Jessica Mendoza

So now, with BookTok, someone like Felicity from her perch at Penguin Random House is able to see in real time what readers actually care about, what books were featured in the videos with the most comments, which titles were being recommended the most. And then she can respond accordingly.

That second look at old titles in particular has led to a slew of re-releases in the book talk era because publishers realized if you give its packaging a glow up and put it in the hands of the right influencers, a book years or even decades old can see a fresh uptick in sales.

That second look at old titles in particular has led to a slew of re-releases in the book talk era because publishers realized if you give its packaging a glow up and put it in the hands of the right influencers, a book years or even decades old can see a fresh uptick in sales.

That second look at old titles in particular has led to a slew of re-releases in the book talk era because publishers realized if you give its packaging a glow up and put it in the hands of the right influencers, a book years or even decades old can see a fresh uptick in sales.

And BookTok hasn't just changed how publishers are thinking about marketing their catalog. Felicity has also been trying to work with authors and influencers to get her books in front of the right readers.

And BookTok hasn't just changed how publishers are thinking about marketing their catalog. Felicity has also been trying to work with authors and influencers to get her books in front of the right readers.

And BookTok hasn't just changed how publishers are thinking about marketing their catalog. Felicity has also been trying to work with authors and influencers to get her books in front of the right readers.

Would you say that TikTok today is more influential than, say, a publisher's weekly review or, you know, a ranking, a top 10 books of the year ranking?

Would you say that TikTok today is more influential than, say, a publisher's weekly review or, you know, a ranking, a top 10 books of the year ranking?

Would you say that TikTok today is more influential than, say, a publisher's weekly review or, you know, a ranking, a top 10 books of the year ranking?

Despite the powerful impact that book talk has had on publishing, it also comes with challenges. For one thing, romance and fantasy are often taken less seriously by the broader literary mainstream. If you look up chatter about book talk on other corners of the internet, you'll find a lot of haters. Here's one tweet to give you a taste.

Despite the powerful impact that book talk has had on publishing, it also comes with challenges. For one thing, romance and fantasy are often taken less seriously by the broader literary mainstream. If you look up chatter about book talk on other corners of the internet, you'll find a lot of haters. Here's one tweet to give you a taste.

Despite the powerful impact that book talk has had on publishing, it also comes with challenges. For one thing, romance and fantasy are often taken less seriously by the broader literary mainstream. If you look up chatter about book talk on other corners of the internet, you'll find a lot of haters. Here's one tweet to give you a taste.

Quote, book talk style books are anti-literacy, anti-art, and reading stuff like that is not the same as reading actual literature. I brought this up with Felicity. There's the criticism that book talk books are not that quote unquote good. How do you respond to that?

Quote, book talk style books are anti-literacy, anti-art, and reading stuff like that is not the same as reading actual literature. I brought this up with Felicity. There's the criticism that book talk books are not that quote unquote good. How do you respond to that?

Quote, book talk style books are anti-literacy, anti-art, and reading stuff like that is not the same as reading actual literature. I brought this up with Felicity. There's the criticism that book talk books are not that quote unquote good. How do you respond to that?

How does that play into this maybe broader view that genres like romance and fantasy and young adult fiction are not like taken seriously?

How does that play into this maybe broader view that genres like romance and fantasy and young adult fiction are not like taken seriously?

How does that play into this maybe broader view that genres like romance and fantasy and young adult fiction are not like taken seriously?

This is something book talk authors feel as well. Here's Penn Cole again.