Latest NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week / Amazon Bestseller workshops starts next week

Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors

Newsletter Issue #322– February 28, 2024

Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

Create. Strategize. Develop. Publish. Achieve.

In this Issue

1. Author Tips & Tools... Discover and Use Videoticle

2. Author Benefit ... Meet Julie Bernard, IP Help

3. March Program… 60 Tips and Ideas in 90 Minutes—Online

4. March Workshop- March classes are open for registration

5. Book Success ... Register for Book Publishing Unplugged in March

6. April Spring Tea … Sell your books to book buyers

7. Hot podcasts for February… Add to your calendar and listen

8. Salons … March and April are set up

9. Question of the Week … What should I write about?

10. Book Shepherd “Smile” of the Week … Personal space and pooches

Tomorrow is the “extra day” of the year that arrives every four years. Leap Year. February 29th. As an extra day for Planning—Playing—Celebrating. What say you?

Tis a quiet week here in the office and my home … a recovery week for me. I have a new right knee, replacing one that had served me well for 20 years—much longer than was projected. I was well past my sell-by-date and could feel the knee wobbling setting it and adding a knee brace to my morning get-dressed routine. My old knee has added sound effects as I walk. The fear of a total collapse of it was mounting. It was supposed to be replaced over 10 days ago … and a “part” was missing, causing a postponement. One part was found in Ohio, the other in North Carolina. A spare. Jeeze. Getting them released and then to FedEx became the challenge.

Was I a tad pissed to be told five minutes before being rolled into the OR that there was a hiccup after being fully prepped in the hospital for two hours? Beyond pissed. The amount of planning for the care of John for three days while I was in the hospital; the amount of prep work for just me; and the level of extra work to cover for clients was huge. It took me four phone calls to “find a friend” to come and get me. Not having any cash in the hospital or a credit card, the nurses were “passing the hat” to gather cash to call Uber to get me out of there.

Okay … that was then. This is now. Don’t call me Peg … I’m starting to walk a lot better than last week, that’s for sure. And I’m getting ready to transition to a cane. And to celebrate, Saturday’s HOT TIPS in 90 Minutes is FREE to all of you.

AND … Thank you … thank you for all of you who supported my birthday wish to support the Authors Hall of Fame last week. And the Hall thanks you as well.

Calling Colorado authors –Tea and Bookselling Time is coming up. Heads up on the annual Author Tea … tis now a SPRING forward event and will be held on Saturday afternoon, April 27 in my home from 1 to 4 pm. Suggest you add a HOLD to the date to come and enjoy … possibly offer your books. Info to participate is on the website as well as details below. Let me know if you would like to participate. Send me an email, subject line: April Author Tea

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.

The clock is ticking for submissions to come in authors-to-be who have not been published. Is that you … or someone you know? Once again, the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame will award up to five $2,000 plus Mentorship scholarships. The total value to an aspiring, unpublished author is $15,000+. Do you know someone who is UNPUBLISHED and wants to enter the author's ring? Get them to submit their applications NOW.
You have 39 days to submit your entry.

Details HERE: https://www.coloradoauthorshalloffame.org/scholarships.html

1. February 29 Podcast-How to Get Book Reviews – Rox Burkey

2. March 2 AuthorYOU program ONLINE—60 Tips and Ideas in 90 Minutes

3. March 6, 13, 20, 27 Amazon Bestseller Workshops

4. March 9 AuthorYOU Salons –ONLINE & ON-PERSON - AuthorYOU members only

5. March 29-30 Book Publishing Unplugged ONLINE and IN-PERSON

6. April 6 AuthorYOU program ONLINE—TBD

7. April 13 AuthorYOU Salons –ONLINE & ON-PERSON - AuthorYOU members only

8. April 27 Author Spring Book Tea IN-PERSON

9. May 11 AuthorYOU Salons –ONLINE & ON-PERSON - AuthorYOU members only

10. November 15-22 Writing at Sea Cruise

What a nifty tool: all you need to do is It’s in three steps:
copy the link of where a video is on YouTube.

Step 1. Copy a YouTube video link from youtube.com or the YouTube app.
Step 2. Paste the link above and hit "Go".
Step 3. Save time and data. Enjoy your video article (Videoticle) in multiple languages!

Right now, this is a freebie-download the app. TaDah!

Tip—take your videos—open the app and copy the link in. Save the copy … and WOW … you can now covert to a blog and use the copy for something else you are working on. Have some fun and try it and save a printable content form of videos you discover in the appropriate files—very cool: https://www.videoticle.com/

Julie Bernard is a registered patent and intellectual property attorney who brings twenty-five years of experience to the table.

http://www.BernardIPLaw.com/

Phone: 303-478-6624

eMail: Julie@BernardIPLaw.com

Julie focuses her practice on US and international patents, US and international trademarks, copyrights, intellectual property portfolio strategy and management, transactions and licenses, and technology transfer. Julie provides balanced general, transactional, and intellectual property legal advice based on her significant experience and proven track record related to patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and the structuring and negotiation of licenses and other agreements.

Free Intellectual Property Consultation

AuthorYOU members get a free consultation valued up to $450

Can you get results?

Can you grab #1 for more than an hour like many of these campaigns?
Yes, YES you can. And so has EVERY participant in the Amazon Bestseller program. Every. One. Of. Them. Many are grabbing multiple spots on the international lists as well. Often, I decide to Guinea pig myself along with the rest of the participants who are on the quest, taking old books and dusting them off. New life happens … even dominoing to sales of print and audiobooks.

The bonus? I get behind your campaigning. Helping you rewrite your pushes and then promoting YOU on all my social media platforms. I’m part of your marketing team to make this happen.

One of the “power” points of How to Create an Amazon Best Seller is to set EVERYTHING up weeks in advance so authors can continue with whatever their routine is … a “set it and forget it” strategy … which was what I positioned every participant to do and experience.

For this March class, I’ve got my eye on the debut of my all-new revised editions of my publishing books—which one will I start with? Each is in layout this month.

Some pooh-pooh Amazon bestseller status. Don’t. It does add credibility to your brag sheet. You can post on your details page on Amazon your achievement. You can write a press release. It will put a smile on your face. And who knows, you can fall in love with your book again and put energy behind it—bringing new life. That’s a good thing.

Decision TIME for you … If you want to spend 90 minutes with me each Wednesday afternoon at 4 MT during March, register for How to Create an Amazon Best Seller. I would love to have you …

When—MARCH 6, 13, 20, 27
Time—4 pm to 5.30 Mountain
Cost—$299
Alumni Cost—$150

REGISTER NOW: https://bit.ly/AMZBestseller

PS … This is not a recorded PowerPoint class. In fact, PowerPoints are not used. It’s me working with each participant. Hands-on coaching—personalizing and customizing. Handouts are sent out pre-session. It’s all live … think hot seats throughout—personalized for you and your book. If you miss a session, you will get the recorded class.

Would you like to turn the book you have or are creating into the book and authoring success you want? Maybe Repurpose it?

Would you be willing to trade just a day to get all the publishing and strategy information you need … information and strategies that will create FREEDOM to be an awesome author?

March 29– ONLINE

March 30– IN-PERSON

Early Bird ENDS on March 8th

Last 5 years sold out … don’t miss out …

Awesome authors came from everywhere …
where will you come from?

March 15 or 16 will change your authoring life …

Experience one full day of Judith–either online via Zoom … no pitches, just Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged delivering an amazing depth of publishing, authoring, and marketing information that she has derived from her 30-plus years in the publishing field and as The Book Shepherd.

Create the bestseller you dream of … turn into the award-winning and sought-after author you aspire to … brainstorm the crowdfunding program to fund your project … get the answers to the questions you have … all of them.
Judith is the master book publishing coach and guide.

Reserve Your Spot NOW – All Unpluggeds are limited in size.
for a Colorful Book Brain-Jammed Day.

March 29 or 30, 2024

Details and Registration: https://bit.ly/PublishingUnplugged

The Annual Authors’ Spring Tea will be held on:

Saturday, April 27, 2024

I will be hosting the gathering in my home at the Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club in Aurora, Colorado. Will you and your books be featured at the Authors’ SPRING Tea?

Think of this as a book marketing coop. The catch is that you MUST bring guests. No exceptions. I bring at least 40. You need to invite and bring guests as well. It won’t work unless you do. It doesn’t matter that your friends/family already own your book—but they don’t know about other local authors. Friends are cheerleaders for you and your books to those they meet when at the schmooze fest ... and believe me, it is.

Here’s the deal:

1. You are invited to be one of “the author stars”—this is limited to approximately 20 authors. This means that your books will be for sale to other guests for Holiday shopping and that you have 30 seconds or LESS to pitch your book to the crowd … expect 100+ to be there. You will have a space/table to display.

2. Be prepared to schmooze and deliver the “right pitch” … it sells books—each year, some people walk out with a good dozen titles for gifts for others.

3. We will handle your book sales—if, on a credit card, we will withhold 15% to cover credit card fees and what I pay Bobby for his time … all checks will be cashed and any moneys due you for your books will be included with those purchased via credit card. Your check for sales will be sent out within two weeks.

4. YOUR cost is two-fold:

$25 will now be included—you can send a check or call me and pay by credit card. This will cover the cost of food and beverages for attendees—think High Tea, which means sweets and sandwiches along with teas—sometimes we do cranmosas as well. AND I have several cases of books that I’m going to toss in as gifts to all who buy books during the event—some are mine, and some are titles donated by other authors.

INVITE & BRING people. This is a marketing coop… you need to get people there. It’s a MUST … not a “coast” … Let your fans and friends know NOW to HOLD THE DATE. I will be posting the event on the AuthorU.org site, two Meetup Groups and sent out invites via com to 300 personal contacts.

Think about it. If each of us brings 5 to 10 friends … that means anywhere from 100 to 200 lookers and buyers. Last year, 150 came and enjoyed … and bought books! You need to make this commitment.

No kidding—new people for shopping are critical. Invite EVERYONE you know to come and enjoy. And please understand, the more you invite, bring, get to come, the better—for you, and the other authors. Yes, they may already have your book—but they may buy more for others as they get into the spirit of the event—it’s contagious!; AND they get the opportunity to hear about other books that just might be the perfect gift for brother Bob, Aunt Sharon, Mom, Gramma or Dad. And you.

What you need to do now … let me know now that you are IN … email me TODAY at Judith@briles.com and in the subject line: April author tea

There are only 20 slots … is one yours? Will you and your books be featured at the Authors’ SPRING Tea? Let me know.

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 250,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.