Booktube Real Talk Tag

⋯ QUESTIONS ⋯
1. What's something nobody told you about booktube before you started your channel?
2. What is your opinion on “typical” booktube videos? (wrap-up’s, TBR’s, hauls, etc.)
3. What is an assumption you had about booktube before you joined? Was it proven to be correct, or not?
4. What is something you’ve done that has actually helped you grow your audience?
5. What is a common mistake you see new booktubers making, or one that you made?
6. What are your thoughts on working with publishers and sponsorships?
7. Do you think booktube is dying?
WHERE TO FIND ME:
► My Patreon: / merphynapier
► Reading Spreadsheet: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
► Instagram: / merphynapier
► E-mail: [e-mail]

[@salvosscullstreet267]

That's a bummer to hear that the inside publishing series didn't perform well. I really liked those videos and thought they were filled with great information. In this humble stranger's opinion, you really did something wonderful there, and you definitely deserve to be proud of the series!

[@lea.k.b]

I agree, I really loved those

[@DrJackShelton]

Im already interested in hearing more about that Kinda thing as someone Who TRIED writing books as a Teenager or whatever..... so After that vid on the side Maybe I have to Actually LOOK for it?? haha Man bloody Rigged Search Engines Shutting me Up for Saying fook the world government and all the rest...... The Dear Authors stuff showing So FAR Have me intrigued as well.... Merphy Talks about Book Stuff? Why Not Im Sold even if I spend ALL my Laguage skills on bits of Random Language stuff of little use wondering about wierd occult stuff being secret military intel stuff thats usualy ALL wierd metaphors and wierd sex jokes and stuff Id need BETTER PsyOps Knowledge to comprehend accurately... or whatever else other Stuff I just DONT Pay Attention to because of Making MORE Stupid Assumptions as though Ive Figured out EVERYTHING EVER already Enough to get at least half of Whatever anyone says til its all in other languages or JUST Different Enough for it to Not Reach Me on an actual Understanding Level considering one's Perception skills.... WHATEVER what the hell am I Even Rambling about anywaym Im JUST Gonna Click Dear Authors Villains to start or Early Vs Recent WHICH I expect to be talking How SOME Get Worse or Better in Different Ways Depending on A LOT of Variables and MAYBE A Few Unpopular Opinions based on thinking BEYOND What General Public Perceptions AS Programmed by Google or WHATEVER Cause of Whatever Technocratic Nonsense I Expect to Damage Her Less... THOUGH I wonder whether Such Study Results WOULD EVER Be Allowed haaha Whichever Military Intelligence Group IS NOT A FAN of such Sentiments Always Wanting ALL that "Freedom" stuff or whatever Right? Man Really preppin myself for some villain talk ADVICE for Authors Now or Interesting Criticism Maybe?? I guess Ill Ramble More Stuff NO ONE ASKED FOR in the Next Vid's Comments if I dont Write TOO Much and Intentionally Forget to Enter by Making ANOTHER of 50+ Vid Tabs with Text or LOST Text Id Written and Lost when Crashing Computer Again......

[@TheRealWonderFrau]

Ditto. It was one of my favorite series as well

[@DonDio6]

I agree. Really enjoyed those videos.

[@purpleminer4595]

They are the kind of videos that will get randomly recommended to everybody in 7 years

[@GrandLineReview]

It's always great to hear about all these KZbin niches and their cultures. Before discovering you, I had no idea that BookTubing was even a thing @___@ you're bang on about niches though! My main channel speaks only about One Piece and KZbin rewards the crap out of tunneling into that niche.

[@PhantomGreyfire]

The algorithm is a monster no one understands. Including the ones who create it. "It shaped us more than we shaped it." -some random dystopian novel

[@bravoxray1280]

I recently read a couple of books on the current state of AI and they elude (confess our situation) to this. Weird new reality.

[@britneynicole8903]

That is great and very true!

[@litlbucky]

I am glad you guys made the Inside Publishing series, it is a great series and something to be proud of!

[@FlavioVSLeal]

After this video I will try watch it.

[@MonsieurBooyah]

it was my favorite content from this channel, and so well done

[@Amcsae]

It was awesome!!

[@edsheeran1243]

I'm glad you did the inside publishing series. I loved hearing Michael and Kate talk about how the day to day production of making audiobooks

[@marycatherineandrews5032]

I feel that the normal BookTube videos that everyone is doing can get old after a while, that’s why I enjoy it when there’s a lot of unique and original videos on a channel.

[@aninditarimjhim1207]

I love the whole concept of Booktube. The fact that different people from all over the world can come together and discuss books just fasinates me :-)

[@cecilie...]

It's like a gigantic international book club! I love it!

[@ItsTooLatetoApologize]

Right? It’s so great!

[@slimEeEeeeeEeeeeeeeee]

That is the magic of youtube because it applies to everything, until youtube forces their creators bend over and takes it in the butt from copyright claims

[@Augustus087]

Merphy, your expertise in story analysis is not only clearly evident in your commentary, but also in your other work. Thank you for your diligent and thoughtful insights, and best wishes for you, your family and your channel in the future.

[@ChasingForever]

You, Daniel, Allen, the Brothers Gwynn, Jimmy Nutts and others are my "food tasters." You read some books so I don't have to. Actually, I saved $$$ and increased my book enjoyment. If you guys love a book, chances are 10000% sure, I'll enjoy it too. If you're Luke warm, I take a hard pass. The only down side: my TBR is WAY too big. Love your content!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

I'm really shocked the Inside Publishing didn't do so well. I thought all readers would want to know what goes into making these things we love so much. Hmmph.

[@CollecTortoise]

I know right?!

[@beckie8168]

The publishing series didn't show in my notifications, or in my subscription box. I'm annoyed because I would watch these documentary kind of videos.

[@losermillie]

@@beckie8168 same! I’ve just added those to my watch later list but they didn’t show up for me and I didn’t even know she’d published them until now

[@nalalala7584]

Adore listening to Murphy just talk, I could be here all day🖤

[@ALi-ey8ir]

The thing about passion projects sometimes flopping reminded me of Abroad in Japan who talked about it, and how he approaches making content on youtube. As he said, when youtube becomes a job, you have to care about views and everything, but you also have to make those outside the box videos that you really want to do, because otherwise it's really unsatisfying. In his case, he has to sometimes make a "TOP 10 (insert something specific to Japan)" videos because he knows it will perform really well by virtue of its nature and title, and those well performing videos help him finance those other videos that often have much more production value and can be much more costly, because he knows there is a good chance those won't perform, even though this is the kind of video his core audience prefers. I think it's a very healthy way to approach youtube as a professional content creator.

[@henaresadlier]

Yeah a one for me, one for them approach.

[@marion1446]

I’m so sad the inside publishing series flopped! I watched it all and absolutely loved it! And a quick comment about your ads: it’s because you’re not reading a script but actually doing a little skit that I don’t fast forward or skip it! BTW I started using Campfire too. I’m here for any new Patricia McWriterly content 😂

[@asongoftales]

Inside publishing is a kind of series that will be watched even after years ! I hope people are recommended this because it's actually a really great project!

[@kimbeverly8960]

I loved the Inside Publishing series and would love more "behind the scenes" content. But I also love reviews, haul, and wrap-up videos. I'm here for all the merphy content

[@brickcruz5325]

Algorithm is definitely part of it. Only two of the publishing videos showed up in my feed. I kept thinking "when is she going to make more of them?" I didn't realize you already uploaded six. They never came up in my feed or recommended videos.

[@readingwithrebeccanicole]

If you are subcrbed to this channel, you can click on Subscriptions on the lefthand bar on your homepage, and see everything in order that was uploaded by the people you subscribe to. I feel like it is the last place on the internet where you can see everything from people you follow in chronological order, and it is so awesome!

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

I watch youtube in two places.... logged out on a tv screen via the house livingroom/PS4 (so I have no subscriptions influencing anything there..only viewing history) - & logged in on my cellphone from anywhere at anytime. On the PS4, I watch a lot of authortube and/or writing and/or publishing type videos in general, and I was actually consistently recommended Merphy's "Inside Publishing" series for every episode without ever having to search for it!!! But I do think those particular niches are maybe slightly smaller or less popular than booktube overall, in general, so that might also have something to do with it; and the algorithm probably wouldn't necessarily recommend them as much or as often to people who ordinarily watch only[ or mostly] booktube (reviews / reading-vlogs / recommendations / etc.) type content and don't typically watch any or a lot of those other types of videos instead. 🤷‍♀️ On my phone, my youtube viewing is a lot more .. I don't quite know how to describe it? In some ways, it's a lot more random and/or less specific?? But in other ways, it can be just as specific...just toward totally different other-niche spheres, like music and certain types of webseries I like to watch and specific genres &/or fandoms that I love and movie reviews and cats and such with more booktube specific type content being the closest crossover. And on my phone, my recommendations did NOT so much really provide me with Merphy's Inside Publishing series at all...even though I am subscribed to her. (But I think I either have notifications turned off completely, or turned on but only for personalized recommendations or whatever, rather than for all videos; because I subscribe to far too many different channels and my phone would be constantly blowing-up with notifications and impossibly burying me under said notifications so that notifications would become completely pointless altogether if I had notifications turned on for all videos for every channel I subscribe to.😅😅) So, I think maybe it's less that the algorithm squashes certain types of videos, so much as it just pigeonholes potential viewers' recommendations into sometimes too specific or limited of boxes...rather than always recommending diverse viewing options to everyone, even from content creators someone is specifically subscribed to. If that makes sense?? 😅🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ buut, what do I know; Nothing, really! I could easily be completely wrong here... Loll

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

@@readingwithrebeccanicole This true though - the subscription feed can definitely be a very useful tool outside of simply relying on recommendations or notifications alone! ^-^

[@nikcantsnipe]

I definitely appreciate the Inside Publishing series and you got me back into reading. Maybe this is a very cold take but I really love how wholesome and chill the booktube sphere is.

[@DarkEmber100]

The Harry Potter reread is actually how I found your channel. :)

[@thelibraryladder]

As a newbie to BookTube, I appreciate your candid remarks and insights. Your emphasis on making videos that you enjoy and that have something original to add to the conversations about books really resonates with me. It's often pretty obvious when a BookTuber is simply going through the motions in their videos--particularly in TBRs and wrap-ups produced monthly or seasonally as a matter of routine in an effort to keep the algorithm happy. I also get tired of channels that create endless variety of book rankings that tend to feature the same books repeatedly. Original and varied content seems like the right way to go (even if the algorithm doesn't always agree). I plan to check out your Dear Authors and Inside Publishing playlists. Thanks for making them!

[@o_o-lj1ym]

I think inside publishing will garner views over time. It’s something that people will search for. I feel like in a couple of years it will have gotten a lot of views.

[@lindsaymorrison7519]

I think a big part of the reason why the dear author series took off so much was because it involved a lot of interaction and direct quotes from your viewers. It was really powerful to have a space that was your opinion but also a curated way to share the opinions of others in such a positive way. It really adds to that sense of connection and community to have so many different opinions from just one video without everyone involved having to become a KZbinr or show private information... A lot of readers have a lot of thoughts they want to share but don't want the literal spotlight.

[@AmeliaOak]

I love any videos where KZbinrs interact with their audience in some way.

[@elizabethgrosvenor153]

And writers milked it. Maybe a little too much. But all that series found a whole other massive audience.

[@britneynicole8903]

I absolutely love that series. I have actually implemented a lot of the advice into my own writing already! I cannot wait to keep watching more of them!

[@thejustinwestra]

It’s interesting to hear you talk about your first experience with BookTube and how exciting it was for you to find people who love reading and talking about books. That’s exactly how I felt when I found your channel a few years ago. I wasn’t much of a reader during my early college years, but I started reading a little more and I stumbled upon your channel. Thanks to you and other BookTubers I’m reading 30+ books a year and my TBR is constantly growing.

[@PhantomGreyfire]

Perona Napier was a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

[@megansbooknook519]

I found you the same way you found Booktube, looking for a review. I really enjoy your reviews and I loved Inside Publishing! It was so unique and fascinating. I even picked up a book (The Nature of Witches) because it was talked about in the Graphic Design video. Also your sponsorship ads are the best!

[@litlbucky]

So glad you took on sponsors- you create some of the best ads ever!!!! (Going to have to figure bd the Shining video just to see that ad)

[@Amcsae]

Inside Publishing was awesome! I loved it! The restoration episode was my favorite.

[@KierTheScrivener]

I also started the EXACT same way. Was confused, looked up a review, binged their videos, started my channel

[@kimesch9698]

I watch BookTube mostly for reviews. They are sometimes embedded in bookshelf tours, wrap ups, fav. characters, etc. I don’t care for book hauls because the books haven’t been read and so can’t be reviewed. I also like your publishing and dear author series because not only does they make me a more discriminating reader and book buyer, but I always think I may start writing one day. Your channel is great. Keep doing what you like, and I’m sure other people will like it too.

[@tiantuatara]

I loved seeing those behind the publishing scene videos. Very limited audience but we appreciated it.

[@k-majik]

I loved Inside Publishing! I'd been curious about the process for a while and your own curiosity really shone through, even though it was a departure from your usual stuff. I also really like your book reviews, I watch most of them.

[@carogallasc1848]

i love reviews! when channels pull away from reviews it pulls me away from them. Reviews are what pull me to channels first

[@Dougeb7]

So sad to hear your book publishing videos "flopped". I watched and liked every one of them and thought they were incredible. I really appreciate you doing them. They are a real service to book lovers, and I wish you were rewarded with a bigger response.

[@emroyka]

Still working through your Inside Publishing series but it is clear how much work went into it, and very few people put together this kind of content, so thank you for doing this. And your sponsorship ads are great, glad to know they are getting you a good click-through because it is well-deserved!

[@bhsprinkle]

I hadn't known about booktubers or book Instagram until about 3-4 years ago. Grew up where everyone around me, school or home, would tease me for writing and reading, Nobody read unless made to. Nobody wrote much unless made to. Sounds impossible but true. I'm really glad to have found more like minded individuals on the internet. Because I was constantly picked apart for it.

[@DeeKay819]

I rarely comment anywhere, but wanted to tell you that you can DEFINITELY be proud of your Inside Publishing series, even if it didn't perform that well. Long form content tends to be very hit or miss (as you've alluded to in your video). But this type of content puts you above other content creators in the long run and will draw very dedicated (to books, writing, reading AND you) audiences to you, who will in turn stick with you for longer. These effects are not necessarily measurable immediately, but I am sure having a series like that will pay off somewhere in the future in terms of brand loyalty and also the credibility of you as a brand. Speaking as a marketing professional here. So please, PLEASE continue experimenting with long form content and deep dives and everything. You're doing a great job! Cheers and all the best :)

[@moonstonepearl21]

Don't be afraid to take breaks if you're not up to filming. We can wait.

[@KristyBryson]

I absolutely loved the inside publishing series! Follow your passion. Loved this video.

[@readinginthelairlunadrakon8028]

i think question 7 was part of this because when the tag was created; that topic was being talked about. loved the video and the real talk about the sponsorships.

[@sylent8428]

I watched some episodes of the inside publishing series and I loved what I watched, but a combination of two thing occurred. 1. It’s hard for me too keep up with any long form content. I’m more of a binger, so if its not in my notifications, I won’t follow it dedicatedly. 2. KZbin for some reason didn’t push that into my notifications, so I never got new in my feed. If I was to suggest something, it’ll be a summary of some main points of each episode of the series in one video. If that video does well, it’ll also attract more attention to the earlier videos for those who want more detail or are more curious.

[@mokeydmeeple9880]

Just a comment on the algorithm: In the last few months, I watched two different KZbin channels make their way through One Piece for the first time. When I was done with them, KZbin recommended one of your One Piece videos. So, you successfully forced the algorithm to move you into a new spot. 😁

[@kulaniwarner7262]

Excellent video/interview!

[@allysiawarrington1656]

I love that you make the content you’re passionate about instead of just focusing on view counts. It makes your videos feel so much more genuine

[@sarumane5380]

I did not know that booktube existed when I stumbled upon you and Daniel and I really have to credit you both for the fact that I started reading again after 10 years. Even though I initially did not pick up a book when I started watching you, I still enjoyed your videos as they are just filled to the brim with enthusiasm for good stories and you are very contagious in that. Btw Noone understands the algorithm but I still absolutely expected your One Piece videos to do well as Manga Content and One Piece especially has been popular for a while now. At every point in time someone on youtube starts a reaction series of One Piece and they all do well. But your love for the series is still what sells it.

[@malagospodjicaf]

I think the second question, where you went in-depth into how something performs vs. how proud you are of a project, or how elaborate it is, is more of a quality vs. quantity question. Yes, not a lot of people click on it, but those that do often give valuable input in the comments, thus making the concept of people sharing their thoughts on a topic real. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of people clicking and watching, no interaction whatsoever.

[@chargriff123]

I've been meaning to watch the inside publishing series. I just tend to put booktube on in the background while I clean, and since I wanted to actually pay more attention to that series I haven't done it yet. Any channel with more interesting or unique stuff like that tends to be put on hold until I have time to sit and watch some more "serious" videos.

[@f5tof7a]

I came for the One Piece reviews and stayed because of the positive energy. I don't make a lot of time for reading these days but have read a lot of fantasy in the past. Large portions of the content I'm only watching because your presenting is very engaging.

[@jaimeerindy4573]

I'm so sorry to hear that Inside Publishing didn't do as well you hoped! I know you put so much work into it, and it is such a valuable series!

[@foxfax2]

Well, sponsors gave us HOROHOROHORO Merphy so I think they're worth it!

[@Feeble_cursed_one]

Inside publishing was amazing, I learned so much!

[@michelleannelynne]

"what do you mean?! Is booktube dying? Do y'all know something I don't know???" 🤣🤣🤣 I'm sorry the book publishing series didn't get as much notice as it deserves. I was really looking forward to it, watched the first two .. Then life happened 😵 will definitely be binge watching it (cause it's just really interesting), so I'm glad you made it Also, I hope you do more sponsorships. I just love your skits 😊

[@elizabethgrosvenor153]

Yes, that's the thing! The binge watching! It was very "I know there'll be a playlist for this so it'll be easier to binge watch it later" kind of content, and not so much "I need to click this video before it gets lost and I never ever see it again" kind of content. No urgency. BUT, here's the other thing. The more urgent content has it's day and then dies. Inside publishing series will still be serving you five or even ten years down the line.

[@neondemon5137]

I think the problem with the Inside Publishing videos is you're not prominently featured in them. People usually watch KZbin videos for the host first then the content.

[@elizabethgrosvenor153]

Yes this is true

[@brendananthony9601]

Skits are so much more entertaining than just reading the ad! It brings life to the ad and makes it relatable!

[@magnoknight1242]

Your ads are the only ones I don't skip. I love them 💗

[@AndrewWatsonChangingWay]

Keep doing what you love, and loving what you do!

[@assimilater-quicktips]

I wasn't particularly interested in the publishing video but I thought it was really cool you did it and it seemed like a really well made video. Definitely agree with your points about doing what you love

[@Mathue360]

I loved the publisher series! I'm sorry it didn't do well, but your passion was clearly there!

[@booksandanni]

Inside Publishing is incredible and I learned so much!

[@chadskelly8955]

Great video Merphy! You are such a great booktuber. I love your videos. I have read some of the best books I never would have read just because of your channel. One of the best books I read last year was Peter Pan thanks to you and WOW never in a million years would I have thought to read that as an adult. Then this year Sword of Kaigen. That was more influenced by your discord but still. Booktubers rock!

[@rivwilson9330]

Love your videos Merph! I love that we can essentially discuss books with you at such a passionate level

[@mlp4apc]

Thank you. Straight from the heart. Very helpful and I like the question/answer format.

[@cauldroncreations]

Merphy, I think your inside publishing series would be great on something like Curiosity Stream or something like that.

[@notgxldcptrick]

Honestly you were the first booktuber I have ever discovered. I love the energy you bring and I am glad I stayed and checked out more of your content outside of the One Piece Content. I really love the depth you go into your reviews and just your overall content. Thank you for introducing me into this side of KZbin!!

[@warbrothers7745]

i love inside publishing!!! best series ever,, please don't stop.

[@ima7mad]

I must say that the dear author series is by far the best thing out there about getting a sense for what the readers like, and it was good to know that we all like the same things, and honestly I haven't changed a thing within my novel as I'm trying to stay true to my vision of it, but I'm thankful to you and how you manage to make the readers feedback so accessible.

[@SeekingStories]

Thank you for creating this video, Merphy! There are so many wise thoughts here that newer booktubers need to hear to hopefully avoid burn-out AND enjoy themselves. Thank you for what you do in helping BookTube remain an epic little place on the internet!

[@celinefuchs4095]

I am hoping to watch more of your Inside Publishing videos soon! I’ve watched two so far and really enjoyed them. Even though they’re not the best performing, thank you so much for making them! I’m only sorry I didn’t watch them in time to engage in conversations about them, as I’m sure they were very active right after being published. I’m excited to watch them soon!

[@junoezra6637]

Celine Fuchs Oh a German Name. Say me is et right👍 Please not wrong Unserstand, But it interrest me. ❤️DEAR GREETING.

[@aqm5239]

Interesting points. I think that Merphy's popular because she has considerable insight. She is quite intelligent and there is a lot of merit to her opinions. Also, she seems to have a considerable ability to be socially effective, which is necessary not to put an audience off her channel. Many smart people who have in depth analyses and a passion for books seem to make this mistake. Also, she has an easy to follow style of communication, which is inherently theatrical, which even a non-reader will find easy to follow.

[@romalibra_books]

LOVE the publishing series ! It's so interesting and I really hope you make more because it's awesome and so informative, and it's so nice you got to experience that :)

[@anovelbeauty]

It was nice to hear you talk about it being okay to take breaks from making content, I'm currently in the middle of a break from making videos and was feeling pretty guilty about it. So thanks for the friendly reminder, Merphy! ♡ ♡

[@brina3497]

Your attitude is so awesome!

[@XFry333X]

Mangatube is so small. It's mostly Animetube creators who happen to read manga and give recommendations based on what they believe will be the next popping series with potential for an anime. Anime overall has a massive and growing community with a niche culture and decades of history at this point. Most content creators are heavily plugged into that space so most of the conversation around that context. It's very rare to see a content creator who looks at manga for its narrative and is critical about it without being super plugged into/expressive about Otaku/anime culture. It's refreshing! Even if it's only for One Piece and no other manga in the future it's cool to see.

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

I would hazard to say that it might be because Manga!fandom actually pre-dates youtube in a lot of ways, it's a kind-of dinosaur with a lot of its own dedicated websites/forums[/etc.] type -spheres, and is historically heavily tied also to fan!scanlations even moreso than to licensed or officially translated media which makes it in some ways less mainstream accessible I think. Plus, translated media has in the past been heavily stigmatized against in general, too. But I think that is all starting to change/expand more-and-more these days, so who knows, maybe in the future mangatube will start to really take off too! ^-^

[@astellus]

OMG the camera videos. My husband has been anticipating the announcement of the release of the Sony A7IV for quite a while now. I think at this point I could spout off camera facts. I'm also convinced he's just watching one long video of the same thing and not different creators. (though the longer I watch his camera videos, the more I can pick up on the ones he watches regularly. There's the one guy who looks like a friend of his, so we just call him Jerry, there's another camera guy who always had his dog in his videos, and most recently he follows a British camera guy with really good dynamic shots and interesting tidbits) But then again, when he comments on the Booktubers I watch, he has little one-word descriptions for the ones I watch regularly. Like BooksandLala is "the Canadian one" (because we're Canadian), Ashley at BookishRealm is "the librarian" (because I'm a librarian too), and you're the one I "get the most rec's" from because he just constantly sees me reading books that you're reading on your channel. XD

[@junoezra6637]

😱YOU ARE INGREDIBLE Highest Respekt from me👍I Like you Forces.

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

That's kind of _AWESOME_ 🤭🤭💜

[@TheRealWonderFrau]

For the silly sponsorship adds, I think it is more that the adds were fun and original and people then we're curious rather than it being that people like it when you make yourself look dumb. I mean I still remember the one where you were the author and then there was the photographer...I don't typically remember adds but that one was memorable, and it looked like you were having a blast. My two cents on the matter. 😊

[@ItsTooLatetoApologize]

I’m extremely small fish compared to you, Merphy, but book reviews are the best performing videos on my channel. Great video.

[@mally7512]

I can't remember the first vid of yours I watched, but i think it was a dear authors one. I truly love just hearing your thoughts on books and getting book recommendations from someone who thinks critically about things. I love how much thought and dedication you put in every video.

[@MPukes]

I'm so thankful you decided to be a booktuber because you truly introduced me to a whole new world of books. You are the person you described in the beginning but for me and I'm so glad I found your channel. Also Inside Publishing is an extremely under-viewed, amazing series!

[@Coreyjness]

I watched and enjoyed the inside publishing series. To me it was very professional! I will go back and make sure to interact with them and maybe it will help the algorithm!

[@marycatherineandrews5032]

I really like that you choose to do what you enjoy and not what will always perform well.

[@KaiMFS]

Loved your inside publishing series!! You did a great job. It will be helpful to people out there down the line

[@filipDcve]

Merph, I completely agree with you, you should keep doing what you love cause you are awesome.

[@FeeBee3001]

I love your inside publishing. Watched them over the past 2 days. As someone who wants to write it was interesting to see behind the scenes and something I could easily share with other writers.

[@JKWuco]

I love the concept of Booktube on a whole, but also appreciate your channel in particular because, like me, you particularly love fantasy but also branch into different genres. I recently realized that I've read more than 80 books this year and, while I've had various degrees of enjoyment out of them, there isn't one that I really hated, which is really down to booktube in general and you and Daniel in particular being people whose opinions I can really trust on books, even when I don't agree with them. For example, I think I liked the second and third books in Broken Earth significantly more than you did and last year I read Foundryside and ended up enjoying it far less than you, but you give both honest and rounded reviews that are really helpful for figuring out if I'll enjoy something even if I don't agree with your final score. You, Daniel, and booktube as a whole have helped nurture my already great love of books. Yesterday I literally said out loud, "Fine! I'll read One Piece!" So I hope that's my next reading adventure partially inspired by you that I'll really love

[@BlaCk-we7cy]

Saying you'll do whatever guarantees your own enjoyment warms my heart. Proves all your content are honest and sincere. Came here for one piece and if you somehow decides to drop it i wont even be upset.

[@moonstonepearl21]

We all love your adds , so that really worked out well.

[@luvBB4lyf]

I loved your inside publishing series and I'm so happy you made it ❤️ honestly that advice (do what you want, even when you can't control/predict the outcome) can be applied to so many different areas of life, but bottom line is, what should matter is how you feel and how happy/proud/satisfied you are with yourself and your work

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

Completely TRUE! ^-^

[@jeremyfee]

Wonderful tag responses! It was great hearing your thoughts on all of this.

[@libbyhanzlik3110]

I can't believe inside publishing wasn't a hit. I loved the series!

[@staceyroach1233]

I loved your inside publishing series.

[@Pancake.Rnold35]

Doing what you really love is amazing ❤️❤️❤️

[@t3tsuyaguy1]

I have an idea about why people don't watch the passion project content that creators put out. For me, I am often fatigued, by the time I am sitting down to watch videos. I am genuinely interested in a lot of content that is in depth and interesting, but I don't feel like I have the mental energy to fully engage. The better the content looks, the more I feel like I want to be able to really engage with it. So I save that content for "later" when I have more energy. You probably already see where I'm going with this. The amount of "later" that I end up having is nowhere near enough time to actually partake in all the great content I intended to take in. Meanwhile, those familiar lighthearted videos, they offer their own kind of enrichment. Listening to you talk about anything is legit relaxing. You have this very interesting and soothing voice that is just extremely easy to listen too. So, we're all very likely to click on videos that we understand what to expect from, because we are more likely to be a headspace that we can take those videos in. When you put something at that you really put a lot of extra effort into, I don't wanna just kickback and listen. I want to lean in and really engage with what you poured so much effort into. Statistically , I'm less likely to be able to do that on any given day.

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

Fair, and true. People on the internet are often just killing time quickly, as procrastination or background noise or to de-stress or on short moments between other things, so they readily click on things that are fun-fun-fun or "buzzy" in some way or another; I think it's often a whole other totally different audience-base or sphere of users that really delve headlong into the longer or more serious and analytical or discussion type videos.

[@t3tsuyaguy1]

@@jaginaiaelectrizs6341 I think that's a good way to put it. It might be less of an issue, if underperforming videos didn't hurt the channel's performance overall. Without that problem, at least creators with stable audiences, could still pour themselves into the passion projects, and upload them. It would be nice to see them get more engagement right away, but at least it would be out there. Because it hurts the performance of their other videos too, they get end up avoiding those types of videos. I'm hoping platforms like Nebula are successful. I think that idea has a chance of really working. I can see a future, where creators like Merphy have a lot of fun lighthearted videos on youtube that bring in the majority of their income (and build their brand), while hosting their passion projects successfully on an ancillary site; which funds itself, but not much more than that.

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

@@t3tsuyaguy1 Agreed. A definite double-edged sword, right there. Hopefully the future will hold better, more freeing/constructive things/options out there[, for content creators] 🙂

[@RichieAppel]

The kitty meow around 6:27 is great. 😂

[@raquelmarcalsantos]

Just another comment to say Inside Publishing was AMAZING and that your ads are just SO good, I never skip forward hahaha!

[@marcolechuga5292]

Inside Publishing is so good, i do recommend it for everyone that hasnt watched it yet

[@Katya_frv]

I loved your Inside Publishing series so I'm glad you feel good about it even if it didn't take off the way one piece videos do. I found your channel through one piece reviews but I've loved a lot of other videos, favorite tropes, recommendations and other reviews too! I hope and have my fingers crossed that one day the inside publishing series will explode because it felt so well done and I learned a lot from it, may that time come soon

[@MrLGDUK]

Thank you for doing the Inside Publishing series ❤

[@leonmayne797]

Merphy made the deadpool of sponsorships.

[@JAKEBB]

Awesome stuff as always.

[@marshwiggle8364]

Dear Authors was definitely my favorite series, but you cant keep making quality videos if you don't enjoy them. I'm thinking we will get a one off when some unexplored topic peaks interest in the distant future.

[@debthompson5454]

I loved your publishing series!

[@veramunarisqyana3026]

I stumbled upon your channel for the Harry Potter series videos and instantly fall in love. Then, I wrote a novella while listening your Dear Author videos. The novella is received well by a publisher and it is on progress to be published soon. I'm very shocked and grateful that you picked up One Piece, because that was series I grew up with. Thank you, and please keep doing what you are doing, because it is so great! ❤️ (Sorry if my english is not making sense, it is not my first language.)

[@BooksCauseInsomnia]

That's amazing!

[@veramunarisqyana3026]

@@BooksCauseInsomnia Thank you!

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

@@BooksCauseInsomnia 🙀Was literally going to comment this exact thing! It truly _is_ !!! 👏👏 ^-^