author woes

November 2025 Book Marketing Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

So… how did November marketing go?

Well, let’s just say it was an adventure—and not entirely by choice. Remember how I had to discontinue my Amazon ads because of that delightful bank card fiasco? Yeah. So November was a full-on freeballing-it month. No ads. No fancy targeting. Just me, my social media posts, a couple of emails, and some strategic free book promos thrown into the universe like confetti.

With limited tools, I leaned hard into my strongest performers: Abuelita ¿Qué Vamos A Hacer Hoy?, Let’s Make Rosca de Reyes, and the Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico series. I decided to make the ebooks free over the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend. Counterintuitive? Maybe. But hear me out.

Kids’ books? People love a physical copy.

Pick up your copy today!

Herbal books? Herbalists want pages they can touch, smell like paper, and flip through with a cup of tea in hand.

The perfect gift for the herbalist in your life

So the strategy was simple: let readers try them for free digitally, fall in love, and (fingers crossed) come back for the print versions either for themselves or as gifts. Will that work? It’s too early in December to know, but we’ll see.

As for downloads… I didn’t get as many as I would’ve liked. But I’m hopeful that the ones I did get were from the right people like the families, teachers, herbalists, and curious readers who actually want and need these books.

Marketing without ads is definitely a challenge, but it’s also oddly empowering to see what happens when you rely on creativity instead of algorithms. On to December and whatever magic (or mischief) it brings!

2025 WIP Challenge: End-of-Year Wrap-Up

| C.E. Flores

Well… here we are at the end of the 2025 WIP Challenge, and yes, I know that I haven’t posted an update since August. Oops. But in my defense, time is a weird soup, and somehow the last four months evaporated when I wasn’t looking.

Did I write?
A little! Here and there! Enough to feel smug for a moment and then promptly forget what I was working on.

Did I finish any new WIPs this year?
Absolutely not. Not a single one. Zip. Zero. A very symmetrical number, if nothing else.

But did I learn something?
Oh, definitely. I learned that if I ever expect to actually complete any of these WIPs, I need to carve out more consistent writing time instead of assuming Future Me will magically take care of it. (Future Me did not.)

Was it a wasted year?
If we’re talking strictly in terms of word count, maybe.
But in terms of life experience, growth, chaos, plot material, emotional arc-building, and general character development? A gold mine. I’ve been living the chapters I’ll write later. Transformation, baby. Sometimes that counts just as much as finishing a draft.

To anyone who made an honest attempt to write this year, whether you wrote a sentence, a page, or just opened the document and stared at it meaningfully, congratulations! You showed up. That’s the hardest part.

As for whether I’ll undertake another challenge next year, that remains to be seen. I might switch things up and track actual hours or word counts per month. I haven’t decided yet; I’m still in the “thinking about thinking about it” phase.

Here’s to the stories still simmering, the WIPs patiently waiting, and the small but mighty wins that carried us through 2025. Onward!

July 2025 WIP Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

I wrote some chapters of La Yacata Insurrection, drafts, mind you, since things are moving so fast these days that I can barely get one event written when another has begun. I have notes for other sections of the book that I’ll need to wait to see the results before I can write those up. And of course, since things were so busy, I didn’t get much other writing done.

I did get some editing done at the beginning of July on the revised healthcare book. It would be nice if I could get that finished up to republish in September, but we shall see. Here it is already the 10th, and I’m just getting the WIP challenge update up. 

How have things been in your writing world?

April 2025 Book Marketing Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

One of the most powerful tools in your book marketing toolkit is collaboration, especially when you’re looking to grow your audience organically. This past month, I focused on Leveraging Collaborations, and here’s how it went:

🤝 Author Cross-Promotions

I leaned into the #writerslift community on social media, a fantastic way to discover and support fellow writers. My goal was simple: Participate in at least one #writerslift per day. I followed writers in my niche, shared their original posts, and built up mutual support through likes, comments, and shares. It was a great way to connect and shine a spotlight on each other’s work without the pressure of constant self-promotion.

Follow me: 

Instagram

Bluesky

X (Twitter)

Pinterest

Facebook

✍️ Guest Features

Next, I took a more targeted approach by engaging with individuals and creators within my niche. For me, that includes children’s authors, herbalists, and preppers. My goal was to follow someone new every day, which helped me discover fresh voices and content while building potential for future collaborations. Whether it’s a guest blog swap, podcast invite, or social media feature, these little steps lay the groundwork.

📘 Facebook Author Groups

I also spent time in author groups on Facebook, spaces full of writers, readers, and inspiration. I didn’t pitch or promote aggressively but simply showed up and connected naturally. These groups offer more than just promo opportunities. They’re little ecosystems of support, learning, and encouragement.

🌟 Getting Book Reviews Through New Platforms

I added a few of my books to BookBub and Muted Muses. The response was encouraging. I received several new reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, thanks to these listings. It was a small action that created meaningful momentum.

🎤 Seeking Speaking Opportunities (Still on the Horizon)

While I didn’t find any virtual events to contribute to as a speaker or guest this month, I remain open to it. Sometimes, the right opportunity takes a little patience and serendipity. I’ll keep my eyes open, especially for events that align with my niche audiences.

🔚 Final Thoughts

Collaboration doesn’t have to be complicated or flashy. Sometimes, it’s as simple as showing up consistently, supporting others, and being open to new connections. Tapping into other people’s audiences—while genuinely cheering them on in return—creates real momentum over time.

This month was proof that small, consistent efforts in the right direction can yield surprising growth. And the best part? It’s just the beginning.

Did you use collaboration successfully this month? Let me know what’s working for you! ✨

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Book Hawking: A Beginner’s Guide to Marketing Your Self-Published Book is your roadmap to turning your hidden gem into a must-read!

March 2025 Book Marketing Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

I actually started focusing on creating more content in December or thereabouts. I started posting a plant study teaser with a link to my Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico series once daily. Then, in February, I switched to remedies from the Mexican Apothecary book. 

I created simple graphics in Canva and used an AI generator to write the short blurbs with hashtags for these. I used Google Calendar to set a reminder. With the task function, I popped the social media post there so I could just grab it and upload the image, making it as brainless as possible. Of course, this required some serious prepping ahead of time. 

Looking back, I should have spaced the herb posts out more initially. Instead of having daily posts, weekly or monthly would have been better. Additionally, on the first day of March, I used the wrong image and then had to reschedule the post for another day, so I wasn’t off to a great start.
I also made some graphics from my Surviving Voluntary Exile book. Instead of posting daily, I switched to weekly highlights.

I scheduled weekly book highlights for several of my books to keep the momentum going. It’s not true that if you write it, they will buy it (or if you build it, they will come). Readers have to KNOW about my books, and I need to toot my own horn more so that they do. I made some images in Canva; for others, I used www.MockupShots.com. 

I have been trying to do a WIP challenge beginning in 2024 and continued in 2025, so I have been doing monthly updates on that. I can’t say that my updates are very interesting, but they do provide some accountability for me. Those would be my “behind-the-scenes” posts. 

I opted not to do any videos of me, live or otherwise. I just don’t have the bandwidth for that sort of publicity. I did make some book videos, and that will have to be enough.

As to whether or not these social posts resonate with my ideal reader, well, that’s another matter entirely. 

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Book Hawking: A Beginner’s Guide to Marketing Your Self-Published Book is your roadmap to turning your hidden gem into a must-read!

February 2025 WIP Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

February was busy, but I made some progress on La Yacata Insurrection. Finding time to write between my actual responsibilities in La Yacata was a challenge, but I got some words down, which is a win.

I also made headway on editing the healthcare book. There’s still more to do, and I need to carve out dedicated time to finish it.

Looking ahead to March, my goal is to update the Exile book. It shouldn’t be a massive undertaking, but, as always, setting aside focused time will be key.

How was your writing progress in February?

March 2025 Book Marketing Challenge

| C.E. Flores

Creating content that resonates with the target audience is a crucial step in any book journey. This month, the focus is on building engagement by sharing behind-the-scenes looks at the writing process, posting excerpts, and using creative tools like Canva to make quote cards and graphics.

Honestly, as an introvert, putting myself out there on social media feels daunting. But I also recognize that book marketing isn’t just about selling. It’s about connection. If I want my words to reach the right people, I must step beyond my comfort zone and engage meaningfully with my audience.

So, here’s to pushing past hesitation and embracing new ways to share my work. Whether it’s a simple teaser post, a quote graphic, or a live discussion (gulp!), every effort brings me closer to my readers. Let’s do this!

Month 3: Develop Engaging Content

  • Focus: Build content that resonates with your audience.
  • Actions:
    • Share behind-the-scenes looks at your writing process.
    • Post short excerpts, quotes, or teasers from your book.
    • Create graphics with tools like Canva (e.g., quote cards, covers).
    • Use polls, Q&As, or live videos to engage your audience.

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Book Hawking: A Beginner’s Guide to Marketing Your Self-Published Book is your roadmap to turning your hidden gem into a must-read!

January 2025 WIP Challenge Update

| C.E. Flores

January always feels like a fresh start—a time to set goals, make plans, and dive into creative projects. I can’t say I finished anything last month, but I did manage to carve out time for writing and even some editing, which feels like a victory in itself.

One of my main focuses has been La Yacata Insurrection. It’s a project that continues to evolve, and while I haven’t completed it, I’ve made meaningful progress. The obligations that I have to the community have become all-encompassing, and although that makes for a good story, it leaves precious little time to get anything written. I mean here it is mid-February and I’m just getting to the January update!

In addition to that, I did a first edit on Lupita’s Tamalada in English. I’m very excited about this book and want it to be just right before sending it to the translator for revision and the illustrator for pictures. 

While January wasn’t about finishing, it was about moving forward. And that, in itself, is something to celebrate. Here’s to more words, more edits, and steady progress in the months ahead!

How did your writing go?

WIP 2024 – August Results

| C.E. Flores

I didn’t think I’d make my self-imposed deadline for the Special Edition of Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico: Volumes 1-5, but I did. YEAH! To celebrate, for the month of September, you can get the deluxe hardback book at a special price of $99. 

What ancient secrets do the plants of Mexico hold?

Unlock the mysteries with Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico Special Edition. This captivating five-volume collection offers an immersive journey into the world of 140 medicinal plants 🌱, each study meticulously researched and accompanied by beautiful full-color photographs 📸. Discover the deep-rooted cultural traditions that have harnessed the healing power of these plants for generations 🌵. Whether you’re a curious herbalist, a nature lover 🌿, or a cultural enthusiast 🌎, this series will inspire and enlighten you, revealing the profound connection between the land, its people, and the plants that sustain them 🌼. Embark on a journey where history, healing, and nature converge in the vibrant tapestry of Mexico.

Order now!!!

I can’t wait for my copy to arrive! 

So, looking ahead to September, I plan on revising the paperback and epub versions of Volumes 1-5 in this series and publishing hardback versions as well. After that, I hope to work on that gardening book I’ve been meaning to pull together. Herbs! Herbs! Herbs! 

What are you writing this month?