Social Media and the Business of Writing

Writing stories and novels is one of my greatest joys, a way to relax and immerse myself in what I love most. However, I’ve come to realize that stories lose some meaning if they lack an audience. My AP Literature teacher once pointed this out in a lecture, and it truly resonated with me. Even the greatest writers would remain unknown if no one ever read their work. I understood this on a personal level after publishing my first three books: The Moonshot Saga, a sci-fi novel; a co-authored inclusive workbook for students with mental and physical disabilities with my father; and an ESL workbook for international elementary students. Though each project took over a year of writing, editing, and publishing, it was only when readers engaged with my work that I felt the full impact of having an audience.

When I published my first novel, a sci-fi adventure, I initially shared it only with close friends and family on Amazon. Soon, though, I noticed more sales than I could account for, realizing that even people from my school—some of whom I didn’t know personally—were reading it. One of my closest friend’s siblings read it just by word of mouth and left a review, saying they enjoyed it overall. Though it wasn’t the “best novel ever” in their words, I was incredibly proud—it was my very first novel.

As I sought to reach more readers, I realized the importance of social media, especially since many Gen Z students are active on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. I began sharing my work there, though I was new to it. With my second book, the workbook co-authored with my father, we took a slightly different approach. Since it was geared toward families with children who have mental or physical disabilities, my father’s taekwondo studio helped us promote it. This collaboration was surprisingly effective, and our initial outreach generated over $100 in sales—a new side of writing that I hadn’t expected.

Now, with my third book, the ESL workbook, I recognize that social media is essential not just for sales but also to reach more students globally and support educational access. Sharing on social platforms has become a vital part of my goal to make an impact as an author, allowing my stories and educational materials to reach beyond a small audience and, hopefully, inspire a broader one.