Definition
Bookstagram is the book-loving community on Instagram, where users post aesthetically styled photos of books, share reviews, recommend reads, and connect with other readers and authors. The name blends 'book' and 'Instagram.' While it started as readers posting pretty shelfies and flat lays, it has grown into a genuine force in publishing, with Bookstagram influencers able to boost a book's sales through a single post. For writers, it is both a discovery tool and a way to build an audience before and after publication.
Why It Matters
If you plan to publish your work, Bookstagram is one of the most visual and engaged spaces where readers actually discover new books. Building a presence there, or at least understanding how it works, helps you connect with your future audience. Even if you never post a single photo, knowing what Bookstagrammers look for in a book can sharpen your understanding of reader expectations.
Types of Bookstagram
Common Mistakes
Bookstagram is a community, not a billboard. Share books you love, engage with other accounts, and weave your own work into a broader conversation about reading. The 80/20 rule works well - 80% community, 20% self-promotion.
A phone camera, natural light, and a few props are all you need. Bookstagram values authenticity and personality over studio-quality production. Start simple and develop your style over time.
The photo gets attention, but the caption builds connection. Write thoughtful captions that share your genuine reactions to books or your writing journey. The best Bookstagram accounts are great writers, not just great photographers.
Try It Yourself
Spend 15 minutes browsing the #bookstagram hashtag on Instagram. Find five accounts in your genre and note what makes their posts engaging - is it the photography, the captions, the personality, or the book selections? Write a short analysis of what works and what you could adapt if you were building your own author presence.
Write the Book Bookstagram Will Love
Novelium helps you craft compelling stories from first idea to finished manuscript. Build something worth posting about.