Latest NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week / Get Answers to your PublishingQuestions on Friday

This month I’m celebrating and promoting Speak on Your Book Month—it’s the #1 way to sell books. Are you? Are you planning on setting up a few engagements?

Last Saturday was a long day …seven authors had the opportunity to be the guests of the Loveland Barnes & Noble. A fabulous bookstore and supportive staff, we started at 9 am and stayed until 5pm. This Saturday, we will have a Book Fair at the Southlands BN store. As a reminder, at all book fair events, the end we will be donating a percentage of store sales to the Aspiring Authors Scholarships.

It was snow last week here in Colorado … this week, the weather lighthouse is teasing summer is coming. My deck is open and I’ve loved working outside for the first time in a long time. Clients who come to my office join me for peach ice tea and the computers are alive with words.

As summer looms ahead, the months of May and June celebrate parents—Moms, Dads … and those who step in to be Heart Moms and Dads. And of course Step-Moms and Step Dads. My Sunday was gardening day. My plans were to hit Lowe’s at 7 am to dive into the annual 2 for $20 sale where I load up on flower bowls and then spread them around—instant, vibrant color. $180 later … better than the full $400 price I would have paid a week before. Perfect for me.

Then I cleaned the hot tub, and set up the deck. One of my clients dropped in, so we did a writing session with tea, sunshine, and the open deck—umbrellas up.

Where I thought I was done with all in the front, I’ve decided to whack down the trumpet vine at the side of my porch and replace it with a variety of clementis—so colorful and hardy in our cold weather. Back to the nursery I went.

And .. is being a bestseller on Amazon calling to you? If you are thinking of doing an Amazon Bestseller run, make sure you get signed up for my four-week class that starts in June. As of today, there are only three spots left. Details below.

1. May 14 Podcast … The Future of Authoring & Publishing … Tom Frey

2. May 15 Ask Judith, this Friday

3. May 16 BN Book Fair, Southlands

4. May 21 Podcast … Fire Horse Editing & Writing … Barb Wilson

5. May 28 Podcast … Fire Horse Writing & Publishing … Dan Janal

6. June 4 Podcast … Author Platforms, Pitfalls, Panache … Kat Neff

7. June 6 Author Gathering … Online

8. June 11 Podcast … LinkedIn Tips for Authors … Deb Eberling

9. June 14 BN Book Fair, Littleton

10. June 18 Podcast … Creating Triggers for Conversion … Casey Demchak

11. June 19 Ask Judith

12. June 26 Podcast … Get Your Memoir Written … Dan Janal

James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
608-835-7937
mbr@execpc.com
mwbookrevw@aol.com
https://www.midwestbookreview.com/

Since 1976, Midwest Book Review has been committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. The MBR publishes the following monthly book review magazines specifically designed for community and academic librarians, booksellers, and the general reading public:

The Bookwatch
California Bookwatch
Children’s Bookwatch
Internet Bookwatch (a compilation of The Bookwatch, Library Bookwatch, and Wisconsin Bookwatch)
Library Bookwatch
MBR Bookwatch (reviews by senior volunteer reviewers)
Reviewer’s Bookwatch (reviews by all other volunteer reviewers)
Small Press Bookwatch
Wisconsin Bookwatch

Reviews are posted on the Internet with a number of thematically appropriate websites, databases, and online discussion groups such as alt.books.reviews. Our reviews are also available through Internet bookstores. Midwest archives all reviews on the Midwest Book Review website for a minimum of five years.

Judith Briles is YOURS for 60 minutes on Friday, May 15 at 3 pm MT 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 start smoke ‘em your Author 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
Password: authors

Add to Your Calendar: Friday, May 15 at 3 MT (2 PT, 5 CT, 5 ET)

Sign up for our next sessions for June 3, 10, 17, 24

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.

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

Requirements:

Two hours of your time online each week via Zoom with Judith Briles. Late Wednesday afternoon will be our start time.
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.
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.
A computer. A free account on either Canva and BookBrush.

My Answer: I’ve read too many books that are “tell” books … the author makes a statement, then another … and another. Gets boring quickly. There is no color—no juice, no pizazz or pop to “add to the statement.” If you have ever watched or listened to a sports event—there are two voices, two people as the narrators. One who does the “tell”—just the facts in a statement about the player. The other adds the “juice”—adds that reveal more about the player—it could be personal; about a funny; an event … you name it. It makes it far more interesting, and engaging. That’s what you want to do as an author … it will build fans.

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.