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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #456– September 30, 2026
Publisher: Judith Briles |
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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 Use ... Linktree
2. Use and Take Advantage ... Creating Printing Help with CHG
3. In Colorado? ... Join Me Saturday
4. Join in Author Gathering ... Zoom Only for Publishing and Book Marketing Answers
5. Want to be Bestseller? ... Join November Workshop
6. Hot Podcasts for October ... Smart Authors for Successful Authors
7. Question of the Week ... Is Print Media Worth Pursuing?
8. Smile Time ... Dame Maggie Smith |
This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s ® Roof |
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Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …
Typically, the last week of September is Banned Book Week. Not this year. October 4 – 10 are the designated days. Most bookstores have a banned book section. Visit and add at least one to your “I’m buying this” list. October is also Breast Cancer Awarness month. I love what author Deb Armstrong is doing. She’s linked a special month with special days: breast cancer with banned books woven with reading and raising money! Her goal: support an October Reading Challenge to help fight breast cancer, one book at a time. I’m all for it and have claimed my book and made a donation. Let’s support an important cause and Deb. |
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Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/DebArmstrongChallenge
I’m looking forward to Saturday’s roll out for my Appetizers with Judith book. Barnes & Noble Colorado Blvd will by my place of choice this Saturday. This will be the first time I sign my latest book, Appetizers with Judith. Lollipops will be included on my book table for book buyers to have. Nope … this time I brought my Zesty Date appetizer in a toothpick version for book buyers in the store to enjoy … and enjoy they did—two platter full and 43 book sales later.
My book selling buddy during the day will be Joseph Caldara with his middle school walrus super hero series. It will be a good day. |
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Do you know about the Sweet Sapphire grapes that are great fun to have in the Autumn? Marketed in the U.S. as Moon Drops … that are often called “witches fingers” and “grape fingers”… what they are ARE DELICIOUS. The jucious grapes ever. I get mine at my Middle Eastern market, Arash—also all my dates and apricots.
The October 10th and November 21st Author Gathering Zoom meetings are ready for registration. Details below.
Heads up for anyone who is interested in the November Amazon Bestseller workshops. The next series will be available in November, starting on the 4th.
Details are on TheBookShepherd.com website under Events. Space is always limited so that I can do one-on-one coaching as well as group within each session. Over four weeks, you will be ready to set up your Amazon Bestseller campaign and claim it for your marketing forward. Strongly encourage you to get registered for the November round … that is if you want an Amazon Bestseller … and block the four Wednesday afternoons from 4-5:30 pm MT to work with me.
Here in Colorado, I’m setting up local author book signings with Barnes & Noble Book Fairs for fall. Add them to your calendar to do a “drop in” and support the many AuthorU members who dedicate their time to support the Aspiring Author Scholarships. These are all day events. Saturdays from 9 to 5; and Sundays from 10 to 5.
October 25 BN Southlands
November 7 BN Ft Collins
November 14 BN Colorado Blvd
November 15 BN DenverWest- Lakewood
I will be doing signings and tastings solos in several of the BN stores for my new book Appetizers with Judith:
Dec 13-Denver West … definitely should feed into holiday shopping! |
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On this Thursday’s Podcast
Last week, it’s all about Fall Forward Tips for Authors with Deb Eckerling. This week, it’s all about
GoodJelly Productivity for Authors and Writers with Christine Carron. |
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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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Top 10 podcast for book marketing and Top 100 for book publishing tips for authors! You can always listen in via our websites: www.AuthorU.org - click on the Resources tab on the Home page—pick your podcast. |
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Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? … Holy Moly … over 22 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. October 1 Podcast … GoodJelly Productivity for Authors and Writers … Christine Carron
2. October 3 Judith at B&N … Colorado Boulevard … Glendale CO with Tastings
3. October 8 Podcast … Scams Are Multiplying … Deb Eckerling
4. October 10 Author Gathering … Online
5. October 15 Podcast … Book Marketing Using Unique Days … Judith Briles
6. October 16 ASK Judith
7. October 22 Podcast … Loosing Book Buyers Lips … Ellen Naylor
8. October 25 B&N, Southlands … Book Fair
9. November 4, 11, 18, 25 Amazon Bestseller Workshop … Zoom
10. November 21 Author Gathering … Online |
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1. Discover … Linktree |
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Linktree is your hub where all of that internet lives. It’s the neatly organized shelving where all your best, most-loved stuff is stored. For instance, when you add your Linktree URL to your Instagram bio, it opens to a new web page with all the links you want ... such as to your blog, your Amazon author central page, your books page on your website, etc. Repeat, any web page you want.
Join for free ... monthly plans start as low as $6.. To remove Linktree branding, it’s $12. https://linktr.ee
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2. Use and Take Advantage … House Graphics |
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Sandy Gould - Sandy@colorhousegraphics.com
Direct Sales Manager
CHG: Where trust, technology and experience come together.
616.241.1916 Ext. 242
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. |
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3. JOIN Me this SATURDAY … October 3 at Barnes&Noble Colorado Blvd - I will have my NEW book! |
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The second printing has arrived! It's the yummy Gift Duo of the Season.
If you are in Colorado, meet me this Saturday, October 3 … think Gifts for birthdays and friends, the coming Holidays ... and of course, YOU! I have festive ribbons and will wrap any of my books you get for gifting.
Where is this happening?
I will be at the Barnes & Noble bookstore at Colorado Blvd in Glendale, CO. Drop in and say hello from 10 am to 4 pm ... and see what I'm up to ... like the book launching of my latest: Appetizers with Judith - It's now on Amazon. The fourth installment of the historical fiction series, The Secret Awakening - due out before the end of the year.
Taste a few nibbles from the appetizer book to sample as long as they last - so come early - say hello, taste one of my appetizers, and get a lollipop for your kids.
The combo of Appetizers with Judith and Cooking with Judith is a perfect gift for the season for those who like to eat and entertain. I will have special wrapping in the stores with me during all my signings to “dress them up” for gifting
My author friend Joseph Caldara will be signing his books for middle grade kiddos as well. We are there from 10 am to 4 pm.
See you soon!
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4. Join in Author Gathering … Zoom only for publishing and book marketing answers. Have Questions? Get answers. And, it’s a freebie! |
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ONLINE on Saturday in October and November. October 10th at 8 am … you must register to get your name on the approved list to participate. The alter dates are due to committed book fairs and book signings.
Think of The Author Gathering as a combo MASTERMIND and personal Advisory Board for Aspiring and Achieving Authors. And JOIN AuthorU.org today.
https://authoru.org/j-o-i-n
Delivered 8 months a year ONLINE for global and housebound members and 4 times IN-PERSON for those in Colorado. Registration happens on the Author Gathering Meetup site.
To register for the October 10th and November 21st FREE session starting at 8.00 am MT, use this link to register for the October and November ONLINE Zoom sessions: https://www.meetup.com/authorgathering/
Your host is Dr. Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd and the Author Gatherings are held two ways: on ZOOM ONLINE from 8 to 9.30 am AND IN-PERSON in her home in the southeast Metro Denver area from 9 to 11.30 am. They are a benefit as a part of the paid AuthorU.org membership. A member can bring a Guest who can attend ONE Author Gathering. After that, you must be a member of AuthorYOU.org. Bring a snack to share.
Note: There must be a minimum of 5 participants (not including Judith) registered by NOON MT the day before for any session to BE A GO. If not, the session will be canceled and all members will be notified by an email announcement via Meetup.
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5. Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign for Your eBook Online Course in 4 weeks! Next series is November 4, 11, 18, 25 |
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Next series is November 4, 11, 18, 25
If you want to create this:
Sign up for our next sessions for November 4, 11, 18, 25
The Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign for Your eBook Online course is the later. I will take you through each step during the four weeks.
Times: 4.00 P.M. to 5.30 P.M. MT
Cost: $299 special Alumni rates at $199
Register: https://thebookshepherd.com/create-an-amazon-bestseller
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6. Hot Podcasts Slated
for October |
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Ranked in the Top 10 podcasts for book marketing for authors by FeedSpot.
October 1 Podcast … GoodJelly Productivity for Authors and Writers … Christine Carron
October 8 Podcast … Scams Are Multiplying … Deb Eckerling
October 15 Podcast … Book Marketing Using Unique Days … Judith Briles
October 22 Podcast … Loosing Book Buyers Lips … Ellen Naylor
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7. Question of the Week ... Is Print Media Worth Pursuing? |
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My Answer: Why wouldn’t it be? There are plenty of print and online resources for you to approach. Start local ... start on Google. Don’t miss out on newspapers and print. Research https://USNPL.com United States Newspaper Listing.
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8. Smile of the Week |
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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 a few minutes … and ooh and ahh … my two bits.
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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.
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/ |
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Want tips for Authoring, Marketing and Publishing? |
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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, and 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. You can book time with me at: https://thebookshepherd.com/pick-judiths-brain |
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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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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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Follow us, listen, and learn … new shows every Thursday. 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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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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Podcast has expanded to 11 networks … Follow us and learn … new shows every Thursday.
GO to the SHOW page and select which podcast is for you… the latest will always be posted on top: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast
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And, if you have listened, support our podcast, and post a review. Thank you!
The AuthorU – Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast is available on all major 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 #podcast with @MyBookShepherd via iTunes here: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast |
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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. She's also the Director of San Francisco chapter of the Women’s National Book Association. 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.
© 2026 Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd |
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