TikTok announces its own book awards

TikTok is launching its own book awards for the UK and Ireland, with the aim of "celebrating titles, authors, content and creators of BookTok".

The awards, which will be voted on by users through an in-app vote, feature nine categories, including ones recognising the best book of the year, the BookTok author of the year and the BookTok creator of the year. Indie bookshops and book covers are also represented in the categories, which also include themes such as "Best Book to End a Reading Slump" and "Best Book I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time".

According to the company, the longlist of nominees has been created based on BookTok data and publisher contributions. This list will be reviewed by the judging panel, which includes creators Coco (@cultofbooks) and Ben (@bcemercer), as well as industry experts such as Trâm-Anh Doan, head of social media at Bloomsbury. Authors such as Candice Brathwaite and special guest judges including Annie Macmanus and Elizabeth Day are also on the panel. 

Users of the social media app are encouraged to use the #TikTokBookAwards hashtag to share their favourite #BookTok titles of the year until the TikTok Book Awards Voting Hub opens in July. The winners will be crowned in August.

Brathwaite, author and TikTok Book Awards judge, said: “As an author, there’s nothing better than to see people discussing and debating your book. I love going to TikTok to find unfiltered reviews and recommendations, so it’s great to be giving this community the chance to have their say through the TikTok Book Awards for UK and Ireland.

"When it comes to judging, for me it’s about celebrating the books people just can’t forget, the books that give you a whole new perspective, the books you immediately want to buy for all of your friends, I cannot wait to see who the winners will be.”

James Stafford, general manager, operations and marketing, at TikTok UK and Nordics, added: "Every day billions of people come to TikTok to share recommendations, discover new reads and connect through their love of literature. We have seen the #BookTok community impact book sales and even bring new customers to local bookshops, so we thought it was about time they got a vote too!

"The TikTok Book Awards is not just about the ’best new books’, but also celebrating the unapologetic love of reading that we see shared on TikTok; from the content makers to the rediscovered classics."

BookTok will also be returning as digital media partner to the Hay Festival for the second year, producing in-app content and events for the festival’s 36th spring edition in Hay-on-Wye from 25th May to 4th June. A free BookTok panel will also be hosted at the festival, featuring content creator Sam (@samfallingbooks) discussing how the TikTok community is "reshaping the publishing world".