Right along with BookTok vibes, book playlists are trending. Authors everywhere are adding playlists to their novels to spice up those sizzle scenes and set the perfect mood. But should we?
I’m not a fan of the trend, though I’ll admit that I do pull inspiration from all sorts of music. I’ve often gotten inspriation from music that was like the soundtrack to my creative process. That said, I leave playlists out of my books for copyright legalities, but that doesn’t hinder getting inspired by other artist and sharing it with readers.
If and when I share a playlist, I stick to social media. It’s a great way to show readers where my inspiration comes from without getting tangled in legal red tape, and get some great content for readers to engage.
When you pair music with a book in the wrong ways, you’re not quite creating something of your own anymore. In fact, it can lean dangerously close to crossing into someone else’s copyright if it’s not presented carefully. When an author decides to share a playlist inside their book, especially if they’re selling said book, it’s important to do it legally.
How to share music for your book the right way.
- List titles only. It’s perfectly fine to include a playlist by listing song titles and artist names.
- Don’t quote lyrics. If you need lyrics in your book, simply write your own. For example The Hanging Tree, appearing in The Hunger Games Series was featured in the 3rd book, Mockingjay, original lyrics written by Suzanne Collins herself. It’s memorable and unique to her story.
- Skip the soundtrack setup. Avoid pairing songs with specific chapters or scenes because doing so leads into the soundtrack and marketing areas that require a license. “Play this during Chapter 5!” moves the music from inspiration into commerical use.
- If you use QR codes, link wisely. Only link to licensed streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.), and make sure you’re not implying those songs are part of the book’s “official experience.” A good phrase is: “Scan to hear songs that inspired me while writing this story.”
- Keep the music separate from the product. It’s safest to share playlists on social media, newsletters, or your author website. Not printed or embedded in the book. This way it’s sharing with your readers as inspiration rather then a marketing ploy connected to the book.
Readers love book playlists, but copyright law doesn’t allow turning someone else’s music into part of your commerical product. Get creative with how you share your inspiration and make sure you’re doing it legally and ethically because music and storytelling go hand in hand. Find ways to be inspired, share with readers, and keep other artist copyright safe.
Loretta Kendall 