|
|
Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #370 – January 29, 2025
|
|
|
Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
Create. Strategize. Develop. Publish. Achieve.In this Issue
1. Author Tools
… Discover Source of Sources
2. Meet Author Help … Meet Blue Ink Reviews
3. Become a Bestseller … Amazon workshop
4. Two Unpluggeds … FEB Sizzling Press Releases & MAR Speaking
5. AuthorU Program … ASK Judith on 3rd Friday Forward
6.
Hot podcasts for January… Add to your calendar and listen
7. Author Salons … February 8th Online and In-Person
8. Question of the week … Should I have a separate bank account for my publishing?
9. Smile time … Simply the Best
|
|
|
This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s ® Roof
|
|
|
|
|
Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU … and
|
|
|
The minus temps have exited. Yesterday’s welcomed sunny day in Colorado melted the snow left behind in my neighborhood. Driveway is clear … that is, until the next snow comes in. Its the last week in January and having lived here for 34 years, I know that our snow months are February through April. Lots of shoveling days ahead.
Surprise, surprise … I decided enough was enough and turned my Cooking with Judith cookbook in for layout. Over 50 of my recipes. Done is done
and good enough … to print this week.
Thinking of claiming Amazon bestseller status? Sign up for my first workshop sessions starting next week on Wednesday, February 5—for four consecutive Wednesday afternoons. There are TWO spots left. Details below.
Smart Thoughts ... This week, Patricia Raybon joins me on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It’s all about Her work, character development, birthing a series and creating a member club Listen in only or
watch and listen on my YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@DrJudithBrilesTheBookShepherd/podcasts
|
|
|
|
|
| It’s January … Book Blitz Month—grab a variety of quotes for encouraging others, and yourself, to read, read, read and visit the library.
|
|
|
|
|
| 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author Salons are on the second Saturday of each month—they are always the second Saturday of the month details posted below. FEBRUARY 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, February 8.
|
|
|
|
|
Don’t forget to check out my new site JudithBrilesBooks.com is totally dedicated to just my writing. And I’ll be introduction my new Judith’s Readers Circle—one of the goodies I’ll be giving aways is a mini cookbook of some of my personal recipes. Join and download it. I’m already getting feedback from those who are using the recipes I shared.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. January 30 Podcast – Patricia Raybon on Writing, Series, Fans
2. February 1 AuthorU program – How Do
Judges Judge Your Book in Contests
3. February 5, 12, 19, 26 - Amazon Best Seller workshops - Only 2 spots left
4. February 6 –Podcast - Getting Your Book Ready for Book Awards
5. February 8 Author Salons ONLINE and IN-PERSON
6. February 12 Author Talk with Mary Kelly
7. February 13 Podcast - Book Designer Trends
8. February 20 Podcast - Pitching and Working with Bookstores
9. February 21 ASK Judith Zoom time—Publishing and Book Marketing
10. February 21 Create Sizzling Press Releases Unplugged –
In-Person
11. February 22 Create Sizzling Press Releases Unplugged – online
12. February 27 – Podcast - Writing the Ultimate Press Release
13. March 1 What Color Is Your Writing?
14. March 2-9 Publishing at Sea
15. March 6 Podcast – Writing --What's Working and What's Not
16. March 12 Author Talk with Helen Thorpe
17. March 13 Podcast – What Color Is Your Writing?
18. March 15
- Barnes&Noble book signings Colorado Blvd.
19. March 16 - Barnes&Noble TBD
20. March 20 Podcast – Digital Marketing
21. March 21 ASK Judith Zoom time—Publishing and Book Marketing
22. March 21 Speaking Unplugged – In-Person
23. March 22 Speaking Unplugged – online
24. March 27 Podcast - Avoiding the Most Common Author Mistakes
|
|
|
|
|
AuthorYOU members … the February second Saturday AuthorYOU Salon is slated for Saturday, the 11th. ONLINE from 7 am to 8.30 MT and IN-PERSON from 9 to 11. 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. On the meetup site, February registrations are open.
https://www.meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 Author Tools – Discover Source of Sources - SOS
|
|
|
|
|
Source of Sources was designed to make it easier for journalists to find the sources they need, and for sources to get the publicity they seek. It’s a daily email that IDs reporters looking for experts/resources for articles they are writing. This replaces HARO. And it’s FREE.
Up to three times a day, you’ll get an email with queries by journalists from various media outlets. If a journalist asks about a topic you know a lot about, simply reply directly to the source. It’s
that easy.
By joining the SOS list, ask yourself before you send a response: Is this response really on target? Is this response really going to help the journalist, or is this just a BS way for me to get me in front of the reporter? If you have to think for more than three seconds, chances are, you shouldn’t send the response.
That’s it. No other rules. https://SourceofSources.com
|
|
|
| 2 Meet Member Benefit … Blue Ink Reviews
|
|
|
|
|
Services: Serious reviews of self-published books. BlueInk Review offers honest, objective book reviews of self-published titles. Founded by Patti Thorn, former book review editor of the Rocky Mountain News, and Patricia Moosbrugger, an internationally known literary agent, BlueInk offers
reviews penned by professional critics and writers whose bylines have appeared in major newspapers such as the New York Times, Washington Post and Chicago Tribune and senior level editors from major New York publishing houses such as Viking and Crown. Completed reviews run on the BlueInk website, which has special features designed to help publishers and literary agents find promising new material and to help librarians and booksellers discover titles their patrons will be interested in, such as those written by local authors or set in their regions.
AuthorYOU members get a discount to blueink.
|
|
|
|
|
| Calling All Authors … Do You Want to be a STAR on Amazon?
|
|
|
|
|
Only 2 spots left!
you on the fence if you should be a participant in my Amazon Bestseller workshop
Register HERE if you want results: https://bit.ly/AMZBestseller
|
|
|
|
|
Proof could be your tipping point.
When Dr. Ronald Beach set forth with what he learned, his first book was more of a DIY in creating Amazon bestseller recognition … it made #1 … but only in one category and with a low download count for his book, The Virtual Divide. Why so low?—The answer … Ron didn’t complete an essential step.
His second book, The Virtual Bridge stepped forward to take a bow after completion of the workshop a second time. With all steps in place.
The results? Significant … setting the stage for an ongoing buzz.
- The Virtual Divide had 200 downloads, ONE #1 category.
- The Virtual Bridge had 1,089 downloads, FIFTEEN #1 categories.
As Ron says,
Just follow Judith's suggestions and guidance. The results are worth
all the hard work. She makes it happen.
Are you ready to claim bestseller status? To use it in shoutouts and marketing? To take the Amazon challenge?
The next Amazon Bestseller workshop starts on FEBRUARY 5TH
for four consecutive Wednesdays from 4 pm 5.30 pm MT.
There is limited space, four spots left.
February 5, 12, 19,
26
Register HERE if you want results: https://bit.ly/AMZBestseller
|
|
|
|
|
In- Person Friday, February 21
8.30 am to 12:30 P.M MT
Online Saturday, February 22
9.30 am to 2:30 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.
|
|
|
|
|
Are willing to invest one Saturday morning to create a strategy and write a press release with my guidance in just 4 hours? A press release that will be ready to send out to the media the next Monday? And a press release that I will personally release to my media contacts for the extra boost to support you?
The Create Sizzling Press Releases Unplugged will create the structure, help you write your customized press release, and a template for you going forward. The reason that it is limited to five participants is that I’m coaching and rewriting with you. The goal is that you will walk away with a “done” task. And it will be fun.
If you want to be seriously successful in your media outreach, you need to be here.
Online Saturday, February 22
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and learn how to create, implement, and execute press releases. When you sign up … I will send you a short list of “to do” items before our session.
Your Requirements:
1. 4 hours of your time online via Zoom or In-Person with Judith Briles on a Saturday morning. This is not a webinar, it’s live, coaching to get it done.
2. An “I can do this attitude” and commitment to do the work during our workshop.
Early bird ends on February 10th
In- Person Friday, February 21 - Cost: $297
Online Saturday, February 22 - Cost: $297
|
|
|
|
|
Speaking Unplugged
March 22 ONLINE
March 21 - In-Person
8:30 A.M - 2:30 P.M.
If you want to sell books ... as it LOTS of THEM? Speaking on them, and your expertise, is the #1 way to do it. Do you have my book, How to Create a Million Dollar Speech? This full day workshop is an intense and FUN interactive and woven with live individual coaching.
· Zoom is the Online meeting spot.
Space is limited to a max of 10 participants. Starts at 9 am to 4.00 pm each day. Get registered before Tuesday. Alumni participants of other Unplugged events are always discounted.
https://bit.ly/JBSpeakingUnplugged
Get my book, How to Create a Million Dollar Speech HERE: https://bit.ly/CreateSpeech
|
|
|
|
|
February 13th … ASK Judith
|
|
|
|
|
about
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, 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 your2025 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=3ZRTEhb1TDrTvzcjps9ov0r3Tpihbg.1
Passcode: will be sent
Add to Your Calendar: Friday, February 13th at 3 MT (2 PT, 5 CT, 5 ET)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hot podcasts slated for January
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
January 2 Writing Tips … Deborah Armstrong
January 9 Revise, and Repurpose Your Author Presence for 2025 ... Judith Briles
January 16 Book Marketing Buzz for 2025 ... Brian Feinblum
January 23 How to Create a Speech Using AI … Daniel Hall
January 30 Birthing a series and Creating a Member Club … Patricia Raybon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Question of the Week ... Do I need a bank account specifically for the publishing company?
|
|
|
|
|
Answer: I would say that’s a YES. You will get checks from book buyers at events—most pay via credit card, but not everyone. Deposit them. For online sales, such as Amazon, it deposits to a checking account. You need one. If you are using PayPay, or another source, via your website to sell books you will redeposit to your checking account. Separate it from your
personal/household account. It also means you should have a separate tax ID number for the account. You are in business. Act like one.
|
|
|
|
|
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 –One of my all-time favorites of Tina Turner’s is Simply the Best. She was… enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An05IjJn2CY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
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:
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
©2025 Judith Briles - The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
