Latest NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week / Book Fairs, Turkey, and Dog Shows ... oh my!

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

I create books authors never have to apologize for …

In this Issue

1. Discover … Discover Ubersuggest

2. Meet Mara Purl and Write Right

3. Holidays are coming ... Last Chance … Holiday Lunch

4. Webinar … REPLAY AI Comparative Videos -REDUX

5. Author Talk … REPLAY with Hall of Famer Jeanne Abrams

6. Hot podcasts for November… Add to your calendar and listen

7. Author Salons … January and March 2026

8. Question of the week … Is it too late to market books in December?

9. Smile time … Salt…a Thanksgiving Story

Tomorrow is a true day off for most. For gatherings. For sharing. For eating. And for being grateful. It’s a good thing. Take the time time to let others know how you apprciate them.

It’s the gratitude month … and a busy one.

This week is a personal favorite of mine, as it is for many. A time for reflection and a time for thinking forward. A time for family—whether it’s in the bloodline or the heartline. A time for “downtime.” A time for acknowledging to myself, and sometimes aloud, an awesomeness that I’ve experienced during the year.

It could be an outrageous laugh-out-loud happening; an amazing author insight that one of the clients has encountered; savoring an event that was wonderful that I attended; a new movie or TV show that I enjoyed and streamed through; or a wonderful book surprise that I opened and fell into until the last page was turned.

One of my downtimes every Thanksgiving AM, as I’m in the kitchen doing my part of the foodie spread, is the National Dog Show that follows the Macy’s Parade. And when it’s time for Santa to finally debut at the end, I just sit down with a mug of tea and take it all in. And then there’s the dog show … I don’t own a dog now … but there is something about prancing pooches that amuses me that I love and makes me stop for an hour and just watch and enjoy.

For me … I’m grateful. So, SO, SO grateful. I have a support staff of Leah, Meg, and Leslie who keep me going … sometimes picking me up when I slow down to goose me forward once again. They are like a solid bench. And a fantastic group of publishing professionals who with their vision, deliver award-winning and bestselling books—what would I … and my author clients … do without Rebecca, Nick, Barb, and Peggie, if they didn’t roll up their creative sleeves and do their magic?

I’m grateful for the strength of my health returning … no surgeries—the four last year was enough for a decade!

I’m incredibly grateful to be able to do what I love—working with and helping authors.

Yup, I’m grateful indeed. How about you?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Are you coming?

December will bring the Author Holiday Lunch on Saturday December 13 … that is an IN-PERSON only gathering. Food (lots), schmoozing, gift exchange. My house. You have only one more week to commit.

If you are a lunch person, this would be a good place to be … plus you will have your afternoon free for other events. December doesn’t have enough days in it. Details below to register and say “I ... we ... will be there.” As fall marches on … I decided to move beyond and start setting up for the holidays. All the leaves are gathered. Plants that need to be cut back for the winter are all winterized. The fall wreaths are now shouting Christmas time. Out came my giant teddy bear. Outdoor lights ready to land somewhere—anywhere. The dining room table is ready to be dressed for the season as the mainroom island and bar.

Planning forward for the Author Holiday party next month. Look forward to seeing you there. I have a few other gatherings for close friends on my calendar for around my holiday table all set for conversations and eating.

The HOLIDAY Party is a Lunch catered by the Olive Garden this year and slated for Saturday, December 13th. Meet for the Author Holiday lunch at noon in my home. If you are a brunch person, this would be a good place to be … plus you will have your early morning free and late afternoon free for other events. Also—it’s daylight. Perfect. December doesn’t have enough days in it. Details below to register and say “I ... we ... will be there.” I look forward to seeing the AuthorU.org members one more time before the end of the year.

If you read my blog this week, it’s all about being human—the Secret Sauce of Gratitude. Read it here: https://thebookshepherd.com/gratitude/.

Ubersuggest is a SEO tool site that enables you to do keyword research, analyze competitors, do site audits and more! It’s time to kick up the numbers to your website visitations with the help of reverse engineering techniques.

If you want more website traffic, this is a website that warrants your attention. Ubersuggest by Neil Patel provides a domain search tool that displays what is working for the competition. And if it works for them … why not you? Step up your game and increase your presence and attention. Kinda cool. https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/

Write Right – Mara Purl
719-227-1629
MaraPurl@aol.com
HavenBooks.net & MaraPurl.com

Writing: specific author coaching including story structure, narrative voice, dialogue, story arcs, and character development; genre research and protocols; editing

Publishing & Marketing: Branding & Author Platform, website core concepts, cover concepts, blog structure & outlining, blog tour design, newsletter design, Pinterest concepts, FaceBook pages, Twitter campaigns.
At Haven Books, we do “synergy publishing”—pulling together a team to fully realize your marketing plan whether you are indie-published, or traditionally published. We don’t use the term “self” publishing, because you hire an expert you have gone beyond “self.” We do not offer any “off the rack” publishing-packages. Instead, think of us as a contour boutique who listens carefully to your goals, then creates a tailored plan to help you fulfill your author dream.
NonFiction authors —Creative Non-Fiction, which includes Memoire plus theme-based manuals and textbooks for theatre & media arts.
Fiction authors —All fiction genres.

Join bestselling Colorado Authors Hall of Fame 2023 Inductee Jeanne Abrams as she took center stage and revealed her journey to becoming an author and historian for America’s founders through the eyes and experiences of their first ladies and the global recognition of the Jewish community and Jewish National Hospital in Colorado... oh the places she has been ... and will go. Jeanne was inducted into the Colorado Authors Hall of fame in 2023.
Jeanne defines the term “multi-tasker” … she writes non-fiction … history books with a focus on America’s founding fathers and mothers. And now continues her thirst for research that has recently been published in a series by the Wall Street Journal that included Meet Abigail Adams, the Warren Buffett of Revolutionary America.

She’s the author of six books that include Jewish Women Pioneering the Frontier Trail: A History in the American West, Jewish Denver, 1859-1940, Dr. Charles David Spivak, A Jewish Immigrant and the American Tuberculosis Movement, and the First Ladies of the Republic: Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and Dolley Madison.

Key takeaways include:

Her expertise is split over three areas: the prominence of Jewish women in Colorado and the global recognition of National Jewish Hospital; the influence of the founders first ladies; deep dive research—she shared tips for authors. Today, she is focusing on in-depth articles created for national publications.
She reminded authors to write what they are passionate about; to follow what they love; to be persistent; to not skimp on research; and not let discouragement get in their way.

I loved her reveal of the many of the steps of discovery and impact in medicine … even the why chocolate was important in the American Revolution.

Listen and watch the REPLAY HERE: https://vimeo.com/1136430454

The Sign-Up Clock is Ticking … are you coming?

Fun, Laughter, Great Food, Interesting Gifts, and Amazing Schmoozing—the food is always excellent, the networking, schmoozing and laughter not to be surpassed.

Members choose to have it during the daylight hours ... who knows what the weather will be in Colorado.

This year, the annual author holiday gathering will be a LUNCH

Date: Saturday, December 13th from NOON to ???

Bring: One unmarked gift to exchange in the off-the-wall Wacko Pick and Steal after dinner. If there are two in your party, bring two, please.

Location: Judith and John's Home: 8122 S Quatar Cir, Aurora, CO 80016, USA

Cost: $21 per person or $36 per couple

Single Person $21

Couple $36

… includes Brunch and Beverages (no tipping!) Think Italian ... the Olive Garden Grill will be the food creator ... plus, as always, you will get a few of my appetizers from my next cookbook!

Gifts: We do an exchange--the Wacko Pick and Steal exchange to be exact; please keep your cost value to less than $15—hot items in the past: wine; nifty gadgets from Home Depot and Costco; sports stuff; movie tickets; goofy and quirky can be fun …

Sign up here: https://www.authoru.org/event-details-registration/author-holiday-lunch

Answer: no, No, NO … it is never too late. You may have missed a bookstore signing or a retail event … but there is plenty you can do. A special offer to your email list. A special offer/campaign via social media—either to Amazon or to your website to pick up a “special gift”. How about a gathering in your home … or within a friend’s or relatives who want to support you by inviting their friends to meet you. December is a gathering time. Decorations galore. You never know until you ask.

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.