In this blog post, Namrata shares her thoughts about the need for authors in India to have massive following on social media.
In a world where influencers and celebrities thrive on vlogging their day, snapping airport looks, and flaunting their “I woke up like this” selfies, where do authors in India fit in? The truth is, they don’t—or at least, they shouldn’t have to.
Picture this: An author in India sits in front of their screen, fingers poised over the keyboard. They might be typing furiously, or perhaps they’re staring blankly at the screen, wrestling with that pesky writer’s block. Either way, there’s no glitz, no glamour, no Instagram-worthy moment to capture.
So, what’s an author to do? They can’t call up the paparazzi to catch them at the airport because, let’s face it, they don’t have the funds for frequent travel or designer airport looks. And posting “I woke up like this” pictures?
Forget about it—authors either haven’t slept because they’ve been up all-night writing, or they’re still groggy, half-asleep, and in no shape for a photo shoot.
Social Media Following of Authors in India
This pressure on authors to build a huge social media following is not just unrealistic; it’s detrimental. It forces them into a world where they feel compelled to do things that don’t come naturally. After all, most writers are introverts by nature—people who express themselves through words on a page, not through selfies and vlogs.
Asking them to “put themselves out there” on social media is like asking a fish to climb a tree. Sure, they might give it a try, but it’s not going to end well.
In a bid to gain popularity, authors are reduced to participating in trends that have nothing to do with writing. We’ve all seen it: authors trying their hand at trending dances, posting “Get Ready With Me” videos, or participating in bizarre challenges that are as far removed from the literary world as one could imagine.
Is this really what we’ve come to? Has the art of writing become so devalued that an author must now perform like a circus act to sell books?
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Let’s take a step back. Consider the greats—R.K. Narayan, Ruskin Bond, Daphne du Maurier. Each of them faced their own set of challenges. R.K. Narayan was so consumed by his writing that it strained his marriage. He was famously unhappy with his book “Guide.” And yet, these authors didn’t have to dance on reels or post fashion photos to become beloved and respected. Their work spoke for itself. Times have changed, yes, but the struggles of being an author remain the same.
Becoming Popular for Authors in India
Authors don’t need to reduce themselves to a sideshow act to become popular. There are many ways to market books that don’t involve compromising one’s integrity or comfort. Recently, an author reached out, seeking advice on how to promote her work. I rattled off a list of marketing strategies, but she quickly clarified that she couldn’t commit to any of them due to various reasons. That’s when I explained: there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to marketing a book. There’s no rule that says an author must do X, Y, and Z to be successful.
That is also when I understood how some marketing agencies do not understand this. And insist authors do it all to gain traction on social media.
How does it work for authors in India?
The key is finding what works best for the author—what aligns with their personality and comfort level. When you force an author to step outside their comfort zone, they might comply for a while, but eventually, they’ll struggle. Book marketing shouldn’t feel like a chore or a compulsion; it should be something enjoyable, something that fits naturally into an author’s life.
So, let’s stop pushing authors to be something they’re not. Instead, let’s celebrate them for who they are—storytellers, creators, wordsmiths. Let’s allow them to focus on what they do best: writing.
And let’s find ways to market their work that don’t require them to dance, pose, or pretend to be someone they’re not. Because at the end of the day, the writing is what matters most. And no number of Social Media followers can change that.
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