Posts, Poems, and Prose: Influencers Transitioning from Social Media to the Literary World

You’ve seen them on YouTube, Instagram, or any other platform that connects you no matter the hour or distance.

You resonate with their style, way of weaving words, and the way they’re thinking.

They fascinate you, so your social media algorithm works to connect you even more. You see their posts every time you open your favorite app.

They start having lots of followers – their writing is really good.

They are influencers.

They published a book. You love it.

From Social Media to Published Authors: A Digital Portrait

We’re talking about authors who started on social media because this is one of the best ways to share your thoughts consistently and get genuine feedback. It’s like writing in a journal, making this an even more intimate connection with their followers/readers.

Through their online presence, they invite us into their lives, creating a sense of community that transcends geographical boundaries.

Their work is a testament to the democratization of creativity, where anyone with a smartphone and an internet connection can become a published author, poet, or influencer. 

Roadmap to Authorship

From online fame to published authors, what is their roadmap to success?

1. Building a following

Social media writers begin their journey by sharing their writing on various platforms. 

They post consistently, weaving a tapestry of words and emotions that resonate with their audience. 

As they share their creative expressions, they engage with their followers, responding to comments and direct messages and fostering a sense of community.

✍️ When it comes to writing, in their online presence, they establish a unique voice, tone, and style that sets them apart from others. 

They experiment with different formats, from short poems to longer narratives, and explore various themes and topics. 

As they refine their craft, they attract a loyal following of readers who appreciate their unique perspective.

2. Growing visibility

These authors participate in online communities and hashtags, expanding their audience and connecting with like-minded individuals. 

📽️ They share behind-the-scenes content, offering glimpses into their writing process, inspirations, and creative struggles. By doing so, they humanize their brand, making their audience more invested in their journey.

3. Establishing credibility

In their social media circles these writers share personal stories and experiences, building a deeper connection with their followers. 

👥 By participating in online discussions and forums, they demonstrate their authority, providing valuable insights and perspectives on the world of today. 

They are engaged and outspoken.

They offer writing tips, share their creative processes, and discuss the inspiration behind their work. By doing so, they solidify their reputation as writers.

4. Publication 

Once they secure publishing deals, they use their platform to share updates on their writing journey, from manuscript submissions to book launches. 

📚 As they transition from digital to print, they expand their audience, reaching readers who may not be active online.

With their online presence established, they expand their reach through public appearances, speaking engagements, and interviews. 

They continue to create and share content, maintaining a strong connection with their audience. 

As they grow, they explore new platforms, such as YouTube or podcasts, to further amplify their message.

Here are some of them. 

14 Authors Rocking the Digital

1. Rupi Kaur

Rupi Kaur's poignant and relatable poetry, accompanied by her own illustrations, resonated deeply with Instagram users.

She was born in 1992 in Punjab, India, and moved to Brampton, Ontario, Canada, with her family at a young age. Kaur's experiences as a first-generation immigrant and a woman of color influenced her writing, which often explores themes of identity, culture, and belonging.

Her online presence paved the way for the publication of her debut poetry collection, Milk and Honey, which became a bestseller. With her unique voice and style, Kaur has become a leading figure in the modern poetry movement.

👉 Platform: Instagram

2. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's TED Talk We Should All Be Feminists went viral on social media, bringing her writing to a much wider audience. Her TED Talk, The Danger of a Single Story, was selected among the best 25 TED Talks ever delivered.

This increased visibility helped her reach new readers and further established her influence as a writer.

Born in Enugu, Nigeria, she grew up in a family of intellectuals and was educated in Nigeria and the United States. Adichie's experiences as a woman of color and her struggles with identity and belonging influenced her writing, which often explores themes of identity, culture, and social justice.

👉 Platform: TED Talks & social media channels

3. Atticus Poetry

Atticus, known for his anonymity, used Instagram to share his concise and impactful poems.

Little is known about Atticus's personal life, but his poetry often explores themes of love, loss, and identity.

His online presence attracted a large audience, leading to the publication of his collections, such as Love Her Wild.

👉 Platform: Instagram

4. Amanda Gorman

Amanda Gorman's poem The Hill We Climb went viral on social media, bringing her writing to a much wider audience.

This increased visibility helped her reach new readers and further established her influence as a writer. From there to becoming the youngest inaugural poet in US history took very little.

👉 Platform: Instagram

5. Amanda Lovelace

Amanda Lovelace's raw and emotional poetry on Tumblr captured the hearts of many readers.

Born in 1981 in New York City, she grew up in a family of artists and musicians, which influenced her creative pursuits. Lovelace's poetry often explores themes of identity, love, and empowerment.

Her online popularity led to the publication of her first book, The Princess Saves Herself in This One, which won the Goodreads Choice Award for Poetry.

👉 Platform: Tumblr

6. R.M. Drake

Robert M. Drake's concise and emotionally charged poetry on Instagram amassed a large following.

Little is known about Drake's personal life, but his poetry often explores themes of love, loss, and identity. He uses a pseudonym as a wish to remain anonymous.

His popularity on social media led to the publication of several poetry books, including Beautiful Chaos.

👉 Platform: Instagram

7. Warsan Shire

Warsan Shire's powerful poetry on Tumblr and Twitter resonated deeply with readers. Shire's experiences as a refugee and her struggles with identity and belonging influenced her writing, which often explores themes of identity, displacement, and resilience.

Her online success helped her publish collections such as Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth.

👉 Platforms: Tumblr and X [Twitter]

8. Lang Leav

Lang Leav's poetry and prose on Tumblr gained a substantial following, leading to the publication of her first book, Love & Misadventure.

Leav's online presence has established her as a prominent voice in contemporary literature, with her work being translated into multiple languages. Leav's poetry often explores themes of love, loss, and identity.

👉 Platform: Tumblr

9. Angie Thomas

Angie Thomas's short story, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, went viral on Twitter and gained significant attention.

This online success led to the publication of her debut novel, The Hate U Give, which became a critically acclaimed bestseller and was adapted into a film.

Thomas's work is a powerful example of how social media can amplify marginalized voices.

👉 Platform: X [Twitter]

10. Nikita Gill

Nikita Gill's empowering and introspective poetry on Tumblr and Instagram resonated with a wide audience.

Nikita Gill was born in 1986 in India. She grew up in a traditional Indian family and was expected to marry young. However, Gill chose to pursue her passion for writing and poetry, which led her to move to the United Kingdom.

Her online popularity helped her secure publishing deals for books like Wild Embers and Your Soul is a River. Her experiences as a woman of color and her struggles with identity and belonging influenced her writing.

👉 Platforms: Tumblr and Instagram

11. Felicia Day

Felicia Day, a prominent figure in the online gaming and geek communities (any Supernatural fans out there?), used her social media presence to connect with fans.

Her memoir, You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost), was well-received, leveraging her online following.

👉 Platforms: YouTube & social media channels

12. Adam Silvera

Adam Silvera used X [Twitter] to connect with readers and share his thoughts on writing and storytelling.

His active engagement and unique voice helped him build a following, leading to the publication of his YA novels like More Happy Than Not and They Both Die at the End.

Silvera's experiences as a gay man and his struggles with identity and belonging influenced his writing, which often explores themes of love, loss, and identity.

👉 Platform: X [Twitter]

13. Alison Malee

Alison Malee's eloquent and visually appealing poetry on Instagram gained a significant following.

Her online presence and popularity led to the publication of her poetry collections like Shifting Bone.

👉 Platform: Instagram

14. Lilly Singh

Lilly Singh, known for her YouTube persona, Superwoman, used her platform to share her humor and life experiences.

Her online fame and relatable content led to the publication of her book How to Be a Bawse: A Guide to Conquering Life.

👉 Platform: YouTube

Publication: Two Options

With a strong digital presence, transitioning to an authorpreneur is but a step. Future authors can choose between traditional and self-publishing.

1. Self-publishing

Self-publishing offers creative freedom and higher royalties. The online audience, already familiar with the writer's voice, serves as a strong launchpad.

With careful editing and cover design, the book can reach readers directly through online retailers. Marketing becomes an extension of the writer's existing online presence.

What works in self-publishing:

Speed and agility

The self-publishing timeline is significantly shorter. Authors can get their book from manuscript to market in a matter of months, capitalizing on their online momentum and reader interest.

Wide reach

Unlike traditional publishing contracts that restrict distribution channels, self-publishing allows authors to make their books available on a multitude of platforms – major retailers, niche stores, and even libraries. This significantly increases the book's reach and potential audience.

Data-driven decisions

Self-publishing platforms, like PublishDrive, provide valuable sales data on reader demographics and preferences. This allows authors to tailor future projects to their audience's tastes, leveraging their existing connections.

Experimentation

Self-publishing offers the freedom to test different publishing and pricing strategies, formats, and designs. This experimentation allows authors to find the perfect combination to maximize reader engagement and drive sales.

Traditional route

Traditional publishers are drawn to authors with an established online presence, as it translates to increased sales. They offer book advances, professional editing, distribution, and marketing support. The allure is undeniable – bookstores, blurbs, and the revered published author title.

Publishers constantly seek ways to reach new audiences and build excitement around new titles. Influencer partnerships offer a direct line to a dedicated and engaged community. The influencer's promotional efforts can reduce marketing costs for the publisher while also bringing a level of authenticity and trust that traditional advertising often struggles to achieve.

What Next?

Trends on social media come and go, but the written, published word will always stay. Influencers can use their online presence and find a permanent voice through publishing.