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Alright, still not comfortable but it’s beyond that point now.
Before I go on, please know this has built over YEARS, and I’ve never said anything because 1. I didn’t want to add to the negativity and 2. I never felt like I could - an important point to note https://twitter.com/frolic_fiction/status/1286042285331939329
Before I go on, please know this has built over YEARS, and I’ve never said anything because 1. I didn’t want to add to the negativity and 2. I never felt like I could - an important point to note https://twitter.com/frolic_fiction/status/1286042285331939329
I left the blogger community after 3/4 years because for all it’s praise of support, I couldn’t ignore the caveats that came with. Yes I talked to people, but in a lot of cases I felt shunned - at one point people quite literally turned their back on me at an event when I said hi
I joined booktube, and balanced both for awhile. The second I did so there was a noticeable difference - the blogger vs booktuber divide has always been there. People stopped talking to me. Publishers stopped reaching out. I didn’t know where I stood with anyone. I felt shunned.
This feeling followed me for years. I tried to ignore it, convinced it was just me being intimidated by some of the more prominent people in the community. Lo and behold, the second I opened up about it to anyone, more people told me they also felt uncomfortable because of them
The blogger/booktuber divide hurts my soul for SO many reasons.
1. It’s ridiculous
2. It’s always based on US booktubers, who have a VASTLY different experience
3. Booktubers are always grouped and villainised as elitist & unsupportive
1. It’s ridiculous
2. It’s always based on US booktubers, who have a VASTLY different experience
3. Booktubers are always grouped and villainised as elitist & unsupportive
Now, please remember I have been both. My experience showed a clear decline in publisher interaction when I joined booktube, despite having more followers there. Any opportunity given was via my blog, which had a grand total of 1k.
No one saw the work I was doing via booktube
No one saw the work I was doing via booktube
Tonight’s events merely highlighted the basic stats, the small likelihood there is of UK booktube being recognised. According to events of all sorts, it’s really hard to call us “booktubers” as if that’s not one word less than “book vloggers”. It’s how we identify.
Yes, I’m aware this sounds like petty grievances. But after literal YEARS of trying to get UK booktube recognised more, of hearing “booktubers are elitist” when the real reason I don’t acknowledge you is because I felt so uncomfortable I was driven away from the community...
I’m tired. So tired of the division. We all just want to talk about books, fgs.
And yes, there are bigger problems to tackle. But how can we possibly do so when this is at our centre?
And yes, there are bigger problems to tackle. But how can we possibly do so when this is at our centre?
I’m sure people will find problem with this thread. But this is my experience, so please don’t invalidate that. If you feel uncomfortable reading it, consider why.
I’m sure too it’ll be said I’m bitter for not winning tonight. Dont worry, I’ve been shortlisted 3 years in a row - this isn’t new 
I can’t be mad when my friends, people who I admire, & people who’s content I discovered today (and promptly followed) won. Congrats to them all.
I can’t be mad when my friends, people who I admire, & people who’s content I discovered today (and promptly followed) won. Congrats to them all.
This is the peak of an iceberg, but I’ll say no more. I’m sorry to bring any negativity to tonight. I’m sorry for the long thread. But I’m not sorry to have turned wholeheartedly to booktube, even if it still took me years to find my people.
Sending love to all who need
Sending love to all who need
