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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #395 – August 6,
2025
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Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
I create books authors never have to apologize for …In this Issue
1. Discover … BrandSnag
2. Meet Author Help … Help U Write
3. Author Success … Webinar – 30+ tips in 60 Minutes
4. Celebrate Colorado Authors! … Come to the Hall of Fame Gala
5. AuthorYOU Annual Summer Eat and Schmooze Time … August 16
6. Hot podcasts for August… Add to your
calendar and listen
7. Author Salons … August is posted-get registered
8. Question of the week … Should I pay for book reviews?
9. Smile time … 20 plus awesome household hacks
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This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s ® Roof
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Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …
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It’s been another planning week for me. All things for the Colorado Authors of
Hall of Fame. We are over 3/4 sold out … get your seat … I promised it’s a wonderful evening and if you love books and authors and their words, be there. Leave the sandals and jeans at home … this is dress up time!
This Saturday, the AuthorYOU Salons are ONLY Online, starting at 7 am. Details and link here: https://www.meetup.com/authoryousalons/
Put 4 pm MT August 20th on your calendar. It’s time for a 30 Tips in 60 Minutes webinar with the faculty of the 2026 Publishing at Sea cruise—info below … Scontinuing to
shout out the Summer Authors Catalog to libraries and bookstores—beautifully created by Rebecca Finkel for the AuthorU.org community. And finaling the menu for the Author Schmooze Fest … it’s a Taco Bar! FYI, the cost will increase tomorrow am.
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It’s being shouted out to: For #libraries that feature Children’s, Thrillers, Mystery, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction How to, Self-help, Cooking and more. Get Summer Book Catalog: https://www.authoru.org/book-catalog #publiclibraries #librarylife #books #booklove #librarian @ColoLibraries
You can do the download to see … it was a FREEBIE for VIP members of AuthorU.org –those who didn’t respond didn’t get in it. https://www.authoru.org/book-catalog
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Expect a “surprise” from one of our Inductees. The Denver Post carried an article last Sunday. Press releases are going out twice a week as final preparations are in play. The Inductees bios and photos are up on the website for the Gala Induction—check them out. Plan on joining us on Saturday, September 6th. It’s a dress up event. Stay
at the hotel—many of us are for networking and schmoozing. Dom Testa will emcee once again with Phil Grindrod supplying predinner and introduction music for each Inductee. Hits in the past and back by request.
It’ the perfect Saturday night date … whether just for you, your date of choice … even create a table of friends who love books and support the authors who create them. Two of the top selling fantasy authors will be inducted—Rebecca Yarros and Jim Butcher plus 11 more. It’s time to get your tickets … I’m excited to see what the evening unfolds and reveals—there is always a surprise.
THIS event is now 75% sold out. Get your tickets now - https://bit.ly/GreatAuthors
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BookBrush’s Book MarCon 2025 over August 1-3 was great fun. Kathleen Sweeney and I will do a special
webinar based on the webinar she gave.
Plan on good eats on Saturday, August 16th. It’s our annual Summer Eat and Schmooze Time. It’s Taco Bar time… and I promise, my awesome Kahlúa Cake dessert will be on the menu.
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| It’s Woof Wednesday … are you taking advantage of using the hashtag #WoofWednesday on your social media?
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Podcast Thoughts ... On Thursday, Dom Testa joins with a reveal of how his perfectionism became a hinderance. It’s a fun hour with the two of… we are friends of many years. Listen or view the podcast … Dom’s most recent book is Let It Be Good - Simple Insights for a Satisfied Life
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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. August 9 ONLINE ONLY 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, August 9th.
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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. August 9 AuthorYOU Salons - Online only
2. August 10 Book Launch The Secret Rise Soiree
3. August 15 Ask Judith anything about Book marketing and Publishing
4. August 16 Annual Summer Eat and Smooze Time and Judith’s Alive Day
5. August 20 30 Tips in 60 Minutes Webinar with Publishing at Sea Faculty
6. August 30 Barnes & Noble Colorado Blvd
7. September 3, 10, 17, 24 Amazon Bestseller
8. September 6 AuthorU Monthly program
9. September 6 Colorado Authors' Hall of Fame Gala
10. September 20 Speaking Unplugged – Online
11 October 19 Barnes and Noble Southlands Book signing with Judith
12. December 7 Barnes and Noble Southlands Book Fair
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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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Discover the website of business naming …
Are you
creating a new website? Want to know if it’s available quickly? Do you want to start publishing on social media? Your brand name is the first step. Use all of our Name Check availability and User Name lookup tools in an instant! https://brandsnag.com/
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| Carolyne Ruck
Help-U-Write
Email:
Info@Help-U-Write.com
Help-U-Write offers “Editing and Proofreading” as a package service, although they are really two different processes.
Editing serves a very useful purpose. It’s essential for the indie author of today. Sometimes you will have used “jargon” or “slang” that is very familiar to you because you use it daily, but it is unfamiliar to your audience. At times, an event needs more explanation because it is unique to a particular locale. Occasionally, we will even suggest that you present the ideas in a slightly different order so that it will be easier for the reader to understand your meaning. At all times in the editing process, we suggest changes….it is up to you whether you wish to follow the suggestions or go a different direction.
Editing and Proofreading can be billed by the job or by the hour, depending on the length or difficulty of the manuscript. For short pieces, we usually charge by the hour.
If
you’re interested in talking with us about editing or proofreading your manuscript, please email us at info@help-u-write.com. Write “Editing” in the subject line.
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Author Success … Webinar – 30 tips in 60 Minutes
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Join us for a webinar on Aug 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM MDT.
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Are you an author or an aspiring author? Get 30+ Essentials Tips in 60 Minutes for author and publishing success. Participants will take away a variety of snap, crackle, and pop ideas to juice up their marketing, writing, publicity, and social media influence from the Publishing at Sea faculty. If that's on your TO DO list, get registered NOW. It's happening on Wednesday, August 20 at 4.00 pm MT.
Register for 30 + Publishing Tips in 60 Minutes from the Publishing at Sea Faculty on Aug 20, 2025 4:00 PM MDT at: https://bit.ly/30in60Min
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| Celebrate Successful Authors …
Gala Induction
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There are only 50 seats left …
September 6 will be a special evening for 13 authors and for all who are in the audience. That could be you. Each Inductee or a representative will reveal insights of their paths—the ups and downs and amazing events that have happened to them in their author journey. Some have sold mega millions of copies of just a single book; some have streaming series on platforms like Netflix; some have more awards and recognition that your combined fingers and toes; and one has turned books into move magic.
Don’t miss out. This only happens in odd number years. It’s a
dress up affair.
Be there … get your seat … gather your friends and create a table of eight!
Registration is here: https://ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org
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AuthorYOU Annual Summer Eat and Schmooze … August 16
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Come to the AuthorYOU Annual Summer Eat and Schmooze
Price increase Today
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Join your fellow authors for some great food, fun, and networking at the annual AuthorYOU Annual Summer Eat and Smooze There will of course be plenty of beer and wine. No need to bring anything, food and drinks will be in abundance. Family members are welcome.
When: August 16th, at 4:00 PM to ?
Where: Judith’s Home 8122 S. Quatar Cir. Aurora, CO 80016
Cost: $20 for singles or $25 per couple. All food and beverages included
Prices for singles and couples will increase $5 today ...
Get registered!
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Hot podcasts slated for August
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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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| August 7 Perfection Can Kill Your Book…Let It Be Good - Dom Testa
August 14 How to Create Findability for Podcast Hosts -
Jackie Lapin
August 21 Automation Leads to Author Success - Michelle Renee
August 28 PR and Publicity Tips for Author Success - Jill Lubin
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Salons for August meetup.com/authoryousalons/
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| Question of the Week ... I get a lot of emails promising to get reviews for my book. Should I pay a service to get more book reviews?
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Answer: In most cases … nope. Do you want them? Do you need them? Yes. Get ready to Do the Ask … repeatedly. When the online retail platforms suspect that there is a bought or phony review, it gets zapped. The bots usually know. Don’t do it. The exceptions are with legit resources like BlueInk Review and Foreword magazine. There are a few clusters of independent reviewers who love books and do reviews for the love of it.
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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— WOWSA ... I love fast shortcuts for around the house … these are goodies: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nGwg3HFGHIc
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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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