Latest NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week / Graphics Fun from Google

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

I create books authors never have to apologize for …

In this Issue

1. Discover ... Add Have Fun with Gentype

2. Meet and Use ... CHG

3. Get Registered … July 11th Online Author Gathering

4. Get Registered for Summer AuthorYOU Food Fest … Happening on August 15

5. Hot Podcasts for June and July … Add to your Calendar and Listen

6. Question of the Week … Are there quick sources for print-on-demand (POD) costs per book unit?

7. Smile Time … Put Brodie the Motorcycle Dude

For many, the hot months of summer have arrived. So have vacations. Down time. Socializing. For me … it’s writing, final edits on book #49: Appetizers with Judith with 80 new recipes … and pickup the writing pace to bring Book 4 The Secret Awakening across the finish line.

I’ve been testing the days to do the Amazon Bestseller campaigns and have reduced them to just two—bypassing the weekend. It’s effective. And, this Thursday and Friday, you can get the book I wish I had 40 years ago when I started writing: The Author’s Walk. It’s all about seeding your momentum and keeping your mojo up. One of the reader’s said: it is about life!

This will be the second time I’ve offered the eBook for free. The first time was in 2023 when I debuted it … hitting over 10 categories on Amazon as #1 with four countries: the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

You can grab it here tomorrow-Thursday and Friday: https://bit.ly/AuthorsWalk

A reminder to all of you: if you are still claiming your book is an Amazon bestseller, you need to do a “revisit” and do a campaign again. It will keep the Amazon algorithm happy … and just might revitalize your book. My next workshops for this will be in September.

Definitely make sure you add Saturday, August 15th starting at 4 pm to your calendar. The location is my home … it’s the Author Gathering Food Fest—formerly the Author BBQ— food, author friends, and catch up.

1. June 25 Podcast … Tips and Tools for Authors … Judith Briles

2. July 2 Podcast … Top 2026 Book Design Trends … Nick Zelinger

3. July 9 Podcast … How to Get Your Book Reviewed … Jim C0x

4. July 11 Author Gathering, Online Only

5. July 16 Podcast … How to Write for Children … Carolyne Ruck

6. July 17 ASK Judith

7. July 18 Barnes&Noble, Southlands

8. July 23 Podcast … Secrets to Writing Enticing and Killer Book Marketing Copy … Casey Demchak

9. July 30 Podcast … The Inner Method … Viki King

10. August 1 Author Gathering, Online Only

11. August 15 AuthorYOU Gathering Food Fest … Judith's Home

12. August 27 Podcast … How to Write a Memoir … Dan Janal

Here’s what to know… and do:

It’s free, but you have to login to your Google account.
Explore the Alphabet Gallery—it’s creative juice time.
Describe the type of alphabet graphic you want to create. You will write in a prompt to start the process—a word or two or more descriptive.
If you don’t like a letter image, click on it and redo.
There’s an area that keeps your history, but it keeps disappearing. And the little button that looks like you can open your alphabet in a different window doesn’t seem to work. But you can do
Download all the graphics or use the tool to write a word or two and download them as a PNG.
Numbers and punctuation wasn’t an option when I played with it.
Remember … this is an AI tool. There’s a disclaimer at the bottom: “AI outputs may sometimes be offensive or inaccurate.”

P: 616.241.1916 Ext. 242

E: Sandy@ColorHouseGraphics.com

Color House Graphics is a nationwide printing and book manufacturing company that provides digital and offset printing, eBook conversions, and custom binding and finishing. With quick response manufacturing and personalized service, you will quickly learn that CHG is your go-to manufacturer for all your production needs.

Visit ColorHouseGraphics.com and request a quote for your next project.

As an AuthorYOU member, you can save 5% on new print orders.

Sandy Gould
Direct Sales Manager

CHG: Where trust, technology and experience come together.

Think of The Author Gathering as a combo MASTERMIND and personal Advisory Board for Aspiring and Achieving Authors. And JOIN AuthorU.org today. https://authoru.org/j-o-i-n

Delivered 8 months a year ONLINE for global and housebound members and 4 times IN-PERSON for those in Colorado on the of the month. July is an exception—it’s the 4th, so we will gather on the 11th.

Your host is Dr. Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd and the Author Gatherings are held two ways: on ZOOM ONLINE from 8 to 9.30 am AND IN-PERSON in her home in the southeast Metro Denver area from 9 to 11.30 am. They are a benefit as a part of the paid AuthorU.org membership. A member can bring a Guest who can attend ONE Author Gathering. After that, you must be a member of AuthorYOU.org. Bring a snack to share.

Note: there must be a minimum of 5 participants (not including Judith) registered by NOON MT the day before for any session to BE A GO. That would be July 10. If not, the session will be canceled and all members will be notified by an email announcement via Meetup.

To register for the FREE session, use this link: https://www.meetup.com/authorgathering/

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/

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.