|
|
Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #408 – October 29,
2025
|
|
|
Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
I create books authors never have to apologize for …In this Issue
1. Discover … Legitimate Paid Reviewers
2. Meet a Legit Book Reviewer … Meet BlueInk
3. Bestseller Secrets Summit
4. Holidays are coming … Let’s Do Lunch
on December 13
5. Webinar … AI Comparative Videos -REDUX
6. Hot podcasts for October…
Add to your calendar and listen
7. Author Salons … November are posted—get registered
8. Question of the week … How many reviews do I need?
9. Smile time … Simply the Best |
|
|
This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s ® Roof
|
|
|
Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …
|
|
|
|
|
| What fun it was to learn … and play … with the awesome new AuthorHeadShots over the last few days. So many options to create quick author connected photos that you can use in so many ways. Drop in a photo and watch the magic appear—so much fun. Kudos to the few who grabbed the 80% off super deal that that disappeared yesterday. Definitely a smart marketing move forward.
|
|
|
|
|
And why not revisit PhotoFunia.com? search for “Day of the Dead” … and TaDah … here’s what you can come up to celebrate this year’s Halloween and Day of the Dead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. Perfect. December doesn’t have enough days in it. Details below to register and say “I ... we ... will be there.” See you there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Throughout the year, local authors participate in Book Fairs sponsored by Barnes & Noble. From them, Barnes & Noble generously supports the Hall’s Aspiring Authors Scholarships. Think Holiday shopping. Personalized books are always welcomed. A win-win for all of us. Five dates are set for this fall. Come and see us—buy books and support Barnes & Noble.
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday, November 22 BN Book Fair - Fort Collins
Sunday, November 23 BN Book Fair - Boulder
Saturday, November 29 BN Book Fair - Colorado Blvd.
Sunday, November 30 BN Book Fair Lakewood - Denver West Village
Sunday, December 7 BN Book Fair Southlands - Aurora
Plus a few more. Saturday, November 1 Heritage Eagle Bend Craft Show and December 2 Aurora Merry Makers Craft
Fair
|
|
|
|
|
The second Saturday Author YOU Salons for November 8 is posted... are posted.... remember the deal ... at least FIVE besides me must be signed up ... Right now ... You gotta sign up. Here’s where: https://Meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| It’s Woof Wednesday … are you taking advantage of using the
hastag #WoofWednesday on your social media?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author Salons are on the second Saturday of each month—they are always the second Saturday of the month details posted below. November 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, November 8th
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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. November 8 AuthorU Salons
2. November 12 Author Talk with Jeanne Abrams
3. November 18 Ask Judith
4. November 19 Webinar Redux
5. November 21 Ask Judith anything about Publishing and Book Marketing
6. November 22 Barnes and Noble Book Fair Fort Collins
7. November 29 Barnes and Noble Book Fair
Colorado Blvd.
8. November 30 Barnes and Noble Book Fair Lakewood-Denver West Village
9. December 7 Barnes and Noble Southlands, Aurora Book Fair
10. December 13 Author Holiday Party
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 Legitimate Paid Review Websites
|
|
|
You want book reviews. The more, the better. As you acquire them on your book, each one becomes one of the best marketing gifts you can ask for. A Happy Dance for any author. Tip: the more reviews you get, the better your book’s online search results will generate. That means new eyes come your way.
To get a book review, reach out to book bloggers, review websites, and online book clubs. Offer them free copies of your book in exchange for honest reviews. You can also use a site like NetGalley to help you find early reviewers.
Paid sites like Literary Titan (if you earn a 4 or 5 star review, you are automatically considered for a book award at no extra cost), Blue Ink (AuthorYou members get a discount), Foreword Reviews Clarion, Kirkus, IndieReader, and Reader’s Favorite should be explored for your consideration. The HUGE plus is that the Amazon gods recognize all five sites as legitimate. Meaning you don’t get flagged … and the review doesn’t get scrapped when posted.
Plus, don’t forget Midwest Book Reviews—not a paid one—a freebie, but highly prized. All of these take submissions AFTER your book is published … and sometimes there is a combo offered—i.e. Blue Ink and Foreword often do a discounted pricing for registering with both at the same time with the special coupon that is generated. Watch for it.
|
|
|
| 2 Top Paid Book Review - 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.
|
|
|
|
|
| Best Seller Summit is live ‘til October
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are you ready to take your book business to new heights? The Bestseller Secrets Summit is just around the corner — October 27th to October 31st — and you won’t want to miss it!
Featuring a lineup of incredible speakers including Dave Chesson, Judith Briles, Thomas Umstattd Jr., Monique Danielle, Matt Stone, Sue Muller Hacking, and Nick Erik, this summit is designed to help you increase your royalties and build a profitable business on the back end of your book.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the sessions you’ll have access to:
· Supercharging Collaboration With AI: How to Grow Your Audience Without Paid Ads
· AI Optimization for Authors: How to Get ChatGPT And AI Programs to Recommend Your Book
· Training Your AI Writing Partner: How to Use AI to Assist With Editing, Research, And Feedback While Preserving Your Unique Voice
· The Metadata Advantage: Keywords, Categories, and Copy That Sell Books
· How to Write a Memoir That Shines and Has Readers Begging for More
· Mastering the Blurb: How to Turn Browsers Into Buyers With the Right Words
· The 2025 Facebook Ads Blueprint for Authors
Every session is packed with practical strategies you can apply immediately — no fluff, just results.
Secure your free spot at the Bestseller Secrets Summit, a separate email will be sent. If you can’t listen in live to any session, you can get everything to download later
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author Holiday Lunch ... Saturday December 13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It’s that time of the year again ... the Holidays are 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: $20 per person or $35 per couple
Single Person $20
Couple $35
… includes Brunch and Beverages (no tipping!)
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
|
|
|
|
|
Author Success … Webinar–All NEW How to Create Comparative Marketing Videos Coming on November 18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 is 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 has updated videos and integrated them with the webinar platform for fluidity and hearing.
Register here: https://bit.ly/ComparativeBookVideos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Hot podcasts slated for October
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ranked in the Top 10 podcasts for book marketing for authors by FeedSpot.
|
|
|
| October 2 How to create author overnight success in 30 years! Mara Purl
October 9 Power of Marketing with Locations in a Book Jackie Lapin
October 16 Book Proposals Create an Author Success Guide Path Deb Eckerling
October 23 How to Create Rock Star Visibility at Events Rebecca Finkel & Judith Briles
October 30 Why and How Authors Should Become an Amazon Bestseller Judith Briles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Salons for November meetup.com/authoryousalons/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Question of the Week ... How many book reviews do I need?
|
|
|
|
|
Answer: As many as you can get. A lot. You’ve got to ask, re-ask, and ask again. I know it’s a pain in the tush, but this is part of the author game. When you are out and presenting on your book—and there are buyers, get their names and
emails. Make sure you slip in your book a written request for a review and the link to your Amazon page in each book you sell. Post the event, send a thank you and a request to post a review with the link to where you want it to go.
It's reminder time.
The smart author uses a shortener such as Bit.ly or TinyURL to customize it. And then be prepared to remind them again. Carry a SignIN sheet with you so that you can add names and emails—you never know what group you are may be with and someone(s) ask to buy your book directly from you. Be prepared.
|
|
|
|
|
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—over the weekend, I spent an hour with one of my all-time favorites … Tina Turner’s Simply the Best CD. 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.
|
|
|
