Hey everyone, here we are again, another day another great person to show off! Today we are featuring a awesome bookstagrammer and friends. ENJOY!
Name: My name is Caroline Hedegaard
About yourself:
I am 20 years old looking 16, I am born in January so I am an Aquarius. I am a ginger/redhead who has never had a tan in my life and will die without sunscreen in the summer. I am born in Denmark and I still live here. I live with my boyfriend Mike who I have been together with almost 5 years now, we don’t have any kids but want to have some, one day soon. I am the youngest of three with an older brother who is 10 years older than me and an older sister who is 7 years older than me… If you can’t tell I wasn’t planned hehe.. Some of my favorite hobbies other than reading, of course, is baking, makeup and just anything creative I love to draw, paint, make DIY project, and anything creative I can get my hands on but I also suck at keeping an interest in things so I quickly move on to a new project.
BOOKSTAGRAM
Logo name? The book queen
How/Why did you come up with it?
Well, I am a huge girly girl and wanted something that represented that but also how big of a part books are in my life, I thought The book queen is something to remember, it can’t get more woman like than that and if I am the queen of books then they must be important.
When did you start Bookstagramming? What was the first thing you did?
I started my bookstagram account October 18th, 2017 it wasn’t as big of a thing for me then I just found this community and wanted to be a part of it. So I didn’t post often and when I did it was in the moment pictures. But summer 2018 I started getting ARC’s and started upping my pictures and in January 2019 I started my blog and got a calendar to schedule my bookstagram and since then it is only getting better and better.
Why did you start what you started? Influence?
I started for one reason and one reason only. I wanted to share the love for romance books with someone, anyone. I don’t know anyone who reads romance book or just read other than when they are on holiday. So I was looking for someone who I could talk books with. And pheew did I find some!
Did you have any help at the beginning or winged it?
Well, Google was my friend. I started searching for everything I could do to be better anything new I needed to know, I saw youtube videos, read blog posts about how to take pictures better, which app to use to edit, how to get you bookstargram up and running. When I started needing help with ARC’s and Giveaways @Thequidetoromancenovels was there to teach me how to talk to authors, what to expect and just help me when I got nervous.
What is your favorite part you would say and why?
The community, the people. I love that I have someone to recommend books to or get recommendations from all the other bookstagrammers. I love I get to talk to so many sweet people and discuss the books I read and hear what other people think. I love I get inspired every day in one way or another. If it is the creativity to take pictures, to read the review other people write or just how people share their love with each other.
What platforms do you use (for things like posts on any of the social media’s? Or at least your favorite ones?
I use Bookbub, Instagram, Goodreads and I have a blog
What social media’s are you on? And do you have a favorite?
My favorite is Instagram and also what I use the most.
Do you have any tips and tricks about blogging?
Try to find you in it. What will get you noticed is when you start putting yourself in it and you do something so people, in the end, will recognize when it is you that is posting either through your pictures or your words. Just be friendly and open and it will all come by itself in the end. Oh and Google!! Google will answer all your questions.
Have you had any bad/negative experiences on Bookstagram?
No not really. I have never had any bad comment or had any negativity around me in the Bookstagram community and that is what makes it so amazing to be in.
Do you have any goals that you haven’t yet been able to get to, concerning your account?
Well, I would love to one day try to get a pr package! But because I live in Denmark that is close to impossible and I totally get it, the cost to send one to me is the same as sending three to some in the US but I hope one day I get to try it even if it takes me years to get there. But it is always good to have dreams.
What are some highlights or special moments that have happened, concerning your book blogging career?
My first Giveaway. I was a wreck when I had to write to authors to ask if they wanted any part of it and just put my self out there. I was so lucky I meet author Nicole Rodrigues through that and she was a sweetheart and we talked almost every day from beginning to end. If I remember correctly we were each other first (in giveaways) and what a thing to experience together.
Do you think Bookstagram is an effective platform to express your opinion on books?
YES! I have never seen a trash review on there where they were trash talking the book or author. But I have seen reviews where they say this book isn’t for me tell me if it gets better or something like that. It is okay to have an opinion on a book but it always gets delivered in a good way.
What do you use camera vise when taking book photography?
I just use my phone. I have no clue about cameras.
Do you use your own props? Is there a fun or MAGICAL way you set it all up? (loc, props…)
Yes, I have so many fake flowers and sparkly things to take pictures with. I have a white table cloth I use as a background. Most of my pictures are flatlay inspired.
Do you have advice for new bookstagrammers on how to start, be, and do?
BE YOU! Always be true to yourself and just let your personality shine. Ask, ask, ask. Everyone is so sweet and would love to help so never be afraid to start a conversation. But to get noticed. Start following some other bookstagrammers and always try to interact in there pictures. Is there a question on their new post, answer if you can people will notice you that way.
LET’S TALK BOOKS
Tell us, do you know the exact amount of paperback you own? How about ebooks? (I suggest not to count because I did & I regretted it)
No, I didn’t but I went out to count and I have around 119 books and I have some I have borrowed to friends and family so that is even more + I have 5 more books on the way so it is slowly growing even more. I just made a deal with my boyfriend that I get an new bookshelf whis weekend and I cant wait!
Do you prefer paper or kindle?
Paper, I love to own the books and read them but because of the price I often end up buying ebooks or read on Scribd ( if you don’t know what check it out you can thank me later)
Do you know your first paperback/ebook?
No, I don’t I have always owned book even before I could read.
Do you remember your very first read?
No, I forced my parents to read for me even as a little girl. I refused to sleep without having read a whole book and if I had a nightmare I got a new story.
What is it that draws you to a book? (picture, blurb, author..or all?)
Well, I start with the cover if I like that I read the blurb and if I am in doubt after that I read reviews. But sometimes if I know an author that can draw me in too but it still has to pass the test in cover and blurb first.
Do you have a favorite genre you read? And which one?
Romance. Anything with romance in it. I don’t read many historical or dark romance but sometimes I try some of them too.
What is your favorite part about a story? (the beginning gets to know each other, the sexy scenes, the middle right before the peak…)
How they meet, and why they notice each other. I always love the beginning of a book. It is where the magic starts.
Now, the real important question -> What is your favorite book & why!
Oh, dear god don’t ask me that! Do I have to choose only one?
If I have to choose one it will be The golden dynasty by Kristen Ashley. That book has magic in it! I know it. I can’t even describe this book to you, it was one of the hardest reviews I have ever had to write because it just has it all and it has to be experienced. I cried, I laughed, I got horrified, I cheered, I hoped, I got angry, I was nervous, I was through every emotion you can think of and to this day I can’t hear the song ‘’Over the rainbow’’ by Isreal Kamakawiwo’ole without tearing up it takes me right back to the book every time.
So even if you aren’t a fan of paranormal romance please do your self the favor and read it and then write to me what you thought I would love to hear about it.
Do you have any magical words for everyone out there?!
Remember to show your fellow bookstagrammers that you like them, that they mean something to you. They are probably sitting just as in insecure as you are, and if they aren’t well everybody loves to hear somebody likes what they do.
STALK THE BOOKSTAGRAMMER
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/49091242-caroline
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_book_queen_/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/74318209
Blog: https://thebookqueendk.wordpress.com/
Email: Carolinehedegaard1@outlook.dk
THANK YOU SO MUCH Caroline for showing us a little bit of you! Keep a look out for more to come! Thank you everyone!