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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #417 – December 31,
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 … Solid WP
2. Meet AuthorU LinkedIn Group
3. Author Success Zoom Time … 60+ Hot Author Tips in 90 Minutes this Saturday
4. Amazon Bestseller … Last chance to register
5. Hot podcasts for January… Add to your calendar and listen
6. Salons for the New Year … January and February
7. Question of the week … Help … Should I use Fiverr?
8. Smile time … You’ll laugh out loud with the 12 Days of Christmas |
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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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It’s a new year ... and most I know are scratching their heads … where did last year go?
I’m in countdown mode ... the Caribbean is sounding mighty good as I write this ... and the Publishing at Sea cruise sets sail in 36 days. Sun, warm sun is what my body needs now surrounded by water.
All holiday decorations will come down by this weekend. I know it will feel good to be “back to normal” on the inside—although a little “naked” with all the decorations and tree tucked away. What’s next are lights and yard
decorations on the front/side and back deck. Everything will be put to bed until next Thanksgiving.
Book marketing expert John Kremer joins me on my podcast for two episodes this month—marketing strategies for 2026 and how to tame the Google monster. Social media expert Jules Marie will reveal the latest strategies for Instagram in another episode. A great way to kick off the First month of the new year ... wouldn’t you say?
The January Amazon Bestseller workshops start next week—it would be wise to participate. Details below. And a special programs for Author Success rolls out Saturday. It will be on Zoom at 9 am. Details also below.
And, I’m jazzed ... my new info only newsletter on Substack debuted last week.
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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 Total value to an aspiring, unpublished author is $15,000+. Do you know someone who is an unpublished author who desires to be?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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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 tomorrow’s podcast. I will do a solo segment about the power of your words and why they matter along with on moving forward with your writing.
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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. January 1 Podcast … Your Words Matter ... Judith Briles
2. January 3 Author U Zoom … 60+ Hot Author
Tips in 90 Minutes
3. January 7 Amazon Bestseller #1
4. January 8 Podcast … Book Marketing Strategies for 2026 ... John Kremer
5. January 14 Amazon Bestseller #2
6. January 15 Podcast … The Google Monster ... John Kremer
7. January 16 Ask Judith
8. January 21 Amazon Bestseller #3
9. January 22 Podcast … Instagram Power Strategies for Authors ... Jules Marie
10. January 28 Amazon Bestseller #4
11. January 29 Podcast … Support for Unpublished Authors ... Judith Briles and Mara Purl
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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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As a website owner, there’s nothing scarier than be security attack by malware. Do you have backup in place to protect yours?
It’s’ time to discover Solid WP for WordPress websites. Within minutes, you can capture all of your data. It’s not free … pricing starts at $99 a year for one site.
Fast. Reliable. And Rock Solid.
Powered by SolidWP’s cloud infrastructure instead of your hosting server
· One-click Restore
· Daily, Incremental Backups
· Detailed Activity Timeline View for easy file identification and restore
· Centralized Management Dashboard for improved efficiency and time savings
https://solidwp.com/backups/
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| 2 Discover AuthoruYou LinkedIn Group
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| 3 Calling all authors and authors-to-be out there ...
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It’s the Author Luck of the NEW YEAR this Saturday
It’s the author luck of the New Year coming your way this Saturday, JANUARY 3 … Get 60 ++ Hot Author Success Tips in 90 Minutes AND it’s a Happy New year from AuthorYOU for all and it’s a freebie.
See you Saturday … January 3, 2026 at 9 am MT (8 PT, 10 CT, 11 ET)
Have your hot coffee and tea ready when we start ... maybe a few nibbles ... and definitely do a health break. When Dr. Judith
Briles and her merry tribe of experts start the 90 Minute Round Clock, you won’t want to leave your computer. YES, you will get a recorded copy yes already have your email. You must be registered.
You authors and authors-to-be out there ... suggest you be present ... get registered.
DATE and TIME: Saturday, January 3, 2026
Online. 9:00 A.M to 10:30 A.M. MDT (8 PT, 10 CT, 11 ET)
COST: FREE
Register here: https://bit.ly/60AuthorTips2026
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| 4 Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign for Your eBook—3 spots available
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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 January
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Ranked in the Top 10 podcasts for book marketing for authors by FeedSpot.
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| January 1 Your Words Matter ... Judith Briles
January 8 Book Marketing Strategies for 2026 ... John Kremer
January 15 The Google Monster ... John Kremer
January 22 Instagram Power Strategies for Authors ... Jules Marie
January 29 Support for Unpublished Authors ... Judith Briles and 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 ... Should I use a resource like Fiverr for my book cover?
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Answer: In my opinion … It’s a NO. I’ve never seen one that says WOW to me. They look mundane to mediocre.
Creativity is minimal. It’s for the DIY crowd here, which is not mine when it comes to anything dealing with book design.
You cover can be a book buyer deal breaker—it should shout out: PICK ME UP NOW. Get a professional book designer on your team. There are some things Fiverr work well for. Just not the cover… unless “so-so” is okay with you. Get referrals for designers. Spend a few hours in a bookstore and pursue the section that your book would be shelved in. What do books like yours look like? Fonts … colors … layouts. Think … what could make yours pop? Pursue the new books in general—usually in the center of the store. Study the covers. What pops. Now, talk to a book designer.
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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—tis the middle of the 12 days of Christmas—have a little fun with tow guys wo wil perform it for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXtCSUqKNTk
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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?
Wishing all of you a wonderful and fulfilling final days of the year ...
Happy Christmas.
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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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