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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

Newsletter Issue #212 – January 5, 2022
Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue


1. Author Tools ... Discover OneLook

2. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit Meet Foreword Reviews

3. Amazon Bestseller …
Next class starts TODAY - SOLD OUT

4. Webinar … Build a new product on your book

5. AuthorYOU Extravaganza … Moved to April                                                

6. AuthorYOU Salons … posted through June 2022

     7. Hot podcasts for January … Add to your calendar and listen   

     8. Question of the Week … Will my writing group help me get published?

    9. Book Shepherd “Fun” of the Week … Betty White & Joan Rivers


This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s Roof
Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …
As the final transition emerged from 2021 to 2022, I picked up an unwelcome passenger that hubby John shared. A doozy of the dreaded cold that brings along its pals: headaches, nonstop coughing, a gravelly voice that was foreign, and sneezing. Four boxes of Kleenex later; headaches reduced and voice restoring, it was an unwelcome visit. It’s been almost a decade since I’ve had a cold. On Saturday, I gave up, took a hot shower,and declared it a jammie and slippers weekend. Dozing off, silly TV, and comfort food.

I’m feeling better.

It’s always a mixed feeling for me post-Christmas. I’m ready for the holiday decorations to come down—and it’s a job, for sure. I love the colors and the lights. But it’s time to clear up and put it away. I started with the office area on the lower floor. Cleared the conference room, my office, and the bathroom. Done. Then it’s upstairs and outside, taking down each room one at a time. Yesterday the final set of lights came down from outside—we had more than ever. With my new method of using mini bungee cords for lights on all the deck and porch rails, I set a record. The entire back deck was taken down in nine minutes and put away. All storage bins are up and away.

And now, with it all gone, it feels a tad naked in our home. Accessory tables showing wood once again. Kitchen bar with plenty of space. Dining room table ditto. Living room open. Ahh … life is back to my normal.

This is the week where New Year’s Resolutions are circling. the data on being successful with achieving them is not hot. The University of Scranton study reported in the Journal of Clinical Psychology revealed that:

· 45% of Americans usually make New Year’s Resolutions.

· After the first week, 25% keep their resolutions–only 46% keep them past six months.

· 24% fail on their resolution every year.

· Gulp, only 8% are successful in achieving their resolution.

Sounds like it’s time to make a pass on the New Year’s evening ritual and move on to something else that has a better success rate. It can be personal or professional. It could be just one task to complete that has been swirling around you for some time.

For authors, if you have a personal goal to have an Amazon bestseller for one of your titles, get signed up for the session starting today. Your odds of success are lots better than 8% … how about 100%? Or book marketing, creating workbooks, just acing one social media platform. All possible with high success. Stick with me this year … you and I will beat the resolution odds.

Looking forward to the first Amazon Bestseller class that starts today. It's SOLD OUT ... next one will be in March starting on the 9, 16, 23, 30. If you are going to participate, hold the dates, and get registered on TheBookShepherd.com site.

This Saturday is the AuthorYOU Salons … Online and In-Person. For AuthorYOU members only. It’s a combo mastermind and a mini-advisory board to draw from. A monthly get-together that has huge benefits.

And on Monday, the January webinar will be for nonfiction authors and focused on creating the ultimate workbook to mirror your expertise for online and in-person teaching.

This coming year will be my year of “Re” … from a ReDo and RePublish (of my existing publishing books) to a ReInvest (my time and energy) and many more to come. It’s the Power of “Re”. How about you … what will be your theme forward be? As you read this, I’ve completed the rewrites of THREE of my books and working on the fourth this week. Check. Check. Check. All are at layout. All have new covers designed. It’s the Power of “Re” –a ReDo, ReInvest, Repurpose, and Republish. My “ReVeal” will be in next week’s blog on Tuesday.

Today is Amazon Bestseller day –each Wednesday, one step forward until completion. With all the ReDoing of my books, I will be setting up the push out for each one to claim its #1 position. Are you registered? Slated for January. Four Wednesday afternoons: 5, 12, 19, 26. Classes are always limited in size. Hop on … it’s TIME to get registered. Info here: https://bit.ly/JanAMZ
I’ve posted info under #3 below on the April AuthorYOU Extravaganza that was planned many months ago. Sign up for it … if the COVID mandates kick in again, it will be moved, but it should be on your radar and calendar. Never, ever, underestimate the power and presence of IN-PERSON meetings.

My podcast guest this week is Marilyn Paigeget ready to grab tips for what authors must do for website success.

That’s my week … how’s yours? lots of happenings below. Wishing you a wonderful New Year …

Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? … Holy Moly … over 9 million downloads of various podcasts since the podcast started six years ago. As this last day of
Last week, I shared tips on decision-making for publishing and the pros and cons of publishing options.

You can select which podcast is for you from over 350 shows and 9,000,000 total downloads since the show started … the latest will always be posted on top of the show 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 5, 12, 19, 26 – Amazon Bestseller ONLINE program

2. January 8 – AuthorYOU Salons – In-PERSON & ONLINE - AuthorYOU
members only

3. January 10 - Webinar ... Creating the Ultimate Workbook

4. January 22Books Are Awesome in Parker CO

5. February 5 - Webinar – Speakertunity for Positioning


6. February 5 – 1st Saturday AuthorYOU program – In-PERSON or Online-TBD

7. February 13 – AuthorYOU Salons – In-PERSON & ONLINE - AuthorYOU members only

8. February 26 - March 6 – Publishing at Sea Conference

9. March 9,16,23,30 - The Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign

10. March 5 – 1st Saturday AuthorYOU program – In-PERSON or Online-TBD

11. March 12 – AuthorYOU Salons – In-PERSON & ONLINE - AuthorYOU members only

12. April 7-9  – AuthorYOU Extravaganza – be there in Colorado!

13. May 7 – 1st Saturday AuthorYOU program – In-PERSON or Online-TBD

14. May 14 – AuthorYOU Salons – In-PERSON & ONLINE - AuthorYOU members only


AuthorYOU members the January second Saturday AuthorYOU Salons of the year is slated for Saturday, January 8th.

Zoom ONLINE/REMOTE starts at 7 am to 8.45 MT.
IN-PERSON in Colorado at 9.00 a.m., ending at 11.00 a.m.

This is where the ONLY agenda is YOU … you bring questions … and get answers.

If you are interested in participating with this benefit, get registered: https://www.meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons/

 
I love mentoring authors, 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 are 2 spots opening in 2022 —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 and Publishing? During the month of December, you will get a variety of topics on our monthly podcast. Never a repeat program … always fresh, listen in. http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast

 
1

Author Tools …
Discover OneLook


It’s happened to every writer: You know that a word exists to describe someone or something, but for the life of you, you have an out-of-mind experience and can’t grasp it. Maybe OneLook can come to the rescue. It’s a reverse dictionary, which encourages writers to type a phrase or related word so the site can display a variety of related words. A simple search for “baby kangaroo” reveals joey, for example; “wine god” suggests both Bacchus and Dionysus, but also “bacchanalia,” “dionysiac,” and Silenus, a lesser-known companion of Dionysus.

You can also ask questions, like “Who is Elmo’s best friend on Sesame Street?,” or solve crossword clues when you don’t know all the letters. Try it … you might like it for your writing enjoyment. It’s a freebie. https://onelook.com/

 
2
Meet Foreword Reviews and Foreword Indies

Foreword Reviews is a Folio Award-winning magazine, and the only journal exclusively dedicated to reviewing books from independent publishers, university presses, and self-publishers. Each issue features 150+ book reviews, in-depth articles previewing category trends, book-industry-specific opinion pieces, and bound special sections covering award winners, audiobooks, and more.

Its Foreword Indies Book Awards are the premier attention getter for independently published authors and publishers.

VIP AuthorYOU Members get a free 1-year subscription to Foreword Magazine. You must contact Foreword Reviews directly to start your free subscription.
AuthorYOU Members also get

· 15% off website ads and FTW ads.

· 15% off Clarion Reviews

· 15% off Trade shows

· 15% off Subscription Renewals.

3 Can Your Book Be an International Bestseller?
Yes … yes, it can. Starting in March the January is SOLD OUT
next March 9,16,23,30

Create an AmazonBestseller Campaign for Your eBook Online Course in 4 weeks!

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

Requirements;

  1. 90 minutes of your time online each week via Zoom with Judith Briles. Late Monday afternoon will be our start time. This is not a webinar, it’s live, on-line coaching.

  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 or BookBrush.

Dates: March 9,16,23,30
Times: 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm MT

Judith’s next Amazon Bestseller class is slated for March. Four Wednesday afternoons. and are always limited in size. Info here to get registered: https://bit.ly/JanAMZ

4 AuthorYOU Extravaganza - April 7-9
Calling ALL Authors and Authors-To-Be!
It’s an Author and Writer 1 ½ Day
April 2022

Did you know that over 80% of the public thinks there is a book in them? Are you part of the 80%? Want to learn what your options are in getting yours from your head; from all those loose notes that have piled up over the years; want to add “published author” behind your name this year?

Is this your COME BACK Year? Is 2022 the year that makes the difference for you? Are you ready to:

· Jump into your publishing dreams, turning them into reality?

· Create a new book or repurpose an old one?

· Do a refresher on what’s happening in publishing today?

· Or do you need to just hang out … to mingle with other writers and authors?

Part of AuthorYOU’s mission is to educate emerging authors on how to write, publish and market their books. Part is two takes achieving authors to a higher level of success. And part is to create a support community of networking and information streams. AuthorYOU is for the author who wants to be seriously successful.

Today’s publishing is a journey loaded with twists, turns, and potholes. AuthorYOU will prep, guide, and demonstrate:

· The latest in marketing strategies that will create your tipping point.

· Essential information about editing your book that will turn your head.

· Master the “art” of story writing for both fiction and nonfiction that creates “the opening grab.”

· Ideas to spin you, your book, and your expertise to the viral sphere.

· How to create a hero, not a zero, when it comes to book cover design.

· Website designs with a twist.

· How to propel yourself and rise above the publishing marketplace with social media and metadata.

· Tips on avoiding the mistakes most authors make.

· The ABCs of eBooks.

· How to say “Bye-Bye to BORING” presentations and trainings.

· Write and publish a book that grabs your reader.

·  What to expect when you are expecting—the dollars, cents, and sense of publishing is today.

+++ TWO special ticketed items. Barb Wilson will deliver an “early arrival” workshop Thursday afternoon fueled by the stellar results 9 Pillars of Writing program she delivered at the Breckenridge Extravaganza in 2018. For those who want to join in for dinner Friday evening—there will be a special dessert: humor entertainment.

You can, and it’s happening when October kicks off. Get registered NOW to grab your seat. Space will be limited.

WHEN: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 7th to April 9th

FRIDAY April 8th 8 am – 5 pm General Session Workshops
The Author Gong Show
at Noon

SATURDAY April 9th 7 am to Noon General Session Workshops
Sunrise Workshop at
Bonus EVENTS

Register: https://authoru.org/october-author-and-book-publishing-fest.html

5
AuthorYOU Salons January - February


Register for the next few monthsthere is a session for ONLINE authors and a separate for IN-PERSON- FORWARD … Salons are a Free benefit for VIP AuthorYOU members only.

If you have book marketing, writing, publishing questions, get answers. Or, you just want to schmooze a bit, It’s ONLINE and IN-PERSON on the second Saturday of each month. You MUST be a paid member of AuthorYOU.org to participate. ONLINE starts at 7 am to 8.30 am MT – IN-PERSON at 9 am MT. Here’s the link to register and getting notices/reminders forward:


Register here
: https://www.meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons/

 
6
Hot podcasts slated for October
You can always listen in via our websites: 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).

January 6 Website Power - Marilyn Paige

January 13  Book Marketing with a Twist for 2022 – Judith Briles

January 20 Writers Beware – Victoria Strass

January 27  Crowdfunding 2022 – Judith Briles


 
7
Question of the Week


Question: Will my writing group help me get published?

Answer: Hmmm … this question needs more info. As in polish your manuscript to get it to an agent? Or to introduce you to a publisher? Or to support you in your marketing efforts? What? Your writing group may be helpful with feedback. Or maybe not. As a bridge to agents and publishers and marketing. Probably not. They should buy your book when it’s available.

8
Book Shepherd “Fun” or an “Uh-Oh” 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. Loved this:
un two-minute clip with Betty White and Joan Rivers. irene on Twitter: "Joan Rivers interviewing Betty White (1983)
 
Get your copy today – Available in Print, eBook, Audiobook  http://bit.ly/1000000speech
 
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 it at: http://bit.ly/JudithCoaching


Author Friendly Friday this week …

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.

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  

Podcast expands 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 that generates over 100,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.

 
 
 
 
 
 
©2021 Judith Briles - The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.


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