Book Launch Q&A: Cerece Rennie Murphy, Author of THE WOLF QUEEN #TheWolfQueen #booklaunch @pumpupyourbook

Cerece Rennie Murphy fell in love with science fiction at the age of seven, watching “Empire Strikes Back” at the Uptown Theater in Washington, D.C., with her sister and mom. It’s a love affair that has grown ever since. As an ardent fan of John Donne, Alice Walker, Kurt Vonnegut and Alexander Pope from an early age, Cerece began exploring her own creative writing through poetry. She earned her master’s degrees in social work and international relations at Boston College and Johns Hopkins School for Advance International Studies, respectively, and built a rewarding 15-year career in program development, management and fundraising in the community and international development arenas – all while appreciating the stories of human connection told in science fiction through works like Octavia Butler’s “Wild Seed,” Frank Herbert’s “Dune” and “The X-Files.” In 2011, Cerece experienced her own supernatural event - a vision of her first science fiction story. Shortly after, she began developing and writing what would become the bestselling Order of the Seers trilogy.  Order of the Seers was selected as one of The Best Kindle Books of 2014 by Digital Book Today.  To date, Mrs. Murphy has published nine speculative fiction novels, short stories, and children's books.

In addition to working on the 3rd book in the award-winning Ellis and The Magic Mirror children’s book series with her son and releasing her 5th adult novel, The Wolf Queen, Mrs. Murphy has launched NARAZU, an online platform designed to deliver the best in indie sci-fi content and comic culture to the fans who love it most. You can visit the new site at www.narazu.com.  Her current writing projects include the second book in The Wolf Queen duology and plotting a science fiction thriller set in outer space.  Mrs. Murphy lives and writes in her hometown of Washington, DC with her husband, two children and the family dog, Yoda.

Website: www.cerecerenniemurphy.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cerecermurphy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cerece-Rennie-Murphy-205753729546299/

Once great and powerful sorcerers, the Amasiti were hunted to the brink of extinction by the Hir and his followers. For four hundred years, their legacy faded from memory waiting for the hope of Aferi to be renewed…

In the Land of Yet

At the edge of the Forbidden Forest

A young woman lives alone.

Forced to fend for herself after the brutal murder of her family, Ameenah Yemini has made a life for herself as a master tanner and farmer, only venturing into the world to earn her living then return to the safety and seclusion of her home.

Until a chance encounter brings her work to the attention of the powerful Hir

And her careful life begins to unravel.  

Drawn to the hidden magic that lingers in everything she touches, the new Hir insists on having her for himself, using the people around her to force Ameenah into his grasp. 

When she realizes that her greatest enemy may hold the key to a secret she thought lost to her forever, Ameenah is determined to reclaim her stolen past.  But, at what cost? As an ancient power waits to be unleashed, Ameenah's choices will make the difference between awakening a new magic or delivering it into the hands of evil.

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yxqrrsrz

B&N: https://tinyurl.com/y38gg5y8
 

After your book was released, what was the first thing you did when getting ready for your book launch?

Look for someone to help me.  Online marketing is NOT my strong suit. I am always looking for partners to help.

After that, what was your next step?

After booking a few book tours, I try to figure out what my ad strategy will be. 

Did you do anything different to spice up your website in lieu of your upcoming book release?

Sure. I usually add an excerpt and the cover on my webpage blog. I also send that excerpt out to my mailing list as well. My website blog automatically updates on Goodreads and Amazon which helps.

Were finding reviews a top priority for you and, if yes, how did you approach that?

At the beginning of my career, I made a big push to get reviews. Now I let it happen more organically. When I book a blog tour, I always make sure that reviews are included, but I have great readers. They usually post on Goodreads and/or Amazon without me even asking.  It’s pretty great.

What are your views on social media for marketing your book?

I’m not great on social media, but I think it’s a great place to help people get to know you. Book sales? I’m not so sure.

What social media has worked best for you?

I use Hootsuite to manage my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. I think of the three Facebook makes the most sense to me, but only by a little. LOL!

Did you write a press release and do you think it worked for you?

I have in the past, but I’ve never found it helpful.

Did you revamp your author’s page at Amazon in any way to prepare for the launch (https://authorcentral.amazon.com/)?

Not really.

Did you have other books you offered for free in order to help sell your present book?

No, but I will offer the first book for sale the week of release. I am also doing a giveaway on Goodreads for The Wolf Queen, Book I and through a tour that I booked.

Did you set up booksignings and, if so, how did that work for you?

I usually time my book release with New York Comic Con where I exhibit each year, so I usually do my signing there. It has been an awesome experience.

What was the best money you ever spent on your book launch?

The best money I ever spent on a book launch was with a book tour that helped launch the 2^nd book in the Order of the Seers trilogy into the Top 100 Amazon releases for a month.

Any tips for those authors wanting to set up a successful book launch?

I would say start early, set a budget, and work everything you can for free. The earlier you start the more options you have. I would also recommend planning a launch over two or three months, not just the week of your release.