We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lea Hilton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lea below.

Lea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

Becoming a book reviewer has been something like fate. I’ve always been a reader, but during my Masters program, I started to lose the things that meant the most to me. I was extremely busy and did not always take time for myself, but when I moved to Charlotte, NC after graduating, I planned to slow life down a little and get back into reading. I remember reading a lot in 2023 and posting snippets of how each book went on my personal Instagram story. I started to get a lot of engagement on each of my stories and my boyfriend said to me one night, “Lea, why don’t you start an Instagram page that focuses on books?” I pushed that idea off for a really long time until I started thinking about what a book review page could lead to in my community. I have a deep appreciation for libraries and enjoy engaging with communities to address their needs. I thought to myself, “Lea, your book review page can eventually turn into a literacy advancement non-profit that partners with schools, libraries, and more.” Globally, people have a lack of understanding about all of the incredible things libraries do. I want to eventually serve as that bridge that will be able to bring the library to communities. I surround myself with innovative people so I ended up calling my best friend Landon to figure out some of the logistics. Landon is a marketing expert and we met every Saturday for a couple of months to plan out my book review page, my logos, potential future merch, and something unique that will make people want to come to my page. Landon told me the first day we met that I just need to go ahead and start the page and we can figure out the rest later, because how will I know how it goes if I wait to start it? I planned out my first review, picked out the aesthetic for my reviews, and hit the ground running. Today, I am enjoying the book community that I am involved in on my page, and the community has welcomed me with open arms in regards to engagement and connections.

Lea, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Well readers, for starters, my name is Lea! I have a book review page called @leaslitlens and I provide content that is all things literature! I’ve always loved to read and I even got a minor in English studies in college! I love to review any genre of books and one of the unique things about my page is I thrift books and assist people in creating a curated selection of books that THEY would love. I’m most proud of the interaction that I have gained on my account and the community that I am slowly building. My brand is vibrant and uplifting, featuring funky colors and playful backgrounds in all my reviews. I also take pleasure in inviting new authors to submit their ARC novels for free reviews on my page. I strive to be a blessing to the book community.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I know I use this word a lot but community is the most rewarding aspect of being a creative. Bringing people together who collectively love something is truly amazing. The people who have followed my account have given me a space to share my love for literature and the best part is, they enjoy it as much as I do! There are so many book review pages out there, but I was welcomed with open arms and I am shown appreciation for my page constantly. I especially enjoy my women followers who always hype me up and encourage me to keep going!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I would say yes and no. If I enjoy something I will share it with the world, so my book review page is my own personal outlet. However, I have really big goals for my book review page. I am trying to find a way to monetize some of my content to be able to save up for a van. The goal is to then transform the van into a mobile library and bring literature to vulnerable communities. Being that I was a grant writer for a literacy advancement non-profit, I am knowledgeable about how big the needs are for these types of services. I pray that all of these come together and allow me to start my own literacy advancing non-profit.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @leaslitlens
• Other: Good reads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/136097912

Image Credits

Landon Orrand – Highlander Creative