An author, J.D. Barker, is facing criticism because of an email that was sent to influencers. The email encouraged TikTok book influencers, many of whom are young women or teenagers, to make "racy" content to promote the release of his new book, Behind a Closed Door.
The author claims that although the email was sent on his behalf, it was not sent by him or approved by him. The email came from PR firm BestOfBookTok and was signed "Julia," reported Publishers Weekly, but Barker is also a founder of BestOfBookTok. On TikTok, several BookTok creators used the platform to talk about the contents of the email that they received.
It's not uncommon for authors to utilize BookTok to promote their books. The nature of the content that was requested in this email is what shocked many influencers. "It is normal to receive emails from authors asking, 'hey, would you be interested in making some content in exchange for a free copy of my book?" One BookTok creator, @marissaisbooked, explained.
"However, this one wants you to 'cut to something racy when the word spice appears,' or 'a camera pan up or down the body using only the book to cover up your naughty bits,'" the TikTok creator continued.
The "ideas" that the TikTok creator listed were framed as being "currently in the works by other influencers."
"This book is SPICY," the email stated before listing the suggestions. Another suggestion listed in the email encouraged influencers to create a video with text that says "where is the most taboo place you've ever had sex?" For the video, the email told influencers that they could "focus the camera on the influencer for 10-15 seconds holding the book or pointing to a digital image of the book, then quick flash to their 'taboo place' for a half second."
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One TikTok user, @jerseybookguy, said Barker reached out to lots of women randomly, "asking them to take their clothes off to promote his book." To him, the email was "absolutely appalling and mind boggling."
The email also didn't stop at asking women to create sexually suggestive content to promote the book. It also stated that Barker would "personally review each video."
The BookTokers were also offered money for the sexualized content. The email stated that Barker "wants to be sure you are fairly compensated" and included a pay scale that ranged from $100 to $2,400, depending on the number of followers the influencer has.
"This just makes me feel so uncomfortable and just feels so creepy and predatory to me," Marissa from @marissaisbooked explained on TikTok. Another BookToker, @booksofaginger, called the email "predatory, creepy, and downright offensive."
"Why would i ever want to promote an author who thinks the only way i can do it is by means like this?" the BookToker captioned a video shared on TikTok.
Another BookToker, @zoes_reads, spoke about how as one of the founders of BestOfBookTok, it seems that Barker would have "insider knowledge" and would understand what he was doing.
"This man's insider knowledge tells me that he knows very well what this side of TikTok looks like," the BookToker explained. "It is made up of mostly young women, many of whom are underage."
One BookToker called who called out Barker pointed out that she is underage yet received the email. "When NYT bestselling author JD Barker offers me, a TEENAGER, $265 to post a video using his new book to 'cover up my naughty bits,'" the influencer, @shereadsforfun, captioned a video.
In a statement shared on X, Barker said, "This campaign was never approved. The email wasn't meant to go out without a substantial rewrite, but through a chain of errors, it did."
He said he is "horrified such a message was released" and has "nothing but the deepest respect for women."
