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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #421 – January 28, 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 … Anthropic Lawsuit site
2. Meet ... Instagram strategies via YouTube
3. February Author Program … Press Releases on February 6
4. Ask Judith … February 27
5. Author Success Zoom Time … REPLAY 60+ Hot Author Tips in 90 Minutes
6. Hot podcasts for January … Add to your calendar and listen
7. Salons for the New Year … March and April
8. Question of the week … I’m working with a designer, and it’s not
working. What should I do?
9. Smile time … Dolly and the power of a new morning |
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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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The clock is ticking. If you have been a published author, have you verified if any of your titles were stolen in the pursuit of building AI? Take some time over the next week to verify if you are clear. It’s time for you to do the ”look up” … You have until March 30 to file any claims in the billion-dollar settlement with Anthropic. A few of my titles were stolen … I’ll be filing mine.
If you aren’t registered for the AuthorU February 6th program: Creating Your Press Releases Forward, the wise author will. It’s next Friday from 2 to 4 pm MT. Free to AuthorU VIP members, $30 for non-members. Details below.
I’m enjoying the participants in the Amazon Bestseller Class—today is my final session. Time to finalize posters and start creating campaign copy.
And my countdown continues ... the Caribbean is sounding mighty
good as I write this ... and the Publishing at Sea cruise sets sail in 18 days. The ship is fully sold out. We are doing a special How to Create Awesome Photos on the Cruise with Ashlee Bratton for cruisers only on February 3. Perfect timing.
And TaDah … I’ve got the title for my next book: Appetizers with Judith: Yummy Nibbles and Starters that WOW! Your Guests
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 perfect for the time … The Power of Confidence. Although I wrote a book titled The Confidence Factor that sold over 100,000 copies, I had a little help with this blog. My friend Marsha Haygood gave me permission to share with my followers before her recent death. And now you have her wisdom as well: https://thebookshepherd.com/thepowerofconfidence/
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On Last Thursday’s podcast, Jules Marie joined me on Strategies and Tips for Instagram. All of my VAs were required to watch it. This week, Mara Purl joins me as we divest the ins and outs of the Aspiring Authors Scholarship program and how to submit for it.
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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. January 28 Amazon Bestseller #4
2. January 29 Podcast … Support for Unpublished Authors ... Judith Briles and Mara Purl
3. February 1
Barnes & Noble Colorado Blvd Judith Briles and Mara Purl
4. February 3 4 MT Private Webinar for Publishing at Sea participants
5. February 5 Podcast … Book and Writing Contests
6. February 6 AuthorU Program … Creating Your Press Releases Forward
7. February 7 Barnes & Noble Southlands, Aurora Judith Briles and Joseph Caldara
8. February 12 Podcast … Online Fraud
9. February 15-22 Publishing at Sea workshops
10. February 19 Podcast … Book Reviews
11. February 26 Podcast … Bring the Thrive Factor to Your Writing
12. April 25 Barnes & Noble Book Fair, Fort Collins
13. May 2 Barnes & Noble Book Fair, Southlands
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| 1 Discover Anthropic Settlement Site
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Are you the legal or beneficial copyright owner of a book included in the Anthropic Copyright Settlement? Do you know if you are? A few of my
titles were lifted, so I will be filing.
If you believe you are in the Class, you may submit a Claim Form. If you do not submit a Claim Form, it is possible that you will not be paid or will not receive the maximum possible monetary recovery, which is $3,000 per title. You can receive payment for each qualifying work you own.
The clock is ticking … you have until March 30 to file a claim. https://www.AnthropicCopyrightSettlement.com/
And if you want to read the background of what the major players, such as Mark Zuckerman, had in the mix of the massive theft, read here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/inside-a-tech-company-s-secretive-plan-to-destroy-millions-of-books/ar-AA1V4aZv?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6ae8650677414ebddea87438bf010ae5&ei=37
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| 2 Discover the HUGE Info Site of our Podcast …
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What is it? YouTube … Thursday’s rolled out the latest strategies to use on Instagram with the guidance of Jules Marie. Your get the new power of Instagram via the special podcast I did with her. Tune
in –Listen. Watch. Learn. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3iZCxoSw-3w
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Author U February Program
Friday, February 6 from 2-4 MT
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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| 5 REPLAY Calling all authors and authors-to-be out there ...
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It’s the Author Luck of the NEW YEAR
… a great program delivered by seven publishing pros with oodles of tips for your author success. You will get countless ideas and tips to move you forward toward author success.
Here’s the video replay link: https://vimeo.com/1151557678?fl=ip&fe=ec
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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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| 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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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 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 ... I’m working with a designer and it’s not working. What should I do?
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Answer: I love an easy
question. Simple—push your replacement button. The sooner the better. Sometimes an expert, in your case, isn’t the right fit for your book. It happens.
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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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