Long Island Book Talk | A Conversation with Samantha

Samantha can be found on Instagram @samanthainfantasyworld.

Gina: Please tell me a little bit about yourself.

Samantha: Hi, I’m Samantha, a 30-year-old married dog mom, and a lover and collector of books.

G: Why did you create your Bookstagram account? 

S: I decided to create a Bookstagram account because I wanted to be able to share my love of books with fellow bookworms and make friends with people who have the same things in common with myself.

G: Did you start this as a hobby? Has it developed into a part time/ full time job? 

S: I started this account as a hobby, and I love doing it. It has sort of become a part time job that I don’t get paid for. I do reviews with companies as well as promoting new authors and their books as well.

G: What are you currently reading? 

S: I am currently reading The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber.

G: Do you find making content on Long Island easy or difficult? Why? 

S: Making content for Bookstagram is never easy, but to be honest, I have more followers that are from all over the world, and not that many on Long Island.

G: What is your favorite thing about Bookstagram? 

S: My favorite thing about Bookstagram is creating friendships based on books. I also love how I find new authors that I love. I love getting new book recommendations as well.

G: As you have gained more followers, how has your perspective changed regarding social media? 

S: As I have gained followers, I have realized that gaining and keeping followers are two different things. I also see how hard social media can be and how demanding it is to have the newest books or the cutest graphics.

G: Do you consider a free book “payment” or do you prefer to receive something in exchange for a post? 

S: I will always work for books! So, I am completely happy receiving a book as payment. I started this as a hobby and will continue to make sure I do not make this something I dislike in the future. If I get “paid” to read a book, then how cool is that! But if I get paid by being given a book and I end up loving it, then it’s even better.

G: What is something that has surprised you since creating your account? 

S: Something that surprised me since creating my account is posting everyday doesn’t really help you get seen. The big trend now are reels which are hard to create and still remain aesthetically pleasing.

G: What do you hope people will get from your page? 

S: I’m not in this for the followers, but just to spread my love of books, reading and how reading can open you up to so many worlds!