Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors

Newsletter Issue #449– August 12, 2026
Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

I create books authors never have to apologize for …

In this Issue

1. Discover and Use ... Written Word Media

2. Meet ... Publisher Rocket

3. Get REPLAY … 30 Book Marketing & Publishing Tips in 60 Minutes

4. LAST Chance! Tick Tock for Summer Author Food Fest … This Saturday

5. Get Registered … Is there an Amazon Bestseller in You? September is Open 

6. Aspiring Authors Celebration … Come to the Luncheon

7. Ask Judith … August 21

8. Hot Podcasts for August … Add to your Calendar and Listen

9. Question of the Week … What is a Super Fan?

10. Smile Time … "Duets with Tony and Willy"

This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s ® Roof

Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …

Here in Colorado, I’m setting up local author book signings with Barnes & Noble Book Fairs for fall. One more to contact and the calendar will be full. I will be doing a solo in the Lakewood store on December 13^th… that should feed into present shopping!

Heads up everyone. Barnes & Noble will be slimming down on author events. When I do events for myself and for the Book Fairs, we have a plan that includes posters with the event that are sent to our social media contacts and to the store managers plus press releases to the Colorado media. To bring customers to the store. Forward, BN wants to know what you are going to do to promote your appearance. I’ve said for years, Book Stores are not interested in carrying your books unless there is a promo/marketing plan in place to bring buyers in. You are forewarned.

What fun it was to have Leah Dasalla arrive last night … via a move from the Philippines to join family in San Francisco, and now here in Denver for a week. Leah was my right hand for 11 years. We both grew and learned with each other all things in social media marketing. She then trained Meg, Sheila Mae, and Sarah so that they could work with my clients.

So, it’s catch up time. Leah will be at a few events, including this Saturday for the Author Food Fest. At a book launch party and a meet the neighborhood.

And it’s author gathering time… just eating and schmoozing and catching up. Happening on this Saturday afternoon, August 15^th—come to the Food Fest. You must get registered no later than next Monday. Are you coming?

It’s a HAPPY DANCE for me … both the eBook and Print book of  Appetizers with Judith is available for book stores and on Amazon. Now … to plan out a 6-month book support launch.

If you like appetizers … get your copy here: bit.ly/4yEi6Mt

I love looking across my office from my writing and Zoom area in my office. Comfy. The beautiful yellow roses were sent from a client post surgery. Still gorgeous after a week. And the rose aroma is divine. I stop and inhale as I move in and out of the office during the day. Perfect!

Did you increase your KDP eBook pricing? FYI … Amazon is quite speedy in approving the price change and will notify you … usually within hours via email that it’s accepted and live. Amazon lifted payouts to 70% of all eBooks priced between $2.99 and $12.99, up for the previous ceiling of $9.99.

What does that mean to you? At $9.99, your net is $6.99 … at $12.99, it is $9.09 per eBook download from readers. I increased mine.

The “I’ll be there” clock is ticking for the annual author gathering schmooze and eating is in play. Definitely make sure you add Saturday, August 15^th starting at 4 pm to your calendar. The location is my home … it’s the Author Gathering Food Fest—formerly the Author BBQ— food, author friends, and catch up. Get registered NOW. Details below.

Last week's blog focuses discovering book sales during book festivals and craft fairs: Hello Book Sales! Discover Book Festivals and Craft Fair

This week's focuses on writing tips - the Hemingway app: Are You Using the Hemingway app? Smart Authors and Writers DO …

Make sure you take a few moments to read.

Listen in at: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast or via
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJudithBrilesTheBookShepherd

Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? … Holy Moly … over 22 million downloads now of various podcasts since the podcast started six years ago.

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.

1. August 13 Podcast … Building Community with Communicating …Terri Murphy

2. August 13 Book Launch and Tasting … at Denver Women’s Press Club with Judith

3. August 15 Author Gathering Summer Food Fest … Judith's Home

4. August 20 Podcast … How to Write a Movie in 21 Days …Viki King

5. August 27 Podcast … How to Write a Memoir … Dan Janal

6. August 28 Book Launch and Tasting … at Judith’s home

7. September 5 Author Gathering, In - Person Only

8. September 9, 16, 23, 30, Amazon Bestseller Workshop

9. September 11 … Aspiring Authors Celebration

1. Discover and Use … Written Word Media

If you have participated in my Amazon Bestseller class, then you have used Written Word Media. An excellent resource form promo pushes to bring book fans and buyers to your book marketing doorstep. It has mega thousands of contacts that it cross promotes your cover and description to in variety of ways. It’s best to visit the Written Media website; explore it; and signup up for its newsletter. That’s free … to partake on the promo side, there’s a fee.

Find it here: https://www.writtenwordmedia.com

2. Meet … Publisher Rocket

www.PublisherRocket.com

Publisher Rocket is a slick tool for social media digging into keywords for your book; identifying categories you that you will use ongoing with any marketing relating pushes using Amazon. From keywords to a TRULY deep dive into the Amazon categories for BOTH Books and eBooks and what comparable/competitors you should be looking at. Love it. www.PublisherRocket.com

Use this link to get it—worth every penny in time and value.

Get it here: https://publisherrocket.com/?affiliate=judith

3. Get the REPLAY of 30 Publishing Tips via 6 publishing pros … Don’t MISS the Boat!

The Publishing at Sea faculty delivered 30+ tips within the promised 60 minutes yesterday for hundreds of registrants. It was a rapid-fire hour to amp up your marketing, writing, publicity, and social media influence.

Here’s the REPLAY:  https://vimeo.com/1216082587

Our goal was to deliver a variety of ideas and tools to increase your author success.

We did. Meaning …

• Photographer Ashlee Bratton delivered tips are creating photos for websites, posting and so much more.

• Editor Carolyne Ruck revealed a variety of writing tips to make your words and stories sparkle.

• Book Designer Rebecca Finkel bridged covers and interiors and how to work with  a designer.

• Author and Strategist Charles Breakfield dove into AI, video, and foreign rights.

• Marketing Expert Derek Doepker illuminated a variety of ways to keep reader and buyers engaged and what 5 words to use to double your sales.

• The Book Shepherd Judith Briles gave tips on taglines and the why, how to make more money on eBooks, and how to do shortie videos that get hits.

4. LAST Chance! Tick Tock for Summer Author Gathering Food Fest … … time is running out to say “I’ll be there” this Saturday, August 15 … are you coming? Reservations will cut off today!

Come to the Annual Summer AuthorYOU Gathering Food Fest 

When: August 15, at 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM MDT
Where: Judith’s Home. 8122 S. Quatar Cir. Aurora, CO 80016

Join your fellow authors for some great food, fun and networking at the annual AuthorYOU Food Fest. There will of course be plenty of beer and wine.

Singles: $20
Duos: $30

Grab your spot: https://bit.ly/AuthorFoodFest

5. Is there an Amazon Bestseller in You?… September is Open

Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign for Your eBook Online Course in 4 weeks! Starts in September

“Judith’s Amazon BestSeller program works!! I hit #1 in at least 9 categories before 11 AM on launch day. Do yourself a favor – take Judith’s class and FOLLOW HER GUIDANCE! You’ll be an Amazon BestSeller too!”

– Suzanne Asaff Blankenship, Author of How To Take Care of Old People Without Losing Your Marbles  

If you want to create this:

Sign up for our next sessions for September 9, 16, 23, 30

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:

• Two hours of your time online each week via Zoom with Judith Briles. Late Wednesday afternoon will be our start time.

• 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.

• 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.

• A computer. 

Times: 4.00 P.M. to 5.30 P.M. MT

Cost: $299  special Alumni rates at $150

Register: https://thebookshepherd.com/create-an-amazon-bestseller/

6. Aspiring Authors Celebration

Every other year, Colorado unpublished authors have the opportunity to submit for a combo cash and one year mentoring program. Sponsored by the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame, Barnes & Nobel, and AuthorU.org. This year, fourteen men and women ranging from 26 to 78 will be honored. The nine judges were “wowed” with the range of the applicants … so much so, that additional scholarships were added.

Join us at the Denver Inverness  in the DTC area on September 11 at 11.30 am. The location and site are upscale and a pleasure to be at. Get your ticket … it’s one that had “tax deduction” with it. Lunch and program is included. Details are on the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame website. Bios and photos will be added this week.

Get your tickets here: https://www.coloradoauthorshalloffame.org/attend-now

7. Got Questions?… Get Answers

Ask Judith ANYTHING on ZOOM next Friday … think Book Publishing and Book Marketing … The Book Shepherd is YOURS for 60 Minutes!

Judith Briles is YOURS for 60 minutes on Friday, August 21 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 start smoke ‘em your Author 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=SH5vWqz0SkvVIZIgnC95lHCmCAi2km.1

Password: authors

Add to Your Calendar: Friday, August 21 at 3 MT (2 PT, 5 CT, 5 ET)

8. Hot Podcasts Slated for August

Ranked in the Top 10 podcasts for book marketing for authors by FeedSpot.

August  6 Creating Mindful Change for Authors … Heather Elliott

August 13 Building Communications to Make Authors Shine … Terri Murphy

August 20 How to Write a Movie in 21 Days … Viki King

August 27 Get Your Book and Memoir Written … Dan Janal

9. Question of the Week ... What is a Super Fan?

My Answer: Good question. Super Fans follow authors and genres. Anything the other publishes, they buy. New books in a genre, they buy. Usually women, over 40, they become vocal marketing support for books and authors. Super Fans are good things to have!

10. Smile of the Week

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.

A magic moment with two super voices—Tony Bennett and Willy Nelson … this is from Bennett’s Duets II album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOS5-n7dyj4&list=RDcOS5-n7dyj4&start_radio=1

Enjoy a few minutes … and ooh and ahh … my two bits.

Author Friendly Friday this week! 

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.

It’s for paid subscribers ONLY and we do it on Zoom.

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/

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

Podcast has expanded to 11 networks … Follow us and learn … new shows every Thursday.
GO to the SHOW page and select which podcast is for you… the latest will always be posted on top: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast

And, if you have listened, support our podcast, and post a review. Thank you!

The AuthorU – Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast is available on all major podcast channels. How cool is that? Listeners can tune into the weekly (always new – no repeats) show on: 

Get the latest #AuthorU-Your Guide to #Book #Publishing #podcast with @MyBookShepherd via iTunes here:  http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast

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