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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #313– December 27, 2023
Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
Create. Strategize. Develop. Publish. Achieve.
In this Issue
1. Author Tips & Tools... Discover WP-Sweep
2. VA Help ... Meet Kelly Johnson
3. January Program … 60 Tips and Ideas in 90 Minutes—Online
4. January Webinar … Audiobooks for Authors
5. Book Success ... Register for Book Publishing Unplugged in March
6. Hot podcasts for December… Add to your calendar and listen
7. AuthorYOU Salons … Posted through January-February
8. Question of the Week … Should I create an Audiobook?
9. Book Shepherd “Smile” of the Week … Cat Is Obsessed With the Grinch
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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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| It’s a wind down week for many … and a planning ahead week. For me, I got all my blogs done for January … Woot. All my podcasts are done for the month. And I’m planning for February, since I will have
the first week aways on the high seas… Publishing at Sea with 20 authors. Later in the month, my right knee will have a close encounter with the ortho surgeon. So, when I return from the cruise in February, the rest of the month will be a quiet one for me woven with physical therapy.
My soups were delish this month. The soup kitchen served up Clam Chowder, Mushroom with Wild Rice, Chili Relleno Corn Chowder, and French Onion. Five to eight of us gathered around my dining room table for soup, salad, dessert, and conversation throughout the month. Perfect for wintertime.
Christmas day was planned to be a loafing one with leftovers. Then John said, “What are we having tonight?” I thought the leftovers. He was thinking rack of lamb. The lamb and scalloped potatoes won.
And the Christmas puzzle I started, I stopped, put it away and started another. Why? Because another arrived on my doorstep with Gnomes. What a hoot … and surprisingly difficult.
We woke up to eight inches of snow yesterday and 20 degree weather. Bursie. For me, winter is a “Bah Humbug” affair. This time I was ready. With the new snowblower and freshly charged batteries, the driveway became mine to acquire my snowblower skills. I have a huge drive way. Easy to park two rows of three cars. It’s big and friends have been after me for years to hire local teens/college kids to help. Reminding them I’m in an over 55 community and no kids under 18, not easy to fill my need. I become the CSRO—chief snow
removal officer.
Have you registered for the Saturday morning program … 60 Tips in 90 Minutes? It’s fast, fun, and your will get oodles of takeaways. And a special free webinar on audiobooks for authors is planned on January 25. Details below for both.
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And … it times to support the Aspiring Authors in Colorado. Once again, the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame will award up to five $2,000 plus Mentorship scholarships. Total value to an aspiring, unpublished author is $15,000+.
Do you know someone who is? Get them to submit their applications NOW. Details HERE: https://www.coloradoauthorshalloffame.org/scholarships.html
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Reminder ... AuthorYOU members … the January second Saturday AuthorYOU Salon is slated for Saturday, the 13th.
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This week on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast— With so much going on in the book world, this week’s podcast is with me on the 7 Writing Blunders for Authors to Avoid - most downloaded podcast this past year. During December, I’ve identified the top four top podcasts in 2023 and do replays of each … so worth your time. The full calendar will be downloadable through December from TheBookShepherd.com site.
Listen in.
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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 16 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. January 6 AuthorYOU program – Workshop ONLINE—60 Tips in 90 Minutes
2. January 13 AuthorYOU Salons –ONLINE & ON-PERSON - AuthorYOU
members only
3. January 25 Webinar – Audiobooks for Authors
4. February 2-9 Publishing at Sea Cruise
5. February 10 AuthorYOU Salons –ONLINE & ON-PERSON - AuthorYOU
members
only
6. March 2 AuthorYOU program
7. March 10 AuthorYOU Salons –ONLINE & ON-PERSON - AuthorYOU members only
8. November 15-22 Writing at Sea Cruise
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AuthorYOU members … the January second Saturday AuthorYOU Salon is slated for Saturday, the 13th, In-Person and ONLINE only from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. MT. Remember, there must be a minimum of five participants outside of me if they are registered by Friday noon, the day before. If not, I will cancel. Info is below … you need to be registered to attend.
https://www.meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons/
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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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Does your website pass the “load pages quickly” test? Many don’t. It’s time to do a cleanup. WP-Sweep is a WordPress plugin and a freebie that completes its test within 5 minutes. It enables you to clean up unused, orphaned and duplicated data in your WordPress. It also optimizes your database tables. Step by step, it identifies what needs fixing. https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-sweep/
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Kelly Johnson
Certified Professional Virtual Assistant
Cornerstone Virtual Assistance LLC
Phone: 303.840.5994
Website: http://www.cornerstoneva.com
Email: kjohnson@cornerstoneva.com
Kelly Johnson, founder of Cornerstone Virtual Assistance, specializes in working with authors and coaches to manage the technical, creative and administrative projects for your business. Kelly strives to move a client’s business to the next level by ensuring that the foundation of your business is supported through managing projects and proposing creative ideas to help achieve success. Cornerstone Virtual Assistance was started in 2004; the decision to establish it stemmed from her desire to have more time to work one-on-one with clients in
a collaborative partnership that permits her to practice the belief that “Together Everyone Accomplishes More (TEAM).” Her clients have shared that due to her experience and technical skills, she should list as a service on her website “instant stress reduction,” and that they appreciate being able to have her as a sounding board for discussing business ideas and strategy.
Certifications: *Certified Professional Author’s Assistant *Shopping Cart Certified Strategist *Certified Article Writing Coach *Hootsuite Certification
Online Trainings include: Video creation Facebook Pages Podcasting Some of the tasks that Cornerstone Virtual Assistance may offer to clients include the following:
· Website maintenance
· Blog posting and maintenance
· Creating videos using Animoto
· Facebook Pages
· Install WordPress.org
· Shopping Cart set-up and maintenance
· Setting up LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and SlideShare accounts
· Developing/Compiling reference materials
· Newsletter management
· Event coordination
· Proofreading articles
· Creating information packets
· Setting up autoresponders
· Manage vendor relations
· Submit articles to online directories
·…the possibilities are virtually endless!
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January Kick off Program … 60 Tips+ in 90
Minutes
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Have your hot coffee and tea ready when we start ... maybe a few nibbles ... and definitely do a health break. When Dr. Judith Briles and her merry tribe of experts start the 90 Minute Round Clock, you won’t want to leave the room ... or for remote participants, your computer.
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You authors and authors-to-be out there ... suggest you be present ... get registered.
Date and Time: Saturday, January 6 Online. 8:30 A.M to 10:30 A.M. MDT
Cost: Members $25 ... Nonmembers- $50
Register Here: https://bit.ly/60AuthorTips
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| Audiobooks for Authors and Why You Need Them
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Are you missing out on extra royalties?
Audiobooks are booming in popularity, and they're only growing.
With so many people craving audiobooks these days, if you're not providing them, you could be losing out on extra royalties every month. The great thing is, unlike eBooks, it's not overly crowded so you stand a much better chance of having your books be seen and sold there.
To help you tap into the audiobook market, I invited Derek Doepker to share how you can turn your book into audio on any budget.
You can join us on Thursday, January 25th at Noon MT.
Register here: https://authoraudiobooks.com/judithregister
Derek will answer all your questions about whether it's best to do it yourself or outsource.
Even if you live outside the US and UK (ACX distribution territories) you can still us ACX and another resource with some special secrets he'll share.
On this training, you'll discover...
· How audiobooks are generating hundreds to thousands of extra dollars in royalties for some self-published authors on auto-pilot.
· How you can produce audiobooks on any budget and distribute them from anywhere in the world.
· The critical facts you have to consider before deciding whether to outsource or produce your own audiobooks that could save you thousands of dollars.
· Where to hire professional audiobook narrators if you wish to outsource.
· The exact microphone,
software, and equipment you need to produce limitless top-quality audiobooks on a shoestring budget.
All our audiobook questions answered.
Register now at https://authoraudiobooks.com/judithregister
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Book Publishing Unplugged in March
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Early Bird ENDS on February 17th
Last 5 years sold out … don’t miss out …
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Would you like to turn the book you have or are creating into the book and authoring success you want? Maybe Repurpose it?
Would you be willing to trade just a day to get all the publishing and strategy information you need … information and strategies that will create FREEDOM to be an awesome author?
March 15
– ONLINE
March 16– IN-PERSON
Early Bird ENDS on February 17
Last 5 years sold out … don’t miss out …
Awesome authors came from everywhere …
where will you come from?
January 19 or 20 will change your authoring life …
Experience one full day of Judith–either online via Zoom … no pitches, just Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged delivering an amazing depth of publishing, authoring, and marketing information that she has derived from her 30-plus years in the publishing field and as The Book Shepherd.
Create the bestseller you dream of … turn into the award-winning and sought-after author you aspire to … brainstorm the crowdfunding program to fund your project … get the answers to the questions you have … all of them.
Judith is the master book publishing coach and guide.
Reserve Your Spot NOW – All Unpluggeds are limited in size.
for a Colorful Book Brain-Jammed Day.
March 15 or 16, 2024
Details and Registration: https://bit.ly/PublishingUnplugged
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| Hot podcasts slated for December
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December 7 Are You Ready to Expand Your Writing chops? - C. Hope Clark
December 14 Branding, Logos, Electronic Press Kits - Nick Zelinger
December 21 Book Marketing Strategies for 2023 and Beyond – John Kremer
December 28 7 Writing Blunders for Authors to Avoid - Judith Briles
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| AuthorYOU Salons for January and February
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| Question of the Week ... Should I create an audiobook?
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Answer: Today, creating an audiobook should be an easy decision
for authors. It’s a huge yes—audiobooks are part of the regular publishing menu—it should be on your publishing checklist. We are going to do an audiobook webinar with Derek Doepker on January 25. Add to your calendar.
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Smile of the Week Love it when I find a fun shorty—a quick smile, a laugh out loud, a learn something new, and a sip of tea … and back to work—perfect. Smile time enjoy— as the Holidays faze out, check out this Cat Is Obsessed With The Grinch | The Dodo Cat Crazy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCiRFiL2zqU
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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 it 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 a 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.
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/product/author-friendly-fridays-subscription
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Podcast expands 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 that generates over 250,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.
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©2023 Judith Briles - The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.
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