Latest NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week / It’s Summertime

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

I create books authors never have to apologize for …

In this Issue

1. Discover ... Apple AirTag

2. Meet ... F + P Create Non-Ugly eBooks

3. Have Questions? … Get Answers on ASK Judith June 19

4. Summer AuthorYOU Food Fest … Happening on August 15

5. Hot Podcasts for June and July … Add to your Calendar and Listen

6. Question of the Week … How Do I Do a Book Signing at a Bookstore?

7. Smile Time … George Gershwin

It’s June … it’s summertime. Take time to play … a time to let your muse in. Welcome it as a secret sauce to allow your creative juices to flow.

I love it when I hit goal … Appetizers with Judith transitioned to my editor over the weekend. One more photo to take, back cover copy and the Welcome page. Summer eating is coming.

I did an Amazon bestseller run on The Secret Journey. Goal hit, taking # 1 in it’s main categories last Thursday and Friday.

#1 in Historical Fantasy Fiction

#1 in Women's Fantasy Fiction

#1 in Historical French Fiction

Is being a bestseller on Amazon calling to you? The next series of workshops will drop on Sept 9, 16, 23, 30. If you are thinking of doing an Amazon Bestseller run, make sure you get signed up for my four-week class that starts next September. Isn’t time for you to claim yours?

Have you had an author event at a book store? If no, why not? Most booksellers like to support local authors—you have to do the ASK to set up a time slot. Then let others know about the event. The bookstore lets its customers know of your coming. Go for it!

Several authors will be at Barnes & Noble bookstore this Sunday in Littleton, Colorado. Drop in and say hello … and see what we are doing. We are there from 10 am to 5 pm.

Make sure you add Saturday, August 15th starting at 4 pm to your calendar. The location is home … it’s the Author Gathering Food Fest—formerly the Author BBQ.

Last week, I encouraged you to do a website checkup with Hubspot’s website grader. Did you? If not, here’s the catchup link: https://website.grader.com/

1. June 11 Podcast … LinkedIn Tips for Authors … Deb Eckerling

2. June 14 BN Book Fair, Littleton

3. June 18 Podcast … Creating Triggers for Conversion … Casey Demchak

4. June 19 Ask Judith

5. June 25 Podcast … Tips and Tools for Authors … Judith Briles

6. July 2 Podcast … Top 2026 Book Design Trends … Nick Zelinger

7. July 9 Podcast … How to Get Your Book Reviewed … Jim C0x

8. July 11 Author Gathering, Online Only

9. July 16 Podcast … How to Write for Children … Carolyne Ruck

10. July 17 ASK Judith

11. July 23 Podcast … Secrets to Writing Enticing and Killer Book Marketing Copy … Casey Demchak

12. July 30 Podcast … How to Write a Memoir … Dan Janal

13. August 1 Author Gathering

14. August 15 AuthorYOU Gathering Food Fest … Judith's Home

Rebecca Finkel
Owner | Designer

Rebecca@FPGD.com
970-223-1375
www.FPGD.com

eBooks don't HAVE to be ugly! Rebecca Finkel of F + P Graphic Design can help you meet these goals. With 25 years of book design experience, she will design an eBook that leaps off the shelf to your readers.

Rebecca Finkel of F + P Graphic Design offers cover, interior, and eBook design services at an affordable rate. Rebecca is regularly recognized by regional, national, and international book and eBook design organizations.

Judith Briles notes, “Rebecca is the master of creativity and delivers the art of perfection for all things in book and cover design. Authors couldn’t be in better hands.”

Visit FPGD.com to see some of her latest projects. She would be happy to start a conversation with you about your book.

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 on the of the month. July is an exception—it’s the 4th, so we will gather on the 11th.

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. That would be July 10. If not, the session will be canceled and all members will be notified by an email announcement via Meetup.

To register for the FREE session, use this link: https://www.meetup.com/authorgathering/

Come to the Annual Summer AuthorYOU Gathering Food Fest Saturday, August 15th

Join your fellow authors for some great food, fun and networking at the annual AuthorYOU Food Fest. 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 15, at 4:00 PM to ???
Where: Judith’s Home. 8122 S. Quatar Cir. Aurora, CO 80016
Cost: $20 for singles or $30 per couple … all food and beverages included

Just bring yourself, NO FOOD.

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/

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.