A very thoughtful post. I am a voracious romance reader but I couldn’t quite get into all the podcasts because I felt overwhelmed by the number. I tried a few but it was exhausting keeping up with all of them. And I had a bookstagram account which I started for fun during the pandemic. I quit that after I realized I was spending more time scrolling and adding books to my TBR than I was reading. And booktok I stayed well away from for a few reasons. I am reading now more than I’m on the socials. I find most of the socials exhausting and they really aren’t exposing me to a diverse range of authors anyway.
100%. I love the idea of podcasts but in the end, I don't have time to listen to everyone's conversations. I follow very few bookstagram accounts because they seem so forced and formulaic and don't really tell me anything new about books. So, I'm trying some substacks. We'll see. I might just end up where I started - buying books based on word of mouth recommendations and kismet discoveries in the bookstore/library.
Thanks for the heads up (I did correct it), but: are you sure it's not funnier to leave the blatant misspelling when searching "Allie Hazelwood" (which is what I did) actually leads to the same results? I can singlehandedly create a simulacrum of reality where the author's name actually IS "Allie Hazelwood."
Great thoughts! As an author, I do a lot of self-monitoring about which channels I'm using, where my energy is going, and how it relates to my twin goals of creating art or making money. I am always curious how hobbyists orient towards the energy required for something like a podcast or Bookstagram!
As to how I got to this post, my answer is through multiple channels! I got the email, saved it to read later, then saw your Instagram post and was reminded to go back to my email to read! :-)
I’ve thought about stepping away from all social media because it IS exhausting, and it doesn’t sell my books from anything I can discern. My writing group mate (who sells a lot of books) discouraged my plan, saying “You’ll be completely invisible then.” It’s a horrible dilemma.
A very thoughtful post. I am a voracious romance reader but I couldn’t quite get into all the podcasts because I felt overwhelmed by the number. I tried a few but it was exhausting keeping up with all of them. And I had a bookstagram account which I started for fun during the pandemic. I quit that after I realized I was spending more time scrolling and adding books to my TBR than I was reading. And booktok I stayed well away from for a few reasons. I am reading now more than I’m on the socials. I find most of the socials exhausting and they really aren’t exposing me to a diverse range of authors anyway.
100%. I love the idea of podcasts but in the end, I don't have time to listen to everyone's conversations. I follow very few bookstagram accounts because they seem so forced and formulaic and don't really tell me anything new about books. So, I'm trying some substacks. We'll see. I might just end up where I started - buying books based on word of mouth recommendations and kismet discoveries in the bookstore/library.
I appreciate this post so much and completely relate!
Honestly, I have listened and read your work for years. I think this is your best work.
Hi.
You may wish to edit this post with the correct spelling of Ali Hazelwood's name.
Thanks for the heads up (I did correct it), but: are you sure it's not funnier to leave the blatant misspelling when searching "Allie Hazelwood" (which is what I did) actually leads to the same results? I can singlehandedly create a simulacrum of reality where the author's name actually IS "Allie Hazelwood."
Great thoughts! As an author, I do a lot of self-monitoring about which channels I'm using, where my energy is going, and how it relates to my twin goals of creating art or making money. I am always curious how hobbyists orient towards the energy required for something like a podcast or Bookstagram!
As to how I got to this post, my answer is through multiple channels! I got the email, saved it to read later, then saw your Instagram post and was reminded to go back to my email to read! :-)
As both a romance author and a tech marketer who writes content about omnichannel marketing, I relate to this exhaustion!
I’ve thought about stepping away from all social media because it IS exhausting, and it doesn’t sell my books from anything I can discern. My writing group mate (who sells a lot of books) discouraged my plan, saying “You’ll be completely invisible then.” It’s a horrible dilemma.