#booktok Chronicles, Vol. V: TikTok Strategy for Growing an Audience—in Fiction & Beyond

Some things I learned successfully marketing my book, Eathel the Bastard, on TikTok.

1. #booktok is essential and effective

   It remains the core discovery tool for fantasy fiction on TikTok. It’s not just a trend—it drives visibility and algorithmic favor. Every TikTok post includes it as the required platform-specific hashtag.

2. Fantasy thrives in short, thematic bursts

   The TikTok audience responds to bold, thematic hooks: warhorses-as-M3s, cat-familiar glamour, medieval ambition. Leaning into vivid metaphors and fantasy archetypes works.

3. Humor, aesthetics, and world crossover = engagement

   Posts that blend modern cultural reference (filters, cars, cats) with the Eathel mythos spark curiosity and broaden appeal beyond core fantasy readers.

4. ‘Micro-influencer’ and small-scale creator outreach is key

   TikTok rewards community interaction. Targeting engagement with mid-tier book influencers (10k–100k followers) globally is more effective than chasing virality.

5. CTAs must be direct and frictionless

   Clear, minimalist CTAs (like “Free forever → https://buff.ly/wBxw3Xe 📚”) consistently perform better than over-complicated asks. TikTok users convert when the path is fast and simple.

6. Visual-first storytelling remains dominant

   Posts succeed when paired with compelling video: dramatic motion, high-contrast stills, cinematic overlays, and punchy captions. Still imagery performs lower unless animated or framed dramatically.

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Positioning Memo: TikTok Strategy for Eathel the Bastard

We’re using TikTok—and more specifically BookTok—as a targeted tool to locate and activate our global readership.

BookTok is the informal name for the massive, decentralized community of readers and creators on TikTok who share, promote, and obsess over books. It’s one of the most effective modern engines for book discovery, especially in fantasy. Our focus isn’t on going viral in a general sense; it’s on reaching the exact segment of readers already primed to love this story.

The method is simple: we use hashtag targeting to align the content with the right part of the algorithm. That means deploying platform-native tags like #booktok, #fantasybooks, #epicreads, and others that organically reach the fantasy fiction niche. We’re not casting a wide net—we’re guiding sharp, deliberate posts into highly engaged spaces. That targeting is reinforced by working with small-to mid-sized influencers who have strong followings and credible book-loving audiences. These creators are the ones who actually move books.

The creative approach is to frame Eathel the Bastard as more than just a fantasy novel. We position it using visual metaphor—comparing the BMW M3 to a warhorse, mixing the energy of filters and cats with medieval politics. The story remains central, but we’re speaking in the language of the platform. It’s less about swords and maps, more about vibe and tone: torque, glamour, grief, chaos.

Every post includes a direct and frictionless call to action. No app download, no account required, just a link. The CTA is always:

Free forever → https://buff.ly/wBxw3Xe 📚 • no app download • no new account • email → inbox

We’re keeping the tone playful and intelligent, designed for readers who want to feel both seen and entertained. There’s a strategic seriousness to it, but the execution is loose, self-aware, and crafted to match TikTok’s native rhythm.

The expectation isn’t just growth—it’s resonance. We want readers who stay, share, and shape the world with us.

Let me know if you’d like this version exported or integrated into a broader campaign brief.