E G Logan
Full Member
When Luke Bateman – Australian former rugby player, former TV Bachelor 2023 star – joined BookTok to talk about his love of fantasy novels, his first video alone generated 2 million views.
But as his overnight success produced a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster imprint, Atria Books, the BookTok world has begun to savage its previous favourite. Some have slammed the publishing world for its bias.
“This opportunity is the intersection of white privilege, male privilege, and pretty privilege. Not a reflection of worth,” wrote one BookTok user.
Bateman admits he has no writing experience. Whether he even has a manuscript is the subject of heated debate.
He's remaining manfully stoical – if platitudinous – in the face of the abuse. He said in an interview (with *Chattr, quoted in Marie Claire Australia): "I can whole-heartedly understand how angry and resentful these things would make people. I obviously have advantages that other people don’t, how do I capitalise on those to help lift everyone up?”
“Dragging everyone down leaves everyone at the bottom, whereas a rising tide lifts all ships.”
*Chattr, who they? Sorry, no idea and can't find out.
But as his overnight success produced a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster imprint, Atria Books, the BookTok world has begun to savage its previous favourite. Some have slammed the publishing world for its bias.
“This opportunity is the intersection of white privilege, male privilege, and pretty privilege. Not a reflection of worth,” wrote one BookTok user.
Bateman admits he has no writing experience. Whether he even has a manuscript is the subject of heated debate.
He's remaining manfully stoical – if platitudinous – in the face of the abuse. He said in an interview (with *Chattr, quoted in Marie Claire Australia): "I can whole-heartedly understand how angry and resentful these things would make people. I obviously have advantages that other people don’t, how do I capitalise on those to help lift everyone up?”
“Dragging everyone down leaves everyone at the bottom, whereas a rising tide lifts all ships.”
*Chattr, who they? Sorry, no idea and can't find out.
