Latest NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week / Audiobook help for authors

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

I create books authors never have to apologize for …

In this Issue

1. Discover … Krisp – cancel the noise – a freebieDiscover how to shut “home” noise out

2. Meet Author Help … Meet the AudioBook Wizard

3. May Special Program … Getting Your Book into Schools – 9 spots open

4. May Webinar … Copyright in the Age of AI

5. Replay … Book Marketing Mischief

6. June AuthorU Program … Digital Marketing Strategies

7. Hot podcasts for May … Add to your calendar and listen

8. Author Salons … May posted-get registered

9. Question of the week … Is there a must have that I should include on my website?

10. Smile time … Drums and Dogs—what’s not to love?

I keep thinking warm weather will stick … but the rain gods say no. Rainy this week in my neck of Colorado—which is good for the plants poking up. This weekend, I’ve blocked an afternoon to plant veggies and annuals. On Monday, I had crushed several heads of garlic to scatter around my yard—we have quite a deer population and they eat just about everything. Garlic they do not like. I will be sprinkling it along with chili pepper flakes as well—goodbye to the plant eating bunnies—I know my neighbor likes them.

I always like to share news about the AuthorU community. Hilary Afshary is one of our members who just had a special book launch party for her new book, Dorm to Doorstep designed for the 16-25 year old. If you know anyone who has girls graduating high school or college or just getting ready to go out on their own now, this is the book I would want to get into the hands of my girls. I picked up a copy for my grandaughter Bella who just finished her first year of college. If you know of anyone attending a graduation party for a girl—this is what I would get … you will be thanked.

Here’s the link https://amzn.to/4m5qJJQ

And congrats to Mara Purl for her successful Amazon Best Seller campaign for her latest novella, When Birds Sing. Hope you grabbed the freebie she offered last week.

I’m looking forward events popping in May …

1. Author Talk with Dr. Colorado, Tom Noel on May 14 at 4 pm MT

2. Ask Judith via Zoom on May 16 at 3 pm MT

3. On Monday, May 19, a special morning program will be held at my home limited to 20 authors. Includes lunch and the book, Schools, get your book into schools expert Jane Wood will be my guest and speaker. It is half sold out. Info below.

4. On May 21, a webinar will be presented in the late afternoon—Copyright and the Age of AI. You want to be in on this. It will be recorded. Details below.

Plus, on Saturday, June 7, 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. Details will be posted next week. The date needed to be moved back a month from May.

Do you want Amazon success? I can make it happen for you. My next Amazon Bestseller Workshop will be on four consecutive Wednesday afternoons: June 4, 11, 18, 25. Details are here if you want a bestseller: https://thebookshepherd.com/create-an-amazon-bestseller/
The class is available for registration.

Podcast Thoughts ... This week, it’s time to noodle what’s going on with copyrights and AI … something we should all have on our pay attention to lists. Joining me is Dan Miller, the Copyright Detective. Listen in only or watch and listen on my YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@DrJudithBrilesTheBookShepherd/podcasts

1. May 8 Podcast – Copyright and AI

2. May 10 Author Salons – online and in-person

3. May 14 Author Talk – with Tom Noel, Dr. Colorado

4. May 15 Podcast – Book Marketing Timelines

5. May 16 Ask Judith on Zoom

6. May 17 Judith at BN Colorado Blvd. with Hilary Afshary

7. May 19 Special Meeting – Get Your Books in Schools

8. May 22 Podcast 10 Must Do Book Marketing Strategies

9. May 29 Podcast Flip Your Book

10. June 31 Judith at BN Southlands with Joseph Caldada

11. June 4, 11, 18, 25 Amazon bestseller workshop

12. June 7 AuthorU Monthly program – Strategic Digital Marketing

13. June 11 Author Talk – with Jeanne Abrams

14. June 14 Author Salons – online and in-person

15. June 20 Ask Judith on Zoom

Richard Rieman
Richard@TheAudiobookWizard.com
https://audiobookwizard.shop/

Judith’s personal audiobook wizard will help you:

· Decide the best way to produce, distribute, and market your money-making audiobook in all genres

· Find a great audiobook narrator for your book

· Narrate your own book

· Create a music video promo for your book

· Create a high royalty payment audiobook version of a children’s illustrated book

Richard Rieman (Ree’ man) has narrated and produced hundreds of Indie-published audiobooks. He's the author of the award-winning book, The Author’s Guide to Audiobook Creation.

Authors want to know how they can market their books to schools. Award-winning author and former teacher Jane R. Wood shares the many strategies she has used since 2004 to successfully market and sell her books to schools.

During Jane’s presentation, authors will learn how to:

· Contact schools

· Provide positive reinforcement to the schools’ curricula

· Create educational resources for your book

· Develop dynamic presentations for an author visit

Author Jane Wood shows how both teachers and students can benefit from a meaningful connection with a published author. Her book, Schools-A Niche Market for Authors will be included in the price of the workshop.

Jane is the author of six award-winning juvenile fiction books and owner of Florida Kids Press. Wood says she fell in love with the magic of words in the 4th grade and has been writing ever since.

It will be a magical morning for authors. Included in the workshop is Jane’s book and lunch. Space is limited to 20 authors.

Date: IN-PERSON ONLY … Monday, May 19

Time: 9.30

Cost: $25

Location: Judith’s offices in Aurora CO

REGISTER: https://bit.ly/BooksInSchools

Copyright in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

In a world increasingly shaped by AI-driven innovation, how do we navigate the complexities of copyright law? This presentation explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and intellectual property, addressing pressing questions about authorship, ownership, and accountability.

Through real-world case studies, legal insights, and ethical perspectives, we will examine the challenges and opportunities AI brings to creative industries. Join us as we discuss strategies for creators, businesses, and policymakers to adapt to this rapidly evolving landscape, fostering a fair and innovative future for all.

Date: May 21

Time:  3 PT, 4 MT, 5 CT, 6 ET

Registration:   https://bit.ly/CopyrightAI

April's AuthorU webinar will focus on book marketing that steps outside of social media. It’s all about Creative Ways to Put a Little Mischief in Your Book Marketing …
Register now: https://bit.ly/BookMarketingMischief

Your takeaways include:

• Promotion is more than social media.

• Not spending more money ... but tips on spending it wisely.

• Ways to "hit" people in ways that are unique and memorable.

• Creative promotional tools to stand out in a positive way.

• How to be different and better ... when you are not first.

• Embrace a catalyst for a different way of thinking.

• Ideas to help you get unstuck.

• How to be different, coordinated and targeted in your book marketing.

Brian Jud is the author of Beyond the Bookstore and How to Make Real Money Selling Books (without worrying about returns). He is a book-marketing consultant, speaker, and president of the Premium Book Club. Brian is also the Executive Director of the Association of Publishers for Special Sales.

Here’s the REPLAY link: https://vimeo.com/1077885778

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.

Answer: There are always adds and updates. Huge suggestion to add asap: your phone number or email to reach you at the TOP on the Home page and every page forward—especially if you do any type of consulting. Big and Bold. If you don’t want to use a personal number, grab one via Google—it will forward to you mobile in a voice mail. Then, you can make a choice to call back. Make sure yu duplicate on your Contact tab. If you are seeing any type of media, including guesting on podcasts, add it to your media tab. The point here is that if you want visibility … you can’t be invisible and hard to reach.

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.