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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #418 – January 7, 2026
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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 … Discover Ubersuggest
2. Meet AuthorU
3. Author Success Zoom Time … REPLAY 60+ Hot Author Tips in 90 Minutes this Saturday
4. Amazon Bestseller …
Starts today
5. AuthorU Program … February – Press Releases
6. Hot podcasts for January… Add to your calendar and listen
7. Salons for the New Year … January and February
8. Question of the week … Help … I’m still confused over hashtags?
9. Smile time … Hugh Jackson and Kate Hudson |
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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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How can so much be going on in the author world … and the world
around us? I’m going to start with the month … my month. Janurary is Hot Tea Month … tis how I start each morning with a huge mug of British Breakfast or Irish Breakfast tea … then persuing what I need to get done in the next hour. The newsletter? A blog? The new 4-week book marketing program I’m mapping out? What? Get ready for the debut of Soaring Book Marketing … Create. Execute. Succeed. And definitely join me in my all-time favorite beverage of choice!
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I always noodle what is going to be one of my drivers … triggers … my theme for my new authoring year. This year will be the year of the Fire Horse beginning in February … hmm. And Alicia Keyes’ lyrics, This girl is on Fire … hmm. Yup, that’s it. My theme this year will be Becoming an Author on Fire. Which means tossing what isn’t working or needs to be morphed. Emmersing myself in what I love that can weave within what I do. And of course, learning new stuff.
How about you … what will drive you going forward? To keep in movement and support the WHY you write … WHY you publish.
For those of you who joined in on Saturday’s AuthorU program: 60+ Tips in 90 Minutes, it was a great morning for author smarts. All were wowed with the level of information rolled out. Huge kudos to Rebecca Finkel, Nick Zelinger, Jules Marie, Barb Wilson, Mara Purl, and Charles Breakfield who all made it the place to be online. The replay is below.
My friend Julie and I did the girl escape movie and lunch post Christmas. Our choice: Hugh Jackson and Kate Hudson in "Song Sung Blue" … We loved the music—I’m a Neil Diamond fan and the two hours of escape. Loved the performances and the movie. Go see.
This Saturday are the LIVE AuthorYOU Salons = FREE for AuthorU.org members… no fakeness allowed. Real people. Real questions. Real answers. Real connections with other authors. Get registered pronto: https://www.meetup.com/authoryousalons/
My countdown
continues ... the Caribbean is sounding might good as I write this ... and the Publishing at Sea cruise sets sail in 40 days. Sun, warm sun is what my body needs now surrounded by water. I can already sense the peacefulness as the ship leaves the port. And the enthusiasm as I greet 25+ authors the first evening over dinner.
Book marketing expert John Kremer joins me on my podcast for two episodes this month—marketing strategies for 2026 and how to tame the Google monster. Social media expert Jules Marie will reveal the latest strategies for Instagram in another episode. A great way to kick off the First month of the new year ... wouldn’t you say?
The January Amazon Bestseller workshops starts today—it would be wise to participate. Details below. will be on Zoom at 9 am. The next one will debut on April 1 for Wednesday afternoons. |
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Once again, the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame will award up to five $2,000 plus Mentorship scholarships. Total value to an aspiring, unpublished author is $15,000+. Do you know someone who is an unpublished author who desires to be? Get them to submit their applications NOW.
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The second Saturday Author YOU Salons are over for the year—the next one is January 10 ... remember the deal ... at least FIVE besides me must be signed up ... Right now ... You gotta sign up. Here’s where: https://Meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons
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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. January 7 Amazon Bestseller #1
2. January 8 Podcast … Book Marketing Strategies for 2026 ...
John Kremer
3. January 10 AuthorYOU Salon
4. January 14 Amazon Bestseller #2
5. January 15 Podcast … The
Google Monster ... John Kremer
6. January 16 Ask Judith
7. January 21 Amazon Bestseller #3
8. January 22 Podcast … Instagram Power Strategies for Authors ... Jules Marie
9. January 28 Amazon Bestseller #4
10. January 29 Podcast … Support for Unpublished Authors ... Judith Briles and Mara Purl
11. February 5 Podcast … Book and Writing Contests
12. February 6 AuthorU Program … Creating Your Press Releases Forward
13. February 12 Podcast … Online Fraud
14. February 15-22 Publishing at Sea workshops
15. February 19
Podcast … Book Reviews
16. February 26 Podcast … Bring the Thrive Factor to Your Writing
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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 Discover Ubersuggest
Create a Roadmap to audit your website performance.
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For 2026 … If you're not measuring your website's performance, you can't make improvements. That’s the easy response. Regular
audits help you create content that communicates your message to your target audience.
And since the best practices of performance, SEO, and accessibility are strongly aligned, a single audit can give you a roadmap for improving virtually every aspect of your site's performance. You can draw more organic traffic to your site and provide visitors with a safe, engaging, and intuitive experience — this is a free audit tools can help you get started.
Ubersuggest (Limited Free Version)
Created by SEO guru Neil Patel, Ubbersuggest offers a suite of SEO tools with its limited free plan.
The site audit feature can identify on-page SEO issues, track keyword rankings, and analyze a limited number of competitor websites. The free version provides a limited number of daily reports and audits.
https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/
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| 2 Discover AuthorU Membership Renewals are in January for AuthorU…
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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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| 3 REPLAY Calling all authors and authors-to-be out there ...
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It’s the Author Luck of the NEW YEAR
last Saturday … a great program delivered by seven publishing pros with oodles to tips for your author success. You will get countless ideas and tips to move your forward toward author success.
Here’s the video replay link: https://vimeo.com/1151557678?fl=ip&fe=ec
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| 4 Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign for Your eBook—1 spot available starts today at 4 pm.
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Sign up for our next sessions scheduled for January 7, 14, 21, 28
There are 23 steps in your journey … a journey where you could pay someone to travel and implement for you … or one where you can roll up your sleeves and learn how to create, implement, and execute. As in DIY.
The Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign for Your eBook Online course is the later. I will take you through each step during the four weeks. When you complete #17, you are ready to execute.
My goal is for you to have all components for your campaign DONE before your implementation/execution day. All social media tease pushouts done and scheduled before the big day starts.
Requirements:
1. Two hours of your time online each week via Zoom with Judith Briles. Late Wednesday afternoon will be our start time. All sessions recorded.
2. Social media presence. Thousands would be good but not crucial. You will learn tips and tricks during each session that will have new adds every week.
3. An “I want to be #1 and I can do this attitude” and commitment to do the work during each session and post-work each work.
4. A computer. A free account on either Canva and BookBrush.
Dates: Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28
Times: 4.00 P.M. to 5.30 P.M. MT
Cost: $299
Register: https://thebookshepherd.com/create-an-amazon-bestseller/
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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 certified social media manager and marketing specialist. Her website is 33Words.us.
When? Friday, February 6 from 2 – 4 pm MT (1 PT, 3 CT, 4 ET)
Cost? Free to VIP AuthorU.org members. $25 for nonmembers
Register: https://www.authoru.org/event-details-registration/press-releases-do-authors-need-them-yes-they-do
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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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| 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 2026
meetup.com/authoryousalons/
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| January and March are the first dates of 2026 … February is a skip … Judith is coordinating the Publishing at Sea cruise with 28 awesome authors during the month.
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| Question of the Week ... I’m confused over hashtags. When do I use them?
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Answer: On ALL your social media posts. Use at least two of them that will open the opportunity for you
and your book to be discovered by those interested in your expertise or topic. For me, the main hashtags I use will be #authors #books #publishing #amwriting #selfpub #booktok #instabook #bookmarketing #writingcommunity #JudithBriles #AuthorsonInstagram
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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?
Wishing all of you a wonderful and fulfilling final days of the year ...
Happy Christmas.
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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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