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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #414 – December 10,
2025
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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 … Aspiring Author Scholarships
2. Meet Printing Changes from IngramSpark
3. Holidays are coming ... Holiday Lunch happens this weekend
4. Author Success … Ask Judith anything about Publishing and Book Marketing
5. Workshop… January Amazon Bestseller
6. Hot podcasts for December… Add to your calendar and listen
7. Author Salons … January and March 2026
8. Question of the week …When should I get coaching?
9. Smile time … Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular |
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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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Last weekend, 10 authors gathered at the Southlands Barnes & Noble bookstore—the final stop of five Bookfairs in a row—whew. It was a long day … it was work … and it was fun. I sold 19 of my Cooking with Judith cookbooks on Sunday and two more today when I got a call from someone who bought one
at the bookstore, and needed two more.
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| Delighted with the call, I gave her my address and asked, “Would you like me to add a ribbon for the wrapping?” Giving me the names of her two recipients, she was at my house in 15 minutes.
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I’m loving all the lights in my neighborhood … and the fact that all of them are working outside around my house. Even Marvin the Moose added a wreath around his neck this year, lights, a big red bow and of course, a Santa hat. Starting this Thursday, it’s a nonstop
gathering of friends and family at a variety of events until the 21st … then a go quiet for end of year clean up and planning. Lots of cooking … definitely eating and being with friends.
Congrats to author Deborah Armstrong, our latest bestseller in Australia, Canada and the US for her romance novel, Love’s Games. Over 3,000 downloads!
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See you for lunch …
December will bring the Author Holiday Lunch this Saturday … that is an IN-PERSON only gathering. Food (lots), schmoozing, gift exchange. My house. Food has been ordered and I look forward to seeing many of you. Watch for an email with my gate code.
If you are a lunch person, this would be a good place to be … plus you will have your afternoon free for other events. December doesn’t have enough days in it.
My blog this week is perfect for the time … it’s all about your findability … Is Your Website Contact Page Working for You or Is It a Ghost? https://thebookshepherd.com/contactpage-2/
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The second Saturday Author YOU Salons are over for the year—the next one is January 8 ... 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
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| It’s Woof Wednesday … are you taking advantage of using the
hastag #WoofWednesday on your social media?
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On last Thursday’s podcast, it’s the conclusion of a four-part podcast month. This week reveals the second must downloaded podcasts from AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing with Jules Marie
on Book Contests and how judges evaluate them. It comes in at #3 with over 132,000 downloads.
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| 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!
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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/
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That’s my week … how’s yours? Lots of happenings below.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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. December 11 Podcast … Judging Books and Contests
2. December 13 Author Holiday Party
3. December 18 Podcast … Refresh, Repurpose and Roar
4. December 25 Write with Color and Personality
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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.
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Want tips for Authoring, Marketing and Publishing?
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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.
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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
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Once again, the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame will award up to five $2,000 plus Mentorship scholarships. Total value to an aspiring, unpublished author is $15,000+. Do you know someone who is an unpublished author who desires to be? Get them to submit their applications NOW.
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| 2 Discover Printing Increases from IngramSpark
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The prices of some books will be increasing soon, but not all. This is an UGH … you may need to adjust the retail price of your book to make sure you're still going to make a royalty. Some books will actually decrease in price.
One new item is that they will remove the fee for loading your book.
Beginning December 15, 2025, use the print and ship calculator to see updated print cost for orders placed within your IngramSpark account. Your cover files should be updated when you change your pricing on IngramSpark.
Suggest you check out if you are affected and make a book price change if appropriate. Go to You IngramSpark account and click on the Pending Price
Changes on your Home page.
I’ve had no notice that Amazon is planning on increasing printing costs.
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| Author Holiday Lunch ... Saturday December 13
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I’m looking forward to an afternoon of great food, conversations, and fun. If you are coming, don’t forget, it includes a gift exchange.
Location: Judith and John's Home: 8122 S Quatar Cir, Aurora, CO 80016, USA
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Ask Judith … Tap into the 3rd Friday Ask Judith … December 19 … bring your questions
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Book Publishing and Book
Marketing
The Book Shepherd is YOURS for 60 Minutes!
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The Book Shepherd, Judith Briles is YOURS for 60 minutes on Friday, December 19th 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 seed your 2025 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
Passcode: authors
Add to Your Calendar: this Friday, December 19 at 3 MT (2 PT, 4 CT, 5 ET)
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| 5 Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign for Your eBook
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Sign up for our next sessions scheduled for January 7, 14, 21, 28
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:
1. Two hours of your time online each week via Zoom with Judith Briles. Late Wednesday afternoon will be our start time. All sessions recorded.
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 and BookBrush.
Dates: Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28
Times: 4.00 P.M. to 5.30 P.M. MT
Cost: $299
Register: https://thebookshepherd.com/create-an-amazon-bestseller/
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Hot podcasts slated for December
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Ranked in the Top 10 podcasts for book marketing for authors by FeedSpot.
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| December 4 #4 Creating a Speaking game Plan Judith Briles
December 11 #3 Judging Books and Contests Jules Marie
December 18 #2 Refresh, Repurpose and Roar Judith Briles
December 25 #1 Write with Color and Personality Mara Purl
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| Salons for 2026
meetup.com/authoryousalons/
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| January and March are the first dates of 2026 … February is a skip … Judith is coordinating the Publishing at Sea cruise with 28 awesome authors during the month.
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| Question of the Week ... When should I get coaching as an author?
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Answer: One response: NOW. There is SO MUCH in the Author’s Walk … so much that you don’t even know that you are going to wander through. Having a coach, an experienced guide, is one of the smartest investments you can make. To prevent costly mistakes. To expediate
processes. To not fall into a solo vacuum.
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Smile 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. Smile time and enjoy—WOWSA .. the whole show … Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkCs1vGxaZU
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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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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:
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That’s my author and publishing news for today … what’s yours?
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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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©2025 Judith Briles - The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.
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