1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and instabooktours?
I'm Victoria Hyde, aka @bookswithvic. I'm 40 something (😬) and live in the Midlands with my husband, daughter and puppy. All of them non readers, even the dog, and so that's why I fell in love with Bookstagram! I've been here for a couple of years now. @instabooktours is very much an extension of the whole bookstagram vibe, as in friendships and books.
2. What made you decide to start up instabooktours and is it your full time job?
I started @instabooktours because I felt that being a part of a book tour should be fun. I wanted to start something where the bloggers are as important as the books they are promoting and that it should be a fun team effort - authors and bloggers doing it together. I wanted to create a community and I think I have done that. Yes it is my full time job now. I don't know how many hours a day I put in… it’s A LOT! The bloggers are the people who run this really. They give up their time for free. I want them to feel that it's a fun thing to be part of, rather than a chore with loads of rules and regulations.
3. Do you have a favourite book that you've done a tour for?
I loved working on all the tours I've done so far, and met some wonderful authors. But yes, The Spirit Engineer and that whole campaign has been my favourite. Everyone who was involved with that gave it their all, including the author AJ West. We had so much fun! I believe we played a big part in the books success. And we had so much fun doing it! There is a saying now.. "Ths Spirit Engineer is not just a book... its a way of life".
4. What do you like to read yourself? Do you have a favourite genre?
I love a psychological thrillers and domestic thrillers - anything to do with stalkers or evil kids, I'm there! I also love historical fiction, and I'm quite partial to a romcom.
5. Are there any comfort reads you would recommend?
This might be an odd answer.... but if I'm in need of a comfort read I go straight to Stephen King! His books started my love of reading, and his writing style always makes me feel comforted. It's like going back to an old friend, a really weird and twisted old friend. But I also have to say that anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid too (apart from Malibu Rising...😬)
6. What do you enjoy most about running Instabooktours?
I love EVERYTHING! I love it so much. I can't belive this is my job! I love getting to talk to authors and finding out all the behind the scenes stuff. I also love the creative side, designing the posters etc. Most of all though I love the bloggers. They have become friends. Although I work alone, I feel like I have 600 work colleagues with me all day every day.
7. Have there been any tricky moments or challenges you have faced?
Yes. It hasn't been unicorns and rainbows the whole time. Sometimes things
go wrong and you have to just deal with it. I've had a couple of pretty stressful times that I wasn't sure how to deal with, but they were sorted out with the help of my amazing tour hosts. I've cried a few tears over the past few months but it has been mainly smiles. I've learned that not everyone will always like you, or like how you do things, but as long as you have faith in yourself, your intentions are good and you work hard, things will be fine in the end.
8. What do you look for when you select bloggers to work with instabooktours?
A genuine love of books, that's it really! It always depends on the book. I like to put the right reviewer with the right book, so it changes for every tour. Like I said before, the aim is that its a fun experience for everyone involved
9. Can you give some information on how bloggers and bookstagrammers can get involved?
I have sign up forms in my link tree, and they can also sign up through my website, www.instabooktours.com 😊
You can find Vic’s bookstagram here
Instabooktours here
Sign up for book tours here
Kelly,
Interviewer
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