Bear with me while I vent about ridiculous things as the world actually implodes.

I read a comment on Threads today that seriously depressed me. The gist of it was that, as an author, you MUST post content continuously on social media to advertise your book, otherwise it’ll vanish into the void. It said something like, “Post videos, even if it’s just you typing.”

So, um, no.

It used to be that if an author engaged with people consistently on social media, the algorithm would reward them with more views. Set aside, for a moment, that I’m an introvert who is uncomfortable engaging strangers (to market my book, no less, which is utterly cringe), have NO TIME to engage friends let alone strangers, let alone on social media… The algorithm nowadays actively suppresses the promotional content of small businesses (looking at you, Meta). This is, of course, intentional—it’s all part of late stage capitalism, where only the few, rich, and powerful have visibility. And it’s only going to get worse.

I occasionally hop onto Instagram or Threads and honestly, I don’t think constantly posting about one’s books makes a huge difference in book sales. Maybe I’m totally wrong here, but getting 20 likes on an Instagram reel that took two hours to make (when I could have been writing) that converted into MAYBE a purchase or two is not a great use of time. It’s like running on a hamster wheel. The idea is that the more you do it, the more attention you’ll get, but I personally think that’s bullsh*t. You may get more like-minded followers and make friends, but sell books? Not these days. It’s the same mentality that encourages writers to keep “honing their craft” endlessly, promising that one day their “big break” will come. In the meantime, other people make the money—while simultaneously breaking all the rules they impose on aspiring authors.

(For example, “Show, don’t tell.” This is a draconian rule imposed on writers who even HINT at trying to save words by “telling.” Meanwhile, The first line of a VERY popular fantasy book is: At the height of the long wet summer of the Seventy-seventh Year of Sendovani, the Thiefmaker of Camorr paid a sudden and unannounced visit to the Eyeless Priest at the Temple of Perelandro, desperately hoping to sell him the Lamora boy.)

*Side note: This is not meant to hate on this particular book. It’s meant to show how often the rules are broken when there’s enough money behind it.

The popularity of a book is mostly manufactured and predetermined. Very few books achieve wild success without the funds for a large and concerted advertising push. Publishers decide which books and authors will get those resources, thus predetermining success.

What did I come here to say again? Oh yeah…

Unless an artist comes to these apps with a built in audience or fan base, growing one organically is near impossible. Platforms like IG and FB have become “pay to play,” and most of us artists can’t afford to. Meta knows this damn well.

I wish I had a solution to this, but I don’t. I, for one, am working a full-time job, parenting two teenagers, and trying to write more books. Folks who want to see what I’m doing will follow me.

I’m going to ignore the noise and spend my time writing the best stories I can. 

Vent over. Time to write. ⚔️ 🏹