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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–
eZine Issue #153 – December 9, 2020
Publisher: Judith Briles
Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
In This Issue
1. Author Tools … Discover Rocketium
2. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Meet BlueInk
3. Do You Need Help with Overwhelm? … Get the Author’s Assistant
4. Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign in January
5. AuthorYOU Salons … register for Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar now
6. Hot podcasts for December … Add to your calendar and listen/learn
7. Question of the Week … Should I reach for a traditional publisher?
8. Book Shepherd “Fun” of the Week … Bears and Kids
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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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It’s always gratifying to see a book idea/draft morph to a manuscript to the completed edit to layout. Several books under my guidance are doing it this month. A great way to finish the year for the authors to be. I’ll be curious to see what the guesstimated count for books created during the year of COVID has created. I do know that many
of the book printers are slammed with orders for printing.
Under my home and work roofs, I’m noodling a new book to birth next year … and doing a happy dance that my home kitchen is in action—the new wall ovens arrived. Moving beyond warming things up in the microwave to a “what will I create tonight?” attitude. It’s a good thing.
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And, as I do every Christmas, the puzzle table is up and I’m ready to start the new baby off. Puzzles are a magnet for me, luring me in. As I open the box to check out the pieces, I note that it promises that every piece is different in shape. Hmmmm. Then I say out loud—to myself—to no one—I wonder if they left a piece out to make me nutsy looking for it? You puzzle doers know that we think this, yes?
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The Amaryllis are starting to debut … some old, some new. Last year’s was the first to open this am!
Since we can’t do the normal December entertaining this year, I’ve been posting a “virtual” tour through my home in the rooms that are still done up and decorated as if we were having oodles of friends over during the Holidays on my personal FB page. Yup, there are 5 trees inside—two more on the front porch. Outdoor lights everywhere. Even Marvin the Moose at the
corner front in my yard is gussied up as well. Yesterday, I decided the big rocks around him could use a few lights.
I promised John I won’t do anymore … today.
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Okay, I did it … I’ve “boxed” up all my books in a 50% off gift reduction for the season. Take advantage of it … only 23 days left.
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The words that flow from and through books can change a life; build a career; solve problems, inspire; and entertain. I’ve “bundled” several of my books with discounts that you can only get via my website. Gift yourself … gift others. There are four different bundles … all available through December 2020
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Get yours here—there are four options to select from: https://thebookshepherd.com/holiday-book-publishing-bundle.html
Results do count … if you want practical publishing and book marketing guidance in grabbing multiple #1 spots, get registered
for January’s short but effective 4 week session. If creating an Amazon bestseller is something that you want in your midst … join me for a fun (and I promise, it’s fun, but a true hands-on “learn this and get ready to implement” experience), join me. The September and November sessions were SOLD OUT. Each is 90 minutes; the time is fast, informative, and definitely a “how to”. We start and end on time each week. If you miss one, I send the recording plus all handouts. Details below.
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I’ll be doing three of my Unplugged programs online. On Janurary 29-30, it’s Book Publishing Unplugged, February 26-27, Book Marketing
Unplugged—and introducing Social Media Unplugged for March 26-27.
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Each four-hour session will start at Noon. Details will be on the website soon. Each session will be recorded for registrants who miss or can’t attend via Zoom.
That’s my week and the one coming up is going to be a WOW … how’s yours?
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Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? … Holy Moly … over 4 million downloads of various podcasts in 2020 already! Fun watching the download numbers—something that I look at each morning with my hot mug of tea.
Last week, Pierce Gaynor joined me and introducing the Fiction Author’s New Best Friend. This week, Anne Randolph joins me for Polishing Your Writing Post NANO. The perfect deep breath for all who participated in last month’s 50,000 word fiction writing marathon.
You can select which podcast is for you from over 350 shows … the latest will always be posted on top of the show 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.
Dates are subject to change due to COVID-19 notices
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1. December 11, 18, 24 – Judith’s Friday Friendly Private Coaching
2. December 12 – AuthorYOU Salons-free for AuthorYOU members only
3. January 2 – First Saturday AuthorYou program, online
4. January 6, 13, 20, 27 – Amazon eBook Bestseller Online Course
5. January 9 – AuthorYOU Salons - online
6. January 29-30 – Book Publishing Unplugged Online
7. February 26-27 – Book Marketing Unplugged Online
8. March 26-27 – Social Media Unplugged Online
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| AuthorYOU members … the December second Saturday AuthorYOU Salons of the year is slated for December 12th WILL BE VIRTUAL, most likely through March. It starts at 9.00 a.m., ending at 11.30 a.m. This is where the ONLY agenda is YOU … and YOUR questions … bring and ask … and get answers.
Held via Zoom, a special email blast will be created with a password on Friday, November 13th… it’s a day by day scenario in a COVID world. BRING YOUR QUESTIONS—see you there.
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I love mentoring authors, their books, and supporting their vision. If you want intense, one-on-one time with me over a several month time frame PLUS the ability to call me or email with a quick response, join my Mentor Program. There are 1 spot opening in December—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 and Publishing? ? Last week’s podcast was all about writing tips, especially after going through a writing binge! This week is printing tips. Make sure you have paper and pen out … and ready to click on your computer fast. http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast
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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.
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| And a heads up—hold the FIRST Saturday of each month for our live event meetings—
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Discover and Experience … Rocketium
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Rocketium is a nifty video creation software tool that enables you to take your content and turn it into eye-catching visuals your audience will love.
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For the DIYers … you can create a professional clip without any design or video experience. Choose from their extensive list of styles and copyright-free images. Format your videos for social media with the right configurations. There’s a free trial … then if you are game, $49 a month for an individual. Worth checking it out … then I would also look at Animoto—will pop that up
next week.
https://rocketium.com/
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AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … BlueInk
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Services: Serious reviews of self-published books.
BlueInk Review offers honest, objective book reviews of self-published titles.
Founded by Patti Thorn, former book review editor of the Rocky Mountain News, and Patricia Moosbrugger, an internationally known literary agent, BlueInk offers reviews penned by professional critics and writers whose bylines have appeared in major newspapers such as the New York Times, Washington Post, and Chicago Tribune and senior-level editors from major New York publishing houses such as Viking and Crown.
Completed reviews run on the BlueInk website, which has special features designed to help publishers and literary agents find promising new material and to help librarians and booksellers discover titles their patrons will be interested in, such as those written by local authors or set in their regions.
AuthorYOU members get a discount to Blueink.
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Hey Authors … there is only 1 spot left …
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Do you suffer from publishing overwhelm? Do you find that you don’t have enough time to invest in yourself? Do you struggle with social media and email marketing? Do you need someone to help you create online content or to manage and schedule posts to promote your book, business, or expertise? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you probably need an assistant, and it’s more affordable than you think. Whatever your needs are, I will work with you to help make your author and publishing life easier.
What Can Your Author’s Assistant Do for You?
- Manage your Social Media Platforms
- Manage your Email Marketing.
- Website Maintenance
- Manuscript Evaluations
- Publishing Support
- Presentation Support
- Write Press Releases
- Write Query Letters
- Event Planning and Event Coordinating
- Manage your Product Sales System and CRM
Step One is to commit to yourself, your book, and your business.Ready? Next, contact Bobby Crew at Bobby@AuthorYou.org; call 303-257-2748
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AuthorYOU Salons … register for December - January now
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If you have book marketing, writing, publishing questions, show up. It’s online on the second Saturday beginning at 9 am Mountain time. Here’s the link to register: https://www.meetup.com/authoryousalons/
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Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign in January 2021 …
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for Your eBook Online Course in 4 weeks
– next session starts January 6, 2021
There are 23 steps in your journey … a journey where you could pay someone to travel and implement for you … or one where you can roll up your sleeves and learn how to create, implement, and execute. As in DIY.
The Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign for Your eBook Online course is the latest. I will take you through each step during the four weeks. When you complete #17, you are ready to execute.
My goal is for you to have all components for your campaign DONE before your implementation/execution day. All social media tease pushouts done and scheduled before the big day starts—and I help you write each one of them!
Dates: WEDNESDAYs at 4 pm MT for each 90-minute session: January 2021, 6, 13, 20, 27
Register: https://thebookshepherd.com/create-an-amazon-bestseller-campaign-for-your-ebook-online-course-in-4-weeks.html
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| Hot podcasts slated for this month
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You can always listen in via our websites: www.AuthorYOU.org (click on the On the Air image on the Home page—wait for it to upload. Or
www.TheBookShepherd.com (click on the Resources tab).
Dec 3 Polishing Your Writing Post NANO - Anne Randolph
Dec 10 Sizzle & Sparkle with 22 Tools - Kelly Johnson
Dec 17 Book Design, Book Swag & Bling - Rebecca Finkel
Dec 24 Essential Questions & Tips for Websites - Michele Renee
Dec 31 Forward Planning Virtually - Judith Briles
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Question:
Should I reach for a traditional publisher?
Answer: With a plan … that would be Plan A. Within the plan will be details for how you will support the marketing of your book. If it’s nonfiction, you will need a proposal detailing the book if it’s not already written. If fiction, the completed book. You should have some kind of a timeline—as in, “I’ll give it six months to be picked up. If not, it’s Plan B.”
Plan B is non-traditional. Will you self-publish? Go
with a pay to publish company? Create your own independent publishing company? Go with a hybrid publisher? What?
Ideally, Plan B runs parallel with Plan A. You need to be ready to GO!
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Book Shepherd “Fun” or an
“Uh-Oh” 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 enjoy— Bear imitates 5-year-old boy jumping
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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 it 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 a 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.
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/product/author-friendly-fridays-subscription
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Podcast expands to 7 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 SEVEN 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?
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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 that generates over 100,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.
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