Latest NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week /The scammers are lurking everywhere

Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors

Newsletter Issue #324– March 13, 2024

Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

Create. Strategize. Develop. Publish. Achieve.

In this Issue

1. Author Tips & Tools ... Discover WP-Sweep

2. Author Benefit ... Meet CHG- Color House Graphics

3. Book Success ... Register for Book Publishing Unplugged in March–2 spots

4. April Spring Tea … Sell your books to book buyers – only 4 spots available

5. Author Success REPLAY … Hot tips from 6 publishing pros

6. Hot podcasts for March … Add to your calendar and listen

7. Salons … April and May are set up

8. Question of the Week … Are there benefits of in-person events?

9. Book Shepherd “Smile” of the Week … 10 Reasons why cats are like toddlers

Today, I look forward to being with publishing pioneer Carol Fenster for the Author Talk Happy Hour. It starts at 5 pm MT. The Author Talk hours deliver an hour of nuggets from the Hall of Fame authors. Always a surprise bubbles up with a reveal they share. Session two for the Amazon Bestseller campaign is today—the next four-week workshop will be in June.

March is a big month for many. Women’s History Month … Indie Press Month … and one of the biggies is around the corner next week … March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day—brush off your best greenery; maybe lift a pint to the Irish and add a crockpot of corned beef and cabbage—Chicago adds green to a river.

Tic … Tic … Tic … the Aspiring Author clock is approaching the bewitching hour. If you are an UNPUBLISHED author and desire to set the stage for publishing and writing success, submit for the Aspiring Authors Scholarships now.

Author Salons are set up for April and May ... both Online gatherings and In-Person. If you aren’t participating in these … you are missing out big time on your author success and connecting with other authors. Register on the Meetup site: https://www.meetup.com/authoryousalons/

My Book Publishing Unplugged has only two openings available for the end of this month. Online is on Friday, the 29th, and In-Person on Saturday the 30th.

Throughout this month, my Tuesday and Friday AMs are dedicated to physical therapy. Next week, the car driving awaits me. And, I’m now working on setting up the Spring-early Summer BN author book fairs.

WARNING … Too many of you are being DUPED by phony ads and warnings. Via your mobiles, your computers. Warnings like: “Stop using your computer. Do not turn it off. Call this Microsoft number NOW!!!!” etc. Scams and Scamers. Hackers. Thieves. All after your money and YOU and they are multiplying by the minute. The world of AI has compounded it. At a recent AuthorYOU Salon, two of our participants revealed that they had been taken. Not for a few hundred dollars—many thousands.

The clock is ticking for submissions to come in authors-to-be who have not been published. Is that you … or someone you know? Once again, the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame will award up to five $2,000 plus Mentorship scholarships. The total value to an aspiring, unpublished author is $15,000+. Do you know someone who is UNPUBLISHED and wants to enter the author's ring? Get them to submit their applications NOW.
You have 19 days to submit your entry.

Details HERE: https://www.coloradoauthorshalloffame.org/scholarships.html

Calling Colorado authors –Tea and Bookselling Time is coming up. Heads up on the annual Author Tea … tis now a SPRING forward event and will be held on Saturday afternoon, April 27 in my home from 1 to 4 pm. Suggest you add a HOLD to the date to come and enjoy … possibly offer your books. Info to participate is on the website as well as details below. Let me know if you would like to participate. Send me an email, subject line: April Author Tea

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.

1. March 6, 13, 20, 27 Amazon Bestseller Workshops

2. March 13 Author Happy Hour – Meet Carol Fenster … cookbook pioneer

3. March 14 Podcast … Creating Opt-In

4. March 21 Podcast … Creativity Juice for Authors and Writers

5. March 28 Podcast … Publicity Moxie for You and Your Website

6. March 29 Book Publishing Unplugged ONLINE

7. March 30 Book Publishing Unplugged IN-PERSON

8. April 4 Podcast … Hot Tips and Tricks for Authors

9. April 6 AuthorYOU program ONLINE—TBD

10. April 10 Author Happy Hour – Meet Kathy Gear … adventure and historic author

11. April 11 Podcast … Social Media Strategies and Tips with BookBrush

12. April 13 AuthorYOU Salons –ONLINE & ON-PERSON - AuthorYOU members only

13. April 18 Podcast …

14. April 25 Podcast … Creating Podcast Success as a Guest

15. April 27 Author Spring Book Tea IN-PERSON

16. May 8 Author Happy Hour –

17. May 11 AuthorYOU Salons –ONLINE & ON-PERSON - AuthorYOU members only

18. May 17 Speaking Unplugged ONLINE

19. May 18 Speaking Unplugged IN-PERSON=

20. June 8 AuthorYOU Salons –ONLINE & ON-PERSON - AuthorYOU members only

21. June 5, 12, 19, 26 Amazon Bestseller

22. June 12 Author Happy Hour –

23. November 15-22 Writing at Sea at Sea Cruise

Color House Graphics is a nationwide printing and book manufacturing company that provides digital and offset printing, eBook conversions, and custom binding and finishing. With quick-response manufacturing and personalized service, you will quickly learn that CHG is your go-to manufacturer for all of your production needs

Visit colorhousegraphics.com and request a quote for your next project.

As an AuthorYOU member, you can save 5% on new print orders.

Sandy Gould, Direct Sales Manager
CHG: Where trust, technology and experience come together.
P: 616.241.1916 Ext. 242 | Toll Free: 800.454.1916 Ext. 242
E: Sandy@ColorHouseGraphics.com

Would you like to turn the book you have or are creating into the book and authoring success you want? Maybe Repurpose it?

Would you be willing to trade just a day to get all the publishing and strategy information you need … information and strategies that will create FREEDOM to be an awesome author?

March 29– ONLINE

March 30– IN-PERSON

Early Bird ENDS on March 8th

Last 5 years sold out … don’t miss out …

Awesome authors came from everywhere …
where will you come from?

March 15 or 16 will change your authoring life …

Experience one full day of Judith–either online via Zoom … no pitches, just Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged delivering an amazing depth of publishing, authoring, and marketing information that she has derived from her 30-plus years in the publishing field and as The Book Shepherd.

Create the bestseller you dream of … turn into the award-winning and sought-after author you aspire to … brainstorm the crowdfunding program to fund your project … get the answers to the questions you have … all of them.
Judith is the master book publishing coach and guide.

Reserve Your Spot NOW – All Unpluggeds are limited in size.
for a Colorful Book Brain-Jammed Day.

March 29 or 30, 2024

Details and Registration: https://bit.ly/PublishingUnplugged

The Annual Authors’ Spring Tea will be held on:

Saturday, April 27, 2024

I will be hosting the gathering in my home at the Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club in Aurora, Colorado. Will you and your books be featured at the Authors’ SPRING Tea?

Think of this as a book marketing coop. The catch is that you MUST bring guests. No exceptions. I bring at least 40. You need to invite and bring guests as well. It won’t work unless you do. It doesn’t matter that your friends/family already own your book—but they don’t know about other local authors. Friends are cheerleaders for you and your books to those they meet when at the schmooze fest ... and believe me, it is.

Here’s the deal:

1. You are invited to be one of “the author stars”—this is limited to approximately 20 authors. This means that your books will be for sale to other guests for Holiday shopping and that you have 30 seconds or LESS to pitch your book to the crowd … expect 100+ to be there. You will have a space/table to display.

2. Be prepared to schmooze and deliver the “right pitch” … it sells books—each year, some people walk out with a good dozen titles for gifts for others.

3. We will handle your book sales—if, on a credit card, we will withhold 15% to cover credit card fees and what I pay Bobby for his time … all checks will be cashed and any moneys due you for your books will be included with those purchased via credit card. Your check for sales will be sent out within two weeks.

4. YOUR cost is two-fold:

$25 will now be included—you can send a check or call me and pay by credit card. This will cover the cost of food and beverages for attendees—think High Tea, which means sweets and sandwiches along with teas—sometimes we do cranmosas as well. AND I have several cases of books that I’m going to toss in as gifts to all who buy books during the event—some are mine, and some are titles donated by other authors.

INVITE & BRING people. This is a marketing coop… you need to get people there. It’s a MUST … not a “coast” … Let your fans and friends know NOW to HOLD THE DATE. I will be posting the event on the AuthorU.org site, two Meetup Groups and sent out invites via com to 300 personal contacts.

Think about it. If each of us brings 5 to 10 friends … that means anywhere from 100 to 200 lookers and buyers. Last year, 150 came and enjoyed … and bought books! You need to make this commitment.

No kidding—new people for shopping are critical. Invite EVERYONE you know to come and enjoy. And please understand, the more you invite, bring, get to come, the better—for you, and the other authors. Yes, they may already have your book—but they may buy more for others as they get into the spirit of the event—it’s contagious!; AND they get the opportunity to hear about other books that just might be the perfect gift for brother Bob, Aunt Sharon, Mom, Gramma or Dad. And you.

What you need to do now … let me know now that you are IN … email me TODAY at Judith@briles.com and in the subject line: April author tea

There are only 15 slots … is one yours? Will you and your books be featured at the Authors’ SPRING Tea? Let me know.

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 250,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.