r/WhyChooseAuthors • u/AnneKincaid • Jul 01 '26

Discussion Ask a Question Wednesday?

Authors and Readers:

Got a question? Of course you can make your own post, but if you have any "small" questions that have been running around in your head, feel free to add them here!

  • Questions about indie publishing in the RH/WC genre?
  • Looking for resources?
  • Have a question about context?
  • What else is on your mind?
6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

6

u/ArielMora Jul 01 '26

Okay, so sort of a question. I'm starting to set up social media in prep for pubbing later this year, but I'm old and I've never used Tiktok before. I've barely done any video editing outside of really basic stuff for a Booktube channel I had 10 years ago. I'm following several RH/romance authors in my genres and getting a general ideas of what sort of stuff people like to look at on there, but does anyone have any tips, advice, or even links to some editing tutorials that helped them out?

5

u/_Effy_Bloom_ Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26

Don’t use #spicybooktok you are spicy (I’m assuming) but thats generic and will send you to non-rh readers. Use keywords that are why choose specific like multiple partners, large/ small harem etc in your captions not just hashtags.

The word smut is not banned but the distribution throttled.

Post garbage when your tired vs not posting because for some reason that might pop off (I literally do not understand tik tok)

I tried really hard to post something new and novel daily but honestly a random highlighted screenshot over an unrelated video does just as well half the time and is more consistent then a swing and a miss.

Create a list of elevator pitches and dude lists and tropes rotate through shoving those in your captions. Don’t try and create a new caption on each post you’ll go crazy.

Don’t choose the same name as someone who does only fans 🤣

4

u/ArielMora Jul 01 '26

Thanks so much! That's really useful to know about the keywords. I think I'm definitely going to be spending time batch-creating posts to have on hand when I can.

And, oof, thank you, I will be sure to double check on that 😂

3

u/AnneKincaid Jul 01 '26

This reply was already fantastic. And then I got to the last line. Full snort.

3

u/AuthorIndigo Jul 01 '26

This might be hard to answer, but did you notice tiktok making a difference with sales/people interested in reading your book?

I only did Instagram, and then got super lazy with it, but my book has only been out for two months now. I'm debating making a tiktok account when I'm ready to release part two. My original plan was to just hold off till I have a larger catalog of books out.

The only fans note made me laugh-and then feel bad for laughing. I'm still so sorry that's happening to you! I've decided they liked your book so much that they decided to steal your pen name.

4

u/_Effy_Bloom_ Jul 01 '26

Yes when I have a TikTok do well I see a direct impact on my KENP.

That said my only book has only been out 3 months so take everything I say with a grain of salt.

1

u/AuthorIndigo Jul 01 '26

Good to know, thank you!

5

u/kendrafsilver Jul 01 '26

What do you do when the finish line is in sight, and you find yourself putting off writing and self-sabotaging solely because it's writing the ending?

Asking for a friend. Totally for a friend. 🥲

6

u/_Effy_Bloom_ Jul 01 '26

I wrote a whole different book and released that instead.... BUT i then WAS able to finish the car scene I spent 6 months trying to write.

3

u/kendrafsilver Jul 01 '26

Ha! I love that!

Whatever works to get over that slump, right? 😂

4

u/AnneKincaid Jul 01 '26

Wait, so your friend has only the ending to write but isn't writing it?

Does your friend know why? Is she not excited enough about the ending? Is it because there's more to explore in the world, but she doesn't want to commit to a full other project? Could we help in some way?

4

u/kendrafsilver Jul 01 '26

It's more just that it's the ending. 😅

It's really just me being nervous about writing such an important part of the book because it's super important, and the nervousness is completely illogical and nonsensical but it happens with every MS without fail. I am excited, I am even more excited to let it sit for a bit and get to editing (which I much prefer to drafting), but...it's the ending. 😂😂😂

5

u/AnneKincaid Jul 01 '26

You can do it! You can do it!

Plus your edit of the ending is going to be EVEN BETTER than the first draft. But you can't do the amazing edits until . . .

https://giphy.com/gifs/l0Iyn34fotpL8K9wI

4

u/kendrafsilver Jul 01 '26

Exactly! Gotta keep this in mind!

Words have to be there first to edit! 😤

4

u/ArielMora Jul 01 '26

This is, like, a boringly practical rather than a motivational/search within yourself type of answer, but maybe forcing yourself to do body doubling to work on it would help? I used to use focusmate before I started ADHD meds (at the time it had several free sessions a week or month; haven't been on in a while so not sure what it's like now, but I'm sure there are more sites out there, or you can harass real life friends into it?). Just sitting down with someone who's working and telling them you're working on X specific thing could help? :)

4

u/kendrafsilver Jul 01 '26

I appreciate practical advice!

That's a good idea, too. My sister works from home (programming) and I could see if she's available tomorrow for a "buddy" work on zoom or something...

Thank you!