Authors tend to be solitary creatures or, at least, suffer from some degree of social anxiety. But, beyond that—even if you’ve mastered the art of filming yourself talking about your work—coming up with content to help promote yourself and your book(s) can be a struggle. Here are fifty content ideas to help inspire you.
Create a TikTok bookshelf tour showcasing your favorite reads.
Share book recommendations based on different genres or themes.
Create a video reviewing your latest read.
Show a time-lapse of your book haul and share your excitement about new additions to your collection.
Share tips for finding the perfect reading spot or creating a cozy reading nook.
Create a video discussing your favorite book-to-movie adaptations (or your least favorite).
Share snippets of your favorite book quotes. Go a step further and make it a game by asking viewers to guess the book.
Host a live reading session and engage with viewers in real time.
Share your thoughts on the importance of diverse representation in literature.
Create a "Guess the Book" challenge by describing a book without revealing the title.
Share your favorite underrated books and explain why they deserve more recognition.
Create a video showcasing your favorite independent bookstores and encourage viewers to support local businesses.
Share tips for balancing reading with a busy schedule.
Create a video discussing the impact of books on personal growth and self-discovery.
Share your favorite book series and invite viewers to share their favorite series as well.
Host a live book club discussion on a popular book and encourage viewers to join the conversation in the comments.
Share your experience with audiobooks and recommend some of your favorites.
Create a video discussing the benefits of reading for mental health and well-being.
Share your favorite classic novels and why they remain timeless.
Host a "Books vs. Movies" debate and ask viewers to share their opinions.
Create a video showcasing your favorite book covers and explain what makes them visually appealing.
Share your favorite BookTok accounts and invite viewers to follow them for bookish inspiration.
Create a video featuring a book-themed DIY project or craft.
Share tips for starting a book journal or recording reading reflections.
Host a "First Line" challenge by sharing the opening lines and asking viewers to read their own or one from their favorite book.
Discuss the impact of books on empathy and understanding different perspectives.
Create a video recommending books for different moods or occasions (e.g., beach reads, comfort reads, etc.).
Share tips for finding affordable or free books, such as library borrowing or online resources.
Create a video discussing the role of book covers in attracting readers and share examples of stunning covers.
Share your favorite non-fiction books and why they are worth reading.
Host a "Reading Recommendations" video where viewers can ask for book suggestions tailored to their preferences.
Create a video discussing the benefits of reading diversely and recommend some diverse reads.
Share tips for overcoming reading slumps and re-igniting the love for books.
Host a "Reading Challenge" and invite viewers to participate by setting reading goals.
Create a video discussing the impact of books on fostering imagination and creativity.
Share your favorite book quotes about love and relationships.
Discuss the importance of book reviews and encourage viewers to support authors by leaving reviews.
Create a video showcasing your favorite bookish merch and where to find them.
Share your tips for organizing and curating a personal library.
Host a "Book Trivia" challenge and test viewers' knowledge with fun book-related questions.
Share your favorite young adult books and why they resonate with readers of all ages.
Discuss how you’ve grown as a writer from your first body of work until now.
Share your self-editing tips and tricks.
Share some writing-related inspirational quotes from authors you admire.
Ask viewers to give you a page number and create a video where you read a passage of your book based on that number.
Share your favorite book recommendations for specific age groups (e.g., children, teens, adults).
Discuss the benefits of joining a book club or participating in online reading communities.
Share your tips for annotating and marking up books for a more interactive reading experience.
Discuss the importance of supporting indie authors and recommend some indie-published books.
Host a "Bookish Q&A" session and invite viewers to ask any book-related questions they may have.
These ideas could also be put towards generating Bookstagram content, as Instagram progressively moves towards favoring reels and video content in an effort to be competitive to TikTok.
Early praise for TURNING OF THE BONES AND OTHER STORIES
★★★★
This book was not what I expected! As with most short story collections, I liked some of them more than others, but the writing was excellent throughout. My favorite story in this collection is “The Immortal Dan Sinclair” and I would love to see Mr. Sinclair’s fascinating lives expanded into a full-length novel.
— Jen, Goodreads
★★★★
These stories were all creepy and honestly kind of fun to read. If you’re looking for a quick read that’s full of creepy, diverse stories, I would definitely check this one out.
— Horror Haus Books
TURNING OF THE BONES AND OTHER STORIES by Mike X Welch releases July 9th.
Up Next: The Cover for Cari Dubiel’s I LOVED THE MOTHMAN AND OTHER STORIES will be revealed on Social Media tomorrow, 6/27!
Monsters, legends, love, and loss. Immerse yourself in the world of cryptids.
From the author of HOW TO REMEMBER and THE AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO LIBRARIES comes a collection of short stories featuring the monsters of legend that have captivated us for centuries. Each short story investigates a different cryptid, illuminating their unique characteristics and relationships within our mundane world. Let these creatures spark your imagination and explore what might be lurking in the dark around you.
I LOVED THE MOTHMAN AND OTHER STORIES features a reporter traveling to West Virginia and finding herself falling for Mothman, a mother longing to escape the cult she's been forced into and finding refuge in an unlikely heroine, a couple getting more than they bargained for from their lawn service, and more. Each story takes you further into exploring the depth of the human spirit and the lengths we go to transform ourselves.
If I ever try Tik-Tok, those suggestions will be incredibly useful.
Congratulations on the book. That's definitely on my to-buy list.