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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #375 – March 12, 2025
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Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
Create. Strategize. Develop. Publish. Achieve.In this Issue
1. Discover … Porta Pow
2. Meet Author Help … Meet
Color House Graphics
3. March Author U Program … Digital Marketing Strategies
4. March & April Unplugged … Speaking and Press Releases
5. Author Talk … TODAY... Hall of Famer Helen Thorpe
6. Hot
podcasts for February … Add to your calendar and listen
7. Author Salons … April and May posted
8. Question of the week … Should I do a pre-publication pitch for my book?
9. Smile time … The awesome voice of Whitney Houston
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This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s ® Roof
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Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU … and
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TODAY … join me with Authors Hall of Famer Helen Thorpe at 5 pm MT. Helen is a welcome voice who speaks on the humanity of immigration. Details for signing are below.
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Feet were us for many of the participants at the recent Publishing at Sea event in the Western Caribbean—next year, it’s the Eastern Caribbean on February 15, 2026.
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In April, Jules Marie comes to the AuthorU community again and reveals insights into creating digital marketing strategies. For AuthorU.org VIP members, it’s a freebie starting at 9 am and goes to 11 am. If you are a nonmember, it’s $25. All details below… get
registered.
Bookstore happenings coming up … Come support AuthorU authors and the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame this weekend. Book signings at Barnes & Noble Colorado Blvd on Saturday, March 15 and in the new Superior bookstore on Sunday, March 16. In April, Colorado authors will be in the Denver Village West BN in Lakewood on Saturday, April 5 and Southlands Mall on Sunday, April 6.
The AuthorYOU Salons are posted for April and May. Remember—there must be at least five registered for these events by the Friday before. If not, I cancel and delcare the next morning my just a JB time to do whatever. March is a pass due to being at the Publishing at Sea gathering. It’s schmoozing and learning with other authors and coming aways with tips galore. Get registered here—remember this is an AuthorU.org benefit. https://www.meetup.com/authoryousalons/
Yet, it’s toasty inside and I’m excited … I finally did it … I’ve turned some of the recipes you could grab on the JudithBrilesBooks.com website into a real book with lots more recipes and now available on Amazon! Cooking with Judith – Comfort Foods Create WOW Eating. Do you love comfort food? Come cook with me. I’ve got 50 plus of my recipes for you. Here’s the Amazon link: https://amzn.to/40Yp0NZ ... available in Print, eBook, Audio.
Smart Thoughts ... week, it’s expanding on your writing and character development with Mara Purl on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast.
It’s all about Creating WOW Bookstore Events. Listen in only or watch and listen on my YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@DrJudithBrilesTheBookShepherd/podcasts
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| It’s March … It's National Reading Month—grab a variety of quotes for encouraging others, and yourself, to read, read, read and visit the library.
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| And it’s Woof Wednesday ... as an author, marketing is essential, from the get-go. Social media is an essential resource for your book marketing. What are your doing to build your influence? It’s all about persistence and perseverance ... over time.
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Author Salons are on the second Saturday of each month—they are always the second Saturday of the month details posted below. April will have both ONLINE and IN-PERSON gatherings if enough sign up for them. Remember,
if there isn’t a minimum of five participants by Friday afternoon, the session will be cancelled. The Salons are a benefit with AuthorU membership, the next date is Saturday, April 12th.
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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. March 12 Author Talk with Helen Thorpe
2. March 13 Podcast – Create your Characters with POP
3. March 15 Barnes & Noble book signings Colorado Blvd.
4. March 16 Barnes & Noble Book Signing Superior Colorado
5. March 20 Podcast – Write Hot!
6. March 21 ASK Judith Zoom time—Publishing and Book Marketing
7. March 21 Speaking Unplugged – In-Person
8. March 22 Speaking Unplugged – online
9. March 27 Podcast - Creating the Ultimate Press Release
10. April 18 Create Sizzling Press Releases Unplugged - Online
11. April 19 Create Sizzling Press Releases Unplugged In-Person
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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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| 1 Author Tools –Discover Porta Pow
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Juice Jacking is hot … and scary. The smart author … and consumer … needs to be wary of ANY public source for recharging electronic devices via USB ports. Did you know that if malware is in play, that any information you have on your mobile, computer, what else … can be tapped into in seconds—meaning passwords, contracts, banking info, etc.? A stealth hacker’s delight for sure. UGH. Get a data blocker for your protection pronto—there are inexpensive. Here’s the one I use—I carry in purse, back pack, car, and an extra in suitcase when I’m on the road: https://amzn.to/3MMIMlJ
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| 2 Meet Member Benefit … Color House Graphics
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Color House Graphics is a nationwide printing and book manufacturing company that provides digital and offset printing, eBook
conversions, and custom binding and finishing. With quick response manufacturing and personalized service, you will quickly learn that CHG is your go-to manufacturer for all of your production needs. Visit ColorHouseGraphics.com and request a quote for your next project. As an AuthorYOU member, you can save 5% on new print orders.
Sandy Gould, Direct Sales ManagerCHG: Where trust, technology and experience come together.P: 616.241.1916 Ext. 242 | Toll Free: 800.454.1916 Ext. 242E: Sandy@ColorHouseGraphics.com
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AuthorU.org May Program … Implementing Digital Marketing Strategies
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Get ready for plenty of tips on creating digital marketing for your author success, starting with the your website.
Your take aways include:
• Aha-digital marketing includes anything that uses technology.
• Why the author website is the most important part of a marketing strategy.
• Use Yast and Pho to post metadata.
• How to create a planning calendar.
• How SEO can improve awareness of your brand.
• Why authors need to attach keywords to every page of their website.
• When to use ads.
• Why authors should create and update Google Business Page on an ongoig basis.
• Don't do Google ads-too expensive.
• What updates authors should do now on their websites.
• And, of course, much more.
This is FREE to AuthorU members.
Registration on the AuthorU.org website, under the Events tab.
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| Speaking and Press Release Unpluggeds
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Speaking Unplugged
March 22 ONLINE
March 21 - In-Person
8:30 A.M - 2:30 P.M.
If you want to sell books ... as it LOTS of THEM? Speaking on them, and your expertise, is the #1 way to do it. Do you have my book, How to Create a Million Dollar Speech? This full day workshop is an intense and FUN interactive and woven with live individual coaching.
· Zoom is the Online meeting spot.
Space is limited to a max of 10 participants. Starts at 9 am to 4.00 pm each day. Get registered before Tuesday. Alumni participants of other Unplugged events are always discounted.
https://bit.ly/JBSpeakingUnplugged
Get my book, How to Create a Million Dollar Speech HERE: https://bit.ly/CreateSpeech
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Online Friday, April 18
Online 1 pm to 5 pm (12 PT, 1 MT, 2 CT, 3 PT)
In- Person Saturday, April 19
8.30 am to 12:30 P.M MT
Space is limited to 5 participants each for Online and In-Person
Do you want to shout out news … about your book, your happenings, YOU?
You can. And I will help you.
Details and Registration here: https://thebookshepherd.com/press-releases-unplugged/
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| Author Talk with Helen Thorpe
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Join bestselling Colorado Authors Hall of Fame Inductee Helen Thorpe as she takes center stage and reveals her journey to becoming an author and trendsetter for the for millions of voices ... oh the places she has been ... and will go.
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Who Is Helen Thorpe?
Her works of narrative nonfiction have prompted a rich national conversation about difficult, but important, topics as she documents in a very human and intimate way the lives of immigrants, refugees, and veterans of foreign conflicts.
The very essence of her life’s work is to shed light on those who live in the shadow of one of America’s greatest debates in history—immigration. Who gets to live in America? And what happens when we don’t agree?
• Helen’s stories have aired on “Soundprint” and “”This American Life.
• Has won the Colorado Book Award.
• Her book, Soldier Girls was optioned by HBO and Jullia Louis-Dreyfus as a potential mini-series.
• Helen was a finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize.
• Publishers Weekly name Soldier Girls as one of its best book of the year.
• He was inducted into the Colorado Authors Hall of fame in 2019.
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Hot podcasts slated for March
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Ranked in the Top 10 podcasts for book marketing for authors by FeedSpot.
December is a “redux” month. I’ve identified the top five podcasts that aired in 2024—all worth your learning and listening pleasure ... whether the first time or a repeat. Starting with #4 this week … #1 was a tied, so two will be revealed!
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March 6 Digital Strategic Marketing - Jules Marie
March 13 Creating Crystal Clear Characters - Mara Purl
March 20 Write Hot! - Anne Randolph
March 27 Creating Press Releases - Jules Marie
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Salons for April … meetup.com/authoryousalons/
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| There are no Salons in March … Authors are at the Publishing at Sea conference … join next year’s slated for the Eastern Caribbean February 15-22, 2026.
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| Question of the Week ... Should I do a pre-publication pitch for my book?
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Answer:
As much as six months before you will have book in hand. Start with your website … and as your date moves closer, incorporate other online portals such as Amazon and Ingram. Good Read my recent blog on creating a pre-publication flyer Here: Create and Offer Pre-Publication & Post-Publication Flyers - The Book Shepherd
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Smile of the Week Love it when I find a shorty video that delights me, adds a smile to my face, and just makes me take a breath, sit back and listen and watch—this week, I honor the magnificent voice of Whitney Houston as she sang at the Super Bowl and celebrating America after the assault on 9/11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAYKTMQl7MQ
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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?
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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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