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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #259 – November 30, 2022
Publisher: Judith Briles
Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors
In This Issue
1. Author Tips & Tools ... Discover Anyvoo
2. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Meet Color House Graphics
3. December Holiday Gathering ... December 11th—be there ... celebrate authors, food and fun—come!
4. AuthorYOU Salons … Posted through February
5. Hot podcasts for December … Add to your calendar and listen
6. Question of the Week … Should I do an audiobook?
7. Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week … Cats are the weirdest
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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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’Twas a cold day here in Colorado yesterday—as in the low teens. The afternoon before, my friend and co-author Brian Barnes appeared at my door. His words, "Let’s get your outside lights up ..." Four hours later, the deed was done. Now to get the timers placed for the auto turn-on and off, and I’m a happy Holiday enjoyer. Attention now is directed toward inside. Tree is up. Kitchen area done. Today is the mantel and dining room. Then done. With the cold temps and post turkey day, the kitchen calls to me for creating comfort food—tonight, it’s turkey pot pie. Yum.
This past weekend was a long one. Two days with two of my favorite books stores: BN Southlands and BN Colorado Blvd. Both will be donating a percentage of store sales while several authors were there selling their books as well. A good day for all.
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And a BIG day for Brian and I as we debuted for the first time our co-authored historical fiction, The Secret Journey. How did it go? Well ... drum roll ... the book flew off the table. We sold out at both Southlands and Colorado Blvd, turning away book buyers who came for it—one came back after buying a copy and wanted nine more! Telling them they could order through the store ...or go to Amazon. And I also sold out my memoir, When God Says NO. Yup, it was a good weekend.
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| Plus, on Thanksgiving Day at 12.30 pm, my doorbell rang and Alex came into my life along with his son PLUS a new hot water heater. After no hot water for six days, I was indeed grateful.
Meanwhile, my thoughts now turn to cooking time and I’m thinking of what dishes I will be serving for dinner gatherings for my foodie friends. Cioppino, Caesar salad and garlic bread is sounding good. Oh, and Coq au Vin is in my noodling mix.
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One of the authors I’m working with currently is Carol Ann Kates, a fellow foodie ... and what a foodie she is. If you like food ... cooking ... and want a resource for unique and creative recipes, it’s time to discover her website is https://CarolAnnKates.com. Grab her free Mini Holiday Cookbook—perfect for right now. When you do, you will start getting her weekly blog ... one that I read every week. You are welcome.
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Don’t miss out on our in-person Holiday gathering on December 11th. It’s always fun. Food is good. A few years ago, we moved it from evenings to afternoons. Works better with winter weather happenings. Details below. Registration is on the AuthorYOU.org website.
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My November Amazon
Bestseller 4-week session ends this afternoon. All sessions are recorded—if you miss one, you will be able to stay caught up. Registrations are open for next year ... the first session will be in FEBRUARY: February 8, 15, 22, March 1. Details are on the Experiences tab on TheBookShepherd.com. Get registered now to participate in the next program.
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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 150 short videos posted: https://bit.ly/Author-PublishingTips
My podcast guest is Debra Jason. For the first time, I will be celebrating outstanding podcasts that were delivered in 2022 via the number of downloads. Debra's on LinkedIn had over 130,000 listeners tuning in and learning this year. Time to join if and find out the WHY it was so hot.
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And it’s Woof Wednesday ... as an author, I love it that my thoughts, my imagination can take me to places that are sometimes unknown to me ... let when I arrive, I dive in. The adventure awaits. Let your words flow ... do not edit –grammar fixes and punctuation adds
can come later.
That’s my week … how’s yours? Lots of happenings below. I continue with my year of Re. My new eBooks are being added. This week—old books coming down.
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Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? … Holy Moly … over 13 million downloads now of various podcasts since the podcast started six years ago. Last month logged in another 528,000 downloads. So far this month, 176,000!
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You can select which podcast is for you from over 550 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. November 2, 9, 23, 30 Amazon Bestseller Campaign Workshop
2. December 10 1st Saturday AuthorYOU program – ZOOM
3. December 11 AuthorYOU Holiday party
4. January 7 1st Saturday AuthorYOU program – ZOOM Book Design and Swag
Popapalooza
5. January 14 AuthorYOU Salons –check for IN-PERSON or ONLINE - AuthorYOU members only
6. January 21-28 Publishing at Sea – IN PERSON
7. February 4 1st Saturday AuthorYOU program –
8. February 8, 15, 22, 1 Amazon Bestseller Campaign Workshop
9. February 11 AuthorYOU Salons – IN-PERSON & ONLINE - AuthorYOU members only
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AuthorYOU members … the December second Saturday AuthorYOU Salon is slated for this Saturday, the 10th
and is at the ONLINE time only this month, 7 am to 8.30 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, 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 are 2 spot opening in 2023 —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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| 1 Author Tools –Discover Anyvoo- Webcam Backgrounds ... is OPEN again
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Do you revolt when you see some of the virtual backgrounds that
are the norm for many on the online presentations? Me too—especially the ones that fade in and out; cut off hair and faces if the speaker moves their face just a tad; and of course, the ones that are clearly unprofessional—as in bedrooms with unmade made or rooms in disarray. It’s time to discover AnyVoo.
Thinking marketing forward every time you are on an online video anything. You can create a customizable fabric background that stretch over a frame that you then attach to a stand (meaning it’s portable) or hang from the wall behind you. It’s reversible, so you have two background options. Think of your logo, tag line, even your book covers. Under $250. Kinda cool.
Its team has been working diligently to re-open our business. With the acquisition and the
move to the new headquarters in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania now complete, it is excited to announce that new orders are now being accepted.
As a thank you for your past support of Anyvoo, it is offering 10% off for customers until December 18th. . Enter Promo Code "AnyvooGrand" when checking out to receive your discount. https://Anyvoo.com
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| Meet
Color House Graphics
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Sandy Gould - Sandy@colorhousegraphics.com
Direct Sales Manager
CHG: Where trust, technology and experience come together.
616.241.1916 Ext. 242
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 of 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. |
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| 3 DECEMBER Holiday Gathering: December 11th IN PERSON – Get registered
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Ho Ho Ho, Another Year Has Flown By…
It’s time for the Annual AuthorYOU Holiday Party
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Join your fellow authors for fun, laughter, great food, interesting gifts, schmoozing, and networking. No need to cook, Judith will have her chef hat on, and will be providing a buffet late lunch. Of course, there will be plenty of beverages to go around. Previous attendees loved having it earlier in the day—it’s December; it’s Winter Solstice approaching; the daylight is getting shorter; and who knows what the weather will be. Personally, I like being able to see clearly where my feet land in the winter months. AND … bonus … for football devotees—you can still see the
afternoon games. For shoppers—go for it.
Just bring an unmarked gift to exchange in the off-the-wall Wacko Pick and Steal after lunch. If there are two in your party, bring two gifts so that everyone can leave with something. Be creative! The gifts tend to get pretty wild and fun.
Location: Judith and John’s Home: 8122 S Quatar Cir, Aurora, CO 80016
Gifts: We do an exchange–the Wacko Pick and Steal exchange to be exact; please keep your cost value to less than $20—hot items in the past: wine; nifty gadgets from Home Depot and Costco; sports stuff; movie tickets; goofy and
quirky can be fun … please, no rejects from something past.
COST: Members $20 ... $30 per couple
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Register for the next few months – The Saturday AuthorYou Salon will be ONLINE only starting at 7 to 8.30am MT. AuthorYou members will be emailed the link on Friday. 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. No exceptions.
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/
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Hot podcasts slated for December
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December is a "redux" month. I’ve identified the top five
podcasts that aired in 2022—all worth your learning and listening pleasure ... whether the first time or a repeat.
December 1 LinkedIN Pizazz and Power– Debra Jason
December 8 How to Protect Your Book from Pirates & Theft - Cheryl Obermiller
December 15 How to Find Money and Grants for Authors – C Hope Clark
December 22 Crowdfunding Forward – Judith Briles
December 29 Book Trends for Influence and Swag - Rebecca Finkel
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| Question of the Week ... Should I create an audiobook for my book?
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Answer: At this point, creating an audiobook should be a no-brainer for authors. It’s a huge yes—audiobooks are part of the regular publishing menu—it should be on your publishing To Do checklist.
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Funny of the Week
I Love it when I find a fun
shorty— Smile time enjoy— Love this for Cats are the weirdest:
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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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©2022 Judith Briles - The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.
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