Book Publishing Tips from The Book Shepherd©

Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #07 February 21, 2018

Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue

1. Oh my, it’s my time of the year again!

2. Do you feel "brain-drained" when it comes to creating another blog?

3. Doing the ASK … getting endorsements, including forewords

4. Does Facebook Changes Make You Nutso?

5. Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week …

This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s® Roof:

Okay, I took a "goof-off" day starting at 11 AM after being at the computer since 5 AM and having my first conference calls with clients starting at 6 AM until I was lunch-napped. A long-time friend popped in unexpectantly, "We are going to lunch …" and off I want. Later, John and I did an afternoon movie to take in Three Billboards in Ebbing Missouri—Frances McDormand was the draw for me –talk about being on a mission! We liked and then headed for a delicious dinner. Now … back to work.

This AM, book marketing expert John Kremer and I hit the studio to record this Thursday’s podcast for AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing. Last week, my favorite social media geek girl Melody Jones and I dug into a variety of tips on what to do for 2018—don’t miss it AND we both shouted out a push for Instagram … it’s become a lure for book buyers this year.

Love the shaping of my new book … one more shout out to all of you. If you want to get on the inside track of how to sell 1,000,000 books and make money, call me. It’s my birthday week—and I’ve got 5 spots at Judith Briles Speaking Unplugged that I have a very special discounted rate to JUST 5 of you – call me today.

AND … How’s your week going?

1 Oh my, it’s my time of the year again …

My grandkids reminded me via text yesterday (oh yes, would kiddos reach out any other way today?) that I was another year older … and Gramma, just how old are you anyway? the 12-year-old wanted to know.With Bella’s, "…just how old are you anyway" question, it reminded me that I asked friends not to spend money on cards, gifts, flowers, etc. To instead, support what has been "a gleam-to-be in my eye" for several years: the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame. The goal—raise moneys to build the website over the next few months. I would love to include you as part of the "roots" of the tree … here’s the link to donate at.

You will be getting a tax-friendly letter for deduction purposes. https://www.facebook.com/donate/154579395348217/10155431011118233/

Doing the ASK … Getting Endorsements and Forewords

3 Not a week goes by that I don’t get an email or a call from an author asking how to get an endorsement or a Foreword. Here’s my response …

For Forewords: 1. Who would be a magnet for your target audience? 2. Who would they recognize and has credibility? 3. Do you know who the "whos" are? 4. Do you know anyone who does? 5. What do you have to show them for consideration—the whole book or a few chapters? 6. Does the recipient want the entire document or a few chapters? 7. If they are open, ask what would be best—an emailed Word document or pdf or a snail-mailed copy? 8. Or, do they so know your work and what you are writing, they are "good to go"? 9. If you are priority mailing (yes, at least priority mail), is there a "goodie" you can include as a thank you? 10. If you are sending to an unknown, such as a celebrity, you’ve got to stand out. What is his or her connection to your theme/book—is it a cause? 11. When do you need it by?

It’s the same thing …

Endorsements: 1. Who would be a magnet for your target audience? 2. Who would they recognize and has credibility? 3. Do you know who the "whos" are? 4. Do you know anyone who does? 5. What do you have to show them for consideration—the whole book or a few chapters? 6. Does the recipient want the entire document or a few chapters? 7. If they are open, ask what would be best—an emailed Word document or pdf or a snail-mailed copy? 8. Or, do they so know your work and what you are writing, they are "good to go"? 9. If you are priority mailing (yes, at least priority mail), is there a "goodie" you can include as a thank you? 10. If you are sending to an unknown, such as a celebrity, you’ve got to stand out. What is his or her connection to your theme/book—is it a cause? 11. When do you need it by?

Plus … some may ask you what you want them to say. I know you are thinking, "Really … you want me to write your words. Really? Yes, yes some do. Noodle this a bit—you may want some shout outs with key phrases in them. Create someone and two liners—a page of them. Add—If time is short, here’s a variety of lines that you can use, altering them to your words.

Then, I would "rank" any endorsements that come in—who has the most clout? If you get a Foreword, is there a line that snaps, crackles and pops? Add that to your "short" endorsements—you may want to pop it on the front or back cover.

And where do you put all these gems? On the first few pages of your book—before the Title page. Think People Are Talking … Praise for (your title), etc. On your website. When your Amazon page is "live", copy it in an email to the creator with the link to the Amazon page and ask them to do a copy/paste for a review. Shout them out on your social media—create a "rotation" of sharing and thanking the endorser. Include your book cover for the image and certainly the link to your buy page.

When Jeff Keen, President, and CEO of American Book Fest heard what I was doing with the creation of my latest book, How to Create a $1,000,000 Speech, he reached out to me. "If you would like an endorsement or foreword, I would be glad to do one." I kept his note. When I had the full manuscript—knowing that it wasn’t perfect nor even laid out—I sent an email reminding him of what he wrote and asked if he was still game to do it. "Yes, send me the full manuscript," was the response with a deadline for when I needed it. Not only did he deliver, it was clear he had read the entire book-to-be, with 10 pages noted where he recommended a tweak. WOWSA, I was so honored with what he wrote … and my goal is to go to print before February ends.
Within a day, this was emailed to me:

BRAVA! BRAVA! What an incredible book.
My copy is tagged, noted and circled throughout. Fantastic resources!

And then three days later, the full Foreword was received.

Then, I made a list, a very short list, of individuals who I would be honored to get endorsements from. I create a Bit.ly customized and shortened link to the full Amazon page link for using forward in promotion and marketing.

My Bit.ly is this: http://bit.ly/1000000speech

My Amazon page link is this: https://www.amazon.com/How-Create-000-Speech/dp/1885331673/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518633349&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+create+a+%241%2C000%2C000

The Bit.ly is so much better. Now it ties to the title of my book, How to Create a $1,000,000 Speech.

A short email was sent out that included the back cover copy, the link to the Amazon page and the "ask" –the goal was to include any on the first two pages of the book. One took a "pass"—she wants the complete printed book and will post a review after publication date. The others asked for the manuscript. Happy dances in my offices!

Bottom line—it’s all about "the ask" and knows who will be a match for your audience.

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 that generates over 100,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207. Judith is The Book Shepherd.

The Book Shepherd® is a registered trademark