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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #397 – August 13,
2025
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Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
I create books authors never have to apologize for …In this Issue
1. Discover … and Don’t Experience Amazon Spoofing
2. Meet Author Help … Meet Midwest Book Review
3. Ask Judith ... anything about Publishing and Book Marketing this Friday
4. Author Success …
Webinar – 30+ tips in 60 Minutes
5. Celebrate Colorado Authors! … Come to the Hall of Fame Gala
6. AuthorYOU Annual Summer Eat and Schmooze Time … This Saturday
7. Hot podcasts for August… Add to your calendar and listen
8. Author Salons … September is posted-get registered
9. Question of the week … What is a Super Fan?
10. Smile time … I am not a cat |
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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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| This Friday is ASK Judith, get registered!
details below...
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I can’t believe that August will cross the half way mark this weekend. How can that be? I’m still smiling with the recent recognition
that I received as an Author Laureate. Among other Author Laureates are Amy Tan, Anne Lamott, Sue Grafton, Julie Andrews, George Saunders, Anne Geddes, and T.A. Barron.
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Put 4 pm MT August 20th on your calendar—for next week. And get registered. It’s time for a 30 Tips in 60 Minutes webinar with the faculty of the 2026 Publishing at Sea cruise—info below … we are continuing to shout out the Summer Authors Catalog to libraries and bookstores—beautifully created by Rebecca Finkel for the AuthorU.org community. Register: https://bit.ly/30in60Min
Yesterday, I finalized the menu for the Author Schmooze Fest for Saturday … it’s the ultimate Taco Bar! I’ll be adding my Kahula cake plus a new one for part of the desserts. Details below.
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The Colorado Authors Hall of Fame is 90% sold out now with 24 days to go to our event. Woot!
Will I see you there?
Expect a “surprise” from one of our Inductees. The Denver Post carried an article and I’ve had a call from Colorado Matters. Press releases are
going out twice a week as final preparations are in play. The Inductees bios and photos are up on the website for the Gala Induction—check them out. Plan on joining us on Saturday, September 6th. It’s a dress up event. Stay at the hotel—many of us are for networking and schmoozing. Dom Testa will emcee once again with Phil Grindrod supplying predinner and introduction music for each Inductee. Hits in the past and back by request.
The week was about the final gathering for the Authors Hall of Fame Silent Auction goodies. It’s been another planning week for me. All things for the Colorado Authors of Hall of Fame. We are over 90% sold out … get your seat … I promise it will be a wonderful evening. Get ready to bid for a variety of items. We’ve now crossed over 200 in attendance love books and authors and their words, be there. Leave the sandals and jeans at home … this is dress up time!
It’s the perfect Saturday night date
… whether just for you, your date of choice … even create a table of friends who love books and support the authors who create them. Two of the top selling fantasy authors will be inducted—Rebecca Yarros and Jim Butcher plus 11 more. It’s time to get your tickets … I’m excited to see what the evening unfolds and reveals—there is always a surprise.
THIS event is now 90% sold out. Get your tickets now - https://bit.ly/GreatAuthors
BookBrush’s Book MarCon 2025 was great fun. Kathleen Sweeney and I will do a special webinar based on the webinar she gave. Watch for the date for October.
Plan on good eats on Saturday, August 16th. It’s our annual Summer Eat and Schmooze Time. It’s Taco Bar time… and I promise, my awesome Kahlúa Cake dessert will be on the menu.
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| It’s Woof Wednesday … are you taking advantage of using the hashtag #WoofWednesday on your social media?
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Podcast Thoughts ... On Thursday, Jackie Lapin joins me with several tips to increase your findability for podcast hosts
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Author Salons are on the second Saturday of each month—they are always the second Saturday of the month details posted below. September will have both ONLINE and IN-PERSON gatherings if enough sign up for them. Remember, if there isn’t a minimum of five participants by Friday afternoon, the session will be cancelled. The Salons are a benefit with AuthorU membership, the next date is Saturday, September 13th
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| Kudos for our podcast, AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing … I’m honored that our podcast is ranked in the TOP 10 podcasts for book marketing for authors by Mashable and Feedspot. AND, that Goodpods identifies it in its Top 100. It’s all about patience and persistence over seven years!
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Are you getting my Tuesday and Saturday BLOGS? Tuesday is about info and meaty—all designed for your author and publishing success. Saturday is about chewy and re-juicing.
Read in less than a minute. Make sure you are registered to get them: https://thebookshepherd.com/author-newsletter/
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That’s my week … how’s yours? Lots of happenings below.
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Have you subscribed to my new YouTube author and
publishing tips channel? Always less than three minutes … a new one pops up five days a week, Monday through Friday. Become a subscriber and take a peek—there are already 190 short videos posted: https://bit.ly/Author-PublishingTips
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Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? … Holy Moly … over 21 million downloads now of various podcasts since the podcast started six years ago.
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You can select which podcast is for you from over 600 shows … the latest will always be posted on top of the podcast home 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.
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1. August 15 Ask Judith Anything about Publishing and Book
Marketing
2. August 16 Annual Summer Eat and Smooze Time and Judith’s Alive Day
3. August 20 30 Tips in 60 Minutes Webinar with Publishing at Sea Faculty
4. August 30 Barnes & Noble Colorado Blvd
5. September 6 AuthorU Monthly program
6. September 6 Colorado Authors' Hall of Fame Gala
7. September 13 AuthorYou Salons
8. September 20 Speaking Unplugged – Online
9. October 1, 8, 15, 22 Amazon Bestseller
10. October 19 Barnes and
Noble Southlands Book signing with Judith
11. December 7 Barnes and Noble Southlands Book Fair
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I love mentoring authors, and their books, and supporting their vision. If you want intense, one-on-one time with me over a several-month period PLUS the ability to call me or email with a quick response, join my Mentor Program. There is ONE spot open —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, Marketing and Publishing?
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Each month, you will get a variety of topics on our monthly podcast. Never a repeat program … always fresh, listen in. http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast ...Every Tuesday, a new blog is posted. On Wednesdays, a new edition of this newsletter. On Thursdays, a new podcast. SHARE THEM with your author friends.
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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. https://mp.gg/e9d1o
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| 1 Discover and DON’T Experience … Amazon Spoofing
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The number of reported suspicious emails, phone calls, text messages and links to phony webpages are growing like topsy. DO NOT RESPOND to them.
If they have Amazon’s name in them (many do), this is what you do:
Report them immediately … to Amazon.
It takes fraud, scam, phishing, and spoofing attempts seriously. If you receive correspondence you think may not be from Amazon, let them know immediately. Here’s how:
Suspicious Emails or Webpages
To report a phishing or spoofed email or webpage:
1. Open a new email and attach the email you suspect is fake.
For suspicious webpages, copy & paste the link into the email body.
If you can't send the email as an attachment, forward it.
Note: Sending the suspicious email as an attachment is the best way for us to track it.
Note: Amazon can't respond personally when you report a suspicious correspondence to stop-spoofing@amazon.com, but you may receive an automatic confirmation.
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| 2 Discover Midwest Book Review
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James A. Cox
Since 1976, Midwest Book Review has been committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. The MBR publishes the following monthly book review magazines specifically designed for community and academic librarians, booksellers, and the general reading public:
· Internet Bookwatch (a compilation of The Bookwatch, Library Bookwatch, and Wisconsin Bookwatch)
Reviews are posted on the Internet with a number of thematically appropriate websites, databases, and online discussion groups such as alt.books.reviews. Our reviews are also available through Internet bookstores. Midwest archives all reviews on the Midwest Book Review website for a minimum of five years.
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| ASK Judith … this Friday, August 15
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about
Book Publishing and Book Marketing
The Book Shepherd is YOURS for 60 Minutes!
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The Book Shepherd, Judith Briles is YOURS for 60 minutes this Friday, August 15th at 3 pm MT 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 60 minutes to seed your 2025 success... 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!
Join Zoom Meeting – click on it or copy/paste
https://zoom.us/j/95000476418?pwd=3ZRTEhb1TDrTvzcjps9ov0r3Tpihbg.1
Passcode: authors
Add to Your Calendar: Friday, August 15th at 3 MT (2 PT, 4 CT, 5 ET)
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Are you an author or an aspiring author? Get 30+ Essentials Tips in 60 Minutes for author and publishing success. Participants will take away a variety of snap, crackle, and pop ideas to juice up their marketing, writing, publicity, and social media influence from the Publishing at Sea faculty. If that's on your TO DO list, get registered NOW. It's happening on Wednesday, August 20 at 4.00 pm MT.
Register for 30 + Publishing Tips in 60 Minutes from the Publishing at Sea Faculty on Aug 20, 2025 4:00 PM MDT at: https://bit.ly/30in60Min
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Author Success … Webinar – 30 tips in 60 Minutes
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| Celebrate Successful Authors …
Gala Induction
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Join us for a webinar on Aug 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM MDT.
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There are only 25 seats left …
September 6 will be a special evening for 13 authors and for all who are in the audience. That could be you. Each Inductee or a representative will reveal insights of their paths—the ups and downs and amazing events that have happened to them in their author journey. Some have sold mega millions of copies of just a single book; some have streaming series on platforms like Netflix; some have more awards and recognition that your combined fingers and toes; and one has turned books into move magic.
Don’t miss out. This only happens in odd number years. It’s a
dress up affair.
Be there … get your seat … gather your friends and create a table of eight!
Registration is here: https://ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org
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AuthorYOU Annual Summer Eat and Schmooze … this Saturday
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Come to the AuthorYOU Annual Summer Eat and Schmooze
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Join your fellow authors for some great food, fun, and networking at the annual AuthorYOU Annual Summer Eat and Smooze There will of course be plenty of beer and wine. No need to bring anything, food and drinks will be in abundance. Family members are welcome.
When: August 16th, at 4:00 PM to ?
Where: Judith’s Home 8122 S. Quatar Cir. Aurora, CO 80016
Cost: $20 for singles or $25 per couple. All food and beverages included
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Hot podcasts slated for August
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Ranked in the Top 10 podcasts for book marketing for authors by FeedSpot.
December is a “redux” month. I’ve identified the top five podcasts that aired in 2024—all worth your learning and listening pleasure ... whether the first time or a repeat. Starting with #4 this week … #1 was a tied, so two will be revealed!
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| August 7 Perfection Can Kill Your Book…Let It Be Good - Dom Testa
August 14 How to Create Findability for Podcast Hosts -
Jackie Lapin
August 21 Automation Leads to Author Success - Michelle Renee
August 28 PR and Publicity Tips for Author Success - Jill Lubin
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Salons for September meetup.com/authoryousalons/
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| Question of the Week ... What is a Super Fan?
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Answer: Good question. Super Fans follow authors and genres. Anything the other publishes, they buy. New books in a genre, they buy. Usually women, over 40, they become vocal marketing support for books and authors. Super Fans are good things to have!
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Smile of the Week Love it when I find a shorty video that amuses and creates laugh out loud moments. 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— If you didn’t catch the short video of the lawyer who had been turned into a cat meme by his kiddos, it’s a hoot … "I'm here, live, I'm not a cat" – cnn.it/3ahoWyd
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Get your copy today – it’s my life on steroids … earning a Baker’s Dozen plus ONE in book awards. Now Available in Print, eBook, Audiobook. http://bit.ly/whengodsaysno
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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 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 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.
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| 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/author-friendly-fridays/
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Podcast has expanded to 11 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 eleven 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 which generates over 250,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.
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©2025 Judith Briles - The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.
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