closed door romances, so she may review a book negatively because it’s too smutty. Me, I love smutty books- so I see that as a perfect recommendation; more so than the closed door cute romance she gave 5 stars! However, like with any review, this comes with context. A good review should explain what you liked/disliked. So instead of saying “I hated the romance”, say “I found the characters moved from friends to lovers too quickly for my liking. I would have liked more pining, yearning and tension.” This helps the reader of your review to decide if this is a book for them or not.

Should you use star ratings?

Star ratings. Always the biggest debate in the book review world. There are many creators who use formulas to calculate a star rating, for example CAWPILE created by G @bookroast. Others have a criteria for each star, some people just go on vibes. Ultimately, stars are completely subjective. A 5 star for me, is not exactly the same as a 5 star for you. So what does this mean for reviews? In my opinion, this is where written reviews really come into play. I’m someone who only gives 5 stars out sparingly (I don’t know why- in my head there’s a limit!) Yet I have friends who give 5 star to any book they enjoyed, even if it wasn’t perfect. So a 5 star from me is quite unusual, but does that mean that my 5 stars are better books than someone else’s? Absolutely not, it’s all just opinion, and quite often a book scores higher if I read it at the right time too.

I don’t think that we will get rid of star ratings any time soon. Goodreads, Amazon and other sales platforms puts star ratings front and centre, whereas Storygraph has put other metrics above stars so you pick a book based on pacing or themes. I personally still love a star rating, however I tend to use them more for my own personal reflection rather than public facing reviews.

What does each star mean anyway?

This is the million dollar question. As I discussed above there is no consensus on what makes a book 5 stars over 4. A lot of creators have a pinned post on their TikTok/Instagram with their breakdown of what stars mean to them. In my opinion, 4 and 5 stars are great: these are books I love, I’ll recommend and I want to reread in the future. 3 stars is middling, neither good or bad. Just a solid OK book. 1 and 2 stars are books I disliked. I personally do not rate books that I DNF’d. However, this is just my own view. Some people see 3 star or below as a negative review, whereas I see 3 star as a good review. It is this subjectivity that makes it so much more helpful to give context and explain what you enjoyed or disliked.

What do you think of reviews and star ratings? Do you tag authors in your reviews, or do you not share reviews at all? Let us know your thoughts!

Is Thromance the next big genre blend?

Jenny May 16, 2025

Thromance, or thriller x romance is a new genre blend coming on the market. At the start of the year we gave some of our theories for what will be the next big trend, and yes, thromance was one of them! Following in the footsteps of Romantasy; blending two genres to make something new seems to be a trend at the moment. If you’ve never heard of thromance, but are intrigued, read on for some top recs of this genre!

What is thromance?

Thromance is a blend of thriller and romance genres, usually mixing key tropes or plot points from each. For example, there may be an enemies to lovers plot line- but the characters are police and killer. Or edge of your seat twists and reveals, but ending with a happily-ever-after. These books are perfect for multi-genre readers, or readers looking to get into one of the genres from the other.

Isn’t this just dark romance?

Not quite. Dark romance is typically a romance plot line but with dark themes, for example Lights Out by Navessa Allen follows a romance plot, however the characters are both serial killers. There are very dark themes involved, but there isn’t the typical thriller plot points of suspense, anxiety and fear. There is a lot of cross over, however, and there are a lot of books that have been categorised as dark romance that would now probably be marketed as thromance.

OK, I’m intrigued. Recs please!

Beach Bodies by Sienna Sharpe

Beach Bodies was the first book that I have seen categorised as thromance. It follows a serial killer hunting down her next victim, except he ends up being a romantic interest. This is a super fun, romantic comedy, with a thriller style plot, a perfect summer read!

Mindf*ck Series, by S T Abby

This series of 5 novellas creates a thriller plot on a romance structure. We follow a serial killer and FBI agent working her case, who inadvertently meet and start dating, neither realising who the other is. It is dark and twisty, being inside the killers head, with tension created by the cat and mouse game of the FBI trying to solve the case.

Verity, by Colleen Hoover

Verity is one of the OG thromance novels. A woman takes a job with a man who she starts to fall for, all the while believing that his wife, Verity, is bedbound upstairs. But is she? This book has a twist that I still think about, a must read for romance and thriller readers!

A Cold Dark Place, by Toni Anderson

An FBI agent tracking her sisters killer, a war vet with a dark secret and a serial killer? Sign me up! This book has all the great romance tropes, while feeling very much like a thriller. It’s intriguing, exciting and will leave you wanting more.

Be Still My Heart, by Emily McIntire

A detective and ex- SEAL turned lobster fisherman have to work together to solve mysterious deaths. Thus starts an enemies to lovers plot line (one of my favourite romance tropes), with a thrilling story.

Hopefully some of these books have intrigued you to dip your toe into the world of thromance! Let me know what you pick up first!

5 epic fantasy series to get stuck into

Jenny April 11, 2025

I’m a fantasy girlie. I love big, expansive worlds to get lost in; worlds where things aren’t quite the same as ours. Maybe there’s magic, maybe there’s dragons, maybe our main character is a 500 year old fae warrior with bat wings. All this to say, fantasy is one of my favourite genres. If you, like me, want to get engrossed in an epic story, here are 5 of my faves.

I’ve purposely chosen 5 loooong series. One’s where there are multiple series taking place in the same world, or following different generations in one place. I love these expansive universes, and I hope that you will enjoy these too!

The Realm of the Elderlings, by Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb is probably the Queen of Fantasy. Her Realm of the Elderlings world is made up of 5 series (4 trilogies and a quartet). This makes the 16 book undertaking seem a little less daunting. It’s an easy reading order with no alternative versions (that I’m aware of), you just start with Assassins Apprentice and read the books in publication order! The first trilogy follows Fitz, a bastard son of the prince, who is brought to the castle and raised by the stable-master. He is then trained to be the royal assassin due to his unique standing of being part of the lower classes, yet also royalty. The series continue to follow Fitz across his life, alternating with trilogies set in a different part of the world where there are conscious ships and dragons!

If you love a slow paced plot with loveable characters and an incredible world- give this world a go.

The Cosmere, by Brandon Sanderson

If Robin Hobb is the Queen of Fantasy, then Brandon Sanderson must be the King. His Cosmere is an expansive universe with seemingly unconnected series and standalones- except we know they all take place in the same universe and will eventually cross over. There is so much discussion online as to the best reading order of the Cosmere. Even Brandon Sanderson has multiple options on his own website! I’m currently diving into the Cosmere for the first time, so it’s tough to give a description of the universe as a whole. However the books are all full of magic, loveable characters and the knowledge that you never know how it’s going to end.

The First Law, by Joe Abercrombie

This one is a slightly different style of fantasy, due to it having very little magic happening. The First Law is a 10 book series, encompassing 2 trilogies, 3 standalones and a short story collection. I’d suggest starting with The Blade Itself and then continuing in publication order. The premise of The First Law is that nothing ever really ends; when we finish a story, it will continue without us. We see this throughout the books. The first trilogy follows a quest plot to find an artifact that will restore the world (according to the magician leading the quest). However, the brilliance of The First Law is that while this main plot is happening, there are also multiple other things happening elsewhere in the world that have nothing to do with this main plot. It’s a difficult series to explain, but a series that I really enjoyed reading.

The Faithfull and the Fallen, by John Gwynne

This is a 7 book world encompassing a quartet and a trilogy. We follow a host of characters who may (or may not) be the saviour or the dark one. There are similarities to classics such as Wheel of Time and Game of Thrones. However, this series is much more accessible and easier to read (and finished….) than those two. What I love about The Faithfull and the Fallen is the host of characters, including giants, and the way classic storytelling tropes are subverted.

The Dragons of Pern, by Anne McCaffrey

This epic series is currently 24 books long, with Anne’s son Todd continuing the series after his mother passed away. The Pern books are all nice and short- most are around the 300 page mark so much more accessible! If you read the Dragons of Pern, you’ll see the inspiration that Rebecca Yarros took for Fourth Wing, as well as how this series has influenced countless other dragon/dragon rider stories.

So there you go. 5 epic fantasy series for you to get fully immersed in. Let me know if you have read any of these!

Children’s books based on different emotions

Paula March 28, 2025

We all know that the love for reading begins when you are a child. I remember reading past bed time because I just needed to read another chapter. I have memories of my mum and dad reading books to me. Children’s books are so important to learn more about yourself and the world around you.

We often do children’s book tours on bookinfluencers.com as well and I noticed a lot of children’s books are based on emotions. So I made a little list and included lots of more recommendations to read to your little one/niece/nephew or buy as a gift for a mum or dad to be. These are all children’s books based on emotions – from love to jealousy!

Love

Love comes in many different shapes. We have the love for our grand parents, our mum and dad, our friends around us and we even love our stuffed animals. All these books are filled with love and will leave you with a warm heart and a smile on your face.

  1. Grammie and Pupa’s House – Daisy Butterfield, Illustrated by Justin P. Waboro
  2. Love Will Turn You Around – Mary Munson, Illustrated by Kate Talbot
  3. I Love You More Than Cereal: Maeve and Dad Redefine Love – Justin & Alexis Black
  4. I Love You Through and Through – Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak, Illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
  5. Guess How Much I Love You – Sam McBratney, Illustrated by Anita Jeram
  6. I Will Love You Forever – Illustrated by Robyn Z.

Jealousy

An emotion we don’t talk about that often is jealousy. But kids can often get jealous. They can be jealous because of simple things like getting a pink straw instead of a blue one but it can also be a real thing in the life of a child. Maybe there is someone new in class, or they want something someone else has. It can be hard to talk about. Here are books to help with that emotion.

Anger

Oh boy, children can get angry! As a kid, you have to learn how to deal with all the emotions; and anger can be a tricky one. What do you do when your kid gets angry? These books are a perfect fit.

Grief

One of the hardest emotions to deal with in life is grief, as an adult and as a child. I have some book recommendations for you about the death of a dog, but also about the death of a sibling. These books can be so helpful when you go through a situation like this. These books will find the words for you.

Fear

Did you have a fear as a child? Maybe you were afraid of the dark, or you didn’t dare to speak in the classroom. These are books about all these kind of fears, from going to the principal’s office to swimming lessons and worrying in general.

  1. The Principal’s Office: Things Aren’t Always What They Seem – Joshua DeSmyter
  2. Worry Says What? – Allison Edwards & Ryeson Li Rubio
  3. Saturday is Swimming Day – Hyewon Yum
  4. Jabari Jumps – Gaia Cornwall
  5. It Will Be Okay – Lysa TerKeurst & Natalia Moore
  6. The Worry Box – Suzanne Chiew & Sean Julian

I hope you liked all these book recommendations from us. We love to do children’s book tours and seeing our community dive into them with their kids, nieces and nephews. Keep an eye open for more tours with children’s books.

Does size matter? A look at influencers and follower count

Helena Kulikowska March 14, 2025

An influencers follower count can be a hot topic for authors, publishers and digital marketers. In this article, we’ll shed some light on follower counts and debunk the myth that small accounts aren’t worth the investment.

The bigger the better?

As an author or publisher, it’s understandable that you want as many people as possible to see your book. This might lead you to think that big name influencers or content creators with a strong social presence are the answer. Whilst it’s great if you can secure collaborations with major influencers for your title, you could be missing out on greater wins if you put all of your budget behind this one marketing strategy.

At Bookinfluencers.com, we celebrate all bookish content creators – big and small. When booking in a campaign, you can specify your desired follower count (nano, micro, midi and macro). 

Follower counts explained

  • Nano (<1k)
  • Micro (1k-5k)
  • Midi (5k-50k)
  • Macro (50k-100k)
  • Mega (100k >)

It’s important for us to offer our clients this flexibility, however, we want to challenge the assumption that it doesn’t pay off to work with smaller accounts on bookish promotions.

For example, what if we were to tell you that smaller influencers often produce much more engaging content?

What does the data tell us?

Our sister agency, Tandem Collective, focuses on collective follower count because their data has repeatedly demonstrated that the higher the individual follower count, the lower the engagement rate on a campaign. They have collated data over the past four years that demonstrates the power of peer-to-peer marketing versus macro-influencer marketing.

Tandem consciously chooses to champion these small heroes, as their highest performing creators tend to be those who have a lower follower count. The reason for this is that a lot of creators with slightly smaller accounts prioritise organic growth over racking up a higher follower count, which means that their followers truly engage with the content, commenting and liking much more often, and are more likely to trust the reviews, Stories, and other content posted. 

So what’s better? Spending all of your budget on one mega influencer, or engaging 20-50 content creators with different follower counts, who will produce more content, with a higher engagement?

TikTok Spark Ads

Sometimes, we just want our book to be seen by as many people as possible. With TikTok’s Spark Ads feature, this doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. With permission from the creator, TikTok Ads enable us to put media budget behind any piece of content, in order to generate views, engagements or click-throughs to other websites, such as book retailers. A media-budget of £100 can achieve thousands of views, for example. We can target a certain audience by location, age-group, interest and behaviour, to make sure the content is reaching the relevant people. The advantage of this method is that creator size no longer matters, as any video can be boosted in order to achieve the desired number of views and engagements. If you’re interested in learning more about this feature, get in touch, or you can find an overview of our SparkAds campaign bolt-ons here.

ChallyPop – Quality over Quantity

Another emerging platform is ChallyPop – a competition platform where everyone has the potential to be a paid Instagram, TikTok or YouTube creator, regardless of follower count. ChallyPop prioritises quality and creativity of content over quantity of followers, offering a range of packages for author and publishing clients. Creators enter competitions by uploading content in response to a given challenge. A panel of judges then votes on the top 10-20 pieces of content, with each winner receiving a cash prize.

You’ll find the following statement on their website: “Working with macro-creators has become unrealistic for many marketers. ChallyPop is our answer to creator fatigue, consumer cynicism, shrinking budgets and lower return-on-investment.” 

So what’s the verdict?

The good news is that there are now a range of tools and platforms to meet a variety of needs and budgets. Whilst we firmly believe that macro-creators have their place in the marketing industry, we recommend a multi-faceted approach that incorporates both peer-to-peer activity and macro-influencers is the way to go!

In short, give small bookish creators a chance, as they could help you to achieve a bigger impact than you expected!

5 books from Australian Authors you should check out

Guest Blogger March 7, 2025

Read the World #2

Last month we started our Read the World series with the Netherlands, check out the blog here. This month we travel to Australia to discover some authors from Australia’s First Nation people.

Australia has a small but thriving publishing scene. While you’ve probably heard of Australian authors like Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman, and Lynette Noni (who we love!), there’s a treasure trove of stories and diversity across our country.

Australia’s First Nation peoples are the Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. They have a long history of storytelling, and modern publishing is no exception.

Here’s a few Aboriginal authors you should check out.

The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina

Fiction, SciFi/Dystopian, YA

Ashala Wolf has been captured by Chief Administrator Neville Rose, a man intent on destroying Ashala’s Tribe – the runaway Illegals hiding in the Firstwood. Injured and with her Sleepwalker ability blocked, Ashala is forced to succumb to the machine that will pull secrets from her mind. And right beside her is Justin Connor, her betrayer, watching her every move.

This is book one in Ambelin’s The Tribe series. It tells the story of a world after an apocalypse, where some people have begun to have magical abilities, and are persecuted and detained for it. Ashala Wolf attempts to fight these injustices in her system and save the group of runaways she leads. 

If you’re after a dystopian fix with a courageous female lead and a touch of enemies to lovers, this is for you.

Ambelin Kwaymullina is a First Nations writer and illustrator who comes from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Paris Dreaming by Anita Heiss

Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Adult

Libby has given up on romance. After all, she has her three best girlfriends and two cats to keep her company at night, and her high-powered job at the National Aboriginal Gallery in Canberra to occupy her day – isn’t that enough?

But when fate gives Libby the chance to work in Paris at the Musée du Quai Branly, she’s thrown out of her comfort zone and into a city full of culture, fashion and love.

Surrounded by thousands of gorgeous men, romance has suddenly become a lot more tempting.

This book is perfect if you’re looking for a light hearted, fun romcom, especially one that includes travel!

Anita is a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales.

Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia by Various Authors, edited by Anita Heiss

Non Fiction, Memoir, Essays

What is it like to grow up Aboriginal in Australia? This anthology, compiled by award-winning author Anita Heiss, showcases many diverse voices, experiences and stories in order to answer that question.

Accounts from well-known authors and high-profile identities sit alongside those from newly discovered writers of all ages. All of the contributors speak from the heart – sometimes calling for empathy, oftentimes challenging stereotypes, always demanding respect.

This groundbreaking collection will enlighten, inspire and educate about the lives of Aboriginal people in Australia today.

Contributors include: Tony Birch, Deborah Cheetham, Adam Goodes, Terri Janke, Patrick Johnson, Ambelin Kwaymullina, Jack Latimore, Celeste Liddle, Amy McQuire, Kerry Reed-Gilbert, Miranda Tapsell, Jared Thomas, Aileen Walsh, Alexis West, Tara June Winch, and many, many more.

Growing Up Torres Strait Islander in Australia by Various Authors, edited by Samantha Faulkner

The Torres Strait Islands are an archipelago of at least 274 small islands in the Torres Strait, a waterway separating far north Queensland and the island of New Guinea.

Non-Fiction, Memoir, Essays

Discover stories of going dugong hunting and eating mango marinated in soy sauce. The smell of sugar cane and frangipani-scented sea breeze. Family, grandmothers and canoe time. Dancing, singing, weaving hats and making furniture from bamboo. Training as a doctor and advocating for healthcare for the Torres Strait. The loneliness of being caught between two cultures. Mission life, disconnection and being evacuated to the mainland during World War II. “Is that really your mum? Why is she black?”. Not being Islander enough. Working hard to reconnect to your roots, and claiming back land and culture.

With contributions by: Ellen Armstrong, Tetei Bakic-Tapim, Jimi Bani, Leilani Bin-Juda, Jillian Boyd-Bowie, Tahlia Bowie, Aaliyah Jade Bradbury, John Doolah, Donisha Duff, Aaron Fa’Aoso with Michelle Scott Tucker, Ellie Gaffney, Velma Gara, Jaqui Hughes, Adam C. Lees, Rhett Loban, Thomas Lowah, Edward Koiki Mabo with Noel Loos, Thomas Mayo, Lenora Thaker, Sorren Thomas, Ina Titasey as told to Catherine Titasey, Lockeah Wapau and Daniella Williams.

To wrap things up, here’s one rec for the fae fans.

Valentine by Jodi McAlister

Fiction, Urban Fantasy, YA

Strange and terrible things begin to happen to four teenagers – all born on the same Valentine’s Day. One of these teenagers is the Valentine: a Seelie fairy changeling swapped for a human child at its birth. The Unseelie have come to kill the Valentine – except they don’t know who it is.

Pearl shares a birthday with Finn Blacklin. She’s known him all her life and disliked every second of it. But now Pearl and Finn must work together to protect themselves from the sinister forces that are seeking them out.

Smart girls and murderous fairies in a small Australian town. Picnic at Hanging Rock meets Holly Black in the Valentine trilogy, as Pearl Linford sets about smashing the faetriarchy.

If you want to read about some fae in Australia, with a girl who knows her pop culture, this book is for you.

Jodi is originally from Kiama, a seaside holiday town on the south coast of New South Wales. Currently, she lives in Melbourne.

Kat, @stars.and.embers on Instagram, loves all things nerdy and fantasy. She is currently writing to you from Naarm/Melbourne.

The Success of One Last Bite

Antina February 28, 2025

We had the joy of collaborating with author Leah Cupps for her book One Last Bite. A book described as ‘a delicious psychological thriller with a shocking twist’. Leah’s books have great ratings on Goodreads and Amazon and she has found a large community of enthusiastic readers. Leah had the desire to also connect with Booktokers. Since Booktok was a playground she was unfamiliar with, she reached out to us to help her.

We arranged a book tour which helped her get in touch with booktokers that filmed engaging videos about her book. We also organized a live broadcast on TikTok in which we discussed her book with two readers and a host on screen while others participated in the chat. And lastly, we pushed the TikTok videos about One Last Bite with TikTok SparkAds which led to her videos reaching a large audience.

@bookinfluencerscom

Grab a copy of Leah Cupps’ ONE LAST BITE and join us for the LIVE discussion on Feb. 5! #OneLastBite @LeahCuppsAuthor

♬ Bonsai Boy – Lofi Saint & Yugi

Now that the campaign has ended, we were curious to know how Leah experienced her first steps on Booktok and we asked her some questions.

Hi Leah, thanks for wanting to answer our burning questions! Please tell us a bit about you as a writer and the types of books that you write.

I am an avid reader of psychological thrillers, so it’s no surprise that I write them as well. I’m particularly intrigued by the concept of deception, both from a character’s perspective and in terms of playing with readers’ perceptions. I also incorporate quite a bit of action in my books, as it’s something I personally enjoy in both books and movies.

How did you come up with the idea for One Last Bite?

I love a good Michelin-starred restaurant as much as the next person. One Last Bite came to me because I hadn’t read many psychological thrillers set in a restaurant environment. The book was born from combining my love of food with the thrill of a good book twist.

One Last Bite scores a 4.2 rating on Amazon with 1,669 ratings. Many authors would love to receive such an impressive amount of reviews! Please spill your secret…

I can’t take credit for the reviews. I give all credit to my publisher, Inkubator Books, who does a fantastic job both marketing and securing reviews for my books.

We connected you to a group of readers on Instagram and TikTok. They received One Last Bite and shared content about it. How did you experience your collaboration with our community?

I really enjoyed getting feedback from the community. While I have many written reviews of my book, I don’t often get to see live videos of people talking about what they’ve read, which was really exciting. I especially enjoyed the TikTok Live—it was wonderful to hear others discuss my work.

We ran an advertising campaign for your book on TikTok resulting in more than 110,000 views. How do you feel about BookTok and the importance of this community for book sales?

One of the reasons I reached out to you is that I understand the power of BookTok. I’ve read numerous articles about books going viral and gaining significant exposure through the TikTok BookTok community. I had no idea where to start or how to crack the BookTok code, and Bookinfluencers.com did a wonderful job arranging a tour for me and getting me much more exposure than I could have achieved on my own.

We hosted a BookTok Live (1 hour online discussion on TikTok) about your book. How did it feel hearing people speak about your book? And did you hear anything that surprised you?

The BookTok Live was a ton of fun. I especially enjoyed the first 15 minutes or so when I was just listening to everyone discuss the book without my input. Getting to interact with readers who had experienced my book was really rewarding.

In the second half of the discussion you joined in. What was that like?

As a writer, I prefer to be behind the computer instead of live on screen, and in some ways I operate in a vacuum, so it was great to get other people’s feedback and ideas. It was also fun to hear about other books people enjoy that are similar to my own.

@bookinfluencerscom

THRILLER REC: ONE LAST BITE 🖤 Did you love thrillers by Freida McFadden or John Marrs? We read One Last Bite by Leah Cupps, a delicious and gripping psychological thriller set in a restaurant that will keep you hooked! 🔥 #onelastbite #booktok #thrillers #thrillerbooks #thrillertok #leahcupps #freidamcfadden @LeahCuppsAuthor

♬ origineel geluid – bookinfluencerscom

When may we expect a new thriller from you? Can you tell us a bit about it?

I currently have three thrillers released with Inkubator Books—all psychological thrillers, including One Last Bite, You Are Not Alone, and Sweet Little Lies. Sweet Little Lies was just released in January. My next book is a psychological thriller about a young woman on the run from an abusive husband who gets caught up in a tornado. It has many fun twists and family drama woven throughout. I’m nearly finished with it and I’m chomping at the bit to get it to my editor. I hope it releases this summer.

We can’t wait! Are there any last thoughts you’d like to share?

Thank you to Bookinfluencers.com for doing such awesome work! Their attention to detail was really helpful in creating a great experience for both myself and the influencers.

Thank you so much, Leah. It was lovely working with you and we can’t wait for future collaborations with you!

Sports Romance – a subgenre here to stay

Maren February 21, 2025

During the summer 2024 Olympics in Paris, it became evident that people craved even more sports-related content. Viral romantic moments celebrating wins and grieving losses took over social media, with the Olympians and the audience engaging. I found myself running to Tiktok and Goodreads in between Olympic events, looking for my next sports romance read. As an avid romance reader, I am not unfamiliar with this subgenre; in fact, I might even go as far as to say that it has become one of my favorites. It´s high time we dive into this showstopping genre that will make you feel so high school again.

What is a sports romance?

The name is very self-explanatory; it is a romance with athletic elements. It could be a subplot, or it could be the main driving force in a story. Sports romances have been around for quite some time, but like most topics, Tiktok has brought it to life again. Some readers credit author Susan Elizabeth Phillips as the mother of sports romance as we know it today. If you fancy a trip down memory lane and onto the football field, her trailblazing Chicago Stars series might be worth a read!

Hockey Romance: The most popular of them all!

Pucking Around, Icebreaker, Behind the Net, Pucking Revenge, the list goes on! Hockey Romance books have quickly become the most popular sport of the athletic romance world. Famous for their unique and fun wordplays, the books are easy to spot. A quick search on Tiktok reveals that almost 300,000 videos are tagged as hockey romance. It’s safe to say it is a fan favorite. It is difficult to pinpoint precisely what makes hockey romances so popular. Is it the fun wordplay? The broody alpha males? Or the fast-paced, action-packed games? If you haven´t already, this might be your sign to head into the bookstore and pick up your first (or next) hockey romance read to see what the hype is about. Fair warning though; some of the books mentioned are hot enough to melt ice.

The more unique the sport – the more fun

You might have noticed an uptick in F1, golf, and chess content on your feed over the past year or so. What makes sports romance books unique and interesting is the fact that it has never been easier to get swept into a sport you otherwise would´ve known nothing about. As mentioned in our 2025 trends prediction blog, we truly believe that 2025 will be the year where we continue to see more developments in the sports romance genre – with even more sports unfolding on the pages of a book. Who knows, maybe the next bestseller will be an Ultimate Frisbee-themed sports romance?

Rapid fire recs:

Tennis: Check out Match Point by Katherine Reilley—sizzling hot enemies to lovers with a forced proximity.
American Football: Playing Hard to Get by Monica Murphy. This is the ultimate sports romance for all the So High School and Alchemy readers who just can´t get enough of the happily ever after. Football player x Bookworm Swiftie with a hint of the tutor trope.
Golf: Hear me out… Golf can be hot. Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey is the ultimate romance for readers wanting to test the water with different sports. Grumpy x Sunshine romance books are always a hit!
Olympics: Baby, let the games begin, no really! With Let the Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazarura is the perfect read for anyone obsessed with the Olympics and athletic competitions. It perfectly captures the essence of the romantic Paris 2024 Olympics. 

Georgie Summers: A Bestseller and a Great Book Tour!

Kristin February 20, 2025

Some stories stay with you long after you turn the last page. And that seems to be the case for Georgie Summers & The Scribes of Scatterplot. The unforgettable adventure where fiction is forbidden, memories are at stake and a twelve-year-old boy embarks on the ultimate mystery to save the people he loves, has captured the hearts of readers everywhere. Since it hit the shelves on the 4th of February, Georgie Summers quickly climbed the charts as an Amazon #1 Bestseller. The response has been incredibly positive, and in a short period of time, the first-edition hardcovers have almost sold out! 

Isaac Rudansky’s debut novel is a wonderful adventure perfect for readers aged 8+ and fans of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. But what truly made this journey special were the 20+ incredible Bookinfluencers’ creators who brought the story to life through their social media platforms. And with the CRACK THE CODE challenge, an interactive experience woven into the book itself, readers didn’t just read Georgie’s adventure, they became a part of it.

Our community read and loved Georgie Summers & The Scribes of Scatterplot, now let’s see how we made it happen! 

A success story

Our team worked with talented creators who helped us introduce the book to thousands of readers online. The influencers creators beautiful posts, reels and reviews. Unlike our standard book tours, this time the influencers were given the task to uncover the secret messages in the book. They then partook in the CRACK THE CODE challenge- an exciting puzzle that is part of the story itself. 

How it worked:

Each chapter of Georgie Summers & The Scribes of Scatterplot comes with hidden clues. When these were deciphered, they lead to incredible puzzles and chances to win multiple giveaways that the author was running alongside the tour. Readers weren’t just flipping the pages, they were solving mysteries alongside the main cast of characters – Georgie, Apurva, and Roscoe.

Why it worked:

The CRACK THE CODE challenge transformed reading into an interactive adventure. The creators were able to immersive themselves in the story and with each clue cracked, excitement built across social media, creating a buzz that brought everyone together. 

This unique direction turned Georgie Summers into more than a book: it became a community-driven experience. Now let’s see what our creators had to say:

@acourtofspinesnpages shared their reading journey,

“I think this book would make the BEST gift for anyone! My 5-year-old is just starting to read chapter books, and even though this book is for middle graders, he’s really enjoying it. The added secret messages make the reading experience even better!”

@onceuponafrida shared,

“Still thinking about it over a week later. A wonderful debut, and I can’t wait to read the next one!” 

@bearyintobooks shared their decoding progress,

“It’s a great way to work your brain, solve a puzzle, and read an incredible book.”

From TikTok teasers to Instagram reels and posts, the Georgie Summers tour was filled with excitement, mystery, and interactive fun. But more than just spreading the word, we set out to create a unique reading experience. And that’s exactly what we did.

 Amazon #1 Bestseller

To top that off, the book tour helped put Georgie Summers on Amazon’s Bestseller list. And now, just weeks after launch, the first-edition hardcovers are nearly sold out.

Author Isaac Rudansky shared his excitement, writing:

“It became an instant #1 Amazon bestseller when it hit shelves everywhere. Out of sixty million books in the Amazon library, GEORGIE SUMMERS is among the top 100. I can say with certainty that, at least for a day, my novel sold more copies than five out of seven Harry Potter’s (again, surreal).”

A dream for every debut author! That’s just the beginning and we can’t wait to see where Isaac takes his story next. 

If you haven’t yet joined Georgie Summers on his adventure, now is the perfect time! Readers everywhere are trying to CRACK THE CODE —will you be next?

Pick up your copy and start solving the mystery today!

If you manage to crack the code, tag us and the author (@isaacrudansky and @adventureppc) on social media. We’d love to see your progress! 

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