Luke Bateman shared his love of books online. Then social media turned on him
'I've never really had anywhere to talk about it or share those things,' he says, '... cause obviously being a male in a lot of blue-collar work'. Bateman said he hoped to speak to like-minded people about the stories he loves – fantasy, in particular – and find recommendations.
For the unfamiliar, the BookTok community first boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when readers started to use TikTok to discuss their favourite books and authors. Colleen Hoover, for example, found herself on the New York Times bestseller list after her novel, It Ends With Us, gained traction via BookTok.
To date, the BookTok hashtag has hundreds of billions of views and tens of millions of posts. It has also reshaped the publishing industry. Naturally, brands, publishers and authors have pivoted to focus on infiltrating the space as part of their marketing campaigns in the hope of going viral and seeing sales skyrocket.
Bateman's first post quickly racked up 2 million views and within weeks, the former footy star had become a poster child for BookTok, amassing 150,000 followers and launching a book club with close to 6000 members.
Loading
Then in late May, Bateman posted something a little different. Trading in the front seat of his truck for a cosy room in front of a bookcase, he announced that he'd signed a two-book deal with Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Australia. 'It's a childhood dream come true,' he said. 'I've wanted to be an author my entire life.' He became emotional, thanking the community for giving him the opportunity 'to put my heart on the page for all of you'.
But as is often the way with social media, it didn't take long for the tide to turn.
'This is literally enraging. Absolutely unbelievable.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
MasterChef star dead at 38
MasterChef alum Yanin Campos has died, aged 38. The TV star, who appeared on MasterChef Mexico in 2018, lost control of her SUV in her hometown of Chihuahua, in Mexico's north, slamming into a parked car, according to local outlets. Campos was driving her GMC Terrain on the Francisco R. Almada highway on Saturday, about 6.30am (Mexico time), when it veered into a parked car, according to authorities. MasterChef alum Yanin Campos has died, aged 38, following a car accident in Mexico. Credit: Instagram 'To our family and friends, we inform you and mourn the passing of my sister, Yanin Campos,' her brother, Raul, said in a statement posted to Facebook. 'The wake is at the Hernández Funeral Home for those who would like to say goodbye and join us.' Campos came sixth in the 2018 season of MasterChef Mexico and was later invited back to compete on MasterChef: La Revancha in 2019. As well as appearing on MasterChef, Campos also had a sizeable TikTok following online. Campos, who appeared on two versions of MasterChef, had a sizeable TikTok following. Credit: Instagram Fans shared their grief after learning of the star's death. 'Brother, I'm really sorry. I send you my condolences and my deepest condolences for your whole family,' one person wrote under the post from her brother. 'I am very sorry for your loss, may God give you strength and comfort.' another added. 'A hug and it will always be with you if you remember all the beautiful things they lived and follow their advice and teachings. 'May God give you the strength to bear the passing of someone so important to you. 'I have you in my prayers Raul, sending you a big hug.'
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I was ashamed': Departing Dolphin's impassioned plea in fight for change
There was a moment in the Dolphins' preseason when Josh Kerr laughed at any suggestion of his captaincy credentials, chortling there was no chance coach Kristian Woolf would appoint him as the club's leader. Yet soon after, he was called up on stage as co-skipper of the Indigenous All Stars in their triumph of their Maori counterparts, offering the inspirational words 'culture elevates culture'. 'I didn't know I had to do a speech, I'd never been a captain before so I didn't realise I had to get up on stage,' Kerr jokes. 'I was shaking and stuff – 'oh, thank you, Harvey Norman'.' But Kerr's pride in his Indigenous roots had not always been so obvious. Growing up, he reveals he simply wanted to fit in at school, and was not so willing to express his cultural background with admiration. 'I've been very blessed in my life, but when I was going through school I was probably ashamed at points in time to identify as proudly as I was as an Indigenous Australia,' Kerr says. 'The thing is I now feel embarrassed looking back on that and being that kind of person I was. But it was probably one of the best things for me because you learn to be proud within yourself. Loading 'When you get older, and you realise the impact you can have on the younger generations, that's what made me really want to dive in and be a great leader to my family and cousins.' Kerr will enter this week's NRL Indigenous Round the same larrikin and charismatic presence which has made him an endeared figure to media, but now driven by a higher purpose. As an ambassador for Deadly Choices, the 29-year-old has cast a keener eye on issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture – namely the angst generated this year regarding Welcome to Country. The prop cuts a more frustrated demeanour when discussing his anger at social media critics of the ceremonies – 'I'm sick of hearing 'why do I have to listen to Welcome to Country?'' But while he laments it's 'crazy that there's still a lot of that going on in the world', he stresses his role as an Indigenous leader and advocate was to help educate the 'arrogant' sceptics of the impact racial vilification has caused. And he implored the rugby league community to not limit their education on Indigenous culture and issues to NRL rounds dedicated to such awareness and celebration. 'You don't really like looking back at the past and all those atrocities that happened, however you need to have that bit of pain, look back and say 'how can we do better?'' Kerr says. 'Everything seems impossible until it's done. I would just love to be able to leave a legacy knowing I did my part for my kids when they grow up to make sure they're not ashamed, and they're very proud of who they are.' Kerr will enter Saturday's clash with the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium to begin his final stretch with the Dolphins, as the club confirmed he had not been re-signed beyond his 2025 deal. He will instead return to the Dragons, where he played his first 68 games, on a two-year contract. While Kerr was ushered into the Queensland Maroons' fold for their State of Origin game three preparations, Woolf said in July the squad's plethora of injuries – including forwards Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler and Max Plath – had opened doors for other prospects to make their case for extensions. 'It [the salary cap] is evolving all the time, what this year has given us with the injuries we've had is a real opportunity for other guys to step in and have a presence, and put their own mark on the team,' Woolf said, while expressing hope they could squeeze Kerr into their roster. 'Some guys have put their hands up to say they need to be in this club going forward.' Despite his desire to remain in Redcliffe, Kerr refused to get caught up in the hysteria of his next move, believing whenever he did his form plummeted. He now stands a key pillar in his side's finals charge, averaging 85 running metres a game off the bench at a time when he and his fiancé welcomed their first child – Atlas – into their lives. 'I've had this drama before where I've been in contract negotiations and I start really overthinking things,' Kerr admitted last month.
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
‘I was ashamed': Departing Dolphin's impassioned plea in fight for change
There was a moment in the Dolphins' preseason when Josh Kerr laughed at any suggestion of his captaincy credentials, chortling there was no chance coach Kristian Woolf would appoint him as the club's leader. Yet soon after, he was called up on stage as co-skipper of the Indigenous All Stars in their triumph of their Maori counterparts, offering the inspirational words 'culture elevates culture'. 'I didn't know I had to do a speech, I'd never been a captain before so I didn't realise I had to get up on stage,' Kerr jokes. 'I was shaking and stuff – 'oh, thank you, Harvey Norman'.' But Kerr's pride in his Indigenous roots had not always been so obvious. Growing up, he reveals he simply wanted to fit in at school, and was not so willing to express his cultural background with admiration. 'I've been very blessed in my life, but when I was going through school I was probably ashamed at points in time to identify as proudly as I was as an Indigenous Australia,' Kerr says. 'The thing is I now feel embarrassed looking back on that and being that kind of person I was. But it was probably one of the best things for me because you learn to be proud within yourself. Loading 'When you get older, and you realise the impact you can have on the younger generations, that's what made me really want to dive in and be a great leader to my family and cousins.' Kerr will enter this week's NRL Indigenous Round the same larrikin and charismatic presence which has made him an endeared figure to media, but now driven by a higher purpose. As an ambassador for Deadly Choices, the 29-year-old has cast a keener eye on issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture – namely the angst generated this year regarding Welcome to Country. The prop cuts a more frustrated demeanour when discussing his anger at social media critics of the ceremonies – 'I'm sick of hearing 'why do I have to listen to Welcome to Country?'' But while he laments it's 'crazy that there's still a lot of that going on in the world', he stresses his role as an Indigenous leader and advocate was to help educate the 'arrogant' sceptics of the impact racial vilification has caused. And he implored the rugby league community to not limit their education on Indigenous culture and issues to NRL rounds dedicated to such awareness and celebration. 'You don't really like looking back at the past and all those atrocities that happened, however you need to have that bit of pain, look back and say 'how can we do better?'' Kerr says. 'Everything seems impossible until it's done. I would just love to be able to leave a legacy knowing I did my part for my kids when they grow up to make sure they're not ashamed, and they're very proud of who they are.' Kerr will enter Saturday's clash with the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium to begin his final stretch with the Dolphins, as the club confirmed he had not been re-signed beyond his 2025 deal. He will instead return to the Dragons, where he played his first 68 games, on a two-year contract. While Kerr was ushered into the Queensland Maroons' fold for their State of Origin game three preparations, Woolf said in July the squad's plethora of injuries – including forwards Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler and Max Plath – had opened doors for other prospects to make their case for extensions. 'It [the salary cap] is evolving all the time, what this year has given us with the injuries we've had is a real opportunity for other guys to step in and have a presence, and put their own mark on the team,' Woolf said, while expressing hope they could squeeze Kerr into their roster. 'Some guys have put their hands up to say they need to be in this club going forward.' Despite his desire to remain in Redcliffe, Kerr refused to get caught up in the hysteria of his next move, believing whenever he did his form plummeted. He now stands a key pillar in his side's finals charge, averaging 85 running metres a game off the bench at a time when he and his fiancé welcomed their first child – Atlas – into their lives. 'I've had this drama before where I've been in contract negotiations and I start really overthinking things,' Kerr admitted last month.
