NEWS from The Book Shepherd this week / should start a podcast?

Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

Newsletter Issue #213 – January 12, 2022

Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue

1. Author Tools ... Discover Backup Buddy

2. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Meet Julie Bernard

3. Amazon Bestseller … Next class starts in March

4. Webinar Replay … Create the Ultimate Workbook

5. AuthorYOU Extravaganza … Moved to April

6. AuthorYOU Salons … posted through June 2022

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

8. Question of the Week … Should I start a podcast?

9. Book Shepherd “Fun” of the Week … Pick me up …

Oh-Oh … my doorbell rang last Saturday morning at 9. A few authors assumed that I had the IN-PERSON AuthorYOU Salons that morning. The problem was, there wasn’t one. They hadn’t registered, assuming all was a go and just show up. It wasn’t. It had been canceled. I did spend time with them … but I had the Online version that started at 7 am MT that morning and we were done. For AuthorYOU members only. It’s a combo mastermind and a mini-advisory board to draw from. A monthly get-together that has huge benefits. The 9 am version had been canceled due to not having the magic signup of at least five attending. The rules were put into place in December. Please remember.

Less than three days remain to enter your book in Foreword’s Book of the Year Awards. The best of the Indie Book Awards. Foreword is a pioneer in celebrating independent titles, our awards program is unique in that our winners are curated by librarians and booksellers–the decision-makers for millions of book buys a year.

What books are eligible to compete? Any independently published book—including those from author-publishers and university presses—published in 2021, and available for purchase in print or e-book formats.

Info here: https://publishers.forewordreviews.com/awards/

For authors, if you have a personal goal to have an Amazon bestseller for one of your titles, get signed up for the NEXT session starting in March. I’m looking forward to the second Amazon Bestseller class that started last week. Dates are the 9, 16, 23, 30. If you are going to participate, hold the dates, and get registered on http://TheBookShepherd.comTheBookShepherd.com site—this workshop always sells out.

The January webinar on Monday had 90 registrants … were you there? It focused on creating the ultimate workbook to mirror your expertise for online and in-person teaching. The replay has been sent out to all and is available through Monday the 17th … bye-bye. Replay info is below as well.

This coming year will be my year of “Re” … from a ReDo and RePublish (of my existing publishing books) to a ReInvest (my time and energy) and many more to come. It’s the Power of “Re”. How about you … what will be your theme forward be? As you read this, I’ve completed the rewrites of THREE of my books and working on the fourth this week. Check. Check. Check. All are at layout. All have new covers designed. It’s the Power of “Re” –a ReDo, ReInvest, Repurpose, and Republish. My “ReVeal” will be in next week’s blog on Tuesday. Loving all the new covers—a wowsa created with the combined talents of Rebecca Finkle and Nick Zelinger.

I’ve posted info under #3 below on the April AuthorYOU Extravaganza that was planned many months ago. Sign up for it … if the COVID mandates kick in again, it will be moved, but it should be on your radar and calendar. Never, ever, underestimate the power and presence of IN-PERSON meetings.

My podcast guest this week is ME … get ready to grab tips for what authors must do for crowdfunding success.

That’s my week … how’s yours? lots of happenings below. Wishing you a wonderful New Year …

1. January 22 – Books Are Awesome in Parker CO

2. February 5 - Webinar – Speakertunity for Positioning

3. February 5 – 1st Saturday AuthorYOU program – In-PERSON or Online-TBD

4. February 13 – AuthorYOU Salons – In-PERSON & ONLINE - AuthorYOU members only

5. February 26 - March 6 – Publishing at Sea Conference

6. March 9,16,23,30 - The Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign

7. March 5 – 1st Saturday AuthorYOU program – In-PERSON or Online-TBD

8. March 12 – AuthorYOU Salons – In-PERSON & ONLINE - AuthorYOU members only

9. April 7-9 – AuthorYOU Extravaganza – be there in Colorado!

10. May 7 – 1st Saturday AuthorYOU program – In-PERSON or Online-TBD

11. May 14 – AuthorYOU Salons – In-PERSON & ONLINE - AuthorYOU members only

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. She 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 $400

Yes … yes, it can. January is SOLD OUT.
next workshops are March 9,16,23,30

Create an AmazonBestseller Campaign for Your eBook Online Course in 4 weeks!

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 latter. I will take you through each step during the four weeks. When you complete #17, you are ready to execute.
Judith’s goal is for you to have all components for your campaign DONE before your implementation/execution day. All social media tease pushouts are done and scheduled before the big day starts.

Requirements;

90 minutes of your time online each week via Zoom with Judith Briles. Late Monday afternoon will be our start time. This is not a webinar, it’s live, on-line coaching.
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. A free account on either Canva or BookBrush.

Dates: March 9,16,23,30
Times: 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm MT

Judith’s next Amazon Bestseller class is slated for March. Four Wednesday afternoons. and are always limited in size. Info here to get registered: https://bit.ly/JanAMZ

The Workbook Creation offer from this week’s webinar ends on Monday. Do not pooh-pooh the power of physical, printable books. It’s what the majority of readers and workshop participants want: touching, writing on them, even turning down the corner so it physically pops to the eye when looking for a key citing or adding a sticky note. It’s what works. They are a magnet.

Product Expert Debbie Drum reinforced the power for why you want your fans, followers, and future customers desire to have something physical to take your sage advice and wisdom and reinforce it … it’s creating a workbook in a printed format.

#1 Takeaway: Having one of these gains you more buying customers and fans …

April 2022

Did you know that over 80% of the public thinks there is a book in them? Are you part of the 80%? Want to learn what your options are in getting yours from your head; from all those loose notes that have piled up over the years; want to add “published author” behind your name this year?

Is this your COME BACK Year? Is 2022 the year that makes the difference for you? Are you ready to:

· Jump into your publishing dreams, turning them into reality?

· Create a new book or repurpose an old one?

· Do a refresher on what’s happening in publishing today?

· Or do you need to just hang out … to mingle with other writers and authors?

Part of AuthorYOU’s mission is to educate emerging authors on how to write, publish and market their books. Part is two takes achieving authors to a higher level of success. And part is to create a support community of networking and information streams. AuthorYOU is for the author who wants to be seriously successful.

Today’s publishing is a journey loaded with twists, turns, and potholes. AuthorYOU will prep, guide, and demonstrate:

· The latest in marketing strategies that will create your tipping point.

· Essential information about editing your book that will turn your head.

· Master the “art” of story writing for both fiction and nonfiction that creates “the opening grab.”

· Ideas to spin you, your book, and your expertise to the viral sphere.

· How to create a hero, not a zero, when it comes to book cover design.

· Website designs with a twist.

· How to propel yourself and rise above the publishing marketplace with social media and metadata.

· Tips on avoiding the mistakes most authors make.

· The ABCs of eBooks.

· How to say “Bye-Bye to BORING” presentations and trainings.

· Write and publish a book that grabs your reader.

· What to expect when you are expecting—the dollars, cents, and sense of publishing is today.

+++ TWO special ticketed items. Barb Wilson will deliver an “early arrival” workshop Thursday afternoon fueled by the stellar results 9 Pillars of Writing program she delivered at the Breckenridge Extravaganza in 2018. For those who want to join in for dinner Friday evening—there will be a special dessert: humor entertainment.

You can, and it’s happening when October kicks off. Get registered NOW to grab your seat. Space will be limited.

WHEN: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 7th to April 9th

FRIDAY April 8th 8 am – 5 pm … General Session Workshops
The Author Gong Show at Noon

SATURDAY April 9th 7 am to Noon … General Session Workshops
Sunrise Workshop at Bonus EVENTS

Register: https://authoru.org/october-author-and-book-publishing-fest.html

Register for the next few months – there is a session for ONLINE authors and a separate for IN-PERSON- FORWARD … Salons are a Free benefit for VIP AuthorYOU members only.

RULES …
1. You must register for this.
2. If less than 5 people are registered by Noon on the Friday before, event will be canceled.

If you have book marketing, writing, publishing questions, get answers. Or, you just want to schmooze a bit, It’s ONLINE and IN-PERSON on the second Saturday of each month. You MUST be a paid member of AuthorYOU.org to participate. ONLINE starts at 7 am to 8.30 am MT – IN-PERSON at 9 am MT. Here’s the link to register and getting notices/reminders forward:

Register here: https://www.meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons/

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 100,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.