New NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week / selfie light for mobile phones

Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #132 –July 15, 2020

Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue

1. Author Tools … Discover Selfie Light for Mobile

2. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Meet the Author Revolution

3. New Webinar … Create Dazzling Graphics for Book Marketing and Ads

4. Webinar Replays … Tiny Content and Workbooks

5. Hot podcasts for JULY … Add to your calendar and listen/learn

6. Mentoring Program … Is this your missing ingredient?

7. Question of the Week … How do I get in front of my readers during COVID?

8. Book Shepherd “Fun” of the Week … Cats

Brava, Brava, Brava to Mara Purl. She was the headliner weekend article on her work, her career, HER in the Colorado Springs Gazette over the weekend. Make sure you turn off your Ad Blocker to be able to read it. It’s the type of feature, we authors would delight in. Wonderful … http://ow.ly/G3Ve30qYxAU

On my “treat myself” list this year was to do a reread of Pat Conroy’s The Prince of Tides—one of my all-time favorite books. Now “check” … I loved it again—the treat of the storyline and how it was rolled out; the sentences and phrasing that Conroy mastered; and marveling at the art of a pageturner. Next up is Laura Hillderbrand’s Seabiscuit. In the past, I would freely loan out books I loved, and rarely see them again. No more. After searching for both these titles in my limited capacity today—knowing that they should be on the first floor of my home, I used my magic clicking skills and ordered new copies. Seabiscuit will be my Sunday treat. I’m delighted to support the authors with the buy of another copy … and in the case of Conroy, his estate.

Suggestion for all of you—do a reread of your personal favorites. Identify them. Why was it/ were they? On what page were you pulled in? What sticks in your memory? Now, on the reread, let yourself reread AGAIN lines that pop—phrases—paragraphs. Why do they? As a writer, your “enjoyment” reading should also be a modeling/teaching journey. If certain books are favorites, you have in your hands a mentor.

I long to get outside in the not mid-90s weather … maybe next week? And, I now get out of the house twice a week … physical therapy is the destination and outdoor venture. Confession: I was so pooped after my first-hour session last Friday, that I crawled into bed at 7:30 and slept nine hours! Imagine—me—nine hours!

Granddaughter Bella was a kick when she was here on Sunday. Coming with my daughter Shelley, the two of them clean out my refrigerator so that it was “Judith Accessible” during my “awkward time” with my broken ankle that has landed me full waking time on a scooter for any type of moving from a chair to whatever through mid-September. Bella had created a special timesheet to accompany her brother’s … so when she’s here, she wanted to let me know that when we aren’t visiting … she is working and saving for a trip next year. Works for me—both kids are Gramma’s employees this summer—they now have their own checking accounts and are learning about money. They are my legs, arms, whatever I need. I like—and I get zero guff from two teenagers when I request anything.

This is a writing-intensive month through next month for me to get a book done that I’m ghosting for a client. How about you—what’s on your “to do – get done” list? Would love to hear from you.

The Author's annual BBQ for August has been scrapped and I’ve postpone the Speaking Unplugged. It’s not going to go until our borders open up. Although Colorado appears to be in fairly good shape as compared to much of the country, it’s a week by week watch. I’ll work on a virtual presentation of some sort so authors across the country can participate.

And, I’m noodling doing an Author | Publishing Online Summit. It looks like 2020 is the virtual everything year. Email me and let me know if you have an interest in this.

Onward …

Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? … Holy Moly … over 700,000 downloads of various podcasts over the month … 700,000! before the middle of the month. Fun watching the download numbers—Wowsa for sure!

This week, Karen Liz Albert joins me for a fast hour on Social Media strategies under COVID. Lots of excellent tips within the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. Loved. Join me.

You can select which podcast is for you from over 350 shows … the latest will always be posted on top of the show 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.

AuthorYOU members … the AUGUST second Saturday AuthorYOU Salons of the year is slated for July 11th WILL BE either live in my home or virtual—it depends on the status of where Colorado is on “Stay home”. It starts at 8.30 a.m., ending at 11.30 a.m.

As of this writing, it will be an in-person event—if it changes and goes virtual via Zoom, a special email blast will be created with a password on Friday, June 12th… it’s a day by day scenario in a COVID world. BRING YOUR QUESTIONS—see you there.

Auxiwa Clip on Selfie Ring Light [Rechargeable Battery] with 36 LED for Smart Phone Camera. Look Flawless in Your Selfies: Very cool: this small light is all about making your selfies best! The light gives soft illumination without harsh light. Think it as having a professional studio photographer whenever you feel the sudden urge to selfie.

Step Up Your Selfie Game: Photos are all about lighting! Using the flash that comes with cell phones is a BIG no—red-eye alert. Just clip it on your phone and you are on your way. Make Your Life Easier: No more worry about replacing batteries; No more worry about finding the perfect lighting; No more worry about scratching of your devices as it is designed with scratch-resistant sponge which also prevents it from falling off.

Under $15 on here on Amazon.

Richard Rieman, Audiobook Producer and Narrator
Email: Richard@AudiobookRevolution.com
Phone: 720-507-5970
Website: https://audiobookrevolution.com/.

Audiobook Narrator Richard Rieman of Audiobook Revolution is the author of “The Author’s Guide to AudioBook Creation,” the Global eBook Awards Gold Medal Winner in the Writing/Publishing category.

Richard is an audiobook self-publishing expert and Audible Approved Producer, an honor given to the top 10% of Audible narrators. Richard also produces audiobooks for authors voicing their own audiobooks and consults authors and independent book publishers on audiobook production. He has won five EVVY audiobook awards from CIPA, the Colorado Independent Publishers Assn.

Before his audiobook adventures, Richard was a news anchor and reporter at the RKO Radio Networks in New York, WTOP in Washington DC, and ABC and NBC Radio in Chicago.

Richard credits reading to his children in his “wizard” and “monster” voices for putting him on the path to audiobook success.

AuthorYOU members get a free 20-minute zoom consultation on producing the audiobook version of your book and AuthorYou members will receive a 20% discount on all Audiobook Masterclasses.

If you are an author who doesn’t know Photoshop from the other—and doesn’t want to spend the money for it OR want to learn it—discover a nifty and elegant multi-facet tool that delivers high-quality images for all things books—even ads!

Learn how to create eye-catching marketing images for all things social media. Plus explore video effects, create Box Set images, design your own covers and more! You’ll discover handy tips & tricks along the way and there will plenty of time for Q & A.

ü It's easy peasy for authors to create high-quality advertising graphics—hands down. The 3D cover templates are awesome.
ü If you want to save oodles of time excites you (and reduce frustration), you won’t want to miss this!

REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7461163169047311371

DATE: Tuesday, July 28 at 2 PM Mountain time

Replay of July’s Create Big Payoffs with Tiny Content

Discover a 5-Step Process Of Creating Passive Income with the Tiniest Amount of Content

REPLAY here: https://debbiedrum.lpages.co/tiny-content-giant-profits-replay-judith-briles/

Sometimes called low content, my guest for this all-new webinar workshop calls it tiny content. I like that!

Whatever it is—it’s all about doing just a small amount of work to generate on-going profits in your author and publishing business.
Get ready to learn:

-what low content products are and where you can pull content from.
-how they are so simple to create and put up for sale and get traffic.
-and how they can be very lucrative for virtually anyone. ANYONE!

Replay of June’s Create a Workbook that Pops webinar

Is there a Workbook in your midst? Have you thought about taking your sage advice within the covers of your books and creating a WORKBOOK? One that you can sell as a new product?

Why not create one … or several?

June’s webinar was all about the “how to” for Workbooks. Lots of tips and strategies. It’s ideal for the established author, coach … anyone who has advice that can be turned into a new product … and did you know that WORKBOOKs sell for more per unit than a book? Now you do.

Listen to replay: https://debbiedrum.lpages.co/workbook-wealth-judith/

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).

July 2 – Author Website Makeovers for Influence– Sandra Beck

July 9 – Author and Book Collaborations – John David Mann

July 16 – Social Media Moxie for Authors – Karen Allen

July 23 – Social Media Marketing – Gina Carr

July 30 – How to Grab An Audience with Remote Presentations – Jaclyn Kostner

I’m here to help you cross the finish line. Your personal budding author and publishing kingdom can entail:

· A strategy to create your unique brand

· A blog strategy and implementation that builds trust and engagement

· A visual marketing strategy

· A speaking positioning strategy

· A YouTube channel that grows your influence

· News you announce on ideal social media pages and press releases when appropriate

· An online strategy for connecting with the media

· Your own branded digital ezine or newsletter

· Photos and Images on a Pinterest board that gets shared and grows

· A marketing strategy that you can work with

· A Twitter feed that is retweeted

· Positioning for your most recent book

· Strategizing your next book

· What’s on your “to do” list?

The above may feel like a gargantuan task but you don’t have to do them all. Not at once. A ranking and prioritizing will be done. We will start with one or two things and do them well, before additional and do it well.

Let Me Be Your Guide

Guaranteed, I will shorten your learning curve.

· 6 months of working with Judith

· 180 minutes of One-on-One coaching each month

· Notes and video of online coaching calls

· Unlimited short emails each month

· Unlimited short phone calls each month

· Free attendance of any program that Judith is giving during your six months

I’ll explain what to do first, depending on the goals you’re trying to reach, and I’ll walk you through the process. It will be up to you to decide whether to implement what I recommend. Call or email me to determine if it’s a fit.

Question: How do I get in front of my readers during COVID?

Answer:

Go online and identify websites, phone numbers, any emails or names that would be tied to program development for your ideal readers. Just because physical gatherings are limited, your ability to connect with your audience is out there. It’s online right now. Libraries are doing programs. Offer to do one. Schools are gearing up. What’s your expertise and skill set? Reach out and offer to do a guest program for students. Many conferences that don’t need high interaction have gone online. Explore what’s out there and offer your services. Podcasts have exploded during COVID. Do a search for podcasts that have guests in your area of expertise.

What you should NOT be doing is nothing. True, most live events have been pushed to next year. COVID will not last forever. What you should be doing is asking yourself … what are am I doing to position ME to stay connect and then come out of it? What are AM I doing to support MY current book(s)?
Don’t sabotage what you have that many may want NOW … but don’t know about because YOU have chosen not to support them.

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 100,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.