Prickle Forrest Books
By Christina Benchoff
April 14, 2026
Week 3 – TikTok
Should Authors Be on TikTok? A Real Talk Guide to BookTok
Let’s just say what everyone’s thinking:
“Do I really have to get on TikTok now?”
Short answer: No.
Better answer: Maybe—but not in the way you think.
TikTok (aka BookTok in the book world) has completely changed how readers discover books. It’s launched careers, revived backlists, and turned quiet releases into overnight bestsellers.
But—and this matters—it’s not about being trendy. It’s about being strategic.
At Prickle Forrest Books, we don’t believe in forcing authors onto platforms that don’t fit. But if you’re willing to experiment just a little? TikTok can be a powerful tool.
Who Should Be Using TikTok?
TikTok works best for authors who:
- Write romance, fantasy, YA, or fast-paced fiction
- Want to reach new readers quickly
- Are open to short-form video (even simple ones)
- Don’t mind a little trial and error
If your goal is discovery—not just nurturing an existing audience—this platform shines.
What TikTok Is Really Good At
✔ Massive Reach (Even With Zero Followers)
You don’t need a big audience to go viral. TikTok pushes content based on interest, not follower count.
✔ Emotional Connection
Readers don’t just find books—they feel something about them.
✔ Book Sales Impact
This isn’t hype—books that trend on TikTok often see real, measurable sales boosts.
The Downsides (Let’s Not Pretend There Aren’t Any)
✘ It Can Feel Intimidating
Video + trends + fast pace = a lot at first.
✘ Inconsistency Is Normal
One video gets 200 views, the next gets 20,000. Welcome to TikTok.
✘ It Requires Letting Go of Perfection
Highly polished content doesn’t always win here.
What Actually Works on TikTok (Right Now)
- Short, simple videos (7–15 seconds is plenty)
- Text-on-screen storytelling
- Emotional hooks (funny, dramatic, relatable)
- Book tropes and reader-focused content
- Authentic, unpolished clips
👉 Translation: This is not the place for perfection—it’s the place for connection and curiosity.
Tips for Posting (Including the Stuff Most Authors Don’t Know 👀)
Here’s where we separate the overwhelmed from the effective:
🔥 1. The First 2 Seconds Matter More Than Anything
If you don’t hook someone immediately, they scroll.
👉 No intro. No “Hi guys.” Just start.
Try this:
- “He wasn’t supposed to fall in love with her…”
- “This book ruined me (in the best way)”
- “POV: You just met your next fictional obsession”
🔥 2. You Don’t Have to Show Your Face
Yes, really.
👉 Some of the best-performing book videos don’t include the author at all.
Ideas:
- Close-up of your book
- Aesthetic shots (coffee, pages, notebook)
- Text over a simple background video
No pressure. No spotlight required.
🔥 3. Watch Time Is the Secret Metric
Likes are nice. Views are nice.
👉 But TikTok really cares about how long people watch your video.
What helps:
- Shorter videos
- Looping clips (so it restarts smoothly)
- Curiosity-based endings
If people rewatch? That’s gold.
🔥 4. You Don’t Need to Chase Every Trend
Let’s save you some sanity.
👉 Not every trend will fit your brand—and that’s okay.
Instead:
- Pick 1–2 styles that feel natural
- Repeat them consistently
- Make them your “thing”
Consistency beats chaos.
🔥 5. Text-on-Screen Does a Lot of the Work
TikTok is a silent-first platform—many people watch without sound.
👉 Your text should tell the story even if the audio is off.
Think:
- Hooks
- Short sentences
- Emotional impact
🔥 6. “Reader POV” Content Performs Better Than “Author Promo”
This is a big one.
👉 Readers don’t open TikTok hoping to see ads.
They want:
- Relatable moments
- Bookish humor
- Emotional reactions
Shift this:
❌ “Buy my book”
✅ “If you love grumpy/sunshine and small-town drama… this one’s for you”
🔥 7. Posting More Helps (But It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect)
TikTok rewards volume—but that doesn’t mean burnout.
👉 Aim for:
- 3–5 videos per week
- Quick, low-effort content
Done is better than perfect. Always.
🔥 8. Older Videos Can Suddenly Take Off
Here’s a little-known TikTok quirk:
👉 Videos can go viral days or even weeks later.
So don’t delete “low-performing” content too quickly. It might just be warming up.
Simple TikTok Content Formula (Keep It Doable)
If you’re staring at your phone wondering what to post, try this:
- 1 trope-based video (“enemies to lovers, but…”)
- 1 emotional hook (“this scene broke me”)
- 1 aesthetic/book-focused clip
- 1 relatable reader moment
Short. Simple. Repeatable.
The Bottom Line
TikTok isn’t about being an influencer.
It’s about:
- Getting discovered
- Creating curiosity
- Making readers feel something
And if you can do that—even in a 10-second video—you’re already ahead of the game.
Feeling Awkward About TikTok? That’s Normal.
If you’re thinking:
“I don’t have time for this…”
“I don’t even know where to start…”
“Do I really have to do video?”
Take a breath—you’re not alone.
At Prickle Forrest Books, we help authors:
- Create simple, effective video ideas
- Stay consistent without overwhelm
- Show up in a way that feels authentic (not cringey)
👉 If TikTok feels intimidating, we’ll help you turn it into something manageable—and maybe even a little fun.
Next up: Pinterest—the platform quietly working behind the scenes to bring readers straight to you (without the daily posting grind 👀)
If you missed our intro or weeks 1-3, then you don’t want to miss out on the rest of our tips for this series. Join our newsletter so not to miss the rest of them. Use the link below. Thanks!
Prickle Forrest Books 