I am a blogger and bookstagrammer who loves everything about books.
1.Tell us about your background and journey.
I was born in Oxford, the UK in 1997. I have three siblings and I’ve lived in this area my whole life (apart from university). Growing up I dealt with problems with my mental health and turned towards books and writing as a method to cope with my difficult thoughts.
I fell in love with books the moment my parents first started reading them to me. I knew that one day I wanted to do something with them, whether it was making them or writing one of my own – I had decided long ago what I wanted in my life.
When I was six, I wrote my first novella (aka many scribbles and badly illustrated pictures in an old notebook), called Milly the Monkey. It was essentially a monkey who attacked people with her extremely big collection of bananas, and I read to about anyone who would listen. Of course, that story is awful, and I’ve never actually found it since.
I decided to study English and Creative writing at university because I desperately wanted to study something (and only something) that I loved. So, I decided to use £10 of my weekly food budget on a new book to read (sorry mum and dad). After graduating in 2018, I then decided to train to be an English teacher.
I didn’t really want to be a teacher, I knew that I was doing it so that the risk of being unemployed was much lower, but ultimately, I wanted to go into publishing. It wasn’t until two extremely tough years and many existential crises had passed that I finally decided to study for an MA in Digital Publishing. So that is where I am today.
2. What led you to start your page on Instagram and what is it about?
I started my page in 2016 whilst I was a second-year student at Plymouth University. I was studying English and Creative writing and realized I wanted somewhere to post about my favorite books and also somewhere that would inspire me to read and write more.
Despite studying English literature at university, the topic of seminars and lectures were on classics or books that I didn’t really find that enjoyable to read. So, I wanted somewhere to discuss the books that I did love reading.
I actually didn’t even know that ‘Bookstagram’ was a thing until I started posting and there is a whole different world out there.
3. How would you distinguish the term blogger from an influencer?
An influencer is someone who uses their platform to push people in a certain direction, a blogger merely posts whatever they want. I’ve been told a few times that I’m now an ‘influencer’ but I honestly don’t feel that way.
The term ‘influencer’ makes me think that what I do is a job, but it’s still more a hobby more than anything. I think the best online presences are the people who still (despite making money) view their content passionately. I post because I want to and love doing so! I definitely don’t post to make money.
4. How and where do you find inspiration to churn out content?
For ages, I struggled with content inspiration. I actually stopped posting for about a year when I was training to be an English teacher and lost touch with my platform.
However, my inspiration mostly comes from real life. I love books and bookstores, so my inspiration comes from finding those small literary corners in the world. I also can explore Pinterest for hours as it is the ultimate aesthetic go to!
I think when it comes to taking pictures it’s easy to think something won't “do well” or something isn’t “good enough” because it doesn’t match what other people are posting. But simple snap a picture. Oh, you are visiting a new bookshop? Show us. Let us see where you are.
My biggest advice is called real-time posting. This is when you don’t rely on a backlog of pictures from months ago, but you post a picture you take that week or day. It makes all the difference when you are actually interested in the content too.
5. Who is your favorite writer or creator and why?
This is such a hard question because I actually enjoy the content of so many people. I think it’s so beautiful seeing that world of passion and creative individuals out there.
However, just to provide an answer, my favorite creator currently is probably Linh Truong (@withlovelinh). I could watch her videos for hours each day, I find her so bright and colorful. Everything she does just makes me feel good and positive. That’s the people I love following.
She doesn’t post about books, but she is a student, making a living by herself and sharing her incredible tips on creativity, passion, and kindness.
6. How can someone become a successful social media influencer?
Here are my four key tips:
1. Passion - Don't post for the sake of filling a void. People can tell when you are simply posting because you feel you 'have' to, not because you want to. Post pictures from real-time! Don't rely on your built up Lightroom folder. Be an active and passionate influencer.
2. Audience - Who are you aiming your posts towards? People will share posts they love and ones that speak to them. So, consider posting pictures that will make others interested too!
3. Communicate - Speak to people. Ask questions, start discussions. Don't wait for people to come to you.
4. Personality - Show who you are in your posts. Can people see your feed and create that mental image of you? Can they see what you like and dislike? I am a huge doodler and a note lover - so since developing my pictures with that in mind, my audience has doubled. Don't be afraid to defy the 'aesthetics' and post you.
7. What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring creators and writers?
Post what you want. Read what you want. Write about what you want.
It’s so easy to get caught up in being ‘aesthetic’ enough or following the current trends. But trust me, the moment I started posting what I wanted and not what I thought people wanted from me, my following has tripled. Post what you want to. Don’t worry about the likes and follows, they will come in time.
Just enjoy it and don’t make it a chore because then you really will struggle. A good way to look at it is this, use your platform to learn and discover about others too. Read other reviews and books, like and comment on other pictures, be that positive influence and engage with your world.
8. Which is your favorite book and why?
Normal People – Sally Rooney
I was hesitant to read this book as it had hugely mixed reviews, but as with any book, it’s completely individual to whoever reads it. I picked it up on a rainy weekend and fell in love with it instantly.
Rooney’s writing is too simple and yet complete, it’s daring and unique. She writes such real and raw characters that make so many people find a connection in her words.
I honestly think this book is a must-have for anyone in their 20s still trying to figure out the ins and outs of the world and simultaneously trying to find ‘love’ in a world of uncertainty. Plus, the show is also incredible – so even if you don’t want to read it, please give it a chance and watch it!
Instagram ID - @katieelizabeth_reads
I am a blogger and bookstagrammer who loves everything about books. I am currently studying Masters in Digital Publishing and spending my free time writing and reviewing new reads.
Katie Elizabeth
Blogger and Bookstagrammer
Interviewed By - Aditi Ashok
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