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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #81 July 24, 2019
Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue
      
1.   Author Tools … savvy snail mail marketing tip

2.   Celebrate Authors … attend the Induction for the Hall of Fame

3.   Mini Extravaganza … it’s a Publishing Palooza with Joan Stewart

4.   Unplugged … Book Marketing is coming in October

5.   Come Cruise with Me … January 25 – fab workshop, excellent fun

6.   Webinars …  Publishing Blunders on July 31

7.   Hot podcasts for JULY… 4 to put on your calendar (always archived)

8.   Question of the Week … Should I print my book in hardback?

9.   Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week … Sylvester the Cat


This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s Roof:
Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU.

Ahhh … "the quiet" of summer descends for me … I WISH … I’ve been swamped and working on clearing my calendar to work with just clients during the month of August. All the parties are over—and loved. But so much to do. Books to finish. And …

As I’m deep in the planning for the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame Induction on, September 14th at 5 p.m., this past week had me personally call all the Nominees to congratulate them. What fun conversations as each call was answered—and how pleased each were … and how exciting is that so many are coming to Colorado to be here in person—traveling from California, Arizona and Texas. You should plan on being here as well. It will be biz dress or dress up—the site is the Colorado Automotive Dealer AssociationTwenty truly reader changing authors will be inducted to the inaugural Hall of Fame event. Info is below.

Come cruising with me. FOUR cabins are left … is one yours? The 2020 Publishing at Sea cruise begins in Miami, FL on January 25, 2020. Watch the clip below of the webinar replay that this year’s faculty did a few week’s ago. It’s below—30+ Sizzling Tips. And join us. Details at www.PublishingAtSea.com … or just call me.

My Tuesday evening, let’s go to the movies brought John and I to Yesterday … we loved it. If you loved the Beatles music, this will be a "good time" for all flick.

The power of the "in-person" connecting with other authors is stratospheric The support. The insights. The ahas that can just pop up and out. On Saturday, September 7th, the insightful and full of info and how-to, Joan Stewart will be our presenter for the Publicity Palooza … the mini-Extravaganza coming up. Be there. It’s a full day of press release how-tos, hot seats, publicity tips. Full details on the AuthorYOU.org website under events. Early bird is on until August 15. AND … this is Joan Stewart’s FINAL presentation … do .. not … miss … it. Details are on the website … www.AuthorYOU.org.

 
 
The August Saturday AuthorYOU Salon will be held on the this Saturday, the 13th– join me at my home—we call it Casa Quatar! The AuthorYOU Salonsif you are in Colorado—come for coffee or tea … it’s on me. It’s a perfect way to start your Saturday for author savvy and know-how. Details  HERE.  
July’s was packed … 20 were here! See you in August. Bring a snack to share … and some new socks that we donate to the homeless.

Summertime brings out the gardeners in me … and the excitement of the new blooms plus my delight as baby veggies announce their arrivals. Here, the crooked neck yellow squash are debuting.
 
Want Tips for Authoring and Publishing? This week on our podcast: AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing, it’s all about story boarding your book.
 
The next Unplugged is a new one: Book Marketing Unplugged. Book Marketing Unplugged! Want to morph your author and book life. Join me in June for two fun and deep-diving days at my annual Book Publishing Unplugged event.
The dates are October 18-19. The Hotel is the Hilton Inverness (nice!). October is beautiful in Denver and our classroom overlooks a small pond and golf course where you will be able to view the changing colors. Perfecto for learning, a bit of escape and spending two days with me. Space is always limited. Always new info—come!  Details below. The early bird registration is on and I expect this baby to sell out early.

And, I’m setting up my August podcasts – all about celebrating authors and featuring many within AuthorYou. Looking forward to five weeks of ahs, insights, mistakes to avoid, "how they did it" …

And, how was your week and what are you planning as you go forward?

 
JOIN the new AuthorYOU …

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 AuthorYOU today.    

JOIN AuthorYOU today. https://mp.gg/e9d1o
And a heads up—hold the FIRST Saturday of each month for our live event meetings—

1
Author Tools – Every Door Direct Mail!
How about a savvy snail mail marketing tip today? Did you know that a mail person can deliver directly to a chosen zip for a fraction of what regular mail costs?

It’s called Every Door Direct Mail: https://www.usps.com/business/advertise-with-mail.html
2
Saturday, September 14
 
The Colorado Authors' Hall of Fame celebrates the accomplishments of living and passed authors that have been connected to Colorado—their words, wisdom, accomplishments and impact—so they are never forgotten.

The Board of the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame is delighted and honored to announce the first Induction class for the Hall. The living and passed authors will be celebrated at the event planned in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, September 14, 2019.

Put the date on your calendar. Denver’s Mix 100 and award-winning author Dom Testa will emcee the Induction.
Attendees will receive a signed poster created especially for the event by internationally recognized Colorado photographer John Fielder.

Joyce Meskis, the founder of the Tattered Cover and author and publishing advocate extraordinaire will be honored with the Hall’s Life-Time Achievement award.

Celebrate with Colorado as we honor the words, the work, and the legacies of authors connected to Colorado in their writing or life—--space will be limited. Plan on attending:


3
Author Programs
Mini- AuthorYOU Extravaganza – It’s a Publicity Palooza!
Get Killer Press Releases
and Hooks for You and Your Book with Joan Stewart!
Create a Killer Press Release
&
How to Create the Ultimate BOOK Hook

Saturday, September 7
Is the Publishing Plunge for you?

How to Write Killer Press Releases That Sell Books
Nine out of 10 author press releases belong in the trash bin. The Publicity Hound will show you how to write a killer press release for your fiction or nonfiction launch and give you ideas galore for other types of releases you can write throughout your publishing career.

You will learn:


·  The 9 elements of the perfect launch press release.

·  Samples of press releases for fiction and nonfiction.

·  The best free and paid press release distribution services.

·  Key elements to include in your releases so you sell books in bulk, get invitations to speak, and invite the media to call on you when they need sources and interviews.

·  Easy ways to come up with your own press release ideas by helping other authors on the hot seat.

Book Hooks: Fun, Timely, Compelling Angles for Pitching Your Book

If you can’t think of at least a half dozen juicy angles to pitch to the media so they cover you and your book, help is on the way. The Publicity Hound will give you more than a dozen hooks you can use to promote your expertise, your topic, and your book.

You will learn:

·  The difference between a press release and a pitch, and why they work hand in hand.

·  The easiest place to start your publicity campaign.

·  Unusual angles for fiction authors, including ways to promote your expertise.

·  Fun hooks that most other authors would never think of using.

·  Easy ways to come up with your own ideas for book hooks and angles by helping other authors on the hot seat.

Let’s send off The Publicity Hound in style!

Register: https://authoru.org/event/mini-authoryou-extravanganza?instance_id=1498

4
The Book Marketing Unplugged is Coming … Early Bird Rates Up NOW

Question: When should authors start marketing their books?
Answer: The day they start writing it.

Okay … so must authors don’t get a "pass" on this question. So, let’s reframe the question:

Question: When should authors start marketing their books?
Answer: NOW.

When your car begins to make an awful noise and just stops, you know you have a problem … right?

When your basement is flooded; when you noticed that there are watermarks on your ceiling; ,r that water is seeping through your window edges, you have a problem … right?

When your computer goes blank and doesn’t respond, you know you have a problem … right?

BUT … what about marketing your book? Do you have a problem? YOU DO, if you have ANY of these symptoms:

· There are people who would benefit from your book, and you aren’t connecting with them.

·  There are people who are interested in your topic or your genre and you haven’t reached out via social media to connect.

· There are people within social media that are interested in your topic and who aren’t engaging with you.

· There is a change you are focusing on that relates to the premise of your book … and others "don’t get it."

·  You are having difficulty persuading book buyers or your target market to buy your book.

· Your ideal/target market doesn’t connect with your reasoning, rationale, solutions, or storyline within your book.

· Your social media and email contacts are less than 1,000.

· You have engaged the "BB" gun approach to marketing—just aim anywhere; push it out to anyone at any time.

Do any of the above sounds like you? If yes, you have a marketing problem.

If that is you, then how much time are you spending working on a marketing solution? What are you investing in your time, energy and money to learn and create a plan that works? Savvy authors have learned that you cannot solve your marketing problem the next day by simply repeating what you did yesterday, last week, last month … or certainly, last year.

Solution: Attend and participate in the first annual The Book Shepherd’s Book Marketing Unplugged. Successful authors have learned and practice: if my book marketing success is to be … it’s up to me. Join Judith Briles for Book Marketing Unplugged this fall. It’s a two-day intensive with just Judith. And YES, there will be hot seats for each participant.

Date: October 18-19

Site: HILTON DENVER INVERNESS – 200 Inverness Drive West, Englewood, CO 80112

REGISTER: https://thebookshepherd.com/book-marketing-unplugged

5
Come Cruise with Me!

Over 7 days fabulous days January 25 to February 1, 2020
Get ready to change your publishing and authoring life.


It’s a working, learning vacation on the fabulous Symphony of the Seas!
Create Your Ultimate Bestseller

Authors who need a crash course in book publishing before they write; need to create demand for books that aren’t selling; who want to learn the latest strategies in marketing, publicity and how to keep the sanity in an overwhelming world can learn the inside secrets of how to create, write and market the book success that they envision during a Caribbean cruise.

The "Create the Ultimate Bestseller at Sea!" cruise includes training sessions and laser coaching.

At sea, participants will attend intensive sessions on strategic book marking, distribution, publicity, professional speaking, social media and other topics important to creating a bestseller. They can also take advantage of laser coaching with the four experts. In port, participants are free to relax and enjoy the sites or just lounge around the massive ship that has something for everyone.


OUR PROMISES TO YOU:

· You will get the realities of publishing in today’s world.

· The how-tos of selling your book wherever books can be sold.

·  Access to five publishing experts that you would have to pay a minimum of $300 an hour for any one of them on a one-on-one consult.

· The tools that you need to be successful in publishing.

· Address problems that are unique to you and your book.

·  Shattering that publishing is a lonely business syndrome. You will learn and share from other participants problems and success stories–the Publishing at Sea Village is ready for you!

·  One-on-one consulting with the expert of your choice.

·  When you get off this cruise, you will take away a clear plan of what you want to do and how to do it.

·  After the cruise, a follow-up Q&A session.

COME … there is limited space in our block.

Details
at: http://publishingatsea.com/

6
This Month’s Webinars …
Wednesday, July 31

How to Avoid Book Publishing
Blunders, Bloopers and Boo-Boos that, will Sink Your Book

Whether you are just beginning the author journey or think you are an old pro, the publishing maze has a few tricks up its sleeve. Contracts can snag you, marketing can swamp you, and social media can suck your energy. No wonder authors become comatose—no longer, after this highly interactive, fun and "aha" session.

Your takeaways include:

·  Identify the 7 deadly sins that too many authors make and are all too common.

·  Learn what the "escape" clause is that every author needs to include in a traditional publishing contract.

· Come away with great tips and tricks to goose up your open rate on blogs and emails.

· Embrace the strategy to deliver "Best Seller" status on Amazon without spending money or gathering up a bunch of gifts as inducements to buy your book on launch day.

·  And much more!


7  
Hot podcasts slated for this month
Tuesday, July 8th  No Pitch Webinar for VIP AuthorYOU Members ONLY—the replay was emailed directly to members the following day.

· Awesome Hooks with Joan Stewart
· Story Boarding Your Book with Judith Briles
· How to Prep for a TED Talk with Andi O’Connor
· 50+ Tips for Authors with Judith Briles
· Podcasters – How to Connect With and Get booked with Danielle Hampson

8
Questions of the Week:


Question: Should I print my book in hard back?

Answer: Maybe … and it’s a big "maybe."  If you have a large following, are considered an "influencer" and committed to an ongoing marketing campaign, it’s something to consider. If you are speaking on your book, you have an almost a built-in audience of buyers—although there will be some who ask if they can get it in an eBook or audiobook (and that’s a must do add to your list to create). But, if you don’t have any of the above, then go with a trade Paper version of your book. Make sure you do a comparison of what current books in your genre that have been published within the last 12 months are retailed at. That’s your match price. And if you are using Amazon as your resource, use the initial retail price—not any that reflects a discount.
9
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 sip of tea … and back to work—perfect. Sylvester the Cat can be a pill. 

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



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: https://thebookshepherd.com/pick-judiths-brain


Author Friendly Friday this week …

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.



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  

Podcast expands to 7 networks … Follow us and learn … new shows every Thursday.

Here’s the master link for iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/author-u-your-guide-to-book/id493527713?mt=2&ign-Jampt=uo%3D4

And, if you have listened, support our podcast and post a review. Thank you!

The AuthorYOU – 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:


Get the latest #AuthorU-Your Guide to #Book #Publishing radio podcast with @MyBookShepherd via iTunes here:   http://bit.ly/PublishingPodcast


That’s my author and publishing news for today … what’s yours?
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.

The Book Shepherd
 
 
 
 


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