Welcome to the first in a series of blog posts where I talk to real authors about their real publishing journeys. To get us started, I spoke with Cici Myers, author of The Oddity, Book 1 in the Coven Series.
I wanted to start with Cici because she brings some great insights into marketing your self-published book—a topic that I hear many self-published authors struggle with.
Before we get into it, let’s take a look at Cici Myers’s The Oddity:
The Oddity, Book 1 of the Coven Series
“We are the descendants of the witches they couldn’t burn.”
Three names haunt my mind.
Three names of three devils who burned my life to ash a decade ago.
They broke my heart, destroyed my soul, and ruined my family’s reputation. All on the same night of my parents’ gruesome murder inside the supposed sanctity of my home.
I’ve been hiding ever since, determined to avoid any more mistakes like trusting the wrong person. But now someone else I considered family is taken the same way, brutally and without warning.
And now there’s a new name haunting my very existence.
My people are vanishing, a sickness is spreading, and it’s all I can do to pull myself together when those same three devils come crashing into my life again. Despite my protests, they are determined to protect me from an obsessive murderer who is out for blood and vengeance.
I have to protect myself.
Fortunately for me, sirens were never known for their mercy.
You can find The Oddity on Amazon, KU, and Barnes & Noble. Keep an eye out for Book 2 in the series, Hemlock Falls, out this May!
Cici Myers on Marketing Your Self-Published Book
Cici was one of the first authors to respond to my call for authors willing to share their publishing journeys, and she was an absolute delight to talk to. On top of being an author, she also works in marketing and design, which gave her a leg up when it came to marketing her own book.
Check out some of the insights she shared:
Quick Tips for Marketing Your Self-Published Book
With her experience in marketing, Cici says there are a few things you should know right off the bat:
- Videos with your face always improve; your audience wants to see who is behind the camera.
- Using multiple social platforms (FB, IG, TIKTOK), posting for IG/FB, and mixing videos minimally, then Tiktok videos work the best using trending sounds or songs always helps. Hashtags keep to a minimum of 6, but no more than 8-10, and don’t use the most used hashtag for everything. For example, in A video about my book, my hashtags would be: #booktok #bookishbabes #Darkromancebooks #Moralleygreycharters #TheOddity #TheCovensSeries #CiciMyers (I don’t like to use trending hashtags because I don’t think they work that well.)
- Newsletters and joining reader groups always help, and you can ask the admins to post about releases.
- Marketing is really about developing a relationship between people. The more people you meet and get to know, the more it can be successful. I have met so many amazing readers, authors, and people who work in the book industry (editors, book designers, and typesetters). That’s my goal to build an organic audience!
Marketing Your Self-Published Book with Local Book Signings
Cici mentioned that book signings were a helpful strategy for her when it came to building a market locally:
Book signings are actually pretty simple to do. The best way is to actually go into your local bookstore and ask. I did two in the Bay Area and it was wonderful the managers and the event planners want local authors in. It brings more people in but I will say you do have to promote yourself, the bookstores will do a few posts but really you have to promote it a lot up to the event itself. The process is very simple you usually do it over email or phone, sometimes they consignment the books so you buy 20-30 from Ingram sparks and then you will get 60% profit off of the sale of the book. Other times they literally just buy the books from the website and you get the profit either (I think it’s 60% too) A few forms to fill out but nothing major. I also promoted in a few online book clubs as well I DMed the admin and got approval to post as well in those groups.
How Much Time Should Go Toward Marketing?
It’s clear from her responses that Cici puts a lot of work into marketing her book, so I asked how much of her time doing “author work” is dedicated to marketing (bearing in mind that Cici is not a full-time author). This was her answer:
I try to do some bit of marketing every day so it depends on my workload I tend not to market on the weekends just bc I need time with the family. I would 25% is marketing. I spend more on Ads via Amazon vs FB or INSTA. I have not tried Tiktok Ads I don’t think they are quite ready for the book it is more product placed. But for FB you can do as low as $5 an ad and spread it to a certain area (I would suggest starting at the $10-$20 range and see your clicks, likes, and comments, but also go into your meta and look at the analytics and adjust accordingly) You do need to have a business page set up. I spend most of my AD money on Amazon though for landing pages and lock screens
Developing a Relationship with Your Audience
In the original questionnaire, Cici mentioned that marketing is all about developing relationships. So I asked how we can take a follower on social media and build a mutually beneficial relationship with them. Here’s what she had to say:
I think by engaging with them you create a following. You can start by answering every comment even if it is just a heart or a short quip back to them, and liking the comment (unless it’s cruel or inappropriate) I have only had one person say they unfollowed from a video due to religious beliefs but I promote myself as a dark romance author so I think it’s clear that my content is not always PG, it is +18. Also by engaging in their videos is not just a one-sided deal you have to be proactive in marketing and communicating with your followers. For example, when you have one of your favorite authors comment back on your page or a video I think it makes the creator feel heard, and seen. That is so important in today’s world where most of us don’t feel seen or heard. I never want to make my reader feel like I do not see them because I truly appreciate every single one of them.
Closing Thoughts
Marketing is an essential component of growing your audience, but many authors feel stuck when they begin. Hopefully, this Publishing Journey post gives you some jumping-off points and reminds you that you’re not alone in this. The author community is very supportive. They’ve likely been right where you are now, so reach out and ask questions! Many are happy to give you the tips and insights they’ve learned along the way.
If you’d like to read the full questionnaire answers from Cici Myers, check out the transcript below. There are many other great insights that I didn’t feature, so I highly recommend at least skimming through them.
Don’t forget to follow Cici Myers on TikTok and Instagram @cicimyersauthor.
Thank you, Cici, for sharing your story!
Full Questionnaire
What made you decide to write your book?
My story is not one of happiness. I lost my brother 8 years ago and didn’t handle losing him very well. I went to therapy, and my therapist suggested that at I do something creative again. I was still healing, and I found that doing a deprivation tank (the saltwater tanks where you float in a lot like meditation) really helped my anxiety. I went in one day, and the entire series came out in 60 minutes! I called my mother (because that’s what you do, lol) and asked her. She said I needed to write it down, so I did. I plotted Book 1 and Book 2 in a few weeks.
How long did it take you to write your book?
Book 1 took about a month or two to write. Book 2 took about 6 months to write.
Are you a full-time author?
No, I work in Marketing and Design. I have actually 3 different jobs, all in the same field.
Why did you decide to self-publish?
I researched the pros and cons of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing. A few things made me choose self-publishing. 1. I wanted my story to be told immediately; I didn’t want to have to find an agent, query publishers, and then my book to only sit on the reading table to be picked. 2. I wanted creative control over my book. 3. In traditional publishing, you do not keep 100% of your royalties. I wanted to keep my royalties as much as I could.
Would you self-publish again in the future?
Yes, I prefer it. I like creatively controlling my book.
If you queried publishers before choosing to self-publish, at what point did you decide to change directions?
I picked Self-publishing first and never went down the traditional route.
Tell me about your marketing journey.
What has worked?
So, Since I am in marketing, there are a few things to know.
- Videos with your face always improve; your audience wants to see who is behind the camera.
- Using multiple social platforms (FB, IG, TIKTOK), posting for IG/FB, and mixing videos minimally, then Tiktok videos work the best using trending sounds or songs always helps. Hashtags keep to a minimum of 6, but no more than 8-10, and don’t use the most used hashtag for everything. For example, in A video about my book, my hashtags would be: #booktok #bookishbabes #Darkromancebooks #Moralleygreycharters #TheOddity #TheCovensSeries #CiciMyers (I don’t like to use trending hashtags because I don’t think they work that well.)
- Newsletters and joining reader groups always help, and you can ask the admins to post about releases.
- Marketing is really about developing a relationship between people. The more people you meet and get to know, the more it can be successful. I have met so many amazing readers, authors, and people who work in the book industry (editors, book designers, and typesetters). That’s my goal to build an organic audience!
What did you expect to work better than it did?
My TikTok has grown quickly after being on for about a year or so. I like to grow organically, so I am happy with the outcome. Also, book signings have been amazing for reaching out to my own community. I met some amazing people.
What has been the hardest part?
Try to balance the marketing, the writing, the editing, and being a mom AND working as well.
If you feel comfortable sharing: What did your sales look like in the first year? After the first year?
I am not done with the first year yet, but so far, around $800, I think. Hopefully, with books 2 and 3 coming, then a new series after that, my sales will continue to grow. But I only have one book out. I feel like with amazon, is about the number of books, not just a single book. If that makes sense, it’s a slow and steady race which I think is important to note. Unless you are traditionally published with a huge AD team is the only way you are going to make a quick buck. I am not doing this for money. I am in it for quality books and storytelling.
How much time was there between finishing your first draft and seeing it on the (physical or digital) shelf?
It took about 6 months; now we are running on an 8-month turnaround time, my editor said.
Did you work with anyone to help you create and publish your book (beta readers, editor, someone to format your book, book cover designer, etc.)?
I didn’t use beta b/c I have a team that includes an editor, copy editor, typesetter, and book designer. I am developing a street team and an arc team right now.
What surprised you about the publishing journey?
How long it takes! I didn’t realize the time it takes to elevate your story—also the love for the book from readers. Yes, you have people who won’t love it, but I have people who adore the story, and it just makes my little heart so full.
What was the hardest part of the journey?
The releasing it to the reader, I have a quote above my computer to remind me daily “Writing a Book is for you. Once it’s finished, it is for the reader.” I continue to tell myself daily.
What do you wish you had known at the beginning?
Your story can change, and sometimes that change can be good, but if your gut tells you not to stick to it.
In terms of upfront costs, how much did you spend to get your book published?
It’s not cheap to do it professionally. I wish I could have done it all myself, but with my limited time, I needed help.
In your opinion, what is the biggest “plus” about self-publishing? The biggest drawback?
The biggest plus is that your story has been told, and you did something that not everyone can do. Drawback: probably not the instant gratification of being a success which is fun because I know it’s a slow and steady race. To have patience with your journey.
Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors?
I think the best advice is to write the story you want and make sure you do it with passion.
Follow-Up Questions
What is your take on follow trains?
So I am a reader too, so I love doing follow trains to find out what other readers are reading but also as an author, I think it is important to grow your audience. I found if you love a certain series or book itself speaking on that book as an author and supporting the author really makes a big difference in followership so I am pro follow train but not to overdo it, and really mean what you are saying on screen or in a comment.
You mentioned that book signings are a helpful strategy for you. Could you share your process for setting those up?
Book signings are actually pretty simple to do. The best way is to actually go into your local bookstore and ask. I did two in the Bay Area and it was wonderful the managers and the event planners want local authors in. It brings more people in but I will say you do have to promote yourself, the bookstores will do a few posts but really you have to promote it a lot up to the event itself. The process is very simple you usually do it over email or phone, sometimes they consignment the books so you buy 20-30 from Ingram sparks and then you will get 60% profit off of the sale of the book. Other times they literally just buy the books from the website and you get the profit either (I think it’s 60% too) A few forms to fill out but nothing major. I also promoted in a few online book clubs as well I DMed the admin and got approval to post as well in those groups.
What percentage of time in your work as an author would you say goes to marketing? Or do you have a goal related to the amount of time per week you spend marketing?
I try to do some bit of marketing every day so it depends on my workload I tend not to market on the weekends just bc I need time with the family. I would 25% is marketing. I spend more on Ads via Amazon vs FB or INSTA. I have not tried Tiktok Ads I don’t think they are quite ready for the book it is more product placed. But for FB you can do as low as $5 an ad and spread it to a certain area (I would suggest starting at the $10-$20 range and see your clicks, likes, and comments, but also go into your meta and look at the analytics and adjust accordingly) You do need to have a business page set up. I spend most of my AD money on Amazon though for landing pages and lock screens
You mentioned that marketing is really about developing relationships between people. How do you go from a creator-follower relationship to a mutually beneficial relationship?
I think by engaging with them you create a following. You can start by answering every comment even if it is just a heart or a short quip back to them, and liking the comment (unless it’s cruel or inappropriate) I have only had one person say they unfollowed from a video due to religious beliefs but I promote myself as a dark romance author so I think it’s clear that my content is not always PG, it is +18. Also by engaging in their videos is not just a one-sided deal you have to be proactive in marketing and communicating with your followers. For example, when you have one of your favorite authors comment back on your page or a video I think it makes the creator feel heard, and seen. That is so important in today’s world where most of us don’t feel seen or heard. I never want to make my reader feel like I do not see them because I truly appreciate every single one of them.
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