Tag: bookstagram

Books with bunnies on the cover

Paula April 19, 2025

If we talk about books with bunnies on the cover, you might think about Alice in Wonderland or popular Booktok book Bunny by Mona Awad. In this blog post we’ll look into what rabbits symbolise when we look at them in an artistic context. Plus we will give you some book recs in various genres.

The symbolism of bunnies

You might not immediately think about why there there is a bunny on your book cover. However, looking into it is quite interesting. A bunny or rabbit can symbolize a wide range of ideas. When we look at Easter, rabbits symbolize fertility and new life, just like spring itself. It can also stand for desire and sexuality: think about the Playboy logo. Bunnies also symbolize innocence and vulnerability. We see this often in children’s book illustrations and romantic art, as well as some romance book covers.
In Native American and African tales rabbits are often very clever. They symbolize cunning, wit or deception. In Western cultures it’s often more about luck. Rabbits’ feet are considered lucky charms in some cultures. Bunnies can symbolize hope and good fortune.

With all of this in mind, you can analyse a book cover on your shelves. Most of the time it combines all kinds of symbolism and it reflects duality: the line between innocence and mischief, desire and purity. You see this as well in modern and surrealist art pieces. For example, Jeff Koons’ balloon bunny sculptures look innocent but also symbolize consumerism. In Bunny by Mona Awad the bunny symbolizes innocence as well but the plot if also about the dark side of friendship, about the feeling of being trapped in a rabbit hole.

Books with bunnies on the cover in every genre

Classic bunny books

Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carrol


Witty, whimsical, and often nonsensical, the fiction of Lewis Carroll has been popular for over 150 years. Lewis Carroll takes readers on a trip down the rabbit hole in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, where height is dynamic, animals talk, and the best solutions to drying off are a dry lecture on William the Conqueror and a Caucus Race in which everyone runs in circles and there is no clear winner.

Watership Down – Richard Adams


Set in England’s South Downs, a once idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival follows a band of rabbits on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stout hearted pair of friends, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, to a mysterious promised land and a more perfect society.

Unhinged fiction with bunnies on the cover

Cursed Bunny – Bora Chung


Cursed Bunny is a genre-defying collection of short stories by Korean author Bora Chung. Blurring the lines between magical realism, horror, and science-fiction, Chung uses elements of the fantastic and surreal to address the very real horrors and cruelties of patriarchy and capitalism in modern society.

Bunny – Mona Awad


In this novel we follow Samantha Heather Mackey who is an outsider in her small MFA program at Warren University. Samantha prefers the company of her dark imagination to that of most people, she is utterly repelled by the rest of her fiction writing cohort – a clique of unbearably twee rich girls who call each other Bunny, and seem to move and speak as one.
But everything changes when Samantha receives an invitation to the Bunnies’ fabled Smut Salon, and finds herself inexplicably drawn to their front door – ditching her only friend, Ava, in the process. Bunny is a down-the-rabbit-hole tale of loneliness and belonging, friendship and desire, and the fantastic and terrible power of the imagination.

Historical fiction with rabbits on the cover

The Psychology of Time Travel – Kate Mascarenhas


In 1967, four female scientists worked together to build the world’s first time machine. But just as they are about to debut their creation, one of them suffers a breakdown, putting the whole project—and future of time travel—in jeopardy. To protect their invention, one member is exiled from the team—erasing her contributions from history.
Fifty years later, time travel is a big business. Twenty-something Ruby Rebello knows her beloved grandmother, Granny Bee, was one of the pioneers, though no one will tell her more. But when Bee receives a mysterious newspaper clipping from the future reporting the murder of an unidentified woman, Ruby becomes obsessed: could it be Bee? Who would want her dead? And most importantly of all: can her murder be stopped?

The Confession – Jessie Burton


Hampstead Heath in 1980. Elise Morceau meets Constance Holden and quickly falls under her spell. Connie is bold and alluring, a successful writer whose novel is being turned into a major Hollywood film. Elise follows Connie to LA, a city of strange dreams and swimming pools and late night gatherings of glamorous people. But whilst Connie thrives on the heat and electricity of this new world where everyone is reaching for the stars and no one is telling the truth, Elise finds herself floundering. When she overhears a conversation at a party that turns everything on its head, Elise makes an impulsive decision that will change her life forever.


Three decades later, Rose Simmons is seeking answers about her mother, who disappeared when she was a baby. Having learned that the last person to see her was Constance Holden, a reclusive novelist who withdrew from public life at the peak of her fame, Rose is drawn to the door of Connie’s imposing house in search of a confession…

Romance with bunnies on the cover

Borrow My Heart – Kasie West


With dogs, cats and a bunny on the cover, this might be the cutest YA cover I have ever seen. Borrow My Heart is about Wren, who is used to being called a control freak. She doesn’t care; sticking to the list of rules she created for herself helps her navigate life. But when a cute guy named Asher walks through the door of her neighborhood coffee shop, the rulebook goes out the window.


Asher is cute, charming… and being catfished by his online crush. So Wren makes an uncharacteristically impulsive decision—she pretends to be the girl he’s waiting for to save him from embarrassment. Suddenly she’s fake-dating a boy she knows nothing about. And it’s amazing. It’s not long before Asher has her breaking even more of her own rules. But will he forgive her when he finds out she’s not who she says she is? Wren’s not so sure. After all, rules exist for a reason.

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen – K.J. Charles


Bridgerton meets Poldark in this sweeping LGBTQIA+ Regency romance. Abandoned by his father as a small child, Sir Gareth Inglis has grown up prickly, cold, and well used to disappointment. Even so, he longs for a connection, falling headfirst into a passionate anonymous affair that’s over almost as quickly as it began. Bitter at the sudden rejection, Gareth has little time to lick his wounds: his father has died, leaving him the family title, a rambling manor on the remote Romney Marsh, and the den of cutthroats and thieves that make its intricate waterways their home.


Joss Doomsday has run the Doomsday smuggling clan since he was a boy. His family is his life, which is why when the all-too-familiar new baronet testifies against Joss’s sister for a hanging offense, Joss acts fast, blackmailing Gareth with the secret of their relationship to force him to recant. Their reunion is anything but happy and the path forward everything but smooth. Yet after the dust settles, neither can stay away. It’s a long road from there—full of danger and mysteries to be solved—yet somehow, along the way, this well-mannered gentleman may at last find true love with the least likely of scoundrels.

Essays & darkly comic novel’s with bunnies on the cover

Wow, No Thank You – Samantha Irby


I love a good essay collection every now and then and Wow, No Thank You is right up my alley. This is about aging, marriage and settling down with step-children in white, small-town America. Irby is turning forty, and increasingly uncomfortable in her own skin. She has left her job as a receptionist at a veterinary clinic, has published successful books and left Chicago to move into a house with a garden that requires repairs and know-how with her wife and two step-children in a small white, Republican town in Michigan where she now hosts book clubs.
This is the bourgeois life of dreams. She goes on bad dates with new friends, spends weeks in Los Angeles taking meetings with “skinny, luminous people” while being a “cheese fry-eating slightly damp Midwest person,” “with neck pain and no cartilage in [her] knees.”

Rabbit Cake – Annie Hartnett


This is a darkly comic novel about a young girl named Elvis trying to figure out her place in a world without her mother. Twelve-year-old Elvis Babbitt has a head for the facts: she knows science proves yellow is the happiest color, she knows a healthy male giraffe weighs about 3,000 pounds, and she knows that the naked mole rat is the longest living rodent. She knows she should plan to grieve her mother, who has recently drowned while sleepwalking, for exactly eighteen months. But there are things Elvis doesn’t yet know—like how to keep her sister Lizzie from poisoning herself while sleep-eating or why her father has started wearing her mother’s silk bathrobe around the house. Elvis investigates the strange circumstances of her mother’s death and finds comfort, if not answers, in the people (and animals) of Freedom, Alabama.

So, these were books with bunnies on the cover. Some filling the whole cover, some hidden between trees. Let me know which one is your favourite or you know other bunny books I should add to my list.

Read Around the World: Norway

Maren April 4, 2025

Things like skiing, folklore, and fishing might come to mind when thinking about Norway. But as your Norwegian campaign manager, I’m here to tell you that Norway has so much more to offer than trolls and salmon. With its rich literature, culture, and history, Norway has a vibrant literary tradition waiting to be discovered. Let’s dive into some Norwegian book recommendations!

Nordic Noir: Gritty, Atmospheric, and Unputdownable

Nordic noir is one of the most popular subgenres of thrillers. It’s often characterized by simple, direct language, but the stories themselves are anything but simple.

1222 by Anne Holt

book cover for 1222

Snow is a staple of Norwegian life, although it is beautiful yet dangerous. This is especially true when you find yourself trapped in a hotel during an apocalyptic snowstorm. When a man is shot and killed, panic sets in. There’s no help and no way out. Fortunately, among the stranded guests is a retired female police inspector. With time running out, she must solve the murder before the storm claims even more lives.

Exploring Dark Themes: Norway’s Thought-Provoking Fiction

Norwegian authors don’t shy away from heavy topics. One of the country’s most acclaimed contemporary writers, Maja Lunde, has made waves with her gripping environmental dystopia, The History of Bees.

The History of Bees by Maja Lunde

book cover for The History of Bees

England, 1852. United States, 2007. China, 2098.
Imagine a world without bees—this is the chilling reality in The History of Bees. The novel weaves three interconnected narratives, illustrating bees’ vital role in maintaining environmental balance and sustaining life. But beyond its ecological themes, the book also explores human relationships, communities, and our connection to nature.

Community and Tradition: Stories Rooted in Norwegian Culture

Whether nestled in remote mountain villages or bustling cities, Norwegian communities are built on strong bonds of trust and reliance. This theme is beautifully captured in many works of Norwegian literature.

The Bell in the Lake by Lars Mytting

book cover for The Bell in the Lake

Set in a small village, this novel revolves around an ancient stave church and the young woman tied to its fate. It’s a sweeping tale of tradition, faith, and the tension between superstition and progress. A mesmerizing read for those interested in historical fiction with a deep cultural backdrop.

A Modern Family by Helga Flatland

book cover of A Modern Family

Helga Flatland is a master at capturing the Norwegian spirit through deeply human, realistic storytelling. A Modern Family dissects the seemingly perfect modern family, revealing the gaps between what we think we know about our loved ones and what truly lies beneath the surface. It’s a novel about identity, relationships, and the facades we maintain—even within our own families.

A Norwegian Classic: Henrik Ibsen’s Timeless Masterpiece

No discussion of Norwegian literature would be complete without Henrik Ibsen—often called Norway’s Shakespeare.

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen

book cover for A Doll's House

One of the most famous plays in Norwegian literature, A Doll’s House, is a revolutionary feminist work that shook Victorian society. It follows Nora, a woman trapped in the constraints of marriage and patriarchy, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. A must-read for fans of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper.

Norwegian literature goes beyond the stereotypes, offering gripping thrillers, thought-provoking dystopias, and rich cultural stories. Whatever your taste, there’s a Norwegian book for you. 

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! 

TikTok Ban: 3 tips if TikTok leaves the USA

Antina January 31, 2025

The super-popular social media platform TikTok is on the verge of being banned for good in the US. On Friday the 17th of January 2025 the Supreme Court upheld a ban that was passed with broad partisan support in Congress and signed into law by former President Joe Biden. The law forces TikTok to sell itself. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, delaying a possible ban for 75 days. Practically this means that US users can use TikTok, as they know it now, until the early days of April.  

We are all aware of the influence TikTok has on the book publishing industry. BookTok, TikTok’s subcommunity, has proven to be a driving force for book sales. TikTok’s unique algorithm ensures that every kind of creator can potentially reach a huge audience. Also, TikTok’s SparkAds options give marketers the opportunity to target specific target groups in an efficient way. At Bookinfluencers.com we run SparkAds campaigns for a great number of clients, leading to mindblowing results we haven’t seen with any other social media platform. If you’re interested to learn more about this type of advertising, then I recommend this article I wrote about a campaign for manga publisher VIZ Media. Or take a look at this viral video for one of their recent releases.

@books_and_crafts

Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Official Art Book is available now! Find it anywhere you get books! Thank you @VIZ for partnering with me on this book! #disneybooks #disney #twistedwonderland

♬ original sound – Jessica

Now that we are potentially facing a permanent ban from April 2025, the question arises: what should publishers do if TikTok disappears as a marketing tool for the US? Here are our three suggestions.

Discover new territories

TikTok faces a potential ban in the US, but not (yet) in the rest of the world. Your readers are not just Americans. Many people love reading English language editions instead of books translated to their own language. Let’s take The Netherlands for example; Dutch booktokers love reading in English. Year after year the Dutch book market sees a growth in the sales percentages of English books. Some say they just don’t have the patience to wait for a book to get translated, others choose English books because they are simply cheaper. Another reason is that readers think a story feels less authentic when translated. Not being able to reach US readers through TikTok, doesn’t mean TikTok is worthless. You can still use it to reach millions of other readers!  

Follow the community

TikTok went dark on Saturday the 18th of January 2025, only to be resurrected on Sunday when Donald Trump announced his executive order. In the days leading up to the shutdown, many creators informed their followers about where to find them in the future. While many referred to Instagram and YouTube, there were also lots of American TikTok ‘refugees’ flooding to RedNote. RedNote is a Chinese app with more than 300 million active users, according to Bloomberg, that is a mix between TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram. The main reason why these creators chose RedNote over any other social media platform is the fact that the app is Chinese. Creators feel that the US government is overstepping in its move to ban TikTok. It’s their way of showing the government they are not happy with the TikTok ban. Some even said they ‘rather move to China than to use Instagram Reels’. 

@cassiesbooktok

Im flattered #trending #rednote #tiktokban #foryou

♬ original sound – Cassie

If TikTok gets banned for good in April 2025, RedNote might be the place to be for the book industry. The question is where your favorite creators will be thriving. Be sure to follow them where they go next. 

Wait for a TikTok look-a-like

RedNote is not a TikTok clone. Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are trying to copy TikTok’s algorithm but are not succeeding so far. So, the main question is – who will be able to create a space that has the same look and feel as TikTok does, gives small creators a huge platform as TikTok does and gives marketers the same tools as TikTok does? We can be sure that a new player will rise in the near future. The question is not if, but when.

For now, our advice is to use TikTok to its full potential now that you still can! Please reach out to us at contact@bookinfluencers.com if you want to discuss a marketing campaign on TikTok for your book. 

When did Romantasy become so popular?

Jenny January 24, 2025

Romantasy. Is this just a fad that TikTok made up, or is this really going to be the next new genre in publishing? Let’s have a bit of a dive into the history of the term and genre, what made it popular and where it’s going to go.

If you’d asked me five years ago what my favourite romantasy book was, I’d have been unable to answer. Romantasy? Do you mean fantasy? Romance? What even is this? However, now it is one of the biggest genres that I read, although it did get me thinking on how we got here.

Is romance in fantasy just a modern idea?

In 2023, Goodreads added a Romantasy category to their Choice Awards. This was a big step, especially as this was the year where both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame were released. The book community was torn. Is this new category devaluing romantasy books? Is it suggesting that they aren’t quite as good as fantasy? Or is Goodreads acknowledging that this is a genre that can stand on its own now. It is equal to fantasy. In my opinion, I think it was a good move. Since 2020, Sarah J Maas has won the fantasy category every year. We know that she is an absolute powerhouse of an author, now potentially rivalled by Rebecca Yarros. So splitting the categories allowed more fantasy books a chance to be nominated, and to win. In 2024 TJ KLune won the best fantasy with just shy of 70,000 votes. Sarah J Maas won the best romantasy with 122,000 votes. We can clearly see who the winner would have been if they were in one category.

However, there has always been romance in fantasy. Even The Lord of the Rings (famously one of the first fantasy books, and with almost no women), has a romantic sub plot (Aragon and Arwen, super cuties). This makes total sense- a typical fantasy plot will include someone trying to save something (maybe saving the world, maybe saving their loved ones), and including a romance subplot will help to move almost all books along. It’s a great motivation for your characters! However, just because there is romance in your fantasy book, doesn’t mean that it is a romantasy. So what is?

Fantasy Romance vs Romantasy

I think that there is a difference between fantasy romance, and romantasy. In my mind, the former is a fantasy plot first and foremost, with a romantic plot supporting. If you took out the romance, you’d still have a fantasy story. Examples here include Outlander or Faebound. Whereas romantasy has a romance plot with equal importance to the fantasy plot. You wouldn’t be able to separate out the romance without the whole story falling apart. Examples include the Crescent City series or Fourth Wing. However, something that is key to both categories is that there is a romance plot line, that follows the plot beats of a typical romance story. You need a meeting, sexual tension, a break up or separation, and of course a happily-ever-after. Think of some of the most popular romantasy books, for example ACOTAR or Fourth Wing; across the series, all these plot beats happen.

What romantasy to read next

Whether you’re a die hard fantasy fan, or a smitten romance reader; I think that there is something for you in romantasy. These books tend to be spicy, imaginations go wild with the possibilities from having non human main characters. (Fae, elves, vampires and werewolves are currently the popular MC’s). Romantasy is a genre where you can explore in safety- LGBTQ characters are much more common, Kinks are explored and different relationship set-ups are popular. You may have heard of Why-Choose romances, Reverse Harem or a praise kink, all themes that are much more popular in romantasy than classic romance. Below is a list of recommendations of books to try if you’re just dabbling, books to read if you’ve read another popular title, and books to try if you want to read something totally different.

If you’re just starting out

ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas. Arguably this is the book that started the idea of fantasy romance or romantasy. Don’t be intimidated by the size of these books, they are fantastic! Perfect if you like fae and character development over a series.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. You can’t go on to booktok or bookstagram right now without seeing everyone reading Onyx Storm, the third in the Empyrean series. This is another very popular series. Perfect if you like dragons, magic schools and underdog stories.

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout. This is a completed series (yay), although there is a spin off series in progress. Perfect if you like the bodyguard trope.

If you liked this, try this

If you liked Crescent City by Sarah J Maas, try Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma. These are both fantasies with urban settings, so if you enjoy a more modern fantasy world, try this one.

If you liked Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco try Phantasma by Kaylie Smith. Kingdom of the Wicked follows a girl who makes a deal with a prince of hell (one of the deadly sins) to avenge her sister. Phantasma is about a girl who makes a deal with a ghost to rescue her sister. If you enjoy sibling relationships and romance with devils or ghosts, this is for you.

If you liked Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahuin, try The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli. Both of these include a romance between a witch and a witch hunter. Perfect if that sounds like your kind of thing.

If you want to read something with themes you haven’t seen before

Now we’re getting into the different kinks and relationships often explored in romantasy!

If you’re curious about knotting, try Bride by Ali Hazelwood. There’s discussions on whether this is a romantasy or a romance, but in my opinion as it is a romance between a vampire and a werewolf, it has to sit in the romantasy category!

If you’re wondering about Why Choose, try Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen. This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling where our Beauty has all four fae princes

Overall, I think that romantasy is here to stay. This is a genre that is allowing women to reclaim sexual fantasies, and remove the stigma of verbalising these. It is also one of the fastest growing genres currently and with new releases such as Onyx Storm taking over the internet, I can’t see this genre going anywhere!

6 book trends we will see in 2025

Paula January 10, 2025

The hype-train called booktok never stops, and keeping up with trends can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not immersed in it daily. From the massive popularity of dystopian young adult books like The Hunger Games to cowboy romance and Sad Girl novels. There has been a lot of book trends in the past 10 years in the online book community. Since 2025 has just begun, it’s time to predict the trends for the new year. From major shifts to micro-trends, these are the top 6 book trends I predict for 2025.

The comeback of the blog in the form of Substack

Substack, the platform where you can start your own newsletter, is hot. More and more writers are discovering the platform—think of Miranda July, who recently started a newsletter (I’m a fan!) Around me, I see more people starting newsletters to share their book recommendations. I see the rise of Substack as the return of the book blog—offering more depth and more space to share thoughts on books.

BookTube is back (though, it never really left)

During the pandemic, BookTok became the big thing, and many people discovered that reading is a wonderful hobby. With the still looming threat of a TikTok ban in the U.S., many booktokers are now moving to other platforms. Instagram is popular since TikTok videos can easily be repurposed as Reels, but YouTube is also gaining traction.
I see many readers who started sharing book recommendations on TikTok during lockdown now creating YouTube channels. This is an interesting trend, as YouTube leans more toward longer content. Hour-long videos where someone reads in a cozy corner with a warm blanket are not uncommon. Putting on a video like that in the background while you read along with them for an hour? It happens all the time. And maybe helps you actually read your book, if you need some motivation.

Niche genres expand and more blended genres emerge

We’ve already seen dark academia—forever tied to Donna Tartt’s The Secret History—as well as cowboy romance, sad girl literature, unhinged/weird girl fiction, and cozy fantasy. In 2025, these niche genres will go even further and blend more and more.
One niche genre that caught my eye is the blend of romance and thriller, where one of the characters is a serial killer. Examples of titles in this genre include Butcher & Blackbird, How to Kill Men and Get Away With It, and A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage. That last book follows Hazel and Fox, a seemingly ordinary couple with a baby—except for one small detail: they’re former serial killers. But then Hazel starts to feel the urge to kill again. (I laughed out loud at the book description.) Some more random predictions for future book trends: heartbreak romance, cottage-core literature, and spicy thrillers.

The cozy vibes are getting more cozy in 2025

2024 was the year cozy fantasy really grew with titles like Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. In this book, an orc opens a coffee shop, and the story unfolds at a leisurely pace. You meet other fantasy characters, and it’s all no plot, just vibes. In 2025, everything is getting even cozier. Cozy crime, a genre of thrillers where, for example, a grandma solves a murder case or a bookseller discovers a poisoned customer on the shop floor, is set to grow in popularity. 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.

Sports Romance becomes more than ice hockey reads

In the romance genre, sports romance is wildly popular. These are romantic books where sports play a central role, often with characters who meet through sports or by randomly bumping into a handsome hockey player. The dominance of ice hockey in this subgenre is largely due to the bestseller Icebreaker by Hannah Grace.
In 2025 I think the book trends will include other sports. We’re already reading about American football in Elle Kennedy’s books, Match Point is a tennis romance, and there’s queer YA about basketball. In the newest releases for the upcoming year I spotted Run Like a Girl by Amaka Egbe, which focuses on running, and It’s a Love/Skate Relationship by Carli J. Corson, which features both ice hockey and figure skating. The funniest sports romance I’ve come across so far? Pickleballers by Ilana Long. It’s about pickleball—a mix of tennis and padel.

South Korean Literature is the new kid on the block

Japanese literature will never fully disappear from bookstores. After all, covers with cats are simply too popular (did you know that sometimes there isn’t even a cat in the story, but it’s just on the cover?) and authors like Murakami are highly appreciated. But South Korean literature is on the rise, especially since Han Kang won the Noble prize for literature in 2024.
In 2024 Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 was popular on literature-tok. 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. After all, we like to read something new and discover authors from countries we don’t often read books from.

    Farewell 2024 from Bookinfluencers.com

    Antina December 27, 2024

    The end of the year is fast approaching and I am taking some time to look back on what happened to say Farewell to 2024, from Bookinfluencers.com

    First of all, have you checked the Bookinfluencers Wrapped posts made by our community manager Paula? You can check them out on our el I was stunned to see we’ve organized 255 book tours and brand campaigns this year!

    I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight some amazing collaborations:

    This year we reached out to a handful of creators from our community of almost 10K members. They were invited to become ambassadors for our brand. It was a humbling experience, because I honestly thought no one would be interested. Boy was I wrong! The people we asked were so excited and expressed they would love to be ambassadors. Since then, they have helped us spread the word about upcoming campaigns.

    We’re extremely proud of our strong manga community. They do such amazing jobs promoting new titles published by VIZ Media and SuBLime. We ran a total of 33 campaigns with them and there will be many more in the new year!

    2024 was also the year in which ChallyPop was born. ChallyPop is a new company established by Tandem Collective’s CEO Naomi Bacon and myself. It celebrates creativity, effort and quality rather than numbers. It means every creator, no matter their size, can join in on the Challenges. ChallyPop organized Challenges for The Striker by Ana Huang, Powerless by Lauren Roberts and The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black to name a few.

    We (co)hosted multiple events in The Netherlands, the country of our roots. The most challenging and rewarding event was #Boektokhouse. This was a weekend getaway with a publisher, authors and creators. It led to no fewer than 120 pieces of content reaching a total of 380K+ views.

    Farewell 2024

    At Bookinfluencers.com we realize we are the bridge between the reading community and our clients. Our platform empowers authors to reach creators they would not likely reach on their own for an affordable price. That’s why we are so happy that many indie authors found their way to us. But of course we are also very happy that established publishers like Bloomsbury, Head of Zeus, The House of Books, VBK, WPG Media and The Wild Rose Press worked with us on multiple occasions. And let’s not forget PR agencies like Black Chateau and iRead Book Tours with whom we have long lasting relationships.

    I am thankful to be doing all this work and more with a beautiful team of people. Thank you so much
    Maren, Kristin, Paula, Jenny, Helena, Sanne and Jen for all your efforts and your enthusiasm!
    We’re so grateful to be part of this amazing book community and we hope you stay tuned for all the
    campaigns we will have coming in the new year. I wish you Merry Christmas and a healthy and joyful
    2025!

    All the best,
    Antina

    CEO Bookinfluencers.com

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