Latest NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week / visual tips for bookstore events

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

I create books authors never have to apologize for …

In this Issue

1. Discover … One Look

2. Meet Author Help … Meet Foreword

3. Author Success … REPLAY Webinar: 30+ tips in 60 Minutes

4. Celebrate Colorado Authors! … LAST CHANCE to Come to the Hall of Fame Gala

5. Hot podcasts for August… Add to your calendar and listen

6. Author Salons … September is posted—get registered

7. Question of the week … Will my writing group help me get published?

8. Smile time … Betty White Unplugged

Last week, the AuthorU community lost one of our own. Rox Burkey was a vibrant member and contributor to every project she was involved in. Author Success flowed through her. Her cheerful energy and enthusiasm for the authoring and writing life was a spark for authors and book buyers she came in contact with. When I bounced an idea off her, her attitude was always a why not? The many Barnes & Noble Book Fairs only got better when she was part of them. She was one of my Heart Sisters, regularly flying in from Dallas for a long weekend of books, author brainstorming, and cooking. I, and thousands of others, will miss her greatly.

The wise author puts together an inperson promo package—as something that visually supports the author at events. I love the series of attention grabbing props and swag that Rebecca Finkle created for the Louis Sauvain debut for the Milwaukee Barnes & Noble slated for this Saturday—banner, runner, and bookmarks. He will be giving mini dragons to every book buyer that will fill the cauldron.
Summer is coming to a close—I see it in my main backyard trees that are dropping leaves. I feel it in the morning air. And know that the Authors of Hall of Fame is 17 days aways … all I can think is, Where has the time gone?

The Colorado Authors Hall of Fame Induction is 10 days to go to our event. Meal choices are confirmed … the Program goes to the printer tomorrow, coming in at 40 pages. What fun to hear that one of our inductees, Rebecca Yarros will be honored on November 13 … the Colorado Avalanche are hosting Fourth Wing Night at Ball Arena in Denver—it sold out in one day! Think ice hockey and fantasy … why not!

Expect a “surprise” from one of our Inductees. Plan on joining us on Saturday, September 6th. It’s a dress up event. Stay at the hotel—many of us are for networking and schmoozing. Dom Testa will emcee once again with Phil Grindrod supplying predinner and introduction music for each Inductee. Hits in the past and back by request.

It’ the perfect Saturday night date … whether just for you, your date of choice … even create a table of friends who love books and support the authors who create them. It’s time to get your tickets—it’s now moving to last chance … I’m excited to see what the evening unfolds and reveals—there is always a surprise … or two.

There are 6 tickets left. Does one have your name on it? Get your tickets now - https://bit.ly/GreatAuthors

We will be skipping the first Saturday of September program because the Hall event is on the same day. Later in the month, we will have a settle back into authorland.

It’s happened to every writer: You know that a word exists to describe someone or something, but for the life of you, you have an out of mind experience and can’t grasp it. Maybe OneLook can come to the rescue. It’s a reverse dictionary, which encourages writers to type a phrase or related word so the site can display a variety of related words. A simple search for “baby kangaroo” reveals joey, for example; “wine god” suggests both Bacchus and Dionysus, but also “bacchanalia,” “dionysiac,” and Silenus, a lesser-known companion of Dionysus.

You can also ask questions, like “Who is Elmo’s best friend on Sesame Street?,” or solve crossword clues when you don’t know all the letters. Try it … you might like it for your writing enjoyment. It’s a freebie. https://onelook.com/

https://www.forewordreviews.com
https://www.forewordreviews.com/awards/

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.

AuthorYOU Members also get

· 15% off website ads and FTW ads.

· 15% off Clarion Reviews

· 15% off Trade shows

· 15% off Subscription Renewals.

There are only 5 seats left …

September 6 will be a special evening for 13 authors and for all who are in the audience. That could be you. Each Inductee or a representative will reveal insights of their paths—the ups and downs and amazing events that have happened to them in their author journey. Some have sold mega millions of copies of just a single book; some have streaming series on platforms like Netflix; some have more awards and recognition that your combined fingers and toes; and one has turned books into move magic.

Don’t miss out. This only happens in odd number years. It’s a dress up affair.
Be there … get your seat … gather your friends and create a table of eight!
Registration is here: https://ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org

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.