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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #389 – June 18,
2025
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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 … CLEANPNG
2. Meet Author Help … Pro Audio
Voices
3. Ask Judith … What are your questions for publishing and marketing?
4. Webinar Replay … for VIP AuthorU members
5. Hot podcasts for June … Add to your calendar and listen
6. Author Salons … July are posted-get registered
7. Question of the week … What is swag?
8. Smile time … Happy Feet time |
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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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My latest book written with Brian Barnes debuts next week. We are excited! Three bookstores are set up for next month … and away we go with The Secret Rise.
I’m loving the sun, with a little rain mixed in. Summer garden is in and growing. Side gardens are yielding beautiful roses and peonies this week. The baby birdies are growing. This weekend, I’m putting in a flagstone pathway in the lower garden. All feels right.
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The Amazon Bestseller class is fun—and working with the Aspiring Author Scholars reveals commited authors to get published this year. Our monthly Academy classes have been outstanding. This month, Doug Gilbert dove into the world of research with multiple red flags around AI—so
eye-opening.
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| Last Friday’s two-hour Digital Marketing Strategies was a great way to spend a morning. Presenter Jules Marie shared a varied of tips and tools for a dozen participants who were on live. The full replay is only available to VIP AuthorU members and has been
sent out via email.
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| It’s Woof Wednesday … are you taking advantage of #WoofWednesday on social media?
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June is here… throughout the month I will focus on focused on Speaking Success for you and your book. Throughout the month, I shared a variety of quotes and tips for encouraging others, and yourself to use the #1 way to sell books.
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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. July 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, July 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. June 4, 11, 18, 25 Amazon bestseller workshop
2. June 19 How to Create the Author Book Marketing Game Plan
3. June 26 Podcast How to Create the Author Speaking Game Plan
4. July 12 AuthorYOU Salons In-person and Online
5. July 13 Barnes & Noble LoneTree-Park Meadows
6. July 19 Barnes & Noble - Lakewood Denver West Village
7. June 20 - Ask Judith about Book Marketing and Publishing
8. July 20 Barnes & Noble - Southlands
9. July 25 Book Publishing Unplugged - Online
10. July 26 Book Publishing Unplugged - In-Person
11. August 2 BookMarCon
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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 CLEANPNG
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Want some royalty PGNs for your posts, blogs, workbooks … whatever? Discover CLEANPNG --- your visual sky is the limit here with so much to choose from. Suggest you got to it with a “laundry list” of ideas and start downloading to your image file to use for a later time. Fun. FREE https://www.cleanpng.com/
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| 2 Discover Pro Audio Voices and Becky Parker Geist
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Email: Becky@ProAudioVoices.com
Phone: 415-559-9273
ProAudioVoices.com Audiobook Connection podcast: Audiobook Connection: Behind the Scenes with the Creative Teams
YouTube: Audiobook Authors YouTube channel
Audiobook Production: Pre-production (including innovative ways to leverage your audiobook from the inside out) and casting through distribution; all genres including single narrator, author-narrated, full cast, and everything in between.
Audiobook Marketing: several offerings including AMPlify (direct distribution of your audiobook with higher royalties and more control), Audiograms (mini videos for social media), the Audiobook Marketing Program™ (custom marketing plan, assets, a team, and more) and more.
Podcast Production: Planning, production, and implementation, whether your audiobook as a serial podcast or a hosted ongoing
podcast.
VIP AuthorYOU Members get a free 30–45-minute strategy session.
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about
Book Publishing and Book Marketing
The Book Shepherd is YOURS for 60 Minutes!
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The Book Shepherd, Judith Briles is YOURS for 60 minutes on Friday, June 20th at 3 pm MT to ask any question you have about book publishing, book marketing, writing a book ... or just getting a "little juice" to start your engines after the Holiday rush from the past few
weeks.
Post your questions as soon as you come on ... Judith will come to you LIVE and bring you on the mic to respond to YOU and possibly ask additional questions.
It's 60 minutes to seed your 2025 success... and why not? Grab your favorite beverage; just listen in ... or ASK, ASK, ASK! It's time to re-juice and rekindle your author energy!
Join Zoom Meeting – click on it or copy/paste
https://zoom.us/j/95000476418?pwd=3ZRTEhb1TDrTvzcjps9ov0r3Tpihbg.1
Passcode: authors
Add to Your Calendar: Friday, June 20th at 3 MT (2 PT, 4 CT, 5 ET)
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REPLAY Hot AuthorU June Saturday … Digital Marketing Strategies
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| Replay only out to AuthorU VIP members
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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.
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Hot podcasts slated for June
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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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June 5 How to Create
the Author Book Concept Game – Judith Briles
June 12 How to Create the Author Website Opt-In Game Plan – Judith Briles
June 19 How to Create the Author Book Marketing Game Plan – Judith
Briles
June 26 How to Create the Author Speaking Game Plan – Judith Briles
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Salons for July meetup.com/authoryousalons/
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| Question of the Week ... What is “swag” and should I have some?
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Answer: NOW! Swag—your giveaways that augment who you are or your
book can be fun … they can be serious. Swag can be very inexpensive or have more of a cost to them and be used as “tools” that can be sold as an additional product. Business cards are swag, as bookmarks are. Both are usually given away freely … but a bookmark can be “dressed up” –adding a type of small toy to one for a children’s book that is only given if the book is bought. Children’s author Linda Rae Schaal includes a finger puppet with her books and sells additional ones as add ons. Her table has plenty of stickers of characters in her books to take away. YA author Natli VanDerWerken displays a plate of mini dragons that kids get to pick from if a book from her dragon series is purchased. Suspense thriller author Katherine Burlake loves pens and freely offers them. I always have my emery boards plus book markets and noodling a special bookmarker that will be given to only those who buy books.
Swag is a great add on for book sign displays. It’s a way to standout and customize who you are and what you offer. Think magnet.
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Smile of the Week Love it when I find a shorty video that amuses and creates laugh out loud moments. Love it when I find a fun shorty—a quick smile, a laugh out loud, a learn something new, and a sip of tea … and back to work—perfect. Smile time enjoy— Happy Feet will put a smile on your face and Staying Alive! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la93zRHulBk
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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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