A Small Note on Book Clubs, BookTok, and Other Invitations
From time to time I receive messages from well-meaning readers, organizers, and online groups asking if I would like to participate in a book club discussion, appear in a virtual event, join a BookTok promotion, or otherwise take part in organized reader activities.
I appreciate the interest. Truly.
But it’s probably easiest if I state this clearly in one place:
I do not participate in book clubs, discussion groups, BookTok promotions, organized reader events, or similar activities.
This isn’t a temporary decision or a scheduling issue. It’s simply how I’ve chosen to approach writing and publishing.
I write the work, release it into the world, and then step back. What readers take from it—whether they agree, disagree, laugh, argue, or ignore it entirely—is part of the natural life of a book. I prefer to let that happen without my involvement.
In the same way, I’m not interested in participating in BookTok promotion, social media reading campaigns, or coordinated publicity efforts. I’m glad those things work well for many authors and readers. They’re simply not part of how I choose to operate.
Occasionally organizers explain that they run large groups or have significant followings, and they kindly offer to help expand my readership. I appreciate the intent, but the answer remains the same.
If your group would like to read or discuss one of the books, you are absolutely welcome to do so. Books belong to readers once they’re published.
I simply won’t be participating in the discussion.
If you’re curious about why I take this approach, it relates to something I’ve written about before: the modern impulse to organize, amplify, and comment on everything. I touched on that idea in an earlier post about what I called the fading of the blue line—the quiet boundary that once separated a person’s work from the constant expectation of public engagement around it.
I’m comfortable keeping that boundary.
The books are the conversation.
Readers are free to have whatever discussion they like.
I just won’t be in the room for it.
You can find my Author Participation Policy here:
Thank you
— James Allen