I have been on the internet for many years and witnessed the emergence and rise of social media influencers and digital creators—from fashion and beauty to travel.

While I enjoyed consuming this content and was often influenced by it, I never quite felt like I belonged in the fashion and beauty corners of the internet.

It wasn’t until about a year ago that I discovered the bookish online community—a space where I finally felt at home. Despite not creating content at first, I felt a strong sense of belonging.

For the first time in over a decade of being online, I had the urge to create my own bookish content. This was surprising because I had always vowed not to show my face on the internet, except to the small circle of 80+ people on my private Instagram.

Today, I find myself immersed in YouTube and Instagram, creating bookish content and loving it. I still don’t know how to edit videos, and my Instagram account isn’t as aesthetically polished as those of other creators I admire, but I feel comfortable regardless.

This journey has also made me reflect on the evolving nature of content creation. Most people I know with a significant online following monetize their content in some way. It’s made me wonder: Am I on the path to becoming a “book influencer”? And if so, is this an opportunity I’m open to embracing?

The simple answer is that I don’t know yet. But here’s what I do know for sure:

• I love books and reading.
• I am intentional about building my bookish community.
• Someday, I’d love to have my own book club.
• I want to grow my platform and interview authors.
• I aspire to become an influential voice in the literary world.
• I have no desire to become an author myself.

Whatever this journey holds, I’m excited to see where it leads.