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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #419 – January 14, 2026
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Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
I create books authors never have to apologize for …In this Issue
1. Discover … Discover Help This Book
2. Meet Amazon’s DRM Enabled, deadline is Janurary 19
3. Ask Judith … This Friday
4. February Author Program … Press Releases on February 6
5. Author Success Zoom Time … REPLAY 60+ Hot Author Tips in 90 Minutes this Saturday
6. Hot podcasts for January… Add to your calendar and listen
7. Salons for the New Year … March
8. Question of the week … Can I market my book without spending a fortune? …
9. Smile time … “Bridge Over Troubled Water” |
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This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s ® Roof
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Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …
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There are lots of changes bubbling up on KDP and it’s DMR
program. Date to pay attention to is January 20—take action before, and read Item 2 below.
Hey Colorado … what’s with the “no shows” on the last two second Saturday’s? My rule is that if at least five do not let me know “I’m coming” by Friday noon … I cancel and reclaim time for me or to work for other author clients. Decision time … do we keep offering In-Person or go exclusively Online? For online fans, this Friday, I’ll be doing Ask Judith. Join me at 3 pm MT. Ask away … info below.
Lots of book awards are being announced. This past week, Cooking with Judith picked up two, The Secret Hamlet one, and The Secret Rise another. And I decided to enter The Secret Rise into Literary Titan this week.
January is Hot Tea Month … tis how I start each morning with a huge mug of British Breakfast or Irish Breakfast tea … then persuing what I need to get done in the next hour. The newsletter? A blog? The new 4-week book marketing program I’m mapping out? What? Join me in my all-time favorite beverage of choice! Afternoon time—somethings a chai—peach, or Earl Grey.
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Once again, the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame will award up to five $2,000 plus Mentorship scholarships. Total value to an aspiring, unpublished author is $17,000. Do you know someone who is an unpublished author who desires to be? Get them to submit their applications NOW.
On Monday I had two calls from exciting writers and looked forward to submitting for scholarship
consideration.
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My blog this week is perfect for the time … and setting you up for new year. It’s all How to become a Fire Horse Author .. add FUN tips about you to your Media tab within your website. https://thebookshepherd.com/spiceupmediatab/
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The second Saturday Author YOU Salons are over for the year—the next one is March 14 ... remember the deal ... at least FIVE besides me must be signed up ... Right now ... You gotta sign up. Here’s where: https://Meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons
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| Kudos for our podcast, AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing … I’m honored that our podcast is ranked in the TOP 10 podcasts for book marketing for authors by Mashable and Feedspot. AND, that Goodpods identifies it in its Top 100. It’s all about patience and persistence over seven years!
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Are you getting my Tuesday and Saturday BLOGS? Tuesday is about info and meaty—all designed for your author and publishing success. Saturday is about chewy and re-juicing.
Read in less than a minute. Make sure you are registered to get them: https://thebookshepherd.com/author-newsletter/
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That’s my week … how’s yours? Lots of happenings below.
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Have you subscribed to my new YouTube author and
publishing tips channel? Always less than three minutes … a new one pops up five days a week, Monday through Friday. Become a subscriber and take a peek—there are already 190 short videos posted: https://bit.ly/Author-PublishingTips
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Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? … Holy Moly … over 21 million downloads now of various podcasts since the podcast started six years ago.
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You can select which podcast is for you from over 600 shows … the latest will always be posted on top of the podcast home page: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast ... it goes directly to the Show Page, where you can view all podcasts at once—just scroll … you’ve got a lot to pick from to expand your learning and how to curve.
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Add these to your calendar now. Details will all be posted under the Events tab on the website.
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1. January 14 Amazon Bestseller #2
2. January 15 Podcast … The Google Monster ...
John Kremer
3. January 16 Ask Judith
4. January 21 Amazon Bestseller #3
5. January 22 Podcast … Instagram Power Strategies for Authors ... Jules Marie
6. January 28 Amazon Bestseller #4
7. January 29 Podcast … Support for Unpublished Authors ... Judith Briles and Mara Purl
8. February 5 Podcast … Book and Writing Contests
9. February 6 AuthorU Program … Creating Your Press Releases Forward
10. February 12 Podcast … Online
Fraud
11. February 15-22 Publishing at Sea workshops
12. February 19 Podcast … Book Reviews
13. February 26 Podcast … Bring the Thrive Factor to Your Writing
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I love mentoring authors, and their books, and supporting their vision. If you want intense, one-on-one time with me over a several-month period PLUS the ability to call me or email with a quick response, join my Mentor Program. There is ONE spot open —if you want an accelerated six months that deals with your infrastructure; your influence building; your what? … this may be the missing ingredient in your mix.
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Want tips for Authoring, Marketing and Publishing?
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Each month, you will get a variety of topics on our monthly podcast. Never a repeat program … always fresh, listen in. http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast ...Every Tuesday, a new blog is posted. On Wednesdays, a new edition of this newsletter. On Thursdays, a new podcast. SHARE THEM with your author friends.
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Stay involved—if you don’t, it’s a publishing boo-boo. AuthorYOU promises its members a lot and delivers more. And wait ‘til you see the bundle of goodies and discounts we are starting to post on the website for Members only. All will be up before the end of the month. Yup, it’s
a good idea. Not a paid-up member? JOIN or RENEW AuthorYOU today.
Benefits galore. https://mp.gg/e9d1o
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| 1 Discover Help this Book
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Help This Book is a purpose-built beta reading tool to help you create a better book—from first chapter to final manuscript.
Gather better feedback before you publish … write a better book … and think human beta readers that add comments to your writing to fire it up. Interested?
Your manuscript is presented to readers as a work-in-progress that wants and needs their help. Your readers are prompted to leave quick reactions—highlighting their favorite passages and
flagging what’s useful, confusing, or slow.
This makes it easier to leave feedback. You’ll get helpful responses even from readers who are in a hurry — or scared of hurting your feelings.
It’s not a freebie, around $30 month, BUT, have your manuscript together ready to download and do it all within a month.
https://helpthisbook.com
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| 2 Discover Enable DRM on Amazon KDP
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Next week, on January 20, 2026, Amazon will
allow verified purchasers to download EPUB and PDF files for certain Kindle eBooks. This applies only to DRM-free books published through Kindle Direct Publishing.
There is a plus for “e” readers—it means that they can redistribute any of the Amazon digital files to your other platforms—tablets, phones, computers … ever OTHERs. You may be thinking this is a great idea. I don’t. It also means it can be redistributing anywhere. Someone can get your eBook and now push it out to Timbuktu.
For authors who publish without DRM, this update, put attention to your KDP
account. You have a decision to make.
· This change does not affect eBooks that currently have DRM enabled. You need to verify.
· Authors publishing new DRM-free ebooks after December 9, 2025, will have downloads enabled by default. This is so ugh!
· Downloadable EPUB and PDF files increase reader flexibility but also lower the barrier to redistribution. Think publishing pirates.
· HUGE suggestion asap … keep DRM enabled … or immediately do it via your KDP account.
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Ask Judith ANYTHING about Book Publishing and Book Marketing … The Book Shepherd is YOURS for 60 Minutes!
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Judith Briles is YOURS for 60 minutes on Friday, January 16 at 3 pm MT to ask any question you have about book publishing, book marketing, writing a book … or just getting a “little juice” to start your engines after the Holiday rush from the past few weeks.
Post your questions as soon as you come on … Judith will come to you LIVE and bring you on the mic to respond to YOU and
possibly ask additional questions.
It’s 60 minutes to start smoke ‘em your Author Success … and why not? Grab your favorite beverage; just listen in … or ASK, ASK, ASK! It’s time to re-juice and rekindle your author energy!
Join Zoom Meeting – click on it or copy/paste
https://zoom.us/j/95000476418?pwd=SH5vWqz0SkvVIZIgnC95lHCmCAi2km.1
Password: authors
Add to Your Calendar: Friday, January 16 at 3 MT (2 PT, 5 CT, 5 ET)
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Press Releases … DO Authors Need Them … YES They Do!
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If you don’t tell the media your story with a press release, who will? This is a live webinar. It will be recorded. The savvy author will be there in person to get your questions answered.
Your takeaways include:
➞ How to Create a list of your media to send to.
➞ Strategies to create a compelling hook.
➞ Use the trifecta of promo to create and push
out the press release.
➞ Tips for including value-added information to
your release.
➞ How to create a quarterly PR schedule.
➞ Marketing with short
videos.
➞ Where to distribute your press release.
➞ How to distribute your press release.
➞ How to create a media list.
➞ Why your headline must be clear, concise, clever, and compelling.
You will get a variety of tips and tricks for building your influence and getting the media’s attention. Get ready to craft a strategy and put it into action.
Your Presenter: Jules Marie is certified social media manager and marketing specialist. Her website is 33Words.us.
When? Friday, February 6 from 2 – 4 pm MT (1 PT, 3 CT, 4 ET)
Cost? Free to VIP AuthorU.org members. $25 for nonmembers
Register: https://www.authoru.org/event-details-registration/press-releases-do-authors-need-them-yes-they-do
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| 5 REPLAY Calling all authors and authors-to-be out there ...
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It’s the Author Luck of the NEW YEAR
last Saturday … a great program delivered by seven publishing pros with oodles to tips for your author success. You will get countless ideas and tips to move your forward toward author success.
Here’s the video replay link: https://vimeo.com/1151557678?fl=ip&fe=ec
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Hot podcasts slated for January
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Ranked in the Top 10 podcasts for book marketing for authors by FeedSpot.
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| January 1 Your Words Matter ... Judith Briles
January 8 Book Marketing Strategies for 2026 ... John Kremer
January 15 The Google Monster ... John Kremer
January 22 Instagram Power Strategies for Authors ... Jules Marie
January 29 Support for Unpublished Authors ... Judith Briles and Mara Purl
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| Salons for 2026
meetup.com/authoryousalons/
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| January and March are the first dates of 2026 … February is a skip … Judith is coordinating the Publishing at Sea cruise with 28 awesome authors during the month.
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| Question of the Week ... Can I market my book without spending a fortune?
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Answer: In a word, YES. But you have to have the GOYT Factor in play—Get Off Your Tush. There are numerous free tools that you can use in promotion. There are also tools that have a financial cost to them. They will all involve your time to some degree. Some are work-work; many are a little work—lots of fun. Many of them, are identified each week within this newsletter at the top. Many, I personally demonstrate at my LIVE Unplugged events and within my private Friendly Friday coaching activity.
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Smile of the Week Love it when I find a fun shorty—a quick smile, a laugh out loud, a learn something new, and a sip of tea … and back to work—perfect. Smile time and enjoy—4 minutes plus of ice dancing joy—Torvill & Dean with mesmerizing skating through “Bridge Over Troubled Water”: youtube.com/watch?v=ZUhn_OtO6qU&list=RDZUhn_OtO6qU&start_radio=1
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Get your copy today – it’s my life on steroids … earning a Baker’s Dozen plus ONE in book awards. Now Available in Print, eBook, Audiobook. http://bit.ly/whengodsaysno
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You can pick my brain … minimum time is 30 minutes. If you need one-on one-time with me, I’m always open for a few minutes to give you some quick input. But, and it’s a BIG BUT, many call and expect far more than a few minutes.
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This is called a “consult” and I would be delighted to schedule time with you for “just you and your many questions” that need answers.
You can book time with me at: http://bit.ly/JudithCoaching
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| Author Friendly Friday this week …
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Join Author Friendly Fridays: a fun, sharing and dynamic closed group. You can join in the next week. It’s a full hour when you can ask questions—any question. And, I always include a few strategies to get your authoring life ahead of the competition.
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| It’s for paid subscribers ONLY and we do it on Zoom.
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This is how each call starts: I share a few strategies, tips, and tools that attendees can immediately start to use. All share … and ask plenty
of questions. They get answers. Definitely an excellent way to start a Friday. Those of you who aren’t participating, you are making a mistake. I love the variety of books and authors who have chosen to participate. What’s also fun, is the energy that can be felt with what everyone is working on. Love it!
Here’s the link to take advantage of it and subscribe: https://thebookshepherd.com/author-friendly-fridays/
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Podcast has expanded to 11 networks … Follow us and learn …
new shows every Thursday.
And, if you have listened, support our podcast and post a review. Thank you!
The AuthorU – Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast is now heard on eleven podcast channels. How cool is that? Listeners can tune into the weekly (always new – no repeats) show on:
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That’s my author and publishing news for today … what’s yours?
Wishing all of you a wonderful and fulfilling final days of the year ...
Happy Christmas.
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About Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd ™
Book Publishing expert Judith Briles, aka The Book Shepherd, has shepherded more than 1,000 authors and created 500 best-sellers and award-winning books. She knows publishing inside and out from both the traditional and independent sides. Judith is an advocate for authors within her blogs, podcasts and speaking engagements. What’s her pet
peeve? Two words: publishing predators.
She hosts the podcast AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing which generates over 250,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.
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©2026 Judith Briles - The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.
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