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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #85 August 21, 2019
Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue
      
1.   Author Tools … add Hemingway app to your toolbox

2.   Celebrate Authors … attend the Induction for the Hall of Fame—get your tickets-updates, check out the website! 40 Seats left

3.   Mini Extravaganza … 5 spots left for Publicity Palooza

4.   Unplugged … Book Marketing is coming in October 18-19—be there

5.   Come Cruise with Me … January 25 – two spots left

6.   Hot podcasts for AUGUST… 5 to put on your calendar (always archived) — it’s celebrate authors month

7.   Question of the Week … when should I start marketing my books?

8.   Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week … kitties and socks

This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s Roof:

Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU.


GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! ONLY 40 left (that’s out of 150 …
we will be sold out for sure—don’t miss out.

Imagine, meeting and schmoozing with the team that created the game plan that sold 125 million copies of Louis L’Amour books after his death. And imagine being surrounded by authors and their legacies that have sold over 700 million books, changing the lives of millions of fans. Just imagine hearing some of the stories behind the stories. It’s happening on September 14th. I’m there … are you?

And … imagine … have an awesome original photograph that has been turned into an 18 x 24 poster for each Induction attendee. It’s gorgeous!
All this happens on Saturday, September 14. Over two-thirds of the tickets are sold and dinner is included. Suggest you don’t miss it.

Come cruising with me. TWO cabins are left … is one yours? The 2020 Publishing at Sea cruise begins in Miami, FL on January 25, 2020.
The power of the "in-person" connecting with other authors is stratespheric. 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.AND … this is Joan Stewart’s FINAL presentation … do .. not … miss … it. Details are on the website … www.AuthorYOU.org. There are five spots left.

Bonus … listen to the podcast Joan and I did that ties to the event with smart authors get awesome tips via Publicity Hound Joan Stewart on targeting ideal readers and book marketing podcast: podcast: http://ow.ly/SgdV50uSaIY

 
 
The September Saturday AuthorYOU Salon will be held on Saturday, September 14th – join me at my home—we call it Casa Quatar! It starts at 8.30 am to 11.30—why, because it’s Induction day for the Authors Hall of Fame and yours truly has tons to do for prep.

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.   https://www.meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons/events/260321129/

August was packed … 20 were here! See you next week. Saturday, the 10th. Bring a snack to share … and some new socks that we donate to the homeless.
 
Want Tips for Authoring and Publishing? This week on our podcast: AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing, it’s all about creating a series of books. Tips and tricks from author Courtney Miller.
 
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.

Listen to my August podcasts – Join Courtney Miller, Lynn Hellerstein, Charles Breakfield, Rox Burkey, Steve Snyder and Lori Golden … their journeys, downs and ups and sage advice flows. August is all about celebrating authors.  Looking forward to five weeks of ahs, insights, mistakes to avoid, "how they did it" …

It’s a heavy-duty writing week for me on a variety of projects. Will I see you at the CO Authors’ Hall of Fame event next month?


 
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—

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Author Tools – Discover your best writing software
The Hemingway App can easily pop into an author’s best friend tool kit. It’s the one many editors use (along with Grammarly) to fine-tune writing. And best of all, it’s free.

I love it because it gives you a "readability index" –meaning what grade level your verbiage is at. Sad to say … but the clearer your writing is perceived as, the lower the grade level you use—suggest you stay in the 6th grade level. Sigh.

Once you open the app, you can write or paste in your copy. Click on EDIT and watch the color-coded phrases that pop up and suggestions on how to fix. Go ahead and delete the instructions you see on the homepage by highlighting them.

Last time I checked, the Yellow highlights long, complex sentences and common errors. Red identifies dense, complicated sentences.
Blue shows you adverbs that you can remove and replace with more forceful verbs. Purple points out hifalutin smarty pants words that will drive your readers to the dictionary (don’t do this) and should be replaced with simple words. Green flags you when your text is in the passive voice.
You will be surprised with what pops up.

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Saturday, September 14
5 p.m.



 
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!  ONLY 40 left (that’s out of 150 … we will be sold out for sure—don’t miss out.
What does the author of the Left Behind series, Jerry Jenkins, have in common with Stephen King, Margaret Coel, Helen Thorpe, Rex Burns, Louis L’Amour, Sybil Downing, Minnie Reynolds, W C Jameson, John Fielder, Mary Taylor Young, Kris Tualla, Georgy Cory Smith, John Dunning, Madeleine Albright, Joyce Meskis, Connie Willis, Jill Tietjen, Ann Zwinger, Clive Cussler, and Marilyn Van Derbur? They all are being inducted into the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, September 14, 2019. And, collectively, their total book sales would put FOUR books into the hands of every man, woman, and child in the United States.

Five of the celebrants are being honored for their work created prior to their deaths. Family members will be at the event to share stories and insights. Of the 16 living recipients, 11 will be at the event in person. Meet them … hear their stories and words of wisdom.

This is the first Induction class for the Hall, an event that will be repeated in odd years with . The living with authors will be celebrated at the event planned in

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. I promise—it’s gorgeous—you will want to frame it.

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.

21 AWESOME authors, all connected with Colorado will be featured. Be there … the energy (and fun) will be off the charts.


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:


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Author Programs5 Spots Remainis ONE yours? 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?

Bonus … listen to the podcast Joan and I did that ties to the event with smart authors get awesome tips via Publicity Hound Joan Stewart on targeting ideal readers and book marketing podcast: podcast: http://ow.ly/SgdV50uSaIY

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

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The Book Marketing Unplugged is Coming … Early Bird Rates Up NOW … and don’t miss this!

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

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Come Cruise with Me!

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


TWO staterooms left in our group

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/

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Hot podcasts slated for this month
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).

Throughout August, bestselling authors Courtney Miller, Lynn Hellerstein, Rox Burkey, Charles Breakfield, Lori Golden and Steve Snyder will be featured. Follow their journeys—their insights, ahas, oh-ohs (I won’t do that again) and sage advice for author and publishing success. They reveal their journey; their hiccups; their surprises; their successes; and their writing tips,

August 1 – Visualizing Tips for Creating a Bestseller with Lynn Hellerstein

August 8
– Creating a Fiction TeTechno-Thriller series and Collaborative Writing with Charles Breakfield and Rox Burkey

August 15 – Biography Writing and Niche Book Marketing with Steve Snyder

August 22 – Creating Dual Fiction series and Building a Fan Base with Courtney Miller

August 29 – How to Create a Memoir Page Turner with Lori Golden

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Questions of the Week:


Question: When should I start selling my book?

Answer: That’s an excellent question. You start thinking marketing when you start writing … or you should be. Selling is a bit different. I suggest you start the push at six months out. It gooses you to keep going. Work on the cover --- even just a "plain Jane" with the title and your name on it—covers evolve. Get it up on your website—let people know that a special personalized edition can be ordered with a link to do so. Create a spiffy flyer with a special pricing—which could include a free shipping offer. Tell potential buyers WHEN it will be available by season—Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall—that gives you a 3-month window to deliver. Carry and distribute when you show up at places. My two bits.
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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 sip of tea … and back to work—perfect. Love these dogs!

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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