Zoella book club propels young adult authors up charts

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Zoella sitting on the sofa with a bookImage source, WHSmith

The launch of Zoella's new book club has propelled some authors thousands of places up the charts in under 24 hours.

Of the eight books she recommended, seven are in Amazon's top 10 "movers and shakers", the chart for those suddenly gaining popularity.

Zoella has partnered with WHSmith to promote her selection of novels in paid-for video on her YouTube channel.

The clip introducing her selection has been viewed more than 400,000 times.

According to the Amazon book chart, one of the biggest rises was for The Potion Diaries by Amy Alward.

Before Zoella's video went live on Wednesday, it was at number 26,447 on the chart. By Thursday lunchtime it had risen to 287.

Amy is out of the country doing book research, but says she has been keeping up with all the "excitement" on social media.

"Honestly, it's a huge honour to be on the list - especially among such great company!" she told Newsbeat via email.

"The best part has been looking through the #Zoellabookclub hashtag and seeing all the excitement for books and reading from teens around the world."

Ashley tweeted: "Picked these up today! Thanks #Zoellabookclub @NicolaYoon @jenniferniven #BookWorm.", external

Another author recommended by Zoella, Sara Barnard, told Newsbeat she had known for a number of weeks she was going to be featuring in the video.

"It's been very exciting," she told Newsbeat. "But I've been worried I'm going to blurt it out to somebody."

She says it's been "very nice" to watch her book climb in sales over the last few hours.

"That was the surprise. I really wasn't expecting quite such a jump like that, so quickly. It just goes to show the power of Zoella."

Image source, PA

Zoella has previously recommended books in other videos but this is her first partnership with a bookseller.

She says she is looking to "inspire" other readers like herself, with her choice of young adult fiction.

Vivienne Dacosta tweeted: "Shame the #Zoellabookclub doesn't have any male authors in it though.", external

Back in 2014, Zoella, whose real name is Zoe Sugg, admitted that her debut novel, Girl Online, was written "with help".

She has since published further books in the series.

One way vloggers make money is to team up with brands to promote products and services to subscribers.

The Advertising Standards Authority has released guidelines on a number of occasions about how YouTubers should make it clear they are being paid to promote products.

On this book club video Zoella says she is working with WHSmith and notes underneath that it is a "paid-for advertorial".

WHSmith also works with Richard and Judy, the previous hosts of ITV's This Morning, on a book club promoting adult fiction.

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