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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors

                  Newsletter Issue #402 – September 17, 2025
Publisher: Judith Briles
Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
I create books authors never have to apologize for …

In this Issue

1. Discover Just Delete Me

2. Meet Author Help … Ask Judith

3. Webinar AI Comparative Videos

4. Author Success … October Amazon Bestseller classes open to register - 3 spots left!

5. Hot podcasts for September… Add to your calendar and listen

6. Author Salons …
October-November are posted—get registered

7. Question of the week …
Is there a difference between in-person and online events?

8.  Smile time … Parrot Surfing

This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s ® Roof
Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …
Good Grief! September is more than half over.Colors are changing rapidly. My author and writing focus for September will be: Banned Books Month. I will share a variety of quotes and tips for encouraging authors add sparkle to what they write and speak out about the crime, in my opinion, of banning books.

The seasons are changing, moving from Summer to Fall … inside my home, it’s everywhere. Yesterday, wreaths were swapped and I picked up Reese’s peanut butter and chocolate pumpkin shaped goodies for my Barnes & Noble tables that are scheduled for the November and December book buyers.
I am so ready to get back to the Publishing at Sea cruise slated for next February 15-22. It's on one of my favorite ships—love the Central Park area for schmoozing and relaxing--has always been a personal favorite. It's going to be a writing time for me as well ... I will be completing my next book. Why not join me?

Note to all … if you are interested, there are ONLY 2 staterooms left in our group. Call me with your questions. You need to commit by October 1 – final payments due November 1. Details here: https://PublishingAtSea.com

The second Saturday Author YOU Salons for October and November are posted.... remember the deal ... at least FIVE besides me must be signed up ... Right now ... both are a NO GO unless you sign up.

It’s Woof Wednesday … are you taking advantage of using the hastag #WoofWednesday on your social media?



Podcast Thoughts ... On Thursday, Author Debra Eckerling, originator of the Deb Method—joins me with several tips to create and meet your goals
https://www.youtube.com/@DrJudithBrilesTheBookShepherd/podcasts

My blog this week Author Success doesn’t happen overnight. It needs a plan. Here are 8 steps via The Book Shepherd, Judith Briles. https://thebookshepherd.com/authorsuccessformula/
 
Author Salons are on the second Saturday of each month—they are always the second Saturday of the month details posted below. October 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, October 11th
 
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!
 
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/
 
Top 10 podcast for book marketing and Top 100 for book publishing tips for authors! You can always listen in via our websites: www.AuthorU.org - click on the Resources tab on the Home page—pick your podcast … Listen in at:   http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast or via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJudithBrilesTheBookShepherd
That’s my week … how’s yours? Lots of happenings below.
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
Love hearing from so many readers of my Be a Doer ... Not a Dreamer Saturday blog with this past week’s—the focus was your personal energy ...
read it: https://thebookshepherd.com/dr-judiths-saturday-blog/
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.
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.
Add these to your calendar now. Details will all be posted under the Events tab on the website.


1. September 19 Ask Judith anything about Publishing and Book Marketing


2. September 30 Webinar Creating Comparative Videos

3. October 1, 8, 15, 22  Amazon Bestseller

4. October 1 Last day to sign up for Publishing at Sea 2026

5. October 4 AuthorU Program


6. October 8 Author Talk with Jeanne Abrams

7. October 11 AuthorU Salons

8. October 16 Webinar with Jackie Lapin Marketing Your Books with Locations

9. October 19 Ask Judith anything about Publishing and Book Marketing

10. October 25 Speaking Unplugged – Online

11. November 1 AuthorU Program

12. November 8 AuthorU Salons

13. November 21 Ask Judith anything about Publishing and Book Marketing

14. November 22 Barnes and Noble Book Fair Fort Collins

15. November 29 Barnes and Noble Book Fair Colorado Blvd.

16. November 30 Barnes and Noble Book Fair Lakewood-Denver West Village

17. December 7 Barnes and Noble Southlands, Aurora Book Fair


 
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.
Want tips for Authoring, Marketing and Publishing?
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.

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   




1 Discover Just Delete Me
Smart authors start deleting their accounts on sites no longer used. You can ... but many platforms don’t make it easy.

JustDeleteMe spells out the steps to delete accounts for hundreds of popular sites. It is a directory of direct links to delete your account from web services. https://JustDeleteMe.xyz

There’s also a sister site that has links to companies so you can request reports of the data they have on you. JustGetMyData –

Here’s a free guide to help you out: Free Guide: Remove personal information from the internet (joindeleteme.com)

2 Tap into the 3rd Friday Ask Judith … September 19 … bring your questions
Book Publishing and Book Marketing
The Book Shepherd is YOURS for 60 Minutes!
The Book Shepherd, Judith Briles is YOURS for 60 minutes on Friday, September 19 at 3 pm MT  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: this Friday, September 19th at 3 MT  (2 PT, 4 CT, 5 ET)

3
Author Success … Webinar–How to Create Comparative Marketing Videos – Sept. 30 3 PT – 4 MT – 5 CT – 6 ET
Within the Publishing at Sea workshops last February, tech thriller author Charles Breakfield wowed the participants with his take on the Book Comparatives with the assist of AI. It was a variation of the standard poster with a huge twist to it—voice and active video. Everyone wanted more.

Now, it’s show and tell time. Charles will demo how to create them on your own … or offer you a super deal where he does it for you. It’s all happening on September 30. We will be recording—register so you get it.

Register: https://bit.ly/ComparativeBookVideos

 
4
Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign for Your eBook Online Course in 4 weeks!
“Judith’s Amazon BestSeller program works!! I hit #1 in at least 9 categories before 11 AM on launch day. Do yourself a favor – take Judith’s class and FOLLOW HER GUIDANCE! You’ll be an Amazon BestSeller too!”

– Suzanne Asaff Blankenship - Author of How To Take Care of Old People Without Losing Your Marbles

Sign up for our next session for October 1, 8, 15, 22

There are 23 steps in your journey … a journey where you could pay someone to travel and implement for you … or one where you can roll up your sleeves and learn how to create, implement, and execute. As in DIY.

The Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign for Your eBook Online course is the later. I will take you through each step during the four weeks. When you complete #17, you are ready to execute.

My goal is for you to have all components for your campaign DONE before your implementation/execution day. All social media tease pushouts done and scheduled before the big day starts.

Requirements;
1. 90 minutes of your time online each week via Zoom with Judith Briles. Late Wednesday afternoon will be our start time.

2. Social media presence. Thousands would be good but not crucial. You will learn tips and tricks during each session that will have new adds every week.

3. An “I want to be #1 and I can do this attitude” and commitment to do the work during each session and post-work each work.

4. A computer. A free account on either Canva and BookBrush.

Dates: Wednesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22
Times: 4.00 P.M. to 5.30 P.M. MT
Cost:  $299

Register: https://thebookshepherd.com/create-an-amazon-bestseller/

Amazon Class Alumni $150

5
Hot podcasts slated for September
 
Ranked in the Top 10 podcasts for book marketing for authors by FeedSpot.
September 4 Idea to Book to Movie Contract - Steve Snyder

September 11 Creating Listening and Visibility - Dr Jacalyn Kerbeck

September 18
Author Goals - Deb Eckerling

September 25 Maximizing the Sound and Quality of Your Voice - Rachel Alena

You can always listen in via our website: www.AuthorYOU.org (click on the On the Air image on the Home page—wait for it to upload. Or www.TheBookShepherd.com (click on the Resources tab).

Listen in at: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast or via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudithBrilesBS
6
Salons for October -November meetup.com/authoryousalons/
 
7
Question of the Week ... Is there a difference in online and in-person attendance?

Answer: In a word... YES. I get that online is sometimes the only way to participate. Then do it. But, if you can participate in-person, the take-aways are significant. The extra schmoozing. The ability to sit down with a presenter and absorb the energy and wisdom and ask questions that pop in your mind is invaluable. Zoom is great—but there are times when doing all your learning and connecting on line is not good enough.
8
Smile of the Week Love it when I find a shorty video that amuses and creates laugh out loud moments.  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— Loved this: Parrot Loves To 'Surf' On His Dad's Car Window
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tQ6-VJGaw4

 
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
 
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.
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

Author Friendly Friday this week …

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.

It’s for paid subscribers ONLY and we do it on Zoom.
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/

Podcast has expanded to 11 networks … Follow us and learn …
new shows every Thursday.

GO to the SHOW page and select which podcast is for you… the latest will always be posted on top: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast

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:
Get the latest #AuthorU-Your Guide to #Book #Publishing radio podcast with @MyBookShepherd via iTunes here:http://bit.ly/PublishingPodcast

That’s my author and publishing news for today … what’s yours?
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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