Hi, I’m Helena, and together with Kristin at Bookinfluencers.com, we manage our German-speaking collective of content creators – buechertok!
Buechertok is our German-speaking TikTok channel. We are dedicated to celebrating the latest releases, as well as popular backlist titles, in German language. We have 9 creators, who each have their own strong social presence, love to read in German and who collaborate with us to promote German-language books, (original and translated), to a Gen Z and Millennial audience.
At the start of this year, we refreshed our Buechertok offering and were delighted to collaborate with different publishers on a wide variety of titles across different genres.
2024 in numbers:
Over 100 videos published on our TikTok channel
Collaborated with 5 leading German publishers
Ran campaigns for over 30 of this year’s hottest releases entering the German-language market
Over 60% of these titles were boosted by traffic campaigns, with click-through buttons to the publisher’s website or chosen retailer
On average, our Spark Ads campaigns achieved over 50,000 Views per video, meaning titles get seen!
This year, we’ve been really proud to promote titles by Arno Strobel, Matthew Blake, Jessica Winter, Alexandra Flint, Sarah Beth Durst, Stella Tack and many more!
Some of your favourite videos from this year include Ashkan’s review of Spellshop, Sarah’s heartfelt review of So Laut der Himmel, Ecem’s shout out for Stalker, along with Katha’s video celebrating the release of Anna O. I also really loved this super-cute video from Marah and this funny and relatable video from Nina.
We asked our collective which titles they’ve most enjoyed reading and promoting this year:
Katha – Ever & After series by Stella Tack
Ashkan – Für Immer Dein Feind by Olivia Blake
Sarah – So Laut der Himmel by Jessica Winter
Nina – Ever & After series by Stella Tack
We look forward to further collaborations in 2025 and will be starting our next round of creator recruitment in November, inviting German-speaking creators to join our collective. This will include a dark romance reader, so watch this space!
We’d like to express a warm thank you to our community and clients at the end of this year, and we look forward to reading with you in 2025!
Everyone says, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but I’m here to tell you that everyone does! Writing a book takes time, from early planning to final edits. It’s easy to feel both excited and exhausted, wanting to launch your book quickly with a fast and simple cover. However, crafting a book cover is as important as writing the story itself; the two go hand in hand. This blog explores book covers and why they matter.
First Impressions Count
On social media, creators have only milliseconds to catch their audience’s attention. Think about how easy it is to scroll past content while browsing your feed or shopping on Amazon. This makes the cover the first thing readers see—often even before they read the title or blurb. You only have one chance to make a great first impression, and it starts with a captivating cover.
Insider tip: Design a cover that stands out aesthetically. Book cover trends come and go, and certain styles are popular at different times. Try creating a cover that aligns with current trends while also standing uniquely on its own. Remember the recent resurgence of cartoon covers?
A Book Cover as a Reflection of Content
A cover should not mislead the audience; it’s essential that it reflects the book’s content. For instance, you wouldn’t expect to see a sports romance book with swords and dragons on it.
Insider tip: Include subtle “easter eggs” for your readers. They love connecting details about the story or characters to small elements on the cover. Is your character a Swiftie? Add a friendship bracelet to the cover! Excite readers by connecting the cover to the story.
Visibility in a Crowded Market
It’s estimated that nearly 11,000 books are published daily worldwide. That’s 11,000 different covers in circulation each day. Your cover must stand out and not get lost in the masses. While it’s fun to follow trends and take inspiration from successful titles, your cover should be original and memorable.
Insider tip: Dare to be bold! A simple cover is easy to overlook when browsing titles. Bright colors, bold typography, and striking contrasts can help catch the eye of a browsing reader.
Reader Experience
While it’s the content that will ultimately sell your story, the cover can make or break the initial sale. Researching your target audience and understanding their preferences is crucial. What appeals to readers in their 40’s might not appeal to those in their 20’s.
Insider tip: Research similar titles and bestsellers in your genre. What’s trending? This can give you a better sense of what resonates with your audience.
A book cover isn’t just an image; it’s the gateway into your story. It should spark interest and set expectations. Your cover essentially sells your story and can make or break a sale. The famous saying, “Never judge a book by its cover,” no longer holds ground in today’s world of mass publication and renewed reader interest. Readers will judge a book by its cover, making it an integral part of the book, almost as essential as the pages inside.
Remember, your book deserves a beautiful cover. It deserves to be seen, and investing in a great cover is worth it.
Not sure about your book cover? We’d love to help! Send us an email at contact@bookinfluencers.com, and we’ll take a look. We work closely with experts and can connect you with talented cover designers if needed.
We sat down with author Gabrielle Meyer to chat about her latest book, Across the Ages. In Across the Ages, Gabrielle Meyer transports us between 1727 and 1927. She explores the life of a woman with the extraordinary gift of time crossing. From her inspiration drawn from the mysterious Anne Bonny to the intricate plotting behind her dual-timeline narrative, Gabrielle offers a glimpse into her creative world. Discover her motivations, writing routine, and the deeper messages woven into the story.
Could you give readers a glimpse into the world of Across the Ages? What themes and characters can they expect to encounter when delving into your story?
Across the Ages is set in both 1727 and 1927. It’s a story about a woman born with the gift of time crossing. When she goes to sleep in 1727, she wakes up in 1927. And when she goes to sleep in 1927, she returns to her life in 1727. No time passes while she’s gone. Her time-crossing mother abandoned her as an infant, and she has no idea why she has this gift. As she sets out to find her mother in 1727, she encounters a ship full of pirates on the hunt for a missing treasure. In 1927, she’s the daughter of a prominent minister, but her brothers are messed up in bootlegging and corruption. Redemption, finding home, and struggling to know right from wrong are big themes in this story.
How did you bring your story to life? Please tell us about the inspiration behind Across the Ages.
This is the fourth book in my Timeless series, and it was originally inspired by Anne Bonny, the young woman who ran away from home and became a pirate in the early 1700s. Anne dressed as a man on the pirate ship, though she was married to the captain, Calico Jack Rackham. When the ship was captured, Anne’s life was spared, because she was pregnant. After a short time in prison, she disappears from the history books. I always wanted to know what happened to her and her baby—so I wrote the ending myself.
Reflecting on your journey as an author, what motivated you to pursue storytelling?
I grew up above a carriage house on a historic estate and asked my mom lots of questions about the people who had lived there in the 1890s. That was where I fell in love with history. Then, I became a tour guide at the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site in my hometown, where I spent ten years telling the story of the Lindbergh family. My love for storytelling was born there. As an adult, I combined the two things I love and started writing historical novels.
Can you share a little bit about your writing routine? Are there particular habits that helped you draw inspiration?
I am a super-plotter, which means that I have a detailed outline before I start each story. I need to make sure all the pieces line up before I start, so I don’t have a mess of rewrites later. For several months before I start a project, I begin my research, then the week before I write the story, I fill in my outline. Each day, I sit down, read the chapter I wrote the day before, making small corrections as I go, then I write the next chapter. This process helps me complete a full-length novel in about a month.
Navigating the early stages of writing can be challenging for many aspiring authors. What valuable advice would you offer to those looking to embark on their own writing journey?
Over the years, I’ve learned that the best thing you can do for your writing career is to finish your story, submit it to agents and editors (if you’re seeking traditional publishing), and then set it aside and start working on your next story. Each story teaches you something new. My best advice is to write the first book, set it aside, write the second, set it aside, write the third, and so on. Before my first 20,000-word novella was published, I had written five full-length novels that have never been published. But those novels taught me so much. Nothing is wasted.
Within Across the Ages, is there a particular scene or moment that resonates deeply with you? If so, what makes it special?
I think the scene that resonates the most with me, and this is probably true for all my books, is the final scene. The moment when the character is at peace with her journey, when she’s hopeful and resolved because she’s learned something new, and when you see her in her happily-ever-after. This is the scene that the whole story builds towards, and it feels so satisfying.
Speaking of the story, what underlying message or messages do you hope readers take away from the pages of Across the Ages?
I never set out with a message, but I usually find one as I’m writing the story. I think the message in Across the Ages is that there is nothing new. History tends to repeat itself, and each generation faces their own difficulties, challenges and triumphs.
Looking ahead, are you working on any future releases that we can anticipate? If so, our readers would love to hear an exclusive sneak peek!
Across the Ages is book four in my Timeless series, but there will be book five, six, and seven to look forward to! Book five, Every Hour Until Then, will be released in May 2025. It’s about a woman who lives in London in 1888 and Washington, DC in 1938. In 1938, she’s invited to the London Museum as a guest curator to create a ground-breaking exhibit on Jack the Ripper and his reign of terror, but she quickly learns that her sister from 1888 will be Jack’s last victim. With the help of her handsome childhood friend, she goes on a perilous journey to uncover the man that history has chosen to hide and must decide if she’ll forfeit her path to save her sister.
You can find Gabrielle’s Timeless series here. If you want to read other author interviews, check out the interview with Nicholas Williams or Anne van Zwieten
So you want to be a book influencer? You’ve joined Bookinfluencers.com, you’re applying for book tours, but how can you optimize your chances of getting selected? Well, fret not! We’re here with a handy dandy list of tips to make your account stand out from the crowd and give you more chance of being selected on the next book tour!
Have a look at your account from an outsider point of view. Is it immediately eye catching? Are your posts interesting to look at? If you’re on TikTok or making reels, do your videos encourage people to stop scrolling? If you’re wondering how to make your posts more eye catching, check out this blog post on how to create content without showing your face, and this blog post on digital edits.
Followers, Likes and Comments
First off, you don’t need a huge following to be a successful book influencer. Whether you have 100 followers, or 100,000, you can be successful on bookinfluencers.com. You’ve made sure that your posts are eye-catching, so now try to make people engage with them. Include a Call To Action (CTA) in your caption- this could be as simple as a question, Have you read this book? It could be a Question of the Day (QOTD) which can be totally unrelated to your post. I have seen QOTD’s being along the lines of, Do you prefer tea or coffee? The idea here is to make a simple way for people to have to comment on your post. Yes, you might get lots of comments of people just saying ‘tea’, or ‘coffee’, but the algorithm still sees this as people engaging and therefore will show your post to more people!
If you do have a smaller account, you can help to grow it by engaging on other accounts you like- the more you like, comment and follow others, the more likely they will return the favour. Also the more scroll stopping posts and engagement that you get on your posts, the more people will want to return to your page and see what you post next.
A word on Engagement Groups
Engagement Groups can be popular on Instagram. These are groups where you tag a specific account, and everyone has to like/comment on your post. While it can feel really tempting to boost your engagement this way, this isn’t organic engagement. It is much more impactful to grow your account and your engagement organically, with the likes and comments coming from genuine followers, rather than people who have to interact and may spend less than a second on your post.
Applying for book tours as a Book Influencer
First things first. Make sure that your Bookinfluencers.com profile is complete. Add a profile picture and a bio. Let authors know who you are, what you’re interested in and why they want you on their tour. We’d suggest being specific here, don’t say “I love all books!”, instead say “I love this genre of books, my favourite authors are X,Y,Z”. This will make you stand out and show a genuine interest in specific genres.
When you apply for a book tour, you can add a note, or ‘my pitch’ to tell the author/publisher exactly why you will be perfect on their tour. This is definitely recommended if you are a big fan of the author or the book sounds perfect for you. Do think about what you’re writing though instead of just copy and pasting the same response every time.
You may be asked to close a deal in terms of incentives and say what you would like to receive in exchange for your post. This is a hard one to know what to say, so just be honest. Do you prefer to receive a physical book instead of an e-book? Do you want payment? I would only recommend that you don’t ask for loads of money just because you can, if you are happy to review and post for free, you can say that, or that you’d appreciate payment but it isn’t always necessary. Do what feels right for you.
Writing reviews.
Reviews are a big part of being in the book community. Whether you write a 500 word essay on each book, film a 30 second silent review, do a yes/no/maybe video or create a graphic with some key words and a star rating- reviews are everywhere! Like with everything on your account, you need to consider what sort of posts and reviews you want to share. Would you like to give star ratings? Are you only interested in reviewing your favorite books? Do you want to review books you didn’t enjoy? Is being brutally honest your goal? There is no right or wrong answer, however if you do choose to share negative reviews or reviews that are less than glowing, please don’t tag the author.
If you did not enjoy a book from a book tour, please do reach out to the Campaign Manager. In some cases we may ask you not to post a review if you did not enjoy the book. Instead, you could post a spotlight or shout out post highlighting the book, but not mentioning a review.
Hopefully this blog post has given you some tips and advice on how to optimise your own chances at being on a book tour. If you need any more help or advice, reach out to the bookinfluencers.com team!
Sad Girl Literature – you might think it’s just the next BookTok trend. This literary sub-genre focuses on existentialism and womanhood has been around for a long time, starting with Sylvia Plath and Joan Didion. In this blog I’m going to dive into this genre, tell you what it exactly is and explain more about the history of it.
Sad Girl Literature: what kind of genre is this?
The name itself already explains a little bit. This genre is about sad girls, but it’s way more than that. The genre focuses on themes of melancholy and existentialism and combines it with the struggles of modern (young) women. Those struggles often involve loneliness in the big city, mental heath issues and an overall struggle with daily life. These works often explore deep emotional turmoil, feelings of inadequacy, and the search for identity and meaning in the face of societal pressures.
The protagonists in these books are often introspective, sensitive, and struggling with the complexities of their emotions, relationships, and personal lives. The stories doesn’t always offer resolution, but instead delves into the messy and often painful realities of life, emphasizing raw emotional experiences.
The history of the genre
This isn’t just the next Booktok trend. The genre just now has a name because of TikTok. In the past it has been called melancholic fiction or women’s fiction. In some cases the books are semi-autobiographical – for example, Sylvia Plath. We can even say Annie Ernaux writes Sad Girl Literature, because she writes about her complex emotions, relationships and love during her girl and womanhood in France.
I would say Sad Girl Literature started with Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar is a semi-autobiographical novel exploring mental illness and the pressures of societal expectations. It ticks all the boxes. Besides Plath and Ernaux, I think Joan Didion is a perfect example as well. Play It As It Lays is a story of emotional numbness and disconnection in a woman grappling with the meaninglessness of her life.
Popular Sad Girl Literature nowadays
One of the most popular current sad girl writers is Ottessa Moshfesh. My Year of Rest and Relaxation is Sad Girl Literature at it’s best. In this novel the protagonist tries to escape the pain of life by drugging herself into a year-long hibernation. Another popular author is Sally Rooney. Especially in Normal People and Conversations with Friends, but also in her recent works Beautiful World Where Are You and Intermezzo. Rooney’s characters grapple with intense emotional experiences, isolation, and complex relationships – the core of Sad Girl Literature. However, Rooney writes about sad men as well, because mental health and dealing with everyday life goes beyond gender, of course.
Besides Rooney we have Irish author Naoise Dolan, who writes about the loneliness and emptiness in big cities and complex relationships. And don’t forget the Asian Sad Girl Literature, which contains Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner and also books by Mieko Kawakami and Won-pyung Sohn.
Why Sad Girl Literature resonates in the modern day
I think this sub genre has become quite popular in recent years, especially because of COVID-19. The rise of introspective, emotionally raw, and often millennial-driven narratives has gone hand in hand with the lockdowns because of the pandemic. It resonates because so many readers can identify with it – during lockdown while being inside a lot, feeling the loneliness and overthinking your life. And nowadays – we are drawn to the emotional complexities and darker aspects of modern existence.
Boektokhouse 2024 took place in the first weekend of October with publisher Zomer & Keuning. This is the third year that we have run this event. Check out 2023’s Booktokhouse here. Every year, this bookish event focuses on the latest releases from this publishing house that mainly publishes romance and feel-good books. The purpose of Boektokhouse is to promote these books through the channels of the booktokers present at the event.
Boektokhouse is very popular among the Dutch and Flemish booktok community because this event is different from all the others; for Boektokhouse they are invited for a weekend away in a holiday home. Who wouldn’t want that?
In this blog we offer you a look behind the scenes. Because what does it take to organize such an event?
How it all starts
The first appointment with our contact person at the publisher took place at the beginning of May 2024. This consultation was intended to set out the framework for an event in the autumn. What worked well last year and what didn’t work at all? Which booktokers would the publisher really like to have at the event? Did the publisher already have an author in mind who might want to come by for a meet & greet? What requirements should the holiday home meet?
After the conversation, the search began for a suitable location with at least 12 sleeping places and a large living room/kitchen. We found a beautiful place in the Utrecht countryside. Nicely centrally located but still quiet, lots of space and very attractively decorated.
Finding the Booktokers
The next step was to approach suitable booktokers for the event. We started our search by placing a campaign on Bookinfluencers.com. This campaign described what this edition of Boektokhouse would entail, what expectations there were from the organization (particularly in the field of content) and when it would take place. We had 65 people register. We then made a pre-selection of 14 candidates that we submitted to the publisher. By mid-June, the publisher had selected their 8 favorites and we informed the lucky ones.
The consultations continued in mid-August. The books that would be highlighted during the event were chosen and the weekend program took shape. In the meantime, we knew that author Holly Martin would travel from England to the Netherlands to take part in a high tea. The booktokers involved were sent a copy of her book so that they could read it in advance and ask Holly specific questions. We also introduced the idea of a TikTok Live broadcast on Saturday evenings, which was received with enthusiasm by the publishing house.
At the end of August we organized a competition. The booktoker or bookstagrammer with the best content about their favorite Zomer & Keuning books could win a place at the table during breakfast on Sunday morning. Bookstagrammer Robin won the seat with this entry:
At the beginning of September we sent classic paper invitations to the booktokers. With these invitations they all made a TikTok with which they announced their participation in Boektokhouse and drew attention to the TikTok Live broadcast.
In the final weeks before the event, we were busy ordering catering, arranging materials for creative workshops, communicating with the booktokers about traveling to the location and creating content.
Welcome to Boektokhouse!
And then the time had come! On Friday, October 4, Paula and I met at the location. We were given a tour there, emptied our cars full of materials and welcomed the publisher who delivered all the goodie bags. Then we drove to the supermarket to load up our cart. We spent that evening decorating the room, setting up ring lights, and creating content.
On Saturday morning our colleague Sanne joined us, alongside our contact person from the publishing house Michelle and intern Nicky. Not much later, author Holly Martin arrived at the house. While Michelle, Nicky and Paula were busy creating content with Holly, I prepared the table for the high tea.
Welcome booktokers!
The commute began at 11:30 a.m. with creators having to be picked up from a train station nearby. About an hour and a half later everyone was inside and the program could really start. Michelle welcomed everyone and handed out the goodie bags. She gave a brief introduction to each book and introduced Holly to the booktokers. During dinner an animated conversation took place between the author and the booktokers who had enjoyed the Dutch translation of the book Spring at Blueberry Bay.
After their stomachs were well filled, the booktokers had their books signed by Holly and made videos with her. There was also enough time to create other content. And they were so creative in their ideas…
We said goodbye to Holly, who was expected in Amsterdam later that day. While the booktokers were busy making one video after another, I sat at the pizzeria for an hour waiting for my mega order. Luckily I got a lollipop as consolation. After the delicious pizzas it was time for the live broadcast on TikTok! Paula started the broadcast together with Michelle from the publishing house and then invited all booktokers one by one to discuss a book with her. The broadcast attracted 679 unique viewers.
Afterwards, the booktokers decided to put on their pajamas for a relaxing evening. Of course a video was made.
The next morning I was in the supermarket at 9:00 am to pick up fresh bread for breakfast. Before I drove back to the house, I first picked up two Dutch authors from the station: Mienke Fijen and Marjon Weerink. They sat down for breakfast and met the booktokers who also enjoyed creating content with them.
The breakfast table was wiped clean and turned into a craft table. The booktokers decorated tote bags. In the afternoon, the booktokers and authors were brought back to the train stations and the big clean-up campaign began for Paula, Sanne and I. Remove all decorations, load the uneaten groceries back into the car, check the rooms for abandoned belongings and of course leave the house in good condition.
For days afterward, booktokers posted about Boektokhouse: unboxings of goodie bags, vlogs and (almost) forgotten funny recordings.
A few days ago I looked back and reported to the publishing house. No fewer than 120 pieces of content – mostly TikTok videos – had been posted. The number of views was almost 380K and there were 21K likes, more than 2300 comments and more than 500 saves. An edition of Boektokhouse we will never forget! I am grateful that I have gathered a team around me that makes events like this possible.
There is a new book series on the Dutch market: Ugly Girls. If the pink cover hasn’t caught your attention yet, hopefully this blog will. Ugly Girls is the first book in a trilogy by three of Sweden’s most popular young adult authors. Johanna Lindbäck, Lisa Bjärbo and Sara Ohlsson have written several books and this time they joined forces to write Ugly Girls. The series has been translated into several languages, now including Dutch. To celebrate the release of book two, Annoying Girls, we held an event with the authors and booktokers.
Ugly Girls is a story about friendship and girl power with a touch of a YA detective. High school student Tilde finds out that her bad school photo is on an Instagram account called Ugly Girls. She has never considered herself ugly, but she is now the fourth girl from her school to have her photo posted on that account and she starts doubting herself. Most students laugh about the account at first, but soon the other girls are all starting to be afraid of becoming the next victim.
Tilde is in the same class as Eleni and Jasmine, but they barely talk to each other as they are all very different people. Tilde is very outspoken, Eleni observant and withdrawn, and Jasmine popular and easily bored. Nevertheless, they decide to work together to find out who is behind Ugly Girls. But how far will they go to find out the truth?
Heb jij Ugly Girls al gelezen? We mochten met de auteurs en editor lunchen en daar werd deel 2 ‘Annoying Girls’ in ontvangst genomen. Beide NU in de winkel 🌸 #uglygirlsevent#boektokkers#boektoknl#boektokbe @Boeklovers 📚 @Paula ✨ | Boekentips @Sanne 🍉
The book will take you on a journey of unexpected friendship and leave you with a craving for brownies. It’s the perfect read for young adult readers and even if you’re older you’ll have an amazing time reading it. There is even one teacher in the story that I am sure everyone will recognize and feel a shared irritation about.
The story continues in book 2: Annoying Girls. In it, the girls are feeling brave and they won’t accept injustice anymore even though the boys are starting to find them annoying. And on top of that, they have to deal with a fire that destroys their gym. But when people think that Eleni might have done it, the girls have to work together to find the real culprit.
Ugly Girls Event
To celebrate the release of book 2, the authors visited the Netherlands. We collaborated with the publisher for an event with the authors of the book and several BookTokers. The authors received a copy of their book in Dutch, followed by a lunch and book talk with everyone and it ended with a book signing and lots of content. Curious? Check out the #uglygirlsevent on TikTok or TikTok account @Boektokkers for the videos
If you’re here, you probably are wondering about how best to promote your book. Maybe you’ve already looked into a book tour with us, or maybe you’ve been going it alone. In this blog post we will give you some best practices to make the most out of your book tour.
Incentives
Incentives can be really important for book tours. Some people are happy to post and review with just a physical copy of the book, but more and more, we are seeing people asking for financial incentive to take part in a tour. Even just $10 each can make a big difference to some people. Consider including financial incentives in your planning stage. It may mean having fewer influencers taking part, but you will get quality over quantity. If you can’t stretch to financial incentives, a PR box or additional POS or Merch can also be a great incentive for some influencers.
Leading on from this, think about what you are asking people to do. If you expect someone to read a 500 page book and write a thoughtful review with no incentive, you may find a lower uptake as that is a lot of time and work for an influencer to do with no reward. Instead try asking for a spotlight post if you can’t send out books or financial incentives. Bear in mind that a lot of influencers, especially ones with bigger followings, get sent a lot of books by authors and publishers. This is on top of the books they buy themselves. Book influencers typically have huge TBRs: an incentive can help your book jump to the top of that pile.
A Book Influencer may be sent a lot of books, and have a huge TBR
Who to select for your Book Tour
Once you have decided on your incentives and how many influencers you want to take part, you need to think about who you are picking. You will see a list of influencers interested in taking part in the tour, and now comes the tricky part: who do you say yes to, and who do you say no to?
Is Bigger always Better?
First off it is worth having a think about the ways that the platforms and algorithms work. For example, on both Instagram and TikTok the larger the following an account has, the less engagement there will be on posts (when looked at as a percentage). So, do you want people with lots of followers, or do you want people who have high engagement rates on their posts?
We would suggest going for a mix here. If you are planning a 10 person tour, aim for a couple big accounts, 2-3 small accounts, and the rest in the middle. Small accounts are typically closer to their followers so tend to get proportionally more likes/comments than the big accounts. Plus small accounts tend to have fewer publishers/authors asking them for reviews, which means that they typically are able to be more accommodating on tours.
Does the account make you stop scrolling?
Secondly, have a look at the account. Of course we want people who are posting great content. On Instagram this is typically more aesthetically pleasing and eye catching, and on TikTok this is typically using a variety of styles of video. Does the account post about books in your genre? Do they post regularly? Are their posts eye catching/scroll stopping? Have a look at a couple recent posts too, do they get people engaging on their posts? However, do bear in mind that for a lot of influencers, this is a hobby, not a full time job. Don’t discount accounts that aren’t perfectly styled if they get good engagement and show passion. Engagement can be more important than a beautifully styled, aesthetic post.
Finally, think about Engagement Groups and boosted posts. These don’t show organic engagement, as you are either tagging a group (on Instagram) who all have to like and comment on your post, or paying for a Spark Ad (more on this later) and buying those views. If you are looking for people to organically engage with your book, it is worth looking for people who don’t use these. Not to say that you should discount an account who is using Engagement Groups, but don’t overwhelm your final list with these accounts.
As an additional note, on Bookinfluencers.com, influencers have an option to write a ‘pitch’ to showcase themselves and why they want to be on the tour. We would strongly suggest reading these. People who have written a pitch are already invested in the book, they have put additional time into telling you why they want to be on this tour. These might be your megafan, super supportive influencers, even before reading the book.
Running the Book Tour
So you have decided on your incentives, and chosen your influencers with a range of account sizes, styles and checked that they have good engagement. What’s next? First off, some housekeeping. Make sure you are communicating with your chosen influencers. Part of this may include negotiations for financial incentives. You should always make sure to close your deal before you mail anything out. Otherwise you may find influencers backing out after they have received the book, if they were not happy with the offer. When it comes to negotiating deals, we suggest starting by asking a creator for their fee. You can either agree or make a counter offer. If you book a full service tour with us, we will handle these negotiations for you.
Communication is Key
Let your chosen influencers know when the books have been mailed. You should also engage with their posts when they post about your book (a comment or share can go a long way!) Be sure to pay them promptly as well when the tour is over. This will keep a positive relationship, and can lead to the influencer becoming one of your mega-fans!
You may decide to add on Spark Ads to your campaign. This is a way of boosting TikTok videos to push the algorithm to show a specific video to more people. Earlier, I mentioned looking out for this and not picking someone who relies on Spark Ads to get their views. This isn’t organic engagement, so ideally you will want people who have high organic engagement with their own followers wanting to see and interact with their content. However, you may also want to boost a video to get it in front of more people to get more impressions and eyes on your book. This is a fantastic aspect of a campaign- use Spark Ads as a way to bolster your marketing campaign. It is even more impactful when you boost a post that organically had great reach.
Remember, we do offer Full Service Tours where we do all of this for you. We will send you a short list of people we think are suitable for your campaign for you to pick from, you will always have the final say. We will have done all of these account checks for you and will negotiate all deals too.
So what are you waiting for? Drop us an email to find out how we can work together on your next book tour!
Romantic Comedy is a popular genre in movies, but it’s also a subgenre of books! If you’re exploring rom-com novels for the first time, you’re in for a delightful experience. These stories seamlessly blend humor and romance, guaranteed to lift your spirits and warm your heart. Get ready to laugh, swoon, and fall in love with our curated list of personal favorites and must-read titles. Perfect for anyone eager to discover their next favorite book!
Why Choose Romantic Comedy books?
Romantic comedy books are like a warm hug on a chilly evening. They combine witty banter with charming scenarios that are sure to put a smile on your face. Romantic comedies capture the magic of love and laughter, whether through the classic trope of opposites attracting or the excitement of an unexpected sweet love story. They create a delightful space where humor and romance blend harmoniously, offering readers an engaging escape into heartwarming narratives. These books are not just about finding love; they’re about finding joy and amusement in the journey of life. Whether it’s a short novella or as lengthy as The Art of War (looking at you, Lucy Score), the romantic comedy genre is rarely dull. Each story offers engaging moments that keep readers entertained, proving that there’s always something delightful to discover in rom-coms.
For Beginners: Top Picks to Get You Started
Most believe the romantic comedy genre is where it begins and ends. I hate to break it to you but the subgenres/subtopics go on for miles! Navigating the world of romantic comedies can feel overwhelming at first, but there are some fantastic titles that make the transition easier. These books serve as perfect introductions, allowing you to comfortably immerse yourself in this delightful genre.
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez. This book tackles real-life issues with humor and grace, exploring the fine line between friendship and romantic love.
The People We Meet on Vacationby Emily Henry. Dive into the lives of two best friends with polar opposite personalities but a shared understanding of each other’s needs.
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. A uniquely charming tale where love unfolds between a man who falls for a woman whose emails he has been monitoring at work.
Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella. Enjoy this laugh-out-loud story of a young woman who spills all her secrets to a stranger on a plane, only to discover he’s her new boss.
Explore the Romantic Comedy Classics:
For a taste of timeless romance and wit, these literary classics should not be overlooked:
Pride and Prejudiceby Jane Austen. Dive into the lives of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy as they navigate the turbulent waters of first impressions and societal expectations.
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Enjoy the sharp-tongued banter and romantic entanglements in this brilliant Shakespearean comedy.
Emmaby Jane Austen. Follow the well-meaning but often misguided Emma Woodhouse as she plays matchmaker in a series of comedic missteps.
Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. Explore this classic play about the transformation of Eliza Doolittle, which inspired the beloved musical My Fair Lady.
Must-Read Titles for Further Exploration:
Once you’ve dipped your toes into the genre, these contemporary titles are sure to solidify your love for romantic comedies:
Beach Read by Emily Henry. Enjoy a summer of transformation with two rival writers who swap literary genres.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. An enemies-to-lovers story set against the backdrop of a paradise vacation.
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Datingby Christina Lauren. Follow the quirky and endearing friendship between Josh and Hazel as they attempt to set each other up on disastrous dates.
You Deserve Each Otherby Sarah Hogle. Revel in the hilarity as a seemingly perfect couple engages in mutual sabotage to avoid their upcoming wedding.
For Young Adults and Newcomers:
Exploring romantic comedies can be especially magical for young adults, offering stories filled with hope, humor, and heartfelt lessons:
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter. A charming tale about a romantic chasing movie-worthy moments in her love life.
The Upside of Fallingby Alex Light. A sweet story about a fake relationship between two teens that leads to real feelings.
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord. Enjoy this modern twist on You’ve Got Mail, featuring a social media war between two classmates.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. Explore the captivating story of Lara Jean, whose secret love letters to her past crushes are mysteriously sent out, turning her quiet high school life upside down.
Diving into the world of romantic comedy books promises a journey filled with laughter, love, and endless feel-good moments. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or new to the genre, these books are designed to uplift and inspire. So, curl up with a cozy blanket, a warm cup of tea, and a fantastic rom-com book that will transport you to a world of happily-ever-afters. Happy reading, and welcome to what is sure to become your new favorite genre! If you want to read further about Romance Books, check out Maren’s blog here.
Guest blogger Enya can be found talking all things Romantic Comedy on Instagram at trcbookclub and TikTok at romcombc
We sat down with author Michelle Griep to chat about her latest book, Of Gold and Shadows. In Of Gold and Shadows, Michelle Griep introduces us to the fascinating world of Victorian England through the eyes of a determined Egyptologist. From her Netflix-inspired story ideas to the quirks of her writing routine, Michelle shares valuable insights into her creative process and the messages she hopes to convey through her work.
Could you give readers a glimpse into the world of Of Gold and Shadows? What themes and characters can they expect to encounter when delving into your story?
Ami Dalton is an Egyptologist struggling for recognition in the manly world of Victorian England. She is fiercely independent, determined, and yet inside her still lives the little girl who longs for her father’s affection. It takes the insights, respect, and true adoration by England’s most eligible bachelor to help her realize her value doesn’t depend on her performance or intelligence, but on the fact that she is a worthy creation of God just as she is.
How did you bring your story to life? Please tell us about the inspiration behind Of Gold and Shadows.
Okay, I’ll admit it. One of my favorite ways to procrastinate is to binge on Netflix, which has its pros and cons. One day I did a double-header with Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Mummy. Talk about archeological inspiration! I simply mixed that with the Egyptology rage that held in England in its grip in the late 1800s and voila. Instant story.
Reflecting on your journey as an author, what motivated you to pursue storytelling?
Besides the fact I’ve been writing ever since I discovered Crayolas and blank wall space, one of my favorite pastimes as a young child was to sit beneath the dining room table and hold extensive conversations with Daniel Boone. Which naturally worried my mother. She took me to a pediatrician, thinking something wasn’t right in my head, to which he laughed and said that I simply had an overactive imagination…and there ya go.
Can you share a little bit about your writing routine? Are there particular habits that helped you draw inspiration?
I write in the mornings usually until early afternoon. Well, mostly. I do pop over to Facebook and Instagram way too many times during that period. My general habits are to sip on a bottle of mango kombucha and burn incense, which makes me sound like a raging hippy, but honestly I just love the taste and the smell—and psychologically it’s my “on” switch to get busy penning a story.
Navigating the early stages of writing can be challenging for many aspiring authors. What valuable advice would you offer to those looking to embark on their own writing journey?
Finish what you start. Don’t keep going back and polishing that first chapter over and over again. Just push ahead until you get to “The End.” The biggest secret of success to become a published author is simply to keep on writing no matter what.
Within Of Gold and Shadows, is there a particular scene or moment that resonates deeply with you? If so, what makes it special?
A recurring motif in many scenes is Ami’s quirky sense of fashion. Always preoccupied with other thoughts, she often ends up with mismatched outfits. Our intrepid hero, Edmund, finds this endearing and loves her all the more for it. This is a great reminder that this is how God views us—not by our outward appearance but by our inward heart.
Speaking of the story, what underlying message or messages do you hope readers take away from the pages of Of Gold and Shadows?
To be vulnerable is not weakness, but neither is weakness a detriment—for in weakness we are forced to trust God.
Looking ahead, are you working on any future releases that we can anticipate? If so, our readers would love to hear an exclusive sneak peek!
I’m always working on something! Currently I’m in the editing stages of the second book in this series, Of Silver and Secrets. It features Bram Webb, a character you’ve already met in book one. He’s a professor of Roman archeology at Cambridge University, but far from being stuffy, he’s quite the handsome rogue. Heroine Eva Inman discovers this when Bram and his team conduct a dig on her property. She hopes the dig will provide the funds she desperately needs to pay taxes. Unfortunately, she begins to doubt this hope when she learns Bram has been accused of stealing relics in the past.
You can find Michelle’s books here. If you want to read other author interviews, check out the interview with Simone Warren or Anne van Zwieten
How Bookinfluencers.com is supporting German publishers, by encouraging younger generations of readers to buy books in German language. Willkommen bei Buechertok!
Buechertok is Bookinfluencers.com German-speaking TikTok channel, dedicated to promoting books in German language, by German-speaking authors, as well as translated editions, to Gen Z and Millennial readers.
European publishers in markets where English is widely spoken as a second language, such as in Germany, the Netherlands and in Scandinavia, can find themselves competing with the English Language Editions of popular titles, which are often released ahead of translations. In addition to this, books by big-name English-speaking authors tend to dominate the BookTok sphere. This means that it can be harder for other talented authors who write in their local language to break through the noise and attract younger readers, and can mean that local translations are in less demand, despite the efforts of publishers.
At Bookinfluencers.com, we feel it’s really important to support the dissemination of great books in local languages, as well as promoting international releases in English. This is why we created our local BookTok channels: @buechertok for German, Austrian and Swiss readers; @Boektokkers for Dutch bookies and @svenskabooktok for Swedish bookworms.
These channels are managed by Bookinfluencers.com and run by local creator collectives. Authors and publishers from these countries can collaborate with these content creators to promote new releases in the local language to the wider BookTok community.
Buechertok – A closer look
Buechertok is made up of 9 diverse content creators living in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The German-speaking account has just under 9k followers and over 100k likes. Bookish videos are posted regularly on the channel to drive engagement, in addition to paid promotions by authors and publishers. Publishing clients have included S.Fischer; Ravensburger; Loewe; Dumont; Carlsen; Aufbau and Droemer Knaur, and some of our recent book promotions have included Anna O by Matthew Blake, The Lakestone Campus series by Alexandra Flint; and The School of Myth and Magic by Jennifer Alice Jager, as well as non-fiction bestsellers, such as The Little Book of Ikigai by Ken Mogi.
Meet the collective!
Sarah from @sarahs.bookspace is 24 and from Austria. Her favourite genres are new adult, dark romance and fantasy. She recently collaborated with us on promoting The School of Myth and Magic by Jennifer Alice Jager.
@regisbooksdiary loves all things dark romance and romantasy. Check out her promotional video for Lakestone Campus by Alexandra Flint here.
@ninasoophie is also based in Austria. Here she is introducing the German language edition of Lilith by Nikki Marmery.
Meet Mara, 22, from@lovebookstoo. You can see what she thought about Somebody to Love by Rebekka Weiler here.
Katha @mykindofreading is our resident Emily Henry fan, and you can watch her 3 reasons why you need to read Anna O video here.
@ashkan.books love dark academia and Olivie Blake. Here’s his review of Genau jetzt mit dir by Tine Nell.
Up next is Selin from @readlikeagranger. Here’s what she thought about German author, Mila Olsen’s, book – Mit Dir Zwischen den Sternen.
Last, but definitely not least, we have Marie-Sophie from @mariesxlibrary and Ecem from @bibliofae. You can view their most recent videos on our channel here and here.
Thanks to TikTok Spark Ads, we can achieve even more reach and visibility for German language titles. With this tool, we can target a certain audience by location, age-group, interest and behaviour, to make sure the videos get a good number of views and engagement. We can also add links to videos to generate traffic to a website or landing page of a publisher’s choice – whilst still working with original content from BookTokers, which maintains authenticity, with recommendations coming from familiar faces from within the bookish community.
We have 3 budget-friendly Buechertok packages available, with different bolt-ons for competitions, buy-outs and traffic campaigns. For example, our most comprehensive package (350 EUR) guarantees your video will achieve 75k-100k views.
Interested in finding out more about Spark Ads or Buecherok?
Get in touch with us at contact@bookinfluencers.com
Getting started as an author can be difficult. Maybe you are already writing your own novel, or writing (fan) fiction online but your dream is to become a published author one day. We’ve got you. We are Paula Heeger, community manager at Bookinfluencers and romance author (Dutch debut coming May 2025) and Hanne Eerdekens (Flemish author of two queer YA novels). These are our stories, our tips and tricks and everything you need and want to know about writing, finding a publisher, opportunities for young authors and getting into the book world in general.
PART 1 – ABOUT US & OUR STORY
Who are we and what do we write?
HANNE: “My name is Hanne Eerdekens, I’m a Belgian author, writing Dutch queer young adult novels. My debut novel is called ‘Met jou is het anders’, a story about a teen boy discovering his sexuality through the pressure of social media. My second book, ‘Polaris’, which comes out next month, is about a girl who, after losing her best friend, tries to get her life back on track with the help of an advent calendar made by that best friend, and she is confronted with her sexuality along the way.”
PAULA: “I’m Paula Heeger, community manager at bookinfluencers.com, freelancer, booktoker and an author (it still feels a bit weird to say that!) I already wrote a short romance story called Boekhandel aan zee that got published in Slipperdagen & Zomerjurken, filled with stories by 8 authors set in summer. My first romance novel will be published in Dutch at Zomer & Keuning in May 2025.”
What do you hope readers take away from your book(s)?
PAULA: “I love to write about complex characters – people who have been through difficult things in life. Whether it’s losing someone you love or heartbreak. I try to find the balance between in my stories, the balance we all seek after those things happen, between giving something a little place in your heart and going on with your life and laughing again. Hopefully readers will laugh while reading my debut, but they might need a tissue on the side as well for a little tear. I hope they will see that laughing out loud and crying or grieving can exist together in life. You can cry in public when you see peanut butter in the grocery store because it reminds you of a loved one that passed away, but years or months later the same peanut butter makes you smile, because it makes you think about them.”
HANNE: “I hope that people who can relate find comfort in them, and see themselves represented in the characters. For people who aren’t queer themselves, I hope they learn something by stepping in the shoes of someone who is. Reading enhances empathy, so I hope those people learn something from that different perspective.”
PART 2 – GETTING STARTED
How do you start as a young writer with a dream to become a published author?
HANNE: “I’ve been writing since I learned how to write, from cringy hand-written stories to short stories and fan-fictions. I had always dreamed of becoming a published author, but I thought that was still years away, until I wrote ‘Met jou is het anders’. I wrote that book for myself because I missed the queer young adult genre in Dutch literature, but when I finished, I wondered if there would be an audience out there with people like me, waiting for books like these.
So I started with a dream and a manuscript, solely created out of my own wishes and hopes. Whether you’re 12 or 82, finishing a manuscript is the hardest part of writing a book, so I was already halfway there. Afterwards, I contacted a bunch of publishers via e-mail. I sent them a synopsis and my manuscript, and two months later, Flemish publisher Pelckmans contacted me, asking me to pay them a visit. That’s where it started and I’m still so happy I signed with them.”
PAULA: “First of all: write and write and write. I studied journalism, read a ton of books and wrote a lot of articles online, in newspapers and magazines about every topic you can think of. I also always wrote stories on my laptop, just for myself. Whatever you do: keep writing. It can be fan fiction, it can be something on Wattpad. There are success stories from authors who started on writing platforms too – you can actually be that too. Last but definitely not least: start that online channel to share your process. People want to see the authentic you even if you think they don’t.”
How do you get into the book world in general?
PAULA: “I started by creating a blog where I first wrote about lifestyle topics and later specifically about books. This wasn’t the original plan, but I got to know the book world because of that. I went to events with publishers and year by year I knew more people who were in that world. I shared my love for reading on my blog, later on Instagram and TikTok. Now I even work for Bookinfluencers.com. By gaining an audience, publishers can be more interested as well, besides the talent you must have. I would really recommend starting an online channel where you share more about your writing process and your love for books – stay close to yourself and trust the process.”
It’s important though, to note that this is the case for Belgium, the Netherlands and most other European countries. In the United States and UK, networking and/or a literary agent is still often required to find an in with a publisher.
How do you find a publisher?
HANNE: “There are many ways to do so, but in Belgium, the two most common ways are through connections or via e-mail. If you go to book events, you can chat with people from different publishing companies. If you talk about your idea and they’re interested, they might give you contact details. I didn’t have any network whatsoever when I wanted to publish my debut novel at 22 years old. This meant I chose the e-mail route. I researched publishing companies and chose five that I thought might be interested in a queer YA novel. Not all publishing companies cater to the same audience, so it’s important to do your research. If you choose that route, be prepared for the waiting game, though. It’s definitely an option, it worked for me, but the success rate sadly isn’t very high.”
PAULA: “First I would say that I absolutely recommend to write in your native language. I see a lot of people nowadays that start writing in English, even if it’s not their first language. If English isn’t your native language either, look at publishers in your own countries. Most of them want younger authors these days, so take a look at their website and find out how they work. Maybe you have to e-mail your manuscript directly to them or write a pitch. The way in is way more easy than you think, you just have to try and keep trying.”
PART 3 – PRESENTING YOURSELF AS AN AUTHOR
What role do social media and online communities play in your writing journey?
HANNE: “It plays a huge role! It helps me connect with readers, it gives me immediate feedback and it gives me confidence when I see so many positive responses from my direct audience. And, today, it’s also a marketing strategy. I cater to young adults, so advertising books is mostly done through social media. Banners in book stores or flyers in goodie bags simply aren’t effective anymore. My publisher sent my book to a few bookinfluencers, in the hope that they would like it and post about it. Luckily, they did and they still are for a big part responsible for the success of my debut novel. I’m so incredibly grateful for that still.”
PAULA: “A totally agree with Hanne on this. If you don’t have an audience yet, start today. Make a channel on the platform you prefer and share your process – people want to see you. I have a few thousand followers on Instagram and almost 10K on TikTok and make writing vlogs and short reels about writing my book. Take your readers-to-be with you in the progress, from writing the manuscript to sending it, from cover reveal to your book presentation. And of course, bookish creators will help you a lot in this, especially the ones who keep following you.”
How do you present yourself online as an author-to-be?
HANNE: “I was very insecure when I started my BookTok and Bookstagram account. I didn’t post my face because I was worried people I knew in real life would think it was weird. I learned a lot since then, and grew a lot as well.
My first “do” is: show yourself exactly how you are. The internet is a bit like real life: people will connect with you, or they won’t, but they’re much more likely to be interested when they see a person on the screen with an actual personality.
My second “do”, specifically as an author is: respond to readers! I’ve had some very meaningful conversations with people who read my book. It’s so great to hear what it meant to them and how they experienced it. That’s what writing is about, isn’t it?
Something you definitely shouldn’t do: respond to negative feedback. Everyone is allowed their own opinion and even if you don’t agree or you think someone misunderstood something you wrote, don’t try to convince them otherwise. It’s not a good look and usually not very effective. If someone is looking for a clarification, definitely reply! But some people have made up their minds about your writing and that’s a battle you cannot – and probably should not want to – win.”
PART 4 – OUR FINAL ADVICE
What’s your best advice for young writers?
PAULA: “If you love to write, keep doing it! My best advice is also to join writing contests. I did that myself a couple times and one short romance story actually got published in a real book (there is even an audio book of it!). Writing contests are a good way in and help you too, often you get some feedback and you meet new people online. People get to know you because of those contests and it keeps you writing (we all need a strict deadline sometimes!), especially if you don’t know how to start your first book yet. I loved that I started with a short story, because it inspired by upcoming debut and I finally knew how I wanted to write and learnt what I wanted to tell.”
HANNE: “Write, write and never stop writing. I wrote maybe ten books before I wrote my debut novel. They will never see the light of day, but they taught me so much about writing. I found my own style, learned how to build characters and write dialogue. Your first book is never going to be great (usually), but it’s still an important stepping stone. So never stop writing, whether it be poems, short stories, fan-fictions or entire books, until you have something you’re proud of. And even then, you never stop learning when it comes to writing. Let others read your work and ask feedback, join writing competitions and always keep writing.”
