If you’ve been looking to start writing that book you’ve been putting off, this is your sign. Eden Victoria is a TikToker turned writer, AKA the blueprint for becoming a published author in the digital age — so listen tf up.
Back in 2022, Eden began sharing her love of reading on TikTok. Fast forward to today, and she’s since been crowned the unofficial queen of Thromance on BookTok (AKA the book fandom of TikTok), published her debut novel Close Protection, and even has a sequel on the way next year. Gal is hustling.
Eden’s book deal didn’t just fall into her lap, though. She hustled hard, between creating content, writing and somehow still finding time to pay the bills.
For this edition of Insider Trading, we chatted to Eden about how you, too, can harness the power of BookTok and become a published author.
@edenvictorria Close Protection is out now!! 🖤🎀#booktok #closeprotection #romancebooks #romancebooktok #bookrecs ♬ original sound – Ghost Media
Insider Trading: Eden Victoria
Hey Eden! So, what do you do?
Eden: I create content about books, and I also maintain a separate account that focuses on perfume and clothing. I’ve been doing BookTok for three years now, which is incredible.
I’m also a new author! My first book got released this year, and I’m also trying to make my way into musical theatre. So I’m currently in private training [with tutors in singing, acting and dancing] for that.
@edenvictorria Follow along on my journey! #BookTok #edenvictoria #musicaltheatre #westendtheatre #creatorsearchinsights ♬ a punk – 3 minute audios
And how would you describe your typical day?
One day, I’ll have a dance class, a singing lesson and an acting lesson. The next day, I’ll just be writing. Then, I could be filming batches of content or editing multiple YouTube videos.
Every single thing I do is creative. Being able to utilise that part of my brain is absolutely fantastic, and I get to do it every single day, which is truly amazing. So no one day is the same for me.
@edenvictorria #musicaltheatre ♬ Where I Wanna Be – Jasmine Amy Rogers & David Foster & Original Broadway Cast of Boop! The Musical
What has been your biggest learning curve so far?
I think consistency was also something I struggled with for a period of time. I would post like five videos in one day and then not post anything for like two weeks.
My biggest learning curve, however, has been the publishing industry. I didn’t know much before I started writing my first book. Everything about TikTok is really pleasant, you know, talking about books and building a community. So [when I actually got a book deal] I was like, “Oh my gosh, this is how it’s actually done.”
Yeah, [the publishing industry] has been really fun to learn about.
@edenvictorria Have you ordered your copy yet?! #booktok #closeprotection #romancebooks #zimmermann ♬ som original – 🪐 fábio
What would you say to someone trying to get their foot in the door in publishing?
There are so many barriers in order for that [publishing] door to open. My biggest tip is to write as much as you possibly can, but on top of that, get on TikTok. The platform has changed the lives of so many aspiring authors.
There are people, like me, who were offered a book deal because of what we posted on TikTok. And then there are people who have already published their book, but then it blew up.
It just takes one reviewer to say that your book is good, and that’s it, like you’re set for life.
Especially in recent years, [TikTok] is how so many people are first getting into the [publishing] industry, so I can’t recommend it enough.
@edenvictorria Replying to @Princess only two weeks to go!! Have you pre-ordered yet? #booktok #closeprotection #romancebooks #audiobook ♬ original sound – Eden Victoria
Any tips for authors looking to get on BookTok?
Don’t just post about your book. You want to reach people who are invested enough to want to read the book for you. A good way to do this is by sharing your book opinions and recommendations, instead of just saying, “Hey, read my book.”
There are only so many videos you can make about that, and it won’t be sustainable, nor will it hook your audience.
@edenvictorria #booktok #bookish #romancebooks #booktropes ♬ original sound – Eden Victoria
And congrats on your book getting published! Do you want to tell us a little bit about it?
So Close Protection is a young adult romance with thrilling aspects. It’s about a girl named Daphne who is living a very privileged life, until one day her father has a security issue at work. So he gets her a bodyguard.
She’s like, ‘Dad, I don’t want a bodyguard.”
And then the bodyguard walked in, and she’s like, “Oh, he’s great.”
But then, when the security issue at work gets worse, Milosh, her bodyguard, has to train her.
Expect lots of passion and fight scenes, but with that overarching romance theme the entire time.
@edenvictorria Only 4 weeks left! #booktok #romancebooks #bookishthoughts #closeprotection #edenvictoria #bookrecs ♬ orijinal ses – .
When you first started out on BookTok, was becoming an author your dream job?
The author thing wasn’t originally my plan. I am so fortunate that it is now, but I hadn’t even thought about that originally.
I wanted to be a wedding or event planner. That’s what I was working towards. I was even contemplating whether or not I should be an actress [which I’m still pursuing in the background]. Then, I started reading books and posting about said books, and the rest is history.
@edenvictorria How very FMC of me✨ #videodiary #girltherapy ♬ original sound – ‼️
Who do you admire in your industry?
My friend, Andy Darcy Theo. He came out with The Light That Blinds Us while still being a psychology teacher in secondary school, and he dreamt of writing this book when he was 13 or 14.
He’s now on his second book, The Dark That Hides Us, which is amazing. And the reason why it’s traditionally published is through his use of TikTok.
There are so many other BookTokers that I look at, and I’m like, “Wow, I really love the way they film their content, or how creative they are, or the ideas they think of, because it’s such a creative industry.”
@andydarcytheo what a crazy turn of events, some would say it’s fate The Light That Blinds Us is a heart stopping, bestselling YA romantasy perfect for fans of Avatar, Legendborn and Percy Jackson. Available everywhere🖤 #booktok #reading #butterflyeffecf #booktoker #andydarcytheo #thelightthatblindsus #tltbu #stonehenge @English Heritage ♬ Ribs – Lorde
Do you have a work uniform?
If I’m just writing, it will literally be whatever I can find. If I’m filming, then something really nice up top, and leggings down the bottom.
I’ll come home from, like, a dance class, and I’ll just have to change super quickly. So my work uniform changes day to day.
@edenvictorria No I don’t just read books… I do this too 🤓
♬ original sound – Eden Victoria
Okay, describe your inbox in three words
Full, exciting and unanswered.
@edenvictorria ♬ I Can Do Anything / Finale – Christopher Lennertz
Last question, how do you sign off your emails?
I sign off with the generic kind regards. On the other hand, how I start my emails depends on the day. Like a Happy Monday, Happy Tuesday, and so on — because there’s always a happy day, you know?
@edenvictorria Replying to @gvc 🌺 MT, Author… is there anything I can’t do? 🤓 #musicaltheatre #westendtheatre #westend ♬ original sound – Eden Victoria
You can read Eden’s book here and follow her on TikTok here.
Now, go out and write that book! I believe in you. <3
Image Credit: Eden Victoria.
The post Insider Trading: How Eden Victoria Turned BookTok Hype Into a Publishing Deal appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
