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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #311 – December 06, 2023
Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
Create. Strategize. Develop. Publish. Achieve.
In this Issue
1. Author Tips & Tools... Discover Duck Duck Go
2. Publishing Help ...
Meet Sandy Gould, Color House Graphics
3. Holiday Gathering ... It’s a Brunch on December 9
4. Book Success ... Tardy Bird Time is Approaching … Register for Book Publishing Unplugged in January
5. Hot podcasts for December… Add to your calendar and listen
6. Question of the Week … Where can I get royalty free photos?
7. Book Shepherd “Smile” of the Week … 12 Days of Christmas – a hoot!
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This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s™ Roof
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Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU … and
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| Loved, LOVED, our second Barnes & Noble Bookfair at the Southlands Mall on Saturday. Oddles of books sold. We actually had “fans” come in who had bought books from last time the authors who are
supporting the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame were there. Huge thanks to Kathy Schultz, Brian Barnes, Linnea Tanner, Rox Burkey, Joseph Caldara, Natli Vanderwerken, John Maling, Pat Williams, and yours truly. Many of us sold out and had to pull in more inventory from our back ups. I was pleased to sell 25 of The Secret Journey I co-wrote with Brian Barnes and created a long email list of those who said, “Tell me when book 2 is out in January.” Yes, yes, I will.
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Yesterday, we did the first Amazon+ Content run for a small a first come, first served group of authors from my Friday private coaching group. Fun, WOW, and I’ll open up to other authors next year. It’s a MUST DO for your marketing and visibility on Amazon.
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Bravo to John Posner and his debut book, Forever is Too Long—hitting bestseller in four countires: US, Canada, Australia, and UK. If you are a Sci-Fi fan, or have sci-fi fans on your gift list, this would be a buy. For you. https://bit.ly/ForeverIsTooLong
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Also, for the fantasy reader, Author Louis Sauvain will be boxing up his Thaddeus triology at a supper deal. Ill have it in the newsletter next week. Louis’ books are at https://LouisSauvain.com. And if you are looking for a political thriller … Frank Victoria’s The Founders’ Plot will be a buzz creator. Again, more next week. Frank’s website is https://FrankVictoriaAuthor.com.
It’s been a writing forward week. All the Saturday blogs, Be a Doer … Not a Dreamer have been done through March. Short and a perfect way to noodle your Saturday and week forward.
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AND, this Sunday, December
10th, several of the Colorado authors will be joining me at the BN Colorado Blvd. in Glendale, Colorado from 10-5 for book signings—the best of the best for GIFTS for just about everyone on your list.
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| Come to the store—it’s on Colorado Blvd, close to Cherry Creek Mall Visit with them. Get personalize gifts for those on your list—including yourself—and check out the store. Browse. It’s beautiful—has a café—and has a variety of unique and different gifts outside of books. BN will be donating to the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame … proceeds will seed the scholarships we will
be giving away next September. COME … support us. And support the Aspiring Authors Scholarships with anything you purchase in the store. It’s a very good thing!
Always work. Always lots of books sold. Always fun. Always, so worth it. If you are in Colorado, come see us on Saturday—we are there from 10 am to 5 pm.
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December will bring the Author Holiday Brunch on for THIS Saturday December 9 … that is an IN-PERSON only gathering. Food (lots), schmoozing, gift exchange. My house. I’m the only cook. Belgium waffles.
Quiches. Hash Browns. My decadent Pecan Sweet Potatoes. Fruit. Always a salad. And of course, much more. And yes, it’s FUN. If you are in Colorado, get registered NOW. As the cook and host, I need to know who is coming. We would love to have you.
Are you coming? I hope so and would love to see you. My home is all decorated. The
lights outside are up. And the HOLIDAY Party is a BRUNCH this year and slated for Saturday AM, December 9th at 10 am. Meet for the Author Holiday Brunch at 10 am in my home. If you are a brunch person, this would be a good place to be … plus you will have your afternoon free for other events. December doesn’t have enough days in it. Details below to register (and on TheBookShepherd.com website) and say “I ... we ... will be there.”
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And … it times to support the Aspiring Authors in Colorado. 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? Get them to submit their applications NOW. Details HERE: https://www.coloradoauthorshalloffame.org/scholarships.html
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Reminder ... AuthorYOU members … the January second Saturday AuthorYOU Salon is slated for Saturday, the 13th.
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This week on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast— With so much going on in the book world, this week’s podcast is with C. Hope Clark, Are You Ready to
Expand Your Writing chops … and find grant money? During December, I’ve Identified the top four four top podcasts in 2023 and do replays of each … so worth your time. The full calendar will be downloadable through December from TheBookShepherd.com site. Listen in.
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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 16 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. December 9 Author Holiday Brunch
2. December 10 Barnes & Nobles Colorado Blvd.
3. December 16 Barnes & Nobles Boulder
4. January 6 AuthorYOU program – Workshop ONLINE—60 Tips in 90 Minutes
5. January 13 AuthorYOU Salons –ONLINE & ON-PERSON - AuthorYOU members only
6. February 2-9 Publishing at Sea Cruise
7. February 10 AuthorYOU Salons –ONLINE & ON-PERSON - AuthorYOU members
only
8. November 15-22 Writing at Sea Cruise
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AuthorYOU members … the January second Saturday AuthorYOU Salon is slated for Saturday, the 13th, In-Person and ONLINE only from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. MT. Remember, there must be a minimum of five participants outside of me if they are registered by Friday noon, the day before. If not, I will cancel. Info is below … you need to be registered to attend.
https://www.meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons/
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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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If you tired of being tracked online and want an easy solution, check out DuckDuckGo.com … I’m using now for total incognito searches online. The tracking bit is getting out of control, in my opinion. Check it out—tis free. https://duckduckgo.com/
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| 2 Meet Sandy Gould, Color House Graphics
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Color House Graphics is a nationwide printing and book manufacturing company that provides digital and offset printing, eBook conversions, and custom binding and finishing. With quick response manufacturing and personalized service, you will quickly learn that CHG is your go-to manufacturer for all your production needs. Visit colorhousegraphics.com and request a quote for your next project.
As an AuthorYOU member, you can save 5% on new print orders.
Sandy Gould
Direct Sales Manager
CHG: Where trust, technology and experience come together.
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Author Holiday Brunch ... Saturday, December
9th
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It’s that time of the year again ... Get registered NOW … please. This cook needs to know who is coming.
Fun, Laughter, Great Food, Interesting Gifts, and Amazing Schmoozing—the food is always excellent, the networking, schmoozing and laughter not to be surpassed.
Members chose to have it during the daylight hours ... who knows what the weather will be in Colorado.
This year, the annual author holiday gathering will be a Brunch.
Date: Saturday, December 9th from 10:00 AM to ???
Bring: One unmarked gift to exchange in the off-the-wall Wacko Pick and Steal after dinner. If there are two in your party, bring two, please.
Location: Judith and John's Home: 8122 S Quatar Cir, Aurora, CO 80016, USA
Cost: $20 per person or $35 per couple
Single Person $20
Couple $35
Register Here: https://bit.ly/AuthorBrunch
… includes Brunch and Beverages (no tipping!)
Gifts: We do an exchange--the Wacko Pick and Steal exchange to be exact; please keep your cost value to less than $15—hot items in the past: wine; nifty gadgets from Home Depot and Costco; sports stuff; movie tickets; goofy and quirky can be fun …
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Book Publishing Unplugged in January
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Early Bird ENDS on December 30th
Last 5 years sold out … don’t miss out …
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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?
January 19
– ONLINE
January 20 – IN-PERSON
Early Bird ENDS on December 30th
Last 5 years sold out … don’t miss out …
Awesome authors came from everywhere …
where will you come from?
January 19 or 20 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.
January 19 or 20, 2024
Details and Registration: https://bit.ly/PublishingUnplugged
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| Hot podcasts slated for December
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December 7 Are You Ready to Expand Your Writing chops? - C. Hope Clark
December 14 Branding, Logos, Electronic Press Kits - Nick Zelinger
December 21 Book Marketing Strategies for 2023 and Beyond – John Kremer
December 28 7 Writing Blunders for Authors to Avoid - Judith Briles
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| Question of the Week ... How do I create a page turner?
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Question: I’m looking for free image resources. Any suggestions?
Answer: One First, don’t pull from Google, Bing, or other resources that are not reusable—Check out the DepositPhotos.com site mentioned above in Author Tools. Add the MorgueFile.com, Pexels.com, Unsplash.com, and Pixabay.com. Also, Wikipedia has a link you can explore as well: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Free_media_resources/Photography
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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 enjoy— You haven’t
seen the 12 Days of Christmas this way … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXtCSUqKNTk
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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 it 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 a 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.
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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/product/author-friendly-fridays-subscription
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Podcast expands 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 that generates over 250,000 downloads a month. Her website is www.TheBookShepherd, email: JudithBriles.com and phone: 303-885-2207.
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©2023 Judith Briles - The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.
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