Erica Ma
Author of “It’s Just The Haze” – Interviewed on 21st September 2025.
Erica Ma is the author of It’s Just The Haze and is from India. The book features thoughtful poems centred on emotional feelings.
As I have been developing The Book Hook Online, one of the things that I have discovered is how diverse the people who have joined the self-publishing journey are.
Erica Ma gifts available here.
Authors that have joined the site have quite diverse backgrounds; would you like to start by telling us a little bit about you Erica?
I’m just a human in her 20s, exploring life one step at a time. Writing makes me feel alive, and it’s something I truly love. I graduated in Marketing, and though I’m quite the introvert (hehe), I enjoy reading, spending time by the beach, being in nature, and dabbling a little in photography (not professional, just for joy). Always up for good food especially pani puri, my all-time favourite Indian snack!
Is It’s Just The Haze your first book, or have you previously published Hindi?
Yes, it’s my first book.
What inspired your poems in It’s Just The Haze and is there one that you feel is particularly relevant to you?
I never actually planned to write or publish a book, it just kind of happened, thanks to the universe hehe. During my phase of exploring and figuring things out, I realized how draining it can feel, especially in the unemployment stage. When I spoke with a few friends, I found they were going through the same thing. That’s when it struck me – it’s not only me.
Even before that, I had a few moments in life that made me realize we aren’t alone. We’re all sailing in the same boat, with different troubles, but together. It was just the haze, we couldn’t see it clearly. And that’s how the title and the book came to be.
Every poem in the book feels relevant, so it’s hard to pick just one. They’re all pieces of me, and I’m happy to have poured them into it.
What challenges have you experienced with self-publishing?
The biggest challenge for me was figuring out the book cover ratios. Since it was my first time, everything from alignment to grammar was completely new. Finding the right platform was tough too, but later I came across an amazing community on Instagram, and they helped me out a lot. It was all worth it in the end.
In what ways have you been trying to market your book, for example have you tried Amazon Ads?
I’ve been focusing on organic marketing through Instagram, Pinterest, personal referrals, and reaching out to bookstagrams (and kind people like you, hehe). Soon, I’d love to explore Amazon ads too.
If you do make sure you are aware how costs can escalate as per my first blog.
How is your book selling, so far?
It’s been slow and steady, but every review I get truly has my heart. 💙 Every sale means the world, but what moves me most is how the book has reached people’s hearts. A kind online friend even shared it with her professor, and his words left me teary:
“With heartfelt gratitude, I acknowledge that it’s not just first-time writing, but this work as a gift of hope.”
That line reminded me why I wrote this book. Not for numbers. But to remind people they aren’t alone. We’re all sailing in the same boat… sometimes it’s just the haze that hides it. 🌫️✨
Will you be publishing more books, if so, are you working on anything at the moment or have an idea for a future release?
Yes, my second book name You’re Loved is in progress, just like it’s just the haze, it’s a gene of it a reminder that you are filled with so much love but we don’t realise it, small collection of poem ✨
