|
|
Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #378 – April 2, 2025
|
|
|
Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
Create. Strategize. Develop. Publish. Achieve.In this Issue
1. Discover … ReaderLink
2. Meet Author Help … Meet Write Right
3. April Webinar … Mischief Book Marketing
4. April Unplugged … Press Releases
5. May Author U Program … Digital Marketing Strategies
6. Hot podcasts for April … Add to your calendar and listen
7. Author Salons … April and May posted
8. Question of the week … Is there a difference between marketing and sales?
9. Smile time … She had a dream
|
|
|
This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s ® Roof
|
|
|
Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU … and
|
|
|
|
|
Last week was a “clean up and get ready for planting week.” On Thursday and Friday, I had yard worker bees out to do all the trimming I skipped last fall due to my health issues—they did the combo fall-spring on all four sides of my home. The icing was oodles of mulch spread and then I opened up my upper deck. The yard is off to a good start and I’m planning veggie growing. I know it’s Colorado. I know that the snow gods will drop in this month … but it will melt and I can get out in the sun again. Happy dance for me.
While all the yard work was going on, I had totally forgotten that I had set up a Amazon bestseller campaign for my Cooking with Judith cookbook. Doing all the prework I teach my workshop participants, I set it up a few weeks ago with social media scheduling and promptly forgot it—until I was notified I was #1 on Amazon. What? How did that happen? Then the lightbulb went off. I had done a “set it and forget it” weeks earlier and promptly forgot I did it. But it also shows that with the prework, the set up, the do ahead marketing works.
|
|
|
|
|
With almost 4,000 downloads, I grabbed International Bestseller
in four countries. Thank you to readers in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK.
#1 Quick & Easy Cooking
#1 Casseroles
#1 Meal Cooking
#1 Cookbooks-Food & Wine
#1 Comfort Food Cooking
My next Amazon Bestseller Workshop will be on four consecutive Wednesday afternoons: June 4, 11, 18, 25. Details are here if you want a bestseller: https://thebookshepherd.com/create-an-amazon-bestseller/
|
|
|
|
|
This weekend, Colorado authors will be in the Denver Village West BN in Lakewood on Saturday, April 5 and Southlands Mall on Sunday, April 6. Drop in and see us. This is way to connect with booksellers. And what’s terrific about it …
those who come in the stores and that we talk to, love books. And they buy them.
I’m jazzed … Brian Jud will join me for an awesomesauce webinar on Book Marketing Mischief for Authors. Any you will be, too. It’s all happening at NOON MT on April 15. Details are below. Yes, it will be recorded. Get registered now: https://bit.ly/MischiefMarketing
On Saturday, May 3, Jules Marie comes to the AuthorU community again and reveals insights into creating digital marketing strategies. For AuthorU.org VIP members, it’s a freebie starting at 9 am and goes to 11 am. If you are a nonmember, it’s $25. More details below.
The AuthorYOU Salons are posted for April and May. Always the second Saturday of the month. Remember—there must be at least five registered for
these events by the Friday before. If not, I cancel and delcare the next morning my just a JB time to do whatever. It’s schmoozing and learning with other authors and coming aways with tips galore. Get registered here—remember this is an AuthorU.org benefit. https://www.meetup.com/authoryousalons/
Smart Thoughts ... This week, it’s about
book covers: Books-Books-Books … Create a Book Cover that Shouts Out! with book designer Nick Zelinger on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. Listen in only or watch and listen on my YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@DrJudithBrilesTheBookShepherd/podcasts
|
|
|
|
|
| It’s April … Avoid Book Publishing Blunders Month —grab
a variety of quotes and tips for encouraging others, and yourself, to read, read, read and be smart with your authoring and publishing decisions.
|
|
|
|
|
| And it’s Woof Wednesday ... as an author, marketing is essential, from the get-go. Social media is an essential resource for your book marketing. What are your doing to build your influence? It’s all about persistence and perseverance ... over time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author Salons are on the second Saturday of each month—they are always the second Saturday of the month details posted below. April 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, April 12th.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That’s my week … how’s yours? Lots of happenings below.
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Add these to your calendar now. Details will all be posted under the Events tab on the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. April 3 Podcast – Books-Books-Books … Create a Book Cover that Shouts Out! with Nick Zelinger
2. April 5 Barnes & Noble – Denver Village West – Lakewood
3. April 6 Barnes & Noble – Southlands Mall
4. April 10 Podcast – Creating Your Audiobook! with Becky Parker Geist
5. April 15 Marketing webinar with Brian Jud
6. April 17 Podcast Book Marketing Fiction Formula for Authors with Brian Jud
7. April 18 ASK Judith Zoom —Publishing and Book Marketing
8. April 18 Create Sizzling Press Releases Unplugged - Online
9. April 19 Create Sizzling Press Releases Unplugged In-Person
10. April 24 How to Create a Book in a Flash! with Dan Janal
11. May 3 AuthorU Monthly program – Strategic Digital Marketing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Want tips for Authoring, Marketing and Publishing?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 Author Tools – Discover ReaderLink
|
|
|
|
|
We Link. Publishers. Books. Retailers. Customers.
ReaderLink is the largest full-service distributor of hardcover, trade and paperback books to non-trade channel booksellers in North America
This includes the biggest names in retail across multiple retail channels. This broad customer base is unique in the industry and highlights our unmatched ability to service many different types of retailers, from mass merchants to grocery stores. ReaderLink’s award-winning team can help you design a fullycustomized book program to help you delight your customers.
Website: https://www.readerlink.com/
Phone: 800-549-5389
|
|
|
| 2 Meet Member Benefit … Write Right with Mara Purl
|
|
|
|
|
Mara’s background: Author: Best-selling, multiple-award-winning author of the fiction series The Milford-Haven Novels & Stories; co-author of the best-selling trade book Act Right: A Manual for the On-Camera Actor. Publisher: Founder of Haven Books; former president of Colorado Independent Publishers Association; former Vice President of Women Writing the West; former Board Friend to IBPA, Independent Book Publishing Association; current Board Member of Author U.
Services for Authors: Writing: Specific author coaching including story structure, narrative voice, dialogue, story arcs, and character development; genre research and protocols;
editing.
|
|
|
| 3 April Webinar … Mischief Book Marketing
|
|
|
Hey Authors ... want some big ideas?
|
|
|
|
|
April's AuthorU webinar will focus on book marketing that steps outside of social media. It’s all about Creative Ways to Put a Little Mischief in Your Book Marketing …
Register now: https://bit.ly/MischiefMarketing
Your takeaways include:
• Promotion is more than social media.
• Not spending more money ... but tips on spending it wisely.
• Ways to "hit" people in ways that are unique and memorable.
• Creative promotional tools to stand out in a positive way.
• How to be different and better ... when you are not first.
• Embrace a catalyst for a different way of thinking.
• Ideas to help you get unstuck.
• How to be different, coordinated and targeted in your book marketing.
Brian Jud is the author of Beyond the Bookstore and How to Make Real Money Selling Books (without worrying about returns). He is a book-marketing consultant, speaker, and president of the Premium Book Club. Brian is also the Executive Director of the Association of Publishers for Special Sales.
Register NOW: https://bit.ly/MischiefMarketing
Date: Tuesday, April 15 at Noon MT … 11 PT, 12 MT, 1 CT, 2 ET
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information
about joining the webinar. The session will be recorded.
Suggestion: there will be many websites and resources identified. Suggestion you have paper and pen ready to go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Online Friday, April 18
Online 1 pm to 5 pm (12 PT, 1 MT, 2 CT, 3 PT)
In- Person Saturday, April 19
8.30 am to 12:30 P.M MT
Space is limited to 5 participants each for Online and In-Person
Do you want to shout out news … about your book, your happenings, YOU?
You can. And I will help you.
Details and Registration here: https://thebookshepherd.com/press-releases-unplugged/
|
|
|
|
|
AuthorU.org May Program … Implementing Digital Marketing Strategies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Get ready for plenty of tips on creating digital marketing for your author success, starting with the your website.
Your take aways include:
• Aha-digital marketing includes anything that uses technology.
• Why the author website is the most important part of a marketing strategy.
• Use Yast and Pho to post metadata.
• How to create a planning calendar.
• How SEO can improve awareness of your brand.
• Why authors need to attach keywords to every page of their website.
• When to use ads.
• Why authors should create and update Google Business Page on an ongoig basis.
• Don't do Google ads-too expensive.
• What updates authors should do now on their websites.
• And, of course, much more.
This is FREE to AuthorU members.
Register Here: https://www.authoru.org/event-details-registration/may-program-implementing-digital-marketing-strategies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hot podcasts slated for April
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
April 3 Books-Books-Books … Create a Book Cover that Shouts Out! - Nick Zelinger
April 10 Creating Your Audiobook! - Becky Parker Geist
April 17 Book Marketing Fiction Formula for Authors - Brian Jud
April 24 How to Create a Book in a Flash! - Dan Janal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salons for April … meetup.com/authoryousalons/
|
|
|
|
|
| There are no Salons in March … Authors are at the Publishing at Sea conference … join next year’s slated for the Eastern Caribbean February 15-22, 2026.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Question of the Week ... Is there a difference between marketing and sales?
|
|
|
|
|
Answer: Yes, yes there is. Marketing is what you do to bring the sales in. It’s the process of getting people interested your books, products and services that
you offer for sale. It’s the strategy that sets the stage for the demand. Sales is what flows directly to you when the demand is met. It’s the activities, including the pitch that lead to the “I’ll buy” factor of your books and other services.
And when in doubt, talk to an IP, publishing attorney with business contract savvy. AuthorYOU member, Julie Bernard is my personal attorney of choice: Julie@BernardIPLaw.com
|
|
|
|
|
Smile of the Week Love it when I find a shorty video that amuses and creates laugh out loud moments. If you have ever been discounted or rejected this is a video that’s a huge surprise to the AGT crowd. Here’s the original audition for what was to become a super star-Susan Boyle. It’s seven minutes … just enjoy. She Had a Dream. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D5DgQi2oqA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 at: http://bit.ly/JudithCoaching
|
|
|
| Author Friendly Friday this week …
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
| 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/author-friendly-fridays/
|
|
|
|
|
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:
|
|
|
|
|
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 which generates over 250,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.
|
|
|
|
|
©2025 Judith Briles - The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
