TikTok unveils new partnership with National Literacy Trust
TikTok is teaming up with the National Literacy Trust (NLT) to deliver 20 "BookTok Bookshelves’" to locations across the UK, including youth clubs and community centres.
This comes as part of TikTok’s "BookTok Summer" initiative, which encompasses the return of the TikTok Book Awards and a renewed partnership with the Hay Festival.
The BookTok Bookshelves initiative will deliver 20 bookshelves to NLT hub locations in Birmingham, Blackpool, Bradford, Doncaster, Manchester, Middlesborough, Newcastle, Nottingham, Peterborough, Stoke and Swindon.
TikTok said: “All of these locations have been identified as areas facing the biggest challenges with literacy where we can make the most difference. Our bookshelves will be located in places with a high footfall of over 13s and will be supported by local youth volunteers.
“We are proud to be working with The National Literacy Trust to harness the appeal of the TikTok platform and its ability to connect and inspire young people, to motivate reading for pleasure, striving to boost literacy levels by increasing access to books across the UK. The BookTok Bookshelves initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to championing and supporting young people and their wellbeing, through collaborating with organisations that place community at the heart.”
This comes alongside TikTok’s announcement that it will once again be the official digital media partner to the Hay Festival, the world’s leading arts and literary festival, for the 37th spring edition in Hay-on-Wye. As part of the partnership, it will post content on the @hayfestival TikTok account and host a free #BookTok panel at Hay on 28th May, featuring TikTok creators @bcemercer and @cultofbooks alongside industry experts.
The TikTok Book Awards for UK and Ireland has also returned, with a longlist announced today including three new categories, International Book of the Year, BookTok Breakthrough Author and TikTok Shop Book of Year, based on UK TikTok Shop sales and the "impact the book has had on the platform".
The longlist, which has been curated based on #BookTok data and community contributions, will be reviewed by a judging panel including TikTok stars Eden Victoria and Jack Edwards, Publishers Association chief executive Dan Conway, The Bookseller editor Philip Jones, Black British Book Festival c.e.o. and founder Selina Brown and authors Samantha Shannon and Sara Cox.
The full longlist is:
BookTok Creator of the Year
- @maisie_matilda
- @abbysbooks
- @zairambles
- @anexwilson
- @irishfella.exe
- @billreads
- @cultofbooks
- @literaryfling
Rising Star - BookTok Creator of the Year
- @greendragonbooknooks
- @booksonthebedside
- @bookish.punk
- @booksarebrainfood
- @fictionalfates
- @colinjmccracken
- @jpreads6
- @steffyreads
International Book of the Year
- Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- Holly by Stephen King
- House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J Maas
- King of Greed by Ana Huang
- A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
- Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
- Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
British & Irish Book of the Year
- None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
- Wildfire by Hannah Grace
- Gwen & Art Are Not In Love by Lex Croucher
- Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
- Good Material by Dolly Alderton
- Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
- The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue
- The Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
BookTok Breakthrough Author of the Year
- Stuart James
- Ben Alderson
- Adam Beswick
- M. A. Knights
- Caden Armstrong
- Talia Hibbert
- Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
- Claire Wright
Indie Bookshop of the Year
- Imaginarium Books
- Gay Pride Shop
- The Book Shop By The Sea
- The Little Bookshop
- House of Books & Friends
- Kenny’s Bookshop
- Maldon Books
- Edinbookshop
