As an author, I have an uneasy relationship with social media. I use some sites, ignore others, and view still others like I might view an exotic snake. I am still making my peace with platforms that many writers use — and use frequently — to promote their works.
I like Facebook. Like fellow Boomers, Gen X-ers, and others who remember rotary phones, I like the platform's ease-of-use, versatility, and reach. More than 550 people follow my Facebook author page, which I use to announce book releases; post reviews on books, movies, and television series; and offer my thoughts on literature and life.
I link or copy most of my Facebook content to my blog, Tumblr, and Goodreads, where 229 people, including authors, bloggers, and reviewers, keep up with my activities. Many have been with me since I published The Mine, my first novel, in 2012. For that reason alone, I do my best to engage those with comments and questions.
I have done less with BookBub, where I have 2723 followers, and Linked-In, where I have 1094. This is because of the one-way format of the former and business-oriented nature of the latter.
Despite the possibilities, I have done even less with X (formerly Twitter), Pinterest, and particularly Instagram, the gold standard for social interaction. I use all three to announce new books, but little else.
As for TikTok, it is mostly a mystery. I don't have an account and don't have immediate plans to create one, though I am intrigued by BookTok. BookTok, a book-related space on TikTok, features reviews, recommendations, and discussions on fiction and literature.
I continue to work with bloggers and greatly admire the few who have maintained their websites over the years. I can think of much better jobs than sorting through hundreds of book review requests.
I don't know how often I will use any of these platforms for the coming year, but I do know one thing. I will continue to engage those who love books and my books, in particular. I will keep on keeping on.
