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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 ... Instant Website Grader

2. Join and Use ... Haven Books Consulting

3. Have Questions? … Get Join in Author Gathering - IN PERSON for Publishing and Book Marketing Answers. THIS SAT

4. Amazon Bestseller … June 3, 10, 17, 24. STARTS TODAY

5. Hot Podcasts for May and June … Add to your Calendar and Listen

6. Question of the Week … What Questions Should I Suggest to a Podcast Host?

7. Smile Time … It's Laugh Out Loud Time

I claimed last Sunday for me time after setting up John for the morning and transitioning the computer and myself to deck where I spent the next eight hours writing recipes. By the end of the day, I was close to my end goal. This week will include tying the pieces together; finishing the front and back matter; setting up the final photos to take … and move Appetizers with Judith to the editor.

My kitchen is busy through this Saturday. The neighborhood is over Friday for tasting and testing. I’m almost there with the final gathering of what I’m including in my next cookbook.

Is being a bestseller on Amazon calling to you? If you are thinking of doing an Amazon Bestseller run, make sure you get signed up for my four-week class that starts in June. It starts this afternoon. Details below.

And this Thursday and Friday, I will be offering book 1, The Secret Journey eBook as an eBook freebie—kick off your summer fantasy historical reading. If you are a Kindle Unlimited participant, follow up with books 2 and 3 for free downloads. Or … come meet me at the Littleton Barnes & Noble on Sunday, June 14 and pick up a signed copy of book 2 The Secret Hamlet and/or book 3 The Secret Rise. I will be there from 10 am to 5 pm.

If you are in Colorado … do you have on your calendar, the In-Person Author Gathering pops up this Saturday, June 6th. Details below.

And add Saturday, August 15th starting at 4 pm—my home … it’s the Author Gathering Food Fest—formerly the Author BBQ—I’m not sure if I’m BBQing or catering it. I will be three weeks post hip replacement. Details will be up on the websites next week.

Last week's blog focuses on your author success and avoiding the blunders that lurk around every author corner.

This week's focuses on the power of being myopically focused. It’s what I’ve been doing the last two weeks. My goal was to get my book into editing form by the first week in June. Getting it done meant I needed to say NO to a few things that would have been fun. To going to a movie with a friend and moving out a dinner date with a friend. The goal was to finish the book. One myopic step at a time.
https://thebookshepherd.com/author-tips-from-the-shark-tank/

1. June 4 Podcast … Author Platforms, Pitfalls, Panache … Kat Neff

2. June 6 The Author Gathering … Online

3. June 11 Podcast … LinkedIn Tips for Authors … Deb Eckerling

4. June 14 BN Book Fair, Littleton

5. June 18 Podcast … Creating Triggers for Conversion … Casey Demchak

6. June 19 Ask Judith

7. June 25 Podcast … Tips and Tools for Authors … Judith Briles

9. July 2 Podcast … Top 2026 Book Design Trends … Nick Zelinger

10. July 9 Podcast … How to Get Your Book Reviewed … Jim C0x

11. July 16 Podcast … How to Write for Children … Carolyne Ruck

12. July 23 Podcast … Secrets to Writing Enticing and Killer Book Marketing Copy … Casey Demchak

13. July 30 Podcast … How to Write a Memoir … Dan Janal

14. August 15 Author Gathering Fest … Judith's Home

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Mara Purl
719-227-1629
marapurl@outlook.com
www.HavenBooks.net

You’ve always wanted to write a book . . . or two or three? You don’t how to start?

Or . . . you’re an accomplished author looking to focus your brand and create dynamic marketing? You’re a playwright ready to launch your production on stage or as an audio drama? We love authors and believe in supporting authorship as a calling!

Haven Books is an author and publishing consulting service located in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Los Angeles, California.

To visit our current and previous clients,
click here: https://havenbooks.net/authors/author-clients/

At Haven Books, we do “synergy publishing”—pulling together a team to fully realize your marketing plan whether you are indie-published, or traditionally published. We don’t use the term “self” publishing, because when you hire an expert you have gone beyond “self.” We do not offer any “off the rack” publishing-packages. Instead, think of us as a contour boutique who listens carefully to your goals, then creates a tailored plan to help you fulfill your author dream.

We work with non-fiction and fiction authors. We can see you through the entire process, first draft through published work. Or we can help you with specific segments.

Think of The Author Gathering as a combo MASTERMIND and personal Advisory Board for Aspiring and Achieving Authors. And JOIN AuthorU.org today. https://authoru.org/j-o-i-n

Delivered 8 months a year ONLINE for global and housebound members and 4 times IN-PERSON for those in Colorado.

Your host is Dr. Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd and the Author Gatherings are held two ways: on ZOOM ONLINE from 8 to 9.30 am AND IN-PERSON in her home in the southeast Metro Denver area from 9 to 11.30 am. They are a benefit as a part of the paid AuthorU.org membership. A member can bring a Guest who can attend ONE Author Gathering. After that, you must be a member of AuthorYOU.org. Bring a snack to share.

Note: there must be a minimum of 5 participants (not including Judith) registered by NOON MT the day before for any session to BE A GO. That would be June 5. If not, the session will be canceled and all members will be notified by an email announcement via Meetup.

To register for the FREE session, use this link: https://www.meetup.com/authorgathering/

Sign up for our next sessions for June 3, 10, 17, 24

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.

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.

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/

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.