Latest NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week / Early bird ends Friday on sizzling cover copy

Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors

Newsletter Issue #278 – April 12, 2023

Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In this issue

1. Author Tips & Tools... Discover Tube Buddy

2. Publishing Help ... Meet Barb Wilson

3. Author Talk Happy Hour ... Meet Margaret Coel

4. AI Workshop for Authors ... Register for 2-part Show and Do

5. New Unplugged ... Sizzling Back Cover & Marketing Copy Unplugged Online

6. Replay of AI Revolution, Part I, Part II ... Time to learn to go forward

7. AuthorYOU Salons … Posted through June

8. Hot podcasts for April … Add to your calendar and listen

9. Question of the Week … When do I create an Author Central Account?

10. Book Shepherd “Fun” of the Week … Chatty Cat in the Shower

My bees are back ... not sure how they know, but the catlins have opened and the bees are ’buzzing. As I leaned over the rail on my deck this AM, the lilacs are promising leaves to come and I saw my first daffodil.

Happy Spring Dance for me. So happy—although I know that in the 33 years, I’ve lived in Colorado—that it snows in April ... I did it. Uncovered the winterizing of the deck furniture and have loved being able to catch some rays. With the lanai, out I go with computer and creativity to write. What’s not to love?

Another Happy Dance ... one of my favorite singers is what Tina is all about. I got tickets for the Denver musical in October this am. It will be a girlfriend event—lunch before and then catch up with “the boys” early evening. A perfect afternoon.

The all new two-part AI Workshop for Authors goes live on May 1 and 8. Available to a limited number of participants, it’s not a show and tell ... it’s a Show and Do. Details for all are on TheBookShepherd.com website under the Experiences tab. Registration links below.

This week on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast—Join me—I’m solo, debuting my newest book, The Author’s Walk.

I heard from so many readers of my Be a Doer ... Not a Dreamer Saturday blog with this past week’s—the focus was your personal energy ... read it: https://thebookshepherd.com/dr-judiths-saturday-blog-be-a-doer-not-a-dreamer-4/

1. April 5, 12, 19, 26 Amazon Bestseller Campaign Workshop

2. April 14 Authors Hall of Famer Margaret Coel tells all ... Zoom

3. April 14 Book Marketing Unplugged - Online

4. April 15 Book Marketing Unplugged – Denver

5. April 22 Barnes & Noble – Colorado Blvd

6. April 23 Barnes & Noble - Southlands

7. May 1 and 8 AI Workshop for Authors

8. May 3, 10, 17 Create Sizzling Book Marketing Copy ONLINE

9. May 6 1st Saturday AuthorYOU program – TBA

10. May 7 Secrets Book Brunch – Judith’s home

11. May 11 Ask Judith Anything webinar

12. May 12 Authors Hall of Famer Mike Gear tells all ... Zoom

13. May 13 AuthorYOU Salons – IN-PERSON & ONLINE - AuthorYOU members only

14. May 19 Social Media Unplugged ONLINE

15. May 20 Social Media Unplugged IN-PERSON – Denver

16. June 13 AuthorYOU Salons – IN-PERSON & ONLINE - AuthorYOU members only

17. June 17 Barnes & Noble – Loveland

18. June 23-24 Speaking Unplugged IN-PERSON

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

And a heads up—hold the FIRST Saturday of each month for our live event meetings—it’s

Barb Wilson
Editing doesn’t need to be a painful, drawn-out process!

Website: www.editpartner.com
Phone: 989-284-8769 (EST)
eMail: Barb@EditPartner.com

With over thirty years of experience in editing/proofreading, she has edited numerous books in all genres, from nonfiction to children’s stories to erotica. She specializes in developmental (content) edits and also offers additional services such as manuscript critiquing/evaluation, proofreading, and line edits. Her enthusiasm for the craft of writing and her positive approach to working through obstacles like writer’s block, POV problems, head-hopping, and plot arc issues will help you complete your project—while having less stress and more fun! Check out her web page at www.editpartner.com to see the variety of services currently offered. She can combine multiple services and customize them to fit your particular project needs.

Services: Currently offering content editing for fiction and non-fiction, detailed critiques, copy editing, and ghostwriting. Barb specializes in enhancing the flow, clarity, and power of your work, ensuring no reader will want to put it down. She believes a great editor/author relationship is based on collaboration, communication, and respect. Newbie authors are more than welcome! Ask about a free sample edit.

AuthorYOU members get 10% off of editing services.

Join multi-award-winning and New York Times bestselling 2019 Colorado Authors Hall of Fame Inductee Margaret Coel as she takes center stage and reveals her journey to becoming an author ... oh the places she has been ... and will go.

Author Talk Happy Hour is live the second Friday of each month and features one of the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame Inductees.

This month Margaret Coel will be featured and will share her insights and author ahas. She is a New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Wind River mystery series set among the Arapahos on Wyoming’s Wind River Reservation.

Who Is Margaret Coel?

• She writes the West ... "Every day, "she says, "I drink in the West."

• She has been honored with six Colorado Book Awards, the Frank Waters Award, and the WILLA Literary Award.

• She has published more than 30 books.

• She is a writing expert and has created book discussion retreats.

• She was inducted into the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame in 2019.

It's a great author stop and awe time with the Inductees of the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame. All sessions will be recorded and registrants will receive the replay ... and they are FREE.

Listen in. Join in the conversation. Have fun. Ask Margaret your questions.

Register NOW for one or all sessions slated for 2023 HERE: https://bit.ly/FRIAuthorHappyHour

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. On Friday, you will get a reminder and Zoom link.

Margaret and I look forward to our hour with you.

Can Artificial Intelligence help you with your research, generating ideas, even character and story prompts. Yes, it can. For the author, it’s essential to EDIT and ALTER whatever AI generates and transition it to your writing style and voice. Otherwise, your originality evaporates.

Whether you are a fiction or non-fiction author, this workshop is designed to let you use tools like ChatGPT to take your writing to the next level.

This workshop is perfect for authors who want to use AI tools like ChatGPT to improve their writing skills and market their books effectively. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the basics of AI, how to use AI tools like ChatGPT to generate ideas and enhance the quality of their work, how to create writing prompts using AI, and how to use AI to analyze their writing style and marketing efforts.

Our “AI for Authors Workshop” is led by Greg Jameson and Judith Briles, two experts who have experience in both AI and writing, making it an excellent resource for authors who want to explore the latest technology in writing.

Participants in this workshop will learn the following:

• The basics of AI and how it works in the context of writing

• How to use AI tools like ChatGPT to generate ideas for their writing and improve the overall quality of your work

• How to create writing prompts using AI, which can help authors overcome writer’s block and generate new ideas for their writing projects

• How to use AI to analyze your writing style, identify areas for improvement, edit your copy, and enhance your writing skills

• How to market your books using AI, including using AI-powered tools to target their audience, analyze trends, and optimize your marketing efforts

The workshop will be hands-on, and participants will have the opportunity to practice using AI tools like ChatGPT and other writing AI programs. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a better understanding of how AI can improve their writing and be more confident in using AI tools to create engaging content.

It’s a computer intensive, deep-dive into the hour-changing world of AI.
All sessions are ONLINE and recorded. Your will have handouts.

Your cost is $297. It will increase to $397 the next time we offer it.
Dates: May 1 and 8, from 4 pm to 5.30 pm MT. Homework will be assigned to be completed between the two sessions. Because of the one-on-one work we will be doing, space will be limited.

Register HERE: https://bit.ly/AIforAuthors

It’s Bye-Bye Boring Back Book Cover time … You don’t need an MBA or Ph.D. to be good at creating a clever and engaging copy.

Are you ready to stop creating boring titles, headlines, and copy
that fizzle?

Would you like to lure your readers into picking up your book with the first sentence and snag them within one minute to buy your book?

Bet you would.

Judith will move you into another dimension for luring in and engaging your readers and book buyers.

Starting with:

• Develop engaging headlines that instantly grab the attention of readers.
• Craft persuasive marketing copy that motivates people to buy your book.
• Deliver a snappy close that hooks the book buyer.

When: Consecutive Wednesdays May 3, 10, 17, 2023

Time: 1 p.m. PDT / 4 p.m. EDT

Duration: Each session lasts up to 90 minutes and includes live coaching with Dr. Judith Briles for each participant.

Location: Your computer. This event is virtual and will be delivered by live Zoom webinar.

In Dr. Judith Briles’ 3-week online program starting on Wednesday, May 3rd. You will take away secrets from an insider who knows authors and books—someone who talks her walk. Judith has written over 500 back covers for her clients … and herself.

• Reach book buyers who are looking for your sage words … or awesome story.
• Create words and use “copy” that is written for the buyer you want.
• Think about your book marketing campaigns

Judith will deliver an exclusive three-week course on How to Create and Write Snappy Sassy Sizzling Book Cover and Marketing Copy.

Your book deserves it … your readers demand it … and you will love it.
Course instruction will cover Nonfiction, Fiction, and Children’s books.
Now she will identify and teach you everything you need to know to create dynamic marketing copy to support YOU and YOUR book!

There’s no getting around it. Your marketing copy has an enormous impact on book sales.

• On your back cover.
• On any promo material you create.
• On press releases.
• On social media posts.

Are you game? Are you ready to write compelling marketing copy that engages readers … immediately? Space is limited. Held ONLINE.

Register for a Special Introductory Offer of $297 that ends on April 14. After that, $397 until the class is filled.

Register for the next few months – The Saturday AuthorYou Salon will be ONLINE only starting at 7 to 8.30am MT. AuthorYou members will be emailed the link on Friday. Salons are a Free benefit for VIP AuthorYOU members only.

RULES …
1. You must register for this.
2. If less than 5 people are registered by Noon on the Friday before, event will be canceled. No exceptions.

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/

Answer: As soon as you can. Meaning, when your book—whether it’s an eBook, print book, audiobook is posted … you are considered good to go. Get yourself up there pronto.

My answer: Yes, yes there is. Marketing is what you do to bring the sales in. It’s the process of getting people interested your books, products and services that you offer for sale. It’s the strategy that sets the stage for the demand. Sales is what flows directly to you when the demand is met. It’s the activities, including the pitch that lead to the “I’ll buy” factor of your books and other services.

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

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 250,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.