Check Out Julie Tzivas’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Tzivas.

Hi Julie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2024, I stumbled upon a community of people online, known as “BookTok.” It was a celebration of storytelling, specifically in the fantasy and romance genres. I loved reading and started picking up more of these books. Fast forward, and I realized there was a world I was completely missing out on. A world of creative people like me, telling these stories through cosplay and relatable content. I started making content and cosplaying book characters – especially in the dark romance and fantasy spaces and started building a community. Given my love for and experience in film, a lot of the content organically became cinematic. This caught the eye of my followers and I realized I could do even more. Fast forward to 2025 and I started my own production company, alongside a London-based South African online friend who I met through the book community. Our backgrounds in film and the arts, sparked an idea for a fantasy short film anthology series. We’re now on our second short film, with support from the book, cosplay and film communities – including support from a NYT best-selling author as our executive producer.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t. There’s times the content flops, I get rejected for a role, times I experience imposter syndrome for my filmmaking because I think the industry won’t take me seriously as a content creator, etc. But I realize that I used to dream about the life I live now. The one that gets to connect with people from all over the world over a love of storytelling.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m known for creating cinematic content based on popular fictional books, as well as developing original short films in the fantasy genre. I’m most proud of launching our London & NYC based production company, Golden Ray Productions, and for securing my first author contract this year, developing a book promo trailer for NYT best-selling author, Brynne Weaver.

I think my authenticity sets me a part. I do this because I love it and it’s evident. I love community, I love creating. I don’t do this followers, money, fame, etc. I do it because my soul needs to do it to survive.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’ve had so many incredible people support me throughout this journey. One is my business partner and co-owner of Golden Ray Productions, Holly Simone, who pushes me everyday. It’s truly incredible working with a global team and they have been my rock through it all.

Another huge inspiration and supporter has been Brynne Weaver. I launched a creative project in 2024 around Brynne’s Ruinous Love Trilogy and it was a huge hit in the book space. She ended up following me, inviting me and my team to the launch party of her third book, engaging with all of the content and eventually hired me to develop the trailer for her other book, Harvest Season, book two in The Seasons of Carngage triology. She has been someone I admire and has been such a supporter of independent artists. I owe a lot to her.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenycbookworm?igsh=MXE4N3V0bHJqcmp1cg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz5wxj1y6j4zpMk_NpRSGeQ
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenycbookworm?_r=1&_t=ZT-98e4CfkeYne