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Meet the Teaching Artist: TikTok for Authors with Sanibel Lazar
by Writing Workshops Staff
3 months ago
In the evolving landscape of social media, where trends shift with the speed of a swipe, one platform has emerged as a literary game-changer: TikTok. At the heart of this movement, known to insiders as BookTok, is the power to catapult a book from obscurity to bestseller status overnight. But navigating this vibrant and sometimes daunting world requires more than just a knack for hashtags and catchy tunes—it demands a strategic approach, a flair for storytelling, and an understanding of what truly makes audiences tick.
Enter Sanibel Lazar, an author whose own literary journey is as compelling as the content she creates. With her debut novel To Have and Have More set to be released by 8th Note Press in 2025, Sanibel has already made her mark in esteemed publications like NYmag, ELLE, and Literary Hub. But it's her success on TikTok that has positioned her as a leading voice in helping writers harness the platform's potential.
In our upcoming interview, Sanibel will dive deep into her upcoming class, TikTok for Authors: So You Wanna Be a BookToker?—a course designed for writers who are ready to elevate their digital presence and connect with readers in fresh, innovative ways. Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting out, this course offers a masterclass in creating content that captivates, engages, and, most importantly, converts.
Sanibel’s approach is grounded in journalistic techniques that draw readers in, much like a headline that demands to be clicked. She’ll guide you through the nuances of the TikTok algorithm, reveal the secrets behind successful videos, and help you avoid the common pitfalls that even established authors face. If you've ever wondered whether TikTok is worth your time—or how to make it work for you—Sanibel's insights could be the key to unlocking a whole new audience for your work.
Join us as we explore the intersections of literature and social media with a writer who knows how to make both worlds collide in the most compelling way possible. Whether you're aiming to become the next BookTok sensation or simply want to dip your toes into the platform, this interview—and Sanibel's course—will equip you with the tools you need to succeed.
Hi Sanibel Lazar, Please introduce yourself to our audience.
I’m Sanibel, named after the island. I am a writer and a classicist.
What made you want to teach this specific class? Is it something you are focusing on in your own writing practice? Have you noticed a need to focus on this element of craft?
It turns out that my day job as a commerce journalist is essentially copywriting-cum-product-promotion, which speaks directly to content creation. Like a lot of writers, I’m cynical about social media but I want to give my book the best chance to succeed so I’m willing to play the game (for a period). I absolutely do not believe authors need to focus on TikTok (part of what I hope people get out of this class is deciding IF it even makes sense), but if you’re going to take a stab at it, then approach it in a smart way. My approach is about efficiency and minimizing the time you waste “making content” so that you can spend more time writing. The learning curve can be weeks/months, so the intention of my class is to pare it down to days.
Give us a breakdown of how the course is going to go. What can the students expect? What is your favorite part about this class you've dreamed up?
1. Understand what TikTok rewards and why people use the app
2. Discuss how authors can/should use it
3. How to brainstorm concepts/headlines
4. Gauging success: quit or continue?
Students can expect a views-first approach (though the goal isn’t to become a professional content creator—it’s to get viewers interested in your ideas and writing). I’m most excited to see the content people come up with.
What was your first literary crush?
Keats is the only correct answer
What are you currently reading?
Wallace Stegner’s Crossing to Safety
How do you choose what you're working on? When do you know it is the next thing you want to write all the way to THE END?
My material is usually some form of complaint that I hear repeated (or I repeat). Something about relationships or the decline of etiquette or some social phenomena that people are whingeing about. If a few of these complaints converge--and there’s enough material to say something faceted--then it’s a new project.
Where do you find inspiration?
Being pissed off. I write satire so when something is enraging I find a way to skewer it.
What is the best piece of writing wisdom you've received that you can pass along to our readers? How did it impact your work? Why has this advice stuck with you?
This is fiction-specific. One of my MFA professors said that a common rebuttal to criticism in his workshops was: “But this really happened to me!” Just because something occurred doesn’t mean it’s convincing when you put it in writing. Whenever I include something that “actually happened to me” in fiction, I zhuzh it up. Make it *better* than real life — because you can.
What is your favorite book to recommend on the craft of writing? Why this book?
Unpopular opinion: Reading craft books is a way to feel like you’re doing something without doing anything. Bobcat by Rebecca Lee is a collection of short stories—and it’ll teach you more than any craft book. Also any of Tobias Wolff's collections. I think reading outside of your comfort zone is the best way to improve your craft.
Bonus question: What’s your teaching vibe?
Dogmatic with a splash of pedantic
Learn more about Sanibel's upcoming seminar, TikTok for Authors: So You Wanna Be a BookToker?, and sign up now!
Instructor Sanibel Lazar's debut novel To Have and Have More will be published by 8th Note Press in April 2025. Her writing appears in NYmag, ELLE, Air Mail, Literary Hub, and more. She earned her MFA from The New School and was awarded a 2023 residency by the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts. You can find Sanibel on TikTok here.
