Josi Wismar wins TikTok Book Award at Frankfurt Book Fair

At the prestigious Frankfurt Book Fair, Josi Wismar, a burgeoning talent in the literary world, was awarded the TikTok Book Award for “Author of the Year.” On a significant evening, Wismar accepted this accolade with evident emotion, highlighting her unexpected triumph and the role of social media in her ascent to fame.

Josi Wismar, a 25-year-old author from Mainz, Germany, entered the literary scene in 2022 and has since published a total of five books. Her “Amber Falls” trilogy, set in the USA, and the “Wild-Hearts” series, with its Canadian backdrop, have received considerable attention. These settings stem from her personal experiences, including a transformative five-week vacation in Canada. This trip inspired her to shift her planned narrative from New Zealand to Canada, significantly influencing the authenticity and depth of her writing.

In addition to her writing, Wismar maintains a robust presence on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where she goes by the handle @josiwismar. She regularly engages with her audience through video content and weekly podcast episodes with her best friend, Sarah. This multifaceted approach not only broadens her reach but also enhances her connection with readers, making her series popular among fans of New Adult and romance genres.

The support from her agent, found through a fellow author, has been pivotal for Wismar. She credits this professional relationship for her early development as a writer and acknowledges the continuous learning curve she has experienced since her first book proposals. Despite the demands of maintaining an active digital presence, Wismar successfully balances writing, social media, and her podcasting ventures.

Financially, she relies not solely on book revenues but also on partnerships and her podcast, #Ausgelesen, which toured Germany earlier this year. This diversification allows her to buffer the pressures of literary success with stable income streams and provides additional creative enjoyment beyond her novels.

BookTok, a sub-community on TikTok, plays a crucial role in her interaction with her audience, which predominantly consists of young women. Wismar appreciates this space as a safe haven for female readers to discuss their favourite books without fear of ridicule. Nonetheless, she expresses concern about the popularity of “Dark Romance” within the community due to its portrayal of toxic relationships and romanticised violence. She voices apprehension regarding the impact of such themes on young readers and the lack of age-appropriate warnings in literature, a stark contrast to the film industry.

Wismar’s presence at the Frankfurt Book Fair also highlighted an ongoing light-hearted rivalry with Denis Scheck, a noted literary critic. She humorously addressed this in her social media updates, referencing a previous incident where Scheck’s shortlist for a TikTok awards jury had sparked controversy for its lack of relevance to the actual BookTok community. The incident underscored a disconnect between traditional literary circles and contemporary social media-driven literary culture—an area where Wismar thrives.

Her work, reflective of New Adult themes, sits somewhat removed from the traditional literary critique, a reality she acknowledges. Despite this, Wismar remains committed to her writing style and the communities that support her work, using her platform to engage with her audience and explore new creative avenues.

Source: Noah Wire Services