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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–
eZine Issue #119 –
April 15, 2020
Publisher: Judith Briles
Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
In This Issue
1. Participate in the VAHH … Virtual Author Happy Hour
2. Author Tools … Discover OneClick.Chat
3. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Bublish
4. Write a Nonfiction Book in 4 Weeks – May Online
5. May Program … –Audiobooks 2020
6. April Webinars … Discover Your Demand and Replay of Goldmine of Author Nuggets
7. Speaking Unplugged … sell oodles of books moxie via the cash Cow 2- Step and get the super-duper Bonus in May
8. Hot podcasts for APRIL … Add to your calendar and listen/learn
9. Question of the Week … Are there websites to use to connect with others while at home?
10. Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week … Old cat loves kids
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This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s™ Roof
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Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …
Several years ago, John and I were in Boston. Learning that Andrea Bocelli was also there the same weekend we were, the quest for tickets became a goal. What a gift this man’s voice is. And we experienced it live and in person. Do yourself a quiet
time favor. On Easter Sunday, the expansive voice of Andrea Bocelli graced the Internet. In a live-streamed performance from Milan, Italy, he delivered "Music for Hope: Live from Duomo di Milano" as it echoed around the world from the empty cathedral. Treat yourself and watch—paste into your browser
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In gratitude … thank you to all of you who supported the eBook launch beginning on Friday for my combo Memoir / Self Help / Dealing with Grief book: When God Says NO-Revealing the Yes When Adversity and Loss Are Present.
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Snow and frigid temps landed in Colorado on Easter Sunday lasting through Monday … and then the snow melt and spring picks up again. Originally projected to deliver up to a foot of the white stuff, we got less than three inches, which delighted me … meaning I will just let the sun do the melt vs. me shoveling. Much better!
Saturday, the AuthorYOU Salons stated at 8.30 am—we had our virtual poster board up—those attending asked questions and the group added their responses. A fun … and fast … two hours. This is available to ALL AuthorYOU members. Usually held physically in my living room with hot coffee and tea ready and plenty of morning nibbles that participants bring. I’ll let all know whether we are virtual or gathering for the Second Saturday event—on May 9th—is virtual or
live.
And, my How to Write a Book in 4 Weeks is SOLD OUT for the April sessions—we are halfway through and lots happening with the current class! MAY sessions will be on 6, 13, 20, and 27. These will be delivered virtually. Signup up to participate on the Events tab on my website: www.TheBookShepherd.com. All sessions start at 3 pm Mountain time. Classes are
limited to 10 participants. If you want to write a short nonfiction book, this is your window to do it. There are 5 slots available as of today.
Speaking Unplugged dates are now in MAY. Details HERE: http://bit.ly/Unplugged-Speaking. Treat yourself ... Come … it’s fun and lots of take-aways. Savvy attendees have learned that it’s smart to stay on site at the hotel. The site is the Embassy Suites DTC North. The NEW
DATE is May 29-30. We will be doing Speaker Photos on the 29th with the awesome Ashlee Bratton. We usually gather for a let our hair down dinner and bonus time together Friday night. Alumni participants of previous Unpluggeds always get a deep discount. JOIN me – all my fingers and toes are crossed that the shutdowns will become open doors for events. It will be WONDERFUL to be around people in person. Early bird for this ends at the end of April. This will be a GO if the "lock-in" eases.
Have you ever explored the
network website where I store all my podcasts? Over 100,000 authors download episodes every month! Here’s a new link to the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast SHOW page. Last week I focused on YOU … as in—are you eating the right foods to enhance your creativity? Are you eating the right stuff? Discover the wisdom of Jerry Jenkins on writing success. Loved his take to "plan" a procrastination time slot each week. You can select which podcast
is for you from over 300 shows … the latest will always be posted on top: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast
Stay well and take care of yourself.
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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. April 1, 8, 15, 22 – How to Write a NF Book in 4 Weeks
2. April
17, 24, 31 – VAHH – Virtual Author Happy Hour
3. April 23 – Webinar – Discover Your Influence and Findability for Marketing
4. May 2 – Author YOU program – Audiobooks 2020
5. May 6, 13, 20, 27 – How to Write a NF Book in 4 Weeks
6. May 9 – AuthorYOU Salons-free for AuthorYOU members only
7. May 12- Webinar: The Life of the Author - Business, Organization, and Creativity Juice
8. May 29-30 – Speaking Unplugged
– confirmation of "go-no go" will be made at the end of the month.
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AuthorYOU members … the April second Saturday AuthorYOU Salons of the year is slated for May 9th WILL BE VIRTUAL. It starts at 8.30 a.m., ending at 11.30 a.m.
It’s on Zoom—Here’s the link (copy and paste in your browser)—accept the audio on computer and when in, in the lower left of the dashboard at the bottom CLICK on the camera so that you are not blocked. A separate email has been sent to all AuthorYOU members with the link—just do a copy/paste and you will be on Zoom. BRING YOUR QUESTIONS
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Want Tips for Authoring and Publishing? Tomorrow on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, Linda Radke joins me from Story Monsters … kids’ books features and awards.
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| JOIN the new AuthorYOU …
Renewals were in January for AuthorYOU … if you didn’t, it’s an oh-oh. You have been blocked from the updated benefits and discount codes.
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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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Are you participating? Don’t miss out … this is every Friday this month!
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Who says we authors must become invisible? Not me … how about a gathering once a week to check in with each other as we have distanced ourselves within our home. WHAT?! You say. Sure … Routinely, I have gotten together with friends via Skype for "Skypetails" – a catch-up call with wine for John, iced tea for me, a few appetizers to nibble on … and our friends who live out of state gather their "feed/drink" and we share an hour via cyberland. Laughing. Reveals. Having a good time—staying connected.
If you are planning on attending, you need to email me and request the new
password.
Noodling as we all are in during the "lockdown" … I’m going to propose we do a VAHH—Virtual Author Happy Hour on a weekly basis. My Zoom Room can have up to 100 participants at any one time. We can share what’s up. Support each other during this time. Who knows? It’s ZoomTail time!
I am happy to host a gathering where we can share resources and support for each other at this time. The details to join are below.
ZoomTails … Virtual Author Happy Hour
FRIDAYs in APRIL Forward until lockdown is over … 5:00 - 6:00ish PM Mountain Time Join Zoom
Strong Suggestion: copy and save this link to reuse on Fridays for the VAHH … once I’m on … I will not be answering my phone or text.Join via your computer (iPad and iPhone work but not as well as desktop/laptop) using the link. I’ll be sipping tea.
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OneClick.Chat FREE video conferencing delivers a variable for interactive live video events that is a combo on streaming video with video chat breakout sessions. There is a free trial that you can sample … otherwise, fee starts. https://oneclick.chat/info)
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AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Bublish
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Save $20 on Bublish's Award-winning Book Marketing Platform!
Bublish is the world's first complete publishing platform with built-in marketing. Authors can write, publish, market, sell and track their work all from their Bublish dashboard. Our built-in, award-winning marketing technology—called the book bubble—is shared with 800,000 readers each week, giving you and your book amazing exposure to readers around the world. You'll even be able to see when and where readers engage with your bubble and which retailer they visit to check out your book's product page.
Take advantage of one of the hottest ways to build buzz around your book! AuthorYOU Gold members get $20 off an annual subscription to Bublish as part of their annual membership.
Visit bublish.com to learn more and sign up for a two-week free
trial (no credit card required). If you're ready to get started, use this discount code to take advantage of this AuthorYOU benefit: AUTHORYOU2020
Also, follow Bublish on your favorite social channels for tips, resources, events, discounts, and more: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Write a Nonfiction Book in 4 Weeks – May Online
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Register for Create Your SHORT NF Book on MAY ONLINE
May 6, 13, 20, 27
LIVE: 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Maximum Attendance: 10 aspiring authors!
ONLY 5 Spots left
WOW! how would you like to outline, structure, plan and create your NonFiction book within one month … in four short weeks? Your guide is Dr. Judith Briles, the author of 34 books. Transitioning from the typical how-to, business book ranging from 300 to 400 pages, she has mastered the creation of the less than 100-page book (that means 10,000 to 20,000
words) … the book that is in demand by book buyers today.
For NonFiction authors (and authors-to-be) … the new theme for books is that short is the new black … the business reader wants shorter books—books that can be read on a short plane ride, within two hours.
Questions to ask yourself include:
· Could your book be a series?
· What are the must-have elements?
· Did you include any "filler" material in an already published book?
· Is there anything within a current book that is more ego-driven than essential content?
· What parts are vital to your topic, work and vision?
· Are you able to let go and dump (or save for the next book)?
"Yikes," you are thinking. "This is an impossible task!" "Not so," says Judith, "it’s actually fun and eye-opening. Is it work? Yes. Does it pay off? Yes again."
REGISTER: https://thebookshepherd.com/calendar
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Are you ready to discover The Audiobook Wizard’s Guide to Audiobook Creation – 2020 Version? May 2 ---
We aren’t sure if this is a remote or in person yet.
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Things have changed rapidly in the world of audiobooks since Richard Rieman’s award-winning book, The Author’s Guide to Audiobook Creation, (part of Judith Briles’ AuthorYOU Mini-Guide Series), debuted in 2016.
· For the first time last year, half of all Americans over the age of 12 have listened to an audiobook
· There are new major competitors to Amazon’s Audible in the audiobook creation world
· Nonfiction books (History, Biographies, Memoirs) are overtaking many other genres among audiobook listeners
The Audiobook Wizard, Richard Rieman will share:
· How to Avoid Audiobook Publishing Predators
· When Narrating Your Own Book is the Best Option
· How You Can Cover the Cost of Audiobook Production through Crowdfunding
· How to Use Audible’s new promotional codes to get reviews and boost sales
…and much more.
Details popping next week for registration …
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Webinar—Author Influence and Marketing: Discover Your EXISTING Demand
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Thousands of people search the Internet every day for what you sell.
Are you connecting with them?
We’ve discovered that 95% of Authors aren’t!
Your takeaways include:
• How to get in front of the existing demand for your goods, services or book.
• Discover the keywords that people search on when they look for your book.
• Spy on Your Amazon Competition
• What you need to do to increase your website visitors, leads and book sales.
• Tips on Using Amazon Marketing Services (AMS)
When: Thursday, April 23 at 10 PT, 11 MT, Noon CT, 1 ET
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Presenter Dave Westfall is an internet marketing expert and consultant. He has helped hundreds of small businesses (author publishing would fall in this category) grow by providing solid advice and proven solutions that work.
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April Meeting Webinar REPLAY - It’s an Author How to Goldmine Virtual Gathering
If you want Author Success, How-to and Tools … including enhancing your productivity, this webinar is for you. Many wrote me post—this was one of the best … it’s a NO PITCH to buy anything—just information.
If you want Author and Book Marketing Success, How-to and Tools … including enhancing your productivity, join me this Saturday, April 4 in the morning. Audiobooks 2020 will be rescheduled for the May program.
-connect with tools to push you forward for writing and marketing
-rediscover your writing mojo
-Marketing tips for going forward
-And of course, more …
Listen and Watch here: here is the link for the replay https://vimeo.com/404571098
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| Want to Sell Oodles of Books? New date!
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Join me in Colorado for my 4th Speaking Unplugged slated for May 29-30th – it’s all about creating the Cash Cow 2-Step!
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Would you like to turn the book you have or are creating into a money machine that cements your expertise and authoring success?
Would you like to know how powerful you, your book and experiences are and how they can influence and change others one word at a time?
Would you like to turn your book, your ideas, your mouth into a business that creates a lifestyle woven with travel, fun, global friends and financial success?
If that’s a YES, get yourself to Denver and show up for the 4th annual Speaking Unplugged bootcamp next month. You can with the smart and
savvy strategies, you will reveal in this interactive and fun intensive workshop. With over 35 years of speaking on the platform, Dr. Judith Briles will show you how to become a successful professional speaker … a speaker that will soar your book sales. Since the 80s, speaking has been her #1 way to sell books … over 1,000,000 of them!
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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).
March 26 – Wellness Tips for Authors - Connie Pshigoda
April 2 – Great Geek Tools for 2020 – Kelly Johnson
April 9 – Writing Tips and Creating a Series – Jerry Jenkins
April 16 – Children’s Book Reviews & Book Awards – Linda Radke
April 23 – How to Use Card Decks to Push Book Sales – Rosita Battist
April 30 – Awesome ways to get a podcast out – Danielle Hampson
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Question: Do you have websites to use on how to Connect with others during the stay at home challenge we all are experiencing?
Answer: Most authors "get" what working virtually is about. Your book designer may be across town, in another city, state, even a country. The Internet has been your freeway. Your post on social media—Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, etc., may be part of your marketing platform. Podcasts open your voice and wisdom to thousands around the clock. You’ve
learned from webinars via others.
There are a variety of sites to use. Many are on overload, so patience is suggested. Most have free versions including Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Facebook Live ad Facetime, YouTube, even Instagram can connect up to six at a time. These are a start. Reminder and caution. The hackers are out—make sure you read up on problems that any of the platforms are encountering before you jump in.
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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 this: Senior Cat Loves These Little Girls More Than Anything - BAILEY | The Dodo
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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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| 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:
iTunes - Player FM - Stitcher -
MixCoud - Bluburry - iHeart Radio - Toginet Internet Radio
Get the latest #AuthorU-Your Guide to #Book #Publishing #podcast with @MyBookShepherd via iTunes here: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast
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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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