For historical fiction authors, social media works best when we acknowledge two fundamental concepts:
1. Using social media won’t guarantee a best-selling book. This may be hard for authors to swallow, but it also takes the pressure off. Book sales are not wholly dependent on how active you are online, although some presence on social media can help.
2. It is best if authors focus on connecting with others via social media, rather than simply using it as a promotional tool. Career-wise, historical fiction authors should concentrate on building relationships with fellow writers and readers, book reviewers and bloggers, beta readers and critique partners, literary festival organisers and so on. If authors only bang on about their own books all the time, this will get them nowhere.
So, what effective social media strategies can historical fiction authors use?
A key piece of advice is to concentrate on your favourite platform, rather than try and cover all of them. The main social media platforms are:
X (formerly Twitter)
This remains a powerful platform for authors of historical fiction. You can connect with other #HistFic writers, as well as book bloggers and reviewers, publishers, agents, editors, book shops and so on.
Some authors are also exploring alternatives, like Threads, Instagram’s answer to X, and BlueSky. You may wish to consider claiming handles on some of these, even if you don’t intend to use them much.
BookTok (TikTok)
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20 tips for whatever channel you choose
1. There is no hard and fast rule for how often you should post on social media, but a good rule of thumb is to do it whenever you have something interesting or relevant to share. That might mean you post something several times a day, or only once a month. Be authentic, and regular if you can.
2. Post a glimpse into your author life: such as author talks you take part in, book events you attend, or research trips you take.
3. Give an update on your writing progress: readers enjoy a glimpse behind the scenes of the publishing process. Post about your struggles (writers’ block, anyone?) and successes (finishing a tricky section, resolving a research conundrum) that you encounter on your journey.
3. Show your workspace: Virginia Woolf invented the standing desk. Lord Byron wrote in a haunted house. Charles Dickens was a neat freak. Truman Capote always wrote with a glass of Sherry next to him. Where do you write?
4. Share your writing tips and tools: perhaps you have a huge whiteboard covered in post it notes? Maybe you use specific research methods, writing software, or approaches like dictation.
5. Share what you’re reading, especially any historical fiction, and in the process support your fellow authors. Maybe they will notice and reciprocate, maybe not. But either way, it shows the world you read and love historical fiction.
6. Share a quote from one of your books: use tools like Canva to create eye-catching images of quotes, to inspire, intrigue, or tease readers into wanting to read more.
7. Show off a relevant talent or hobby: are you a member of a reenactment society? Can you grow medicinal herbs, and know how to use them? Do you write with a quill? Post about it.
8. Share the things that inspire your writing process: Have you been inspired by real people in history? Post photographs of them if you can, but be cautious of copyright. Create a Pinterest board of historic settings/buildings/locations that inspire you.
9. Use objects or props from your books: Share interesting items that appear in your stories. Does your character use tarot cards? Or a Mark III B2 wireless set, like my SOE secret agent Elisabeth does? Or does your character wear unusual clothing?
10. Discuss your love of history: sharing your passion for all things historical can help readers relate to you, and foster engagement in your books. You could also share articles you’ve read on areas of history that interest you.
11. Promote historical charities or societies: Do you belong to a Historical Society or group? For example, The Historical Association – the UK national charity of history.
12. Share interesting historical links and media: your followers will likely be interested in the historical topics you explore in your books, so if you find a photo, article, website or video interesting, share it with them.
13. Give a glimpse of your private life, but only if you want. Feel free to ignore this tip. Many authors do share personal posts, for instance if they’ve visited somewhere interesting on holiday, or have discovered a favourite recipe, or if they’ve enjoyed a museum exhibit.
14. Post a book cover reveal: social media is the perfect place to show readers what your next book will look like. Always credit the designer/illustrator, and if you have a publisher check that it’s OK to do this.
15. Post an unboxing video: the moment an author receives their advanced reader copies (ARCs), or final print books in the post, is a moment to be celebrated. Make a video and post it online.
16. Publicise a preorder campaign: this is great for building buzz around a new book, and a good way to engage with readers too. Authors can run giveaways and competitions, in the run up to publishing their books, although make sure you familiarise yourselves with any relevant rules around competitions in your country.
17. Invite people to your book events: if you are taking part in a festival, or a book tour, a blog tour, a book signing, or an author talk, let people know about it, and where they can get tickets. An author website can help with lists of events, but social media is great for promoting each individual event.
18. Share good news: has your novel become a bestseller? Won a prize? Have you landed an agent or a publishing deal? Shout it on social media. X and TikTok can be the best platforms for immediate, unfiltered reactions to good news events.
20. Show off your pets: if you can’t think of anything to post, snap a picture of your pet with your book!
Social media isn’t everything though
And lastly, it is worth noting that not all agents and publishers expect an author to have a large, or indeed any, audience on social media.
Louise Morrish is an author and librarian from Hampshire. Her debut novel, ‘Operation Moonlight’, won the Penguin Random House First Novel competition, and was published in 2022. Her next historical novel, ‘Women of War’, will be published by Penguin in September 2024. You can find Louise at www.louisemorrish.com
Instagram:@LouiseMorrish_Books;
X: @LouiseMorrish1
Facebook: Louise Morrish Author.
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