How to create an author page on social media

Why a separate author page matters

When you publish a children's book, your personal profile just won't cut it. Your friends want to see your vacation photos, not your book covers. And your future readers don't know you yet.

A dedicated page lets you build a targeted audience — parents, grandparents, teachers — without mixing your personal life with your author life.

Good news: it takes less than an hour to set up.

Which platform to choose in 2025?

You don't need to be everywhere. Pick one or two platforms at most and do them well.

Instagram is still the go-to for illustrated book authors. Visuals work perfectly for showcasing pages, characters, and behind-the-scenes moments. If your book is beautiful to look at, Instagram is your playground. TikTok has exploded for authors since 2022 with the #BookTok movement. Even for children's books, short and genuine videos can reach thousands of parents within hours. You don't need to be perfect — just authentic. Facebook is still useful for joining parent groups, reading communities, or creating a professional page with reviews and shared posts. Less flashy, but still effective for a 30–50 age group.

Setting up your author profile: the practical steps

Your page name

Use your first name + author surname, or a memorable phrase tied to your world. Avoid names that are tricky to spell or remember.

Example: Sophie Martin, Author or Sophie's Stories.

Your 3-line bio

Your bio needs to answer 3 questions in 150 characters or fewer:

Who you are
What you create
Why people should follow you

Example: Author of illustrated books for kids aged 3–8. I create personalized stories featuring your child's name. New stories every week.

Add a link to your sales page or website — it's the most valuable real estate on your profile.

Your profile photo

A real photo of you, smiling, in good lighting. Or your book cover if you'd rather stay anonymous. Avoid abstract logos when you're starting out — people buy from humans.

What to actually post

Here are the types of content that work well for a children's book author:

Behind the scenes: show how you create your story, how you choose illustrations, how you find your ideas
Characters: introduce your heroes, tell their story, ask your community questions
Reactions: film a child discovering the book, share reader feedback (with permission)
Tips: share what you've learned about writing, self-publishing, creating with AI
Questions: What theme for my next book? What color for the cover? Engagement boosts visibility

One post every 2–3 days is enough to get started. Consistency beats frequency.

The series content trick

Algorithms love series. Instead of posting random one-off content, create a recurring appointment with your audience.

Examples:

On Mondays, I share a page from my next book
On Wednesdays, I answer a writing question
On Fridays, a tip for creating a personalized book

Your followers know what to expect. They come back. The algorithm rewards you.

One of the perks of creating your book with MakerBook is that every step of the process generates content.

The AI-generated illustrations are visually striking — perfect for Instagram. The personalization process (choosing the name, art style, and characters) is a goldmine for authentic TikTok videos.

You can literally film your screen while you create your book and post it. People love seeing how it's made.

Check out the examples of books created on MakerBook to see what might inspire your community and fuel your posts.

Classic mistakes to avoid

Posting only to sell: aim for 80% useful or entertaining content, 20% promotional at most. Otherwise people unfollow.
Ignoring comments: reply to every comment in the first few months. That's how you build a real community.
Doing everything at once: start with one platform. Master it. Move to a second only once the first is running smoothly.
Neglecting hashtags: on Instagram, use 5–10 targeted hashtags. #childrenbook #personalizedstory #selfpublishing #kidsbook are good starting points.

Ready to build your author audience?

An author page is built brick by brick. The first post is always the hardest. But with 3 months of consistency, you'll have a community eagerly waiting for your next book.

And if your book isn't created yet, now's the perfect time. Create your first illustrated book on MakerBook and use every step of the process as content for your future audience.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use a professional page or a personal account as an author?

A personal account converted to a creator account (Instagram) or a page (Facebook) is ideal. It gives you access to analytics and promotional tools without losing the spontaneity of a human profile.

How long before I have followers who are genuinely interested in my book?

With 3 to 4 posts per week and real engagement with the community, you'll start seeing results within 4 to 8 weeks. Patience is the number one skill for authors on social media.

Do I need to show my face on my author page?

Not required, but highly recommended. Content featuring a human face generates an average of 3 times more engagement. You can start with photos of your book and gradually introduce your face over time.

TikTok or Instagram for a children's book author?

Both work. Instagram is better for static visuals and reaches a 25–40 age group. TikTok allows for faster organic growth and also reaches younger parents. If you have to choose, start with the platform you already use personally.