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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #422 – February 4, 2026
Publisher: Judith Briles
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Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
I create books authors never have to apologize for …In this Issue
1. Discover … ABA – indie publisher friendly
2. Meet ... Blue Ink Reviews
3. February Author Program … Press Releases on February 6
4. Ask Judith … February 27
5. Hot podcasts for February … Add to your calendar and listen
6. Salons for the New Year … March and April are open to register
7. Question of the week … Should I add photos?
8.
Smile time … Music Therapy for Rescues |
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This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s ® Roof
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Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …
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This past weekend was bookstore-oriented—Saturday found me moderating a visiting author from Oregon and her new book, Tilt, at the Barnes & Noble on Colorado Blvd. Reading the book,
gathering my thoughts, and questions that begin with shopping for a baby crib at Ikea. The next day, my close author friend Mara Purl and I were in the same bookstore, this time selling our books with a bonus. We gave books away to customers if they bought certain books.
Book selling with a twist!
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This coming Saturday, I’ll be
at Southlands with Joseph Caldara and his books for middle-grade boys. I’ll be selling historical fiction and cooking … actually perfect for the Big Game the next day. I’ll be offering a free book to anyone who buys a copy of The Secret Hamlet and or The Secret Rise. My Cooking with Judith is perfect to add to the mix of gathering eat options for small and large gatherings.
Meanwhile … it’s final planning for the Publishing at Sea cruise in just 10 days. Still much to do, which brings me to ask: What’s on your list to Becoming an Author on Fire? Tis my theme for the year … and for
me, it means lots of changes. Flipping some of the things that I do … adding new items to my consulting and marketing mix. Becoming an Author on Fire brings "thriving" into your radar. What say you? Are you ready to drop what’s not working? Ready to step into something new?
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Once again, the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame will award up to f five $2,000 plus a one year Mentorship & Coaching scholarships. Total value to an aspiring, unpublished author is $17,000. Do you know someone who is an unpublished author who desires to be? Get them to submit their applications NOW.
On Monday, I had two calls from exciting writers and looked forward to submitting
for scholarship consideration. They are in … and I know of two more. The more the merrier … only five scholarships will be granted.
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My blog this week is a shout-out for me … Cooking with Judith-Comfort Foods Creates Comfort Foods Create WOW! Eating will be featured in the US March edition of Costco’s Costco Connection membership magazine that goes out to 15 million members each month. In April, the Canadian Costco Connection will include it in April, and 2 million members. My recipe for Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup is featured,
perfect for Colorado’s winter months.
https://thebookshepherd.com/cookingwithjudithincostco/
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On this Thursday’s podcast, C. Hope Clark joins me on Grants & Contests for Authors – Creating a Book Series
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That’s my week … how’s yours? Lots of happenings below.
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Add these to your calendar now. Details will all be posted under the Events tab on the website.
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1. February 5 Podcast … Grants & Contests for Authors – Creating a Book Series
2. February 6 AuthorU Program … Creating Your Press Releases Forward
3. February 12 Podcast … Online Fraud
4. February 15-22
Publishing at Sea workshops
5. February 19 Podcast … Book Reviews
6. February 26 Podcast … Bring the Thrive Factor to Your Writing
7. April 11 Barnes & Noble Book Fair, Lakewood
8. April 25 Barnes & Noble Book Fair, Fort Collins
9. April 26 Barnes & Noble Book Fair, Colorado Blvd
10. May 2 Barnes & Noble Book Fair, Southlands
11. May 9 Barnes & Noble Book Fair, Loveland
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| 1 Discover ABA – indie publisher friendly
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Dig into the American Booksellers Association and what it can do for indie authors
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Retail book buyers are members of the
American Booksellers Association. Membership opens avenues to push galleys out; special mailings, including children’s, and much more. Indie publishers welcome. Membership is $199 a year. Check it out: https://www.bookweb.org/for-publishers
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| 2 Author Benefit … Are you using Blue Ink Reviews?
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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 on BlueInk.
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Author U February Program
Friday, February 6 from 2-4 MT (1 PT, 3 CT, 4 ET)
Press Releases … DO Authors Need Them … YES They Do!
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If you don’t tell the media your story with a press release, who will? This
is a live webinar. It will be recorded. The savvy author will be there in person to get your questions answered.
Your takeaways include:
- How to create a list of your media to send to.
- Strategies to create a compelling hook.
- Use the trifecta of promo to create and push out the press release.
- Tips for including value-added information to your release.
- How to create a quarterly PR schedule.
- Marketing with short videos.
- Where to distribute your press release.
- How to distribute your press release.
- How to create a media list.
- Why your headline must be clear, concise, clever, and compelling.
You will get a variety of tips and tricks for building your influence and getting the media’s attention. Get ready to craft a strategy and put it into action.
Your Presenter: Jules Marie is a certified social media manager and marketing specialist. Her website is 33Words.us.
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Ask Judith ANYTHING about Book Publishing and Book Marketing in February … The Book Shepherd is YOURS for 60 Minutes!
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Judith Briles is YOURS for 60 minutes on Friday, February 27, 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=SH5vWqz0SkvVIZIgnC95lHCmCAi2km.1
Password: authors
Add to Your Calendar: Friday, February 27 at 3 MT (2 PT, 5 CT, 5 ET)
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Hot podcasts slated for February
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Ranked in the Top 10 podcasts for book marketing for authors by FeedSpot.
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| February is a moving-forward month. You can just listen via audio or view on YouTube. And a WOOT … On GoodPods, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Publishing has been honored with TOP 10 badges in four different categories.
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February 5 Grants & Contests for Authors + Creating a Book Series C. Hope Clark
February 12 Online Fraud … Charles Breakfield
February 19 Book Reviews … Patti Thorn
February 26 Bring the Thrive Factor to Your Writing … Laura Beltsen
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| Salons for the New Year … March and April
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Salons are a benefit for the AuthorU.org VIP membership. You must register here to be included:
www.meetup.com/authoryousalons/ March 14 will be up next. February is a skip … 27 other authors and I are at sea with the Publishing at Sea cruise from February 15 to 22.
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| Question of the Week ... Should I have photos on my website?
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Answer: Yes, Yes, and YES. Add them on all your pages. And update them throughout the year. You don’t want a "stagnant" site … the SEO gods will be happy.
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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
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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.
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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
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| Author Friendly Friday this week …
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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.
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| It’s for paid subscribers ONLY and we do it on Zoom.
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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/
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Follow us, listen, 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:
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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.
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©2026 Judith Briles - The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.
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