Inspirational passion or paid-for promotion: can BookTok be taken on face value?

TikTok’s book reviewing community is here to stay, having even received publishing awards for innovation, but issues of authenticity and safety aboundBookTok, the nickname for TikTok videos in which books are discussed, analysed, cried about and turned into “aesthetic” moodboards, began as a small group of the app’s users who wanted a place to talk about books. It has since grown into a hugely influential community that has the power to pluck authors out of relative obscurity and propel them into the bestsellers charts.Earlier this month it was named FutureBook Person of the Year, an accolade which recognises digital innovation and excellence across the book trade. According to James Stafford, Head of Partnerships and Community at TikTok, BookTok is a community of “creative people around the world with a shared passion for literature”. Publishers, creators and writers have generally agreed that this corner of the platform has had an overwhelmingly positive effect, having led to huge increases in book sales and the discovery of new writers. The Bookseller even recently called it “the last safe place on the internet”. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2022-11-15 17:10:25 UTC ]

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A Bookseller Reading Challenge for 2020 (shelftalker)

Some suggestions of what booksellers should read this year, and what they might avoid. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-01-01 13:00:01 UTC ]
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Grey expectations

The book trade is often praised for its durability (not least in these pages), forever teetering on the right side of oblivion. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-19 13:37:09 UTC ]
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ICYMI: Waterstones has the hottest gift-wrapping tip of the season.

‘Tis the season of realizing the limits of your spacial awareness! “Measure twice, cut once”? In this economy? Luckily, UK bookseller Waterstones has opened our eyes to a new way of rectifying our (easily preventable) gift-wrapping fuck-ups. Behold: This is a public service announcement 🎄 📚... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-12-16 16:31:30 UTC ]
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Bookshop Heroes to be crowned in new Bookseller feature backed by BA and HarperCollins

The Bookseller is to create a Rising Stars-style listing of individual booksellers to coincide with the Booksellers Association Conference in September 2020. The Bookshop Heroes special, supported by the BA and sponsored by HarperCollins, will be published to coincide with the annual conference.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-12-11 22:52:50 UTC ]
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Obituary: Linda Cannon, Parson Weems' Co-Owner, Dies at 68

Linda Cannon, co-owner of Parson Weems’ Publisher Services and a longtime bookseller and sales rep, died on December 5 following a brief illness. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-12-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Here’s a way to help a bookseller in need.

We talk a lot on these parts about supporting indie bookstores, but this story from The Washington Post adds an extra layer of of urgency: Patrick Darby, who worked as a bookseller at big chain stores for many years before starting his own shop, Novel Books, is in dire straits. Darby opened... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-12-04 20:41:36 UTC ]
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The True Tales of a Literary Bartender

It’s a writerly dream come true: a cocktail based on your book, prepared by a dedicated bookseller who has pored over your pages for references to alcohol or even flavors and scents he can interpret to concoct the drink. Nick Petrulakis of Booksmith in Brookline is the literary bartender in this... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-12-03 09:49:31 UTC ]
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Oddest book title prize: Dirt Hole Variations beats War on Artisan Cheese

Guide by the late Charles L Dobbins, known as the father of modern trapping, sees off polemical defence of traditional dairiesThe Dirt Hole and Its Variations might be a serious guide to hunting and trapping foxes, coyotes, bobcats and raccoons, but the double entendre has helped it land the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-11-29 11:35:58 UTC ]
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Counting Our Blessings (shelftalker)

A bookseller counts Thanksgiving blessings and the opportunities they inspire. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-27 11:00:06 UTC ]
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Espiner calls on trade to disclose salaries in job adverts

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[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-24 13:01:40 UTC ]
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Labour wins book trade’s backing as poll shows opinions hugely swayed by Brexit

The book trade has made its thoughts known in regards to which way it will likely be voting on 12th December in the coming general election, the fourth national vote in five years. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-21 20:08:52 UTC ]
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Authors call out John Lewis for 'similarities' between Christmas ad and children's books

John Lewis' Christmas advert has come under fire as author and former bookseller Jen Campbell highlighted the similarities between the advert and her children’s book Franklin’s Flying Bookshop (Thames & Hudson). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-18 10:24:18 UTC ]
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Charlotte's Web tops children's book sales in China

The bestselling children's book in China this year is still Charlotte's Web, as consumers continue to buy old favourites and the number of new titles is expected to fall. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-14 20:36:16 UTC ]
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Illingworth to join D H H Literary Agency as full-time agent

Bookseller Harry Illingworth is set to leave Goldsboro Books at the end of the year to become a full-time agent at The D H H Literary Agency. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-12 03:55:21 UTC ]
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German bookseller Hugendubel unveils 'bookshop of the future'

Faced with growing numbers of customers migrating to the internet, German bookseller Hugendubel is pinning its hopes on a new store concept which it ambitiously calls the "bookshop of the future".  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-11-05 01:04:10 UTC ]
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Announcing the Sunday Times PFD Young Writer of the Year Award shortlist

From meditations on the d/Deaf experience to short stories blurring the mythic and the gothic with the everyday, from mixing the personal and political to a young woman uncover the truth about her family’s past – four outstanding writers have today been named on the shortlist for The Sunday... Continue reading at British Council global

[ British Council global | 2019-11-04 12:55:09 UTC ]
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10 Useful Skills For Working as a Bookseller

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[ Book Riot | 2019-11-04 11:38:38 UTC ]
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Being a crime writer doesn’t mean I condone murder. Do I even have to say it? | Garry Disher

Every now and then I encounter people who can’t suspend disbelief. They ask how I can write about ‘such terrible things’Feeling unappreciated is your lot as a writer. Few readers; no readers. Scathing reviews; no reviews. Publishers saying, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you” or not taking a punt on... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-11-03 17:00:27 UTC ]
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How a thriving indie bookseller is taking on Amazon's bricks-and-mortar insurgence

Ann Patchett reveals the route to her bestseller and how she'll battle Amazon. (Shop dogs help.) Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-10-31 20:02:20 UTC ]
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