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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #376– March 19, 2025
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Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
Create. Strategize. Develop. Publish. Achieve.In this Issue
1. Discover … Speaking
2. Meet Author Help … Meet
Rebecca Finkel
3. It's Ask Judith ... Zoom in with Book Questions
4. May AuthorU Program … Digital Marketing Strategies
5. April
Unplugged … Press Release Unplugged
6. Author Talk … REPLAY Hall of Famer Helen Thorpe
7. Hot podcasts for March … Add to your calendar and listen
8. Author Salons … April and May posted
9. Question of the week … I am tired of marketing. How can I get enthused again?
10. Smile time … The humor of Jeanne
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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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Are you thanking your book reviewers? Doing a shout out to them? You should!
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It was a wowsa Barnes & Noble bookstore happenings this past weekend …Colorado Blvd on Saturday and in the new Superior bookstore on Sunday. Saturday, 10-year-old Darius Huskey debuted his book, A Boy Called Darius with other AuthorU authors who were also signing their books. He watched the other authors as they sold their books and spoke to BN’s customers. How did he do? Glad you asked … quite well—he sold 56 copies. Darius will join us again at the Southlands store in April.
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The new Superior/Broomfield store is a looker. Unique in its maze layout—there’s much to love about it. If I had
known it was next to a Costco, I would have brought my shopping list with me.
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| This is HOT for several of the BN bookstores--a new shelf section for Local Authors will be a great feature , starting with the Colorado Blvd store.
I debuted my Cooking with Judith new book and sold it out in both stores.
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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/
Yet, it’s toasty inside and I’m excited … I finally did it … I’ve turned some of the recipes you could grab on the JudithBrilesBooks.com website
into a real book with lots more recipes and now available on Amazon! Cooking with Judith – Comfort Foods Create WOW Eating. Do you love comfort food? Come cook with me. I’ve got 50 plus of my recipes for you.
Here’s the Amazon link: https://amzn.to/40Yp0NZ ... available in Print, eBook, Audio.
Smart Thoughts ... week, it’s expanding on your writing and character development with Mara Purl on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It’s all about Creating WOW Bookstore Events. Listen in only or watch and listen on my YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@DrJudithBrilesTheBookShepherd/podcasts
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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 20 Podcast – Write Hot!
2. March 21 ASK Judith Zoom time—Publishing and Book Marketing
3. March 27 Podcast - Creating the Ultimate Press Release
4. April 3 Podcast – Books—the Good, Bad, and Ugly
5. April 5 Barnes & Noble – Denver Village West – Lakewood
6. April 6 Barnes & Noble – Southlands Mall
7. April 10 Podcast – Audiobooks Forward
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April 17 Podcast
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 Speaking on Your Book and Connecting
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When you are speaking, do you connect with your audiences? Do they love you? They should, to enable you to create the bridge—your content to them … back to you … to your message … to your book … and to sales.
1. Before you start, know what your goal is.
2. As you structure you presentation, integrate the needs and desires of your audience—do it by doing the ASK … with the coordinator of the program; doing a survey of the participants/membership; or interviewing members or participants.
3. What interaction format will you use—inspirational, motivational, teaching/lecture, entertainment?
4. Use stories and analogies to accent your key points.
5. Set your presentation up with a reveal of what your survey and research uncovered about their needs.
6. Goose your energy so that your enthusiasm will become contagious.
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7. Make sure you have my book, How to Create a Million Dollar Speech … it’s how I sold ONE MILLION books.
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| 2 Meet Member Benefit … Rebecca Finkel and F + P Graphics
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F + P Graphic Design – Rebecca Finkel970.223-1375Rebecca@FPGD.com https://www.fpgd.com
Services: Book cover and interior design, eBooks, Websites - Nationally and regionally recognized, award-winning book design. Rebecca works closely with authors to create a unique book integrating text, photos, and graphics. She prides herself on completing projects on time and on budget. She converts books into any eBook format, increasing your market potential.
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about
Book Publishing and Book Marketing
The Book Shepherd is YOURS for 60 Minutes!
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The Book Shepherd, Judith Briles is YOURS for 60 minutes on Friday, January 10th to ask any question you have about book publishing, book marketing, writing a book ... or just getting a "little juice" to start your engines
after the Holiday rush from the past few weeks.
Post your questions as soon as you come on ... Judith will come to you LIVE and bring you on the mic to respond to YOU and possibly ask additional questions.
It's 60 minutes to seed your 2025 success... and why not? Grab your favorite beverage; just listen in ... or ASK, ASK, ASK! It's time to re-juice and rekindle your author energy!
Join Zoom Meeting – click on it or copy/paste
https://zoom.us/j/95000476418?pwd=SH5vWqz0SkvVIZIgnC95lHCmCAi2km.1
Passcode: authors
Add to Your Calendar: Friday, March 21 at 3 MT (2 PT, 5 CT, 5 ET)
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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’m tired of marketing. How can I get enthused again?
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Answer:
First, everyone runs out of steam at some time. Some sooner than later. To get your “mojo” back, step away and reflect. What has worked? Why? What didn’t? Why? Ask yourself: Do I love my book? Do I believe in it’s content? If a no … then step away and refocus on what you care about.
If yes, then determine how
much time you can dedicate to its support. Do a Google search with the theme/topic of your book and add “latest updates” to see what is online about your topic. Next, revisit what worked … is it still viable in today’s marketing? Morph your “hook” message and push out some posts with appropriate hashtags. Consider building some buzz-do an Amazon bestseller campaign to get your topic in book buyer’s eyes. Register for my Amazon Bestseller Campaign class. It will get you to #1, giving you a booster shot to move forward.
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Smile of the Week Love it when I find a shorty video that delights me, adds a smile to my face, and just makes me take a breath, sit back and listen and watch—this week, it is time to laugh. For years, I was involved with NSA—the National Speakers Association as a member, serving on its national Board and president of its largest state member association. After 40 years, I retired from it this year. One of the most memorable speakers was a woman I loved to sit with and just laugh. If you haven’t spent time with a master storyteller, this is your time. Meet Jeanne Robertson and her story of sending Jerry, who she called Left Brain to the grocery. It’s a seven-minute hoot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YFRUSTiFUs&t=88s
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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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