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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #377– March 26, 2025
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Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
Create. Strategize. Develop. Publish. Achieve.In this Issue
1. Discover … Audionautix
2. Meet Author Help … Meet Foreword Reviews
3. May Author U
Program … Digital Marketing Strategies
4. April Unplugged … Press Releases
5. Author Talk Replay … Hall of Famer Helen
Thorpe
6. Hot podcasts for March … Add to your calendar and listen
7. Author Salons … April and May posted
8. Question of the week … How do I get out of
a contract?
9. Smile time … The Siamese Elephants
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This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s ® Roof
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Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU … and
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Last week, Richard Rieman, the Audiobook Wizard surprised me with a link in an email … one that led me to a music video he created on my book Cooking with Judith. Listen in: Cooking with Judith.mp4
It’s the last week of the month and one of the dryest we’ve had in Colorado in a long time. Usually a snowing, sometimes blizzard month for
us, today I watched several bees zizzaging amonst the leafless trees that were promising to bud. Today, my year-end guy who does all the leaf clean up and cutbacks in the late fall is in … doing what wasn’t scheduled last year due to all the health challenges I had. No more, I’m prepping for Spring with Daniel’s skills and next week, my guy Joe is here to set up my deck furniture. Even if it snows again … and most likely it will in April, I’m going to slip outside for a few breaks during the day just to enjoy the warmth. Perfect.
In April, 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.
In April, 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. All details below… get registered.
The AuthorYOU Salons are posted for April and May. 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. March is a pass due to being at the Publishing at Sea gathering. 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/
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| It’s March … It's National Reading Month—grab a variety of quotes for encouraging others, and yourself, to read, read, read and visit the library.
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| 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.
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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. 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.
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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. March 27 Podcast - Creating the Ultimate Press Release
2. April 3 Podcast – Books—the Good, Bad, and Ugly
3. April 5 Barnes & Noble – Denver Village
West – Lakewood
4. April 6 Barnes & Noble – Southlands Mall
5. April 10 Podcast – Audiobooks Forward
6. April 15 Marketing webinar with Brian Jud
7. April 17 Marketing Fiction
8. April 18 ASK Judith Zoom —Publishing and Book Marketing
9. April 18 Create Sizzling Press Releases Unplugged - Online
10. April 19 Create Sizzling Press Releases Unplugged In-Person
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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 Author Tools – Discover Audionautix
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A nifty royalty free music site that is FREE. Plus, love this bonus: you don’t have to register, sign up or buy a license. And, Audionautix is YouTube friendly with a build-in agreement
between the two in which YouTube will not silence or pull.
Very cool: discover it at: https://audionautix.com/
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| 2 Meet Member Benefit … Foreword Reviews
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Foreword Reviews is a Folio Award-winning magazine, and the only journal exclusively dedicated to reviewing books from independent publishers, university presses, and self-publishers. Each issue features 150+ book reviews, in-depth articles previewing category trends, book-industry specific opinion pieces, and bound special sections covering award winners, audiobooks, and more. Its Foreword Indies Book Awards are the premier attention getter for independently published authors and publishers.
VIP AuthorYOU Members get a free 1-year subscription to Foreword Magazine. You must contact Foreword Reviews directly to start your free subscription.
1. 15% off website ads and FTW ads.
2. 15% off Clarion Reviews
3. 15% off Trade shows
4. 15% off Subscription Renewals.
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AuthorU.org May Program … Implementing Digital Marketing Strategies
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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.
Registration on the AuthorU.org website, under the Events tab.
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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/
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| REPLAY Author Talk with Helen Thorpe
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Who Is Helen Thorpe?
Her works of narrative nonfiction have prompted a rich national conversation about difficult, but important, topics as she documents in a very human and intimate way the lives of immigrants, refugees, and veterans of foreign conflicts.
The very essence of her life’s work is to shed light on those who live in the shadow of one of America’s greatest debates in history—immigration. Who gets to live in America? And what happens when we don’t agree?
• Helen’s stories have aired on “Soundprint” and
“”This American Life.
• Has won the Colorado Book Award.
• Her book, Soldier Girls was optioned by HBO and Jullia Louis-Dreyfus as a potential mini-series.
• Helen was a finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize.
• Publishers Weekly name Soldier Girls as one of its best book of the year.
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Hot podcasts slated for March
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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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March 6 Digital Strategic Marketing - Jules Marie
March 13 Creating Crystal Clear Characters - Mara Purl
March 20 Write Hot! - Anne Randolph
March 27 Creating Press Releases - Jules Marie
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Salons for April … meetup.com/authoryousalons/
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| 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.
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| Question of the Week ... I made a mistake. How do I get out of a contract with a self-publisher?
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Answer:
You need to immediately go to the contract you signed. What does it say about “termination”? Most of the “self-publishing” contracts have them, but they may have slippery words. Words like: the contract may be terminated in 30 under “mutual consent.” That’s an OMG in my book—when you want out, what’s “mutual” about it? The “self-publishing” companies and most hybrids are printing your book POD—one book at a time.
See what your contract says … it would be better to say something along the lines: I’m terminating our contract due to the mispresenting of what XXXXX company said it would deliver and do. It hasn’t. Therefore, immediately remove my book and eBook from all online sources.
Most likely, even though you paid for it with these companies, all you will get back is the rights of your books. It’s doubtful
that the cover, interior native files will come your way. And it owns the ISBN. Hot for you (you may not feel this way), but you, in effect, get a new slate. Get yourself, and your “new” version of the book set up—new cover, interior, ISBNs. Relaunch time!
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
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Smile of the Week Love it when I find a shorty video that amuses and creates laugh out loud moments. If you haven’t heard Tim Conway and the Siamese elephant story, sit back and laugh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qqE_WmagjY
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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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