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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #118 – April 8, 2020
Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue

           
     
1.  Join in on the VAHH … Virtual Author Happy Hour

2. Author Tools … capitalization help

3. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Discover BlueInk Reviews
4. Write a Nonfiction Book in 4 Weeks – May Online

5. May Program … –Audiobooks 2020
6. Speaking Unplugged … sell oodles of books moxie via the cash Cow 2-    Step and get the super-duper Bonus  in May

7. Webinar … Replay of Goldmine of Author Nuggets

8. Hot podcasts for APRIL … Add to your calendar and listen/learn

9. Question of the Week … Can I sell books during the "lockdown"?

     10. Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week … Dogs and video games

    



This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s Roof

Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …

Snow and frigid temps on last Friday followed by sunshine and "it’s feeling like spring" arrived in my home base of Denver over the weekend.

Knowing that April has often brought a snow dump or two, Sunday, I wondered: Do I dare start the deck set up where I can slip out and remove covers and think positive that outdoor time has arrived? Yes, the snow melted from last weeks fall and the plugs of daffodils that I dug through the clay and planted in October that we call dirt are poking their heads up. And YES—my wondering took over. Sunday afternoon became roll up my sleeves and practice my folding outdoor furniture cover skills. By mid-afternoon, John and settled in with a glass of my favorite peach iced tea—he with a book and I with my computer and just enjoyed sitting outdoors. Even leaning over the deck rails and chatting with neighbors who were also lured outdoors. And, planning the replacement of the deck rails that were scheduled for last year and didn’t get done. The big home project now slated to begin at the end of this month.

Saturday, it was fun when I stepped in to deliver a substitute AuthorYOU program—an Author’s Goldmine of Nuggets early in the am. From the top books of 2019—the #2 book was #1 in 2018!—tips for repositioning to move forward when the "shut down" opens up—plus cool marketing tools that are easy peasy and oh so fun. You can listen in to the webinar, including slides via the link below.

It’s continued good news for audiobook creation. Richard Rieman will lead us with the latest tips and strategies for creating and marketing in Audiobooks 2020. It’s slated for the first Saturday—May 2. All attendees with get Richard’s multi-award winning book: The Author’s Guide to AudioBook Creation as a bonus gift. If in person, the cost will be $25. Details will be updated on the AuthorYOU.org website.


And, my How to Write a Book in 4 Weeks is/was SOLD OUT for the April sessions. MAY sessions will be on 6, 13, 20, and 27. These are all delivered virtually. Signup up to participate on the Events tab on my website: www.TheBookShepherd.com. All sessions start at 3 pm Mountain time. Classes are limited to 10 participants. If you want to write a short nonfiction book, this is your window to do it. There are 8 slots available as of today.

Speaking Unplugged dates are now in MAY. Details HERE: http://bit.ly/Unplugged-Speaking. Treat yourself ... Come … it’s fun and lots of take-aways. Savvy attendees have learned that it’s smart to stay on-site at the hotel. The site is the Embassy Suites DTC North. The NEW DATE is May 29-30. We will be doing Speaker Photos on the 29th with the awesome Ashlee Bratton. We usually gather for a let our hair down dinner and bonus time together Friday night. Alumni participants of previous Unpluggeds always get a deep discount. JOIN me – all my fingers and toes are crossed that the shutdowns will become open doors for events. It will be WONDERFUL to be around people in person.

Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? Over 100,000 authors download episodes every month! Here’s a new link to the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast SHOW page. Last week I focused on YOU … as in—are you eating the right foods to enhance your creativity? Are you eating the right stuff? Discover the wisdom of Connie Pshigoda. This week, Kelly Johnson joins me for a fast spin with Geek Author Tools for 2020. You can select which podcast is for you from over 300 shows … the latest will always be posted on top: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast

AND ... This Friday and Saturday is a two-day gift from me to YOU and yours. My newest book, When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is FREE via eBook. Grab your copy here … and share the link with your friends. It’s been a tough time for many … tough times don’t last forever—I promise you … my life has been the poster child for crawling out of the dirt and getting back on my feet. http://bit.ly/whengodsaysno

Stay well and take care of yourself.


Add these to your calendar now. Details will all be posted under the Events tab on the website.






1. April 1, 8, 15, 22 – How to Write a NF Book in 4 Weeks

2. April 3 – VAHH – Virtual Author Happy Hour

3. April 4 – Creating Your Author and Publishing Success-remote meeting

4. April 11 – AuthorYOU Salons-free for AUthorYOU members only

5. May 2 – Author YOU program – Audiobooks 2020

6. May 6, 13, 20, 27 – How to Write a NF Book in 4 Weeks

7. May 9 – AuthorYOU Salons-free for AuthorYOU members only

8. May 29-30 – Speaking Unplugged – confirmation of "go-no go" will be made this week.


AuthorYOU members … the April second Saturday AuthorYOU Salons of the year is slated for April 11th WILL BE VIRTUAL. It starts at 8.30 a.m., ending at 11.30 a.m.

It’s on Zoom—Here’s the link (copy and paste in your browser)—accept the audio on computer and when in, in the lower left of the dashboard at the bottom CLICK on the camera so that you are not blocked. A separate email has been sent to all AuthorYOU members with the link—just do a copy/paste and you will be on Zoom. BRING YOUR QUESTIONS

 
Want Tips for Authoring and Publishing? Tomorrow on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, editor-in-chief Tom Lutz joins me as we dig into book reviews and author promotion.


 
JOIN the new AuthorYOU …

Renewals were in January for AuthorYOU … if you didn’t, it’s an oh-oh. You have been blocked from the updated benefits and discount codes.

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.   
JOIN AuthorYOU today. https://mp.gg/e9d1o
And a heads up—hold the FIRST Saturday of each month for our live event meetings—

1
Who says we authors have to become invisible? Not me … how about a gathering once a week to check in with each other as we have distanced ourselves within our home.
WHAT?! You say. Sure … Routinely, I have gotten together with friends via Skype for "Skypetails" – a catch-up call with wine for John, iced tea for me, a few appetizers to nibble on … and our friends who live out of state gather their "feed/drink" and we share an hour via cyberland. Laughing. Reveals. Having a good time—staying connected.

Noodling as we all are in during the "lockdown" … I’m going to propose we do a VAHH—Virtual Author Happy Hour on a weekly basis. My Zoom Room can have up to 100 participants at any one time. We can share what’s up. Support each other during this time. Who knows. It’s ZoomTail time!

I am happy to host a gathering where we can share resources and support for each other at this time. The details to join are below.
ZoomTails … Virtual Author Happy Hour

FRIDAYs Forward until lockdown is over … 5:00 - 6:00ish PM Mountain Time Join Zoom

Strong Suggestion: copy and save this link to reuse on Fridays for the VAHH … once I’m on … I will not be answering my phone or text.

Join via your computer (ipad and iphone work but not as well as desktop/laptop) using the link. I’ll be sipping tea.


2
Discover the Title Capitalization Tool
There’s sometimes confusion when to capitalize—how to capitalize—and which rules to follow (or to break). Check it out at:  https://capitalizemytitle.com/#

Quick Links: How to Use Capitalize My Title, What to Capitalize in a Title, Title Capitalization Rules by Style (Chicago, APA, MLA, AP, NY Times, Wikipedia)


3
AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Book Reviews
BlueInk Review, LLC Patti Thorn or Patricia Moosbrugger

eMail: PT@BlueInkReview.com or PM@BlueInkReview.com
Website: www.BlueInkReview.com
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 to BlueInk.

4
Write a Nonfiction Book in 4 Weeks – May Online

Register for Create Your SHORT NF Book on MAY ONLINE

May 6, 13, 20, 27

LIVE: 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Maximum Attendance: 10 aspiring authors!

WOW! how would you like to outline, structure, plan and create your NonFiction book within one month … in four short weeks? Your guide is Dr. Judith Briles, the author of 34 books. Transitioning from the typical how-to, business book ranging from 300 to 400 pages, she has mastered the creation of the less than 100-page book (that means 10,000 to 20,000 words) … the book that is in demand by book buyers today.

For NonFiction authors (and authors-to-be) … the new theme for books is that short is the new black … the business reader wants shorter books—books that can be read on a short plane ride, within two hours.

Questions to ask yourself include:

· Could your book be a series?

· What are the must-have elements?

· Did you include any "filler" material in an already published book?

· Is there anything within a current book that is more ego-driven than essential content?

· What parts are vital to your topic, work and vision?

· Are you able to let go and dump (or save for the next book)?

"Yikes," you are thinking. "This is an impossible task!" "Not so," says Judith, "it’s actually fun and eye-opening. Is it work? Yes. Does it pay off? Yes again."

REGISTER: 
https://thebookshepherd.com/calendar


5
Are you ready to discover The Audiobook Wizard’s Guide to Audiobook Creation – 2020 Version? May 2 ---
We aren’t sure if this is a remote or in person yet.

Things have changed rapidly in the world of audiobooks since Richard Rieman’s award-winning book, The Author’s Guide to Audiobook Creation, (part of Judith Briles’ AuthorYOU Mini-Guide Series), debuted in 2016.

· For the first time last year, half of all Americans over the age of 12 have listened to an audiobook

·  There are new major competitors to Amazon’s Audible in the audiobook creation world

· Nonfiction books (History, Biographies, Memoirs) are overtaking many other genres among audiobook listeners

The Audiobook Wizard, Richard Rieman will share:

· How to Avoid Audiobook Publishing Predators

· When Narrating Your Own Book is the Best Option

· How You Can Cover the Cost of Audiobook Production through Crowdfunding

· How to Use Audible’s new promotional codes to get reviews and boost sales

…and much more.

Details popping next week for registration …

 
6
Want to Sell Oodles of Books? New date!
Join me in Colorado for my 4th Speaking Unplugged slated for May 29-30th – it’s all about creating the Cash Cow 2-Step!
Would you like to turn the book you have or are creating into a money machine that cements your expertise and authoring success?

Would you like to know how powerful you, your book and experiences are and how they can influence and change others one word at a time?

Would you like to turn your book, your ideas, your mouth into a business that creates a lifestyle woven with travel, fun, global friends and financial success?


If that’s a YES, get yourself to Denver and show up for the 4th annual Speaking Unplugged bootcamp next month. You can with the smart and savvy strategies, you will reveal in this interactive and fun intensive workshop. With over 35 years of speaking on the platform, Dr. Judith Briles will show you how to become a successful professional speaker … a speaker that will soar your book sales. Since the 80s, speaking has been her #1 way to sell books … over 1,000,000 of them!

7 Webinar REPLAY - It’s an Author How to Goldmine Virtual Gathering
If you want Author Success,  How-to and Tools … including enhancing your productivity, this webinar is for you. Many wrote me post—this was one of the best … it’s a NO PITCH to buy anything—just information.

If you want Author and Book Marketing Success, How-to and Tools … including enhancing your productivity, join me this Saturday, April 4 in the morning. Audiobooks 2020 will be rescheduled for the May program.

· connect with tools to push you forward for writing and marketing
· rediscover your writing mojo
· Marketing tips for going forward
· And of course, more …

Listen and Watch here:  here is the link for the replay
https://vimeo.com/404571098

8
Hot podcasts slated for this month
You can always listen in via our websites: www.AuthorYOU.org  (click on the On the Air image on the Home page—wait for it to upload. Or
www.TheBookShepherd.com (click on the Resources tab).

March 26 Wellness Tips for Authors - Connie Pshigoda

April 2 – Great Geek Tools for 2020 Kelly Johnson

April 9  Writing Tips and Creating a Series Jerry Jenkins

April 16 Children’s Book Reviews & Book Awards Linda Radke

April 23 How to Use Card Decks to Push Book Sales Rosita Battist

April 30Awesome ways to get a podcast out – Danielle Hampson


9
Questions of the Week:


Question: Can I sell books during the "lockdown"??

Answer: I would say that’s a YES. Did you read the block I wrote on book marketing two weeks ago? There are a variety of ways to get your book moving during this time. Stop what you are doing and read it HERE.  https://thebookshepherd.com/book-marketing-during-covid-19-by-judith-briles.html


10
Book Shepherd "Fun" or an "Uh-Oh" of the Week

Love it when I find a fun shorty—a quick smile, a laugh out loud, a sip of tea … and back to work—perfect. Love this: A Dog Doesn’t Want Her "Master" To Play Video Games | The Dodo




Get your copy today – Available in Print, eBook, Audiobook  http://bit.ly/1000000speech
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.

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 it at: https://thebookshepherd.com/pick-judiths-brain


Author Friendly Friday this week …

Join Author Friendly Fridays: a fun, sharing and a 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.

It’s for paid subscribers ONLY and we do it on Zoom.

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  

Podcast expands to 7 networks … Follow us and learn …
new shows every Thursday.

GO to the SHOW page and select which podcast is for you… the latest will always be posted on top: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast


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 SEVEN podcast channels. How cool is that? Listeners can tune into the weekly (always new – no repeats) show on:

iTunes - Player FM - Stitcher - MixCoud - Bluburry - iHeart Radio - Toginet Internet Radio

Get the latest #AuthorU-Your Guide to #Book #Publishing #podcast with @MyBookShepherd via iTunes here:   http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast

Get the latest #AuthorU-Your Guide to #Book #Publishing radio podcast with @MyBookShepherd via iTunes here:   http://bit.ly/PublishingPodcast


That’s my author and publishing news for today … what’s yours?
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 100,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.

The Book Shepherd
 
 
 
 


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