Inaugural UK BookTok awards shortlists announced

In the UK, the shortlists for the inaugural TikTok Book Awards UK and Ireland have been announced, reports the Bookseller.

In contention for BookTok book of the year are Honey & Spice (Bolu Babalola, Headline Review), Lies We Sing to the Sea (Sarah Underwood, Electric Monkey), Young Mungo (Douglas Stuart, Picador), and Jessica George for Maame (Hodder & Stoughton). Shortlisted for indie bookshop of the year are Portobello Bookshop, Chapters, The Feminist Bookshop and Mr B’s Emporium. Other categories in the awards include BookTok author of the year, for which Babalola is also in contention; BookTok creator of the year; and best book cover.

According to TikTok, a longlist of nominees was created based on BookTok data and publisher contributions, with a judging panel including BookTok creators, industry experts and authors reviewing it. TikTok users can vote in the awards in-app.

James Stafford, general manager, operations and marketing, TikTok UK and Nordics, said the shortlists were ‘a true celebration of the variety of literature that resonates with the TikTok community’. ‘We see the power of #BookTok every day on TikTok, but this impact can also be felt in bookshops across the country,’ said Stafford. ‘Which is why we are thrilled to be working with Bookshop.org; connecting the TikTok community with bookshops on their local high streets as well as in app.’

Category: Awards International news