New NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week

Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #51 December 26, 2018

Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue

1. It’s Ask Judith Friday … a 90-minute Q&A for all things publishing

2. JAN is for the ALL Authors … who want to be seriously successful

3. CO Book Fest ... coming in March, sell your books

4. New Webinar in January—Write Your Book Fast … bet you would love that

5. Hot podcasts for December … 4 to put on your calendar (always downloadable)

6. Question of the Week … are book signings worth it?

7. Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week … choo-choo train for pooches

It’s the last full week of the year … and as always, lots happening in authorland.

The all-day-long event at the Colorado Blvd. Barnes & Noble was fabulous. Book buyers were there from the time the doors opened and we were busy, busy ALL day long last Wednesday—from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. We loved it! A huge, HUGE thank you to Barnes & Noble for hosting and supporting the AuthorYOU community and the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame.

Colorado authors who didn’t ONE, choose to participate in the BN event and TWO, did a no-show and didn’t come to the store to support authors there and a bookstore that loves authors screwed up and get coal in their stockings from me. All can learn from Suzanne Blankenship in the way she engages potential book buyers. And of course, one of the masters of marketing to her audience, Lisa Reinicke. It was such a delight to spend two hours with! BN was hugely supportive of and to us the entire day. The store was busy, busy all the time. And, we sold lots of books. We made connections. We had a good time.

Yes, yes and yes—this was such a gift from BN to us. I was pleased to spend over $140 in the store that day getting a few last minute gifts (and finding an awesome carry bag for only $12 —I bought a few. And I found the Christmas puzzle that my family will do together as well. Plus books— my addiction. After all, when there is 40,000 square feet, there are many treasures.

WOOT! AuthorYOU® is tickled pink to have its trademark granted by the USPTO this week. A terrific present under the author success tree! And watch ready to reveal its new membership platform and exclusive bonuses for just members. You will be the first to have restricted access to NO-PITCH Webinars … all information and how-to. Yup, you read it here … no pitching, enticing, seducing or selling of anything. Just information that you can use in your authoring, your publishing, your book marketing, and your authoring. How cool is that?

Watch for an email on Friday with all the info; what you will get (and what you want if you aren’t a member). Lots happening … and if you try it, I’ll guarantee that you will like it!

ALERT: So many tell me that they NEVER get info from us for months—meaning no blogs, ezine, announcements—literally zip. Make sure that you have Judith@Briles.com and Office@AuthorU.org in your address book and clear them as GOOD emails to receive info.

And a heads up—hold the FIRST Saturday of the month—programs are planned for authors who desire to be seriously successful in Colorado. Mara Purl and I will kick off the new year on January 5th—How to create a stellar book and author events, celebrations, and "oh so noticed"! Get registered … details below.

AND … How’s your week going? I love to hear what all of you are up to.

The Book Shepherd, Judith Briles is YOURS for 90 minutes on Friday, December 28th 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 90 minutes to get ready for 2019 ... 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!

REGISTER HERE https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5205404001334016259 (create live link)

Add to Your Calendar: Friday, December 28th at 11 A.M Mountain Time
(10 PT, 12 CT, 1 ET)

And yes, it will be recorded to send out to those who couldn’t be there in person.

January is author and book celebration month! At least that's what the AuthorYOU community is declaring, and at our January 5th meeting, you'll learn how to market your books through events and awards. We will show you how to create an event that venues will welcome and buzz about and probe into the book award world.

Our Author and Publishing First Saturday will cover two key areas:

1. Book Awards– what to know; which ones to go for; when to pay; what to do when you are a winner.

2. Creating non-bookstore events– get ready for ideas galore—from galleries to restaurants to retail stores … yup, even Costco and Sams.
You want to be there— for newbie authors and multi-published ones. It’s a celebration of you and your words. And what to do forward.

Your Presenters are Mara Purl and Judith Briles. Between the two of them, they’ve

January 9, 2019

Write Your Book in a FLASH! At 5 PM Mountain Time
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8221749225099804929

How many times have you had a brilliant idea while:

• Driving down the interstate at 70 MPH?
• Standing in line at the checkout?
• On the phone with a prospect, client, or your favorite family member?
• Having cocktails?

You know, in that moment, you should write it down.
Or call yourself and leave yourself a message.

Or mention it in a Skype or Messenger chat so you can scroll back through the log and find it later.

Or whatever.

Maybe you DO take down the idea.

Either way, when you fire up that Word doc or pull out that yellow pad and pen to work on your book, you find yourself asking yourself things like:

• "What was that brilliant idea I had at Costco the other day?"
• "I know I wrote it down, but WHERE?"
• "They had COCKTAIL NAPKINS and PENS for crying out loud... why didn't I use them?!?"

Just the frustration of trying to remember that brilliant idea can cause writer's block. How? You're reluctant, either consciously or subconsciously, to write because …

NO MORE after this all-new webinar with Dan Janal, creator of PR Leads and on the original marketing team that brought us all, "You've Got Mail" ... Your next book ... blog ... your whatever will be doing a happy dance after this hour.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. And YES, it will be recorded. Make sure you register so that you get it.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. And YES, it will be recorded. Make sure you register so that you get it.

Rarely can I say … a webinar is an Author Strategy Game Changer. Last month, I showed you one on how to goose your PowerPoint slides to stellar display.
The Author 30-Day Social Media Facelift now joins the ranks of must watch and do.

What made it different? In a total of 70 minutes,

1.   We only deep dove into three platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram;

2.   Secret Sauce was delivered for each that will put what you are currently doing to position and grow your following to dust;

3.   There were NO SLIDES – it was ALL LIVE – and via Karen Liz Albert’s laptop to her sites showing you what to do; what to click on; what to change …

4.   Oh, you can "listen" to 95% of webinars … this was one that you were glued to what was unfolding on your screen.

Yup, a true Game Changer. For influencing. For Marketing. For Author Success.

Here’s the replay: https://vimeo.com/300915079
Here is Karen’s offer: www.30DaySocialMediaFacelift.com

I speak on stages lots; I do online presentations …, and I use PowerPoint slides … always. My slides are good … NOW, they are going to be GREAT! And I’m now in the process of changing them all. Why? Because of the webinar presented on Wednesday … and I would suggest you join me.

First, here’s the replay that runs a total of 80 minutes including questions:

https://vimeo.com/297064798

Next … Get ready for ALL TREATS … and NO TRICKS with Graphics Secrets to Create Eye-Popping PowerPoint Slides in LESS than One-Minute!

· If you are a speaker or speaker-to-be … you need to watch and learn.
· If you are educating your audience and plan on using visuals … you need to watch and learn.
· If you are doing any type of interaction that uses slides and PowerPoint, you need to watch and learn.

There is a reason why my presenter, Dr. Jaclyn Kostner is paid the big bucks for all her online and remote presentations (I’m talking 4 and 5 figures for her presentations): she knows how to keep her participants and audiences visually engaged from the get-go. Now, so will you.

Question: Are book signings worth it?

Answer: Yes … No … It depends. Typically, most book signings sell four to six books. That’s not much. Most authors think that the bookstore or event will bring in everybody they could want. Wrong thinking. Book signings are a partnering activity. Yes, the site creates the venue. And yes, it usually has customers that frequent it. BUT—you the author—need to be aggressive in shouting out where you are and why come to all you know. Your venue partners wants you to engage and to bring people in. Can you get past the norm of less than six books sold? Absolutely … but it’s the GOYT factor in play: get off your tush … market what you are doing.

Get your copy today – Available in Print, eBook, Audiobook http://bit.ly/1000000speech

I Love giving away free stuff to—if you've never bought an audiobook via Amazon—my newest book is free to you NOW-grab it with this special link for anyone who hasn’t subscribed to Audible via Amazon HERE: http://bit.ly/FREESpeechAudio

Await, Wait, WAIT—there’s more: grab your bonuses by emailing Judith@Briles.com a copy of your receipt after you invest for your speaking success when you purchase my print book, eBook or audiobook.

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

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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