Verse & Vision: Navigating Social Media as a Modern Author with Julia Dovey

Welcome back to “Verse & Vision,” the fourth installment in our ongoing series where we explore the multifaceted world of writing and publishing. Today, I am thrilled to introduce you to Julia Dovey, a talented author and fellow creative spirit published by BWL Publishing. Julia brings a fresh perspective to our series, diving into the intersection of social media and authorship.

In her guest column, Julia tackles a topic that many writers grapple with today: the evolving role of authors as content creators. As an author who isn’t on TikTok or Instagram, Julia shares her journey and insights into how social media has become an integral part of the modern author’s toolkit. Her experience as a writing workshop leader and video editor brings a unique angle to this discussion, making her advice both practical and inspiring.

Without further ado, let’s dive into Julia Dovey’s reflections on navigating the digital landscape as a writer.

If you’ve entered a bookstore in the past few years, chances are your eyes landed on a table, front and centre, displaying a motley crew of titles. They spanned genres, ranging from fantasy to romcoms to historical fiction, and don’t seem to fit together in any way…until you spot the sign.

Booktok Favs.

#BookTok

And you slip just that inch deeper into dismay. Because you’re an author…who isn’t on TikTok. Or Instagram. Or anything. You thought writing the book was enough to be an author – now you’re expected to be a content creator? That wasn’t in the contract. Writers are meant to cram themselves in a dusty office with zero windows and not see a living soul for weeks on end. You’re supposed to be able to work without pants on and slowly disappear behind towers of empty, moulding coffee mugs. You’re not supposed to socialize at all, God forbid put yourself out there for millions of people to see. You’re an author. Interactions with other humans should be fictional.

I jest, somewhat. But it’s true; in recent years, authors have been expected to sell not just their books, but themselves as well. In this day and age, social media goes hand in hand with being an author, for a few reasons:

Many smaller publishing houses don’t have a huge marketing budget. More than likely you’ll have a hand in your own marketing, and most of that will be through social media.

More books are being published than ever before; being connected with the book community makes it so you don’t get lost in the shuffle.

Just like clothes, book tropes go in and out of fashion. Being on Booktok and Bookstagram keeps you up to date on what’s popular, from cover styles to character types.

[I]n recent years, authors have been expected to sell not just their books, but themselves as well.

It might seem daunting, but at the end of the day, it’s simply another medium to create art in. Social media is your connection to readers between books, and the best thing is it’s tailored to you. The people on your follow list are exactly your audience; if they find your content enjoyable, chances are they’ll like your books too. Best of all, you’ll have a direct connection with the people who enjoy your work. You’ll see, in real time, the effects of the words you put on paper. It’s easy to forget, in our dusty, solitary writing nook, that these stories we write can bring tears, laughter, and heartache to people we’ve never met. It’s worthwhile, once in a while, to be reminded.

Julia Dovey hails from Aldergrove, BC, and is published with BWL Publishing. As a writing workshop leader, she loves gabbing about plot and character, and helping emerging writers put pen to page. In addition, she works as a video editor, novel editor, and copywriter, and is the 2024 Writer in Residence for the University of the Fraser Valley. She spends her free time making dramatic videos about coffee to post online.