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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors
Newsletter Issue #451– August 26, 2026
Publisher: Judith Briles |
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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 and Use ... Inkarnate Maps
2. Use and Take Advantage of ... BN for Publishers-Authors
3. Get Registered … Is there an Amazon Bestseller in You? September is Open – 1 Spot Available
4. Get REPLAY … 30 Book Marketing & Publishing Tips in 60 Minutes
5. Aspiring Authors Celebration … Come to the Luncheon
6. Hot Podcasts for August … Smart Authors for Successful Authors
7. Question of the Week … Any Suggestions for Blog Ideas?
8. Smile Time … With Sweet Caroline—Get the Rest of the Story
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This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s ® Roof |
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Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …
Heads up for anyone who is interested in the September Amazon Bestseller workshops … there is only ONE spot left. Time to commit and step up to the “get it done” plate. Details below.
It’s a HAPPY DANCE for me this month … both the eBook, Print and audio books of Appetizers with Judith are available for book stores and on Amazon. Now … planning out a full 6-month book support launch that started last week and will include a variety of live and Zoom events.
In two days, I do the second Book Launch for Appetizers with Judith book rollout—a live event in my home where I will create at least 10 of the recipes from the book for participants to nibble on along with the rest of the story of the how and why I did each one. Over 30 have RSVP—think of it as a dining experience. Is one you? Along with me will be Mara Purl who will have a few of her novellas. Appetizers … and novellas … starters for taste buds and reading adventures. |
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Oh my … I’m sticking my neck out doing my first Facebook Live this Thursday at 2:15 MT.
I’m honored to join the Board of the San Francisco chapter of the Women’s National Book Association this month. I’ve done a few programs for the group and look forward to working with and offering my guidance. WNBA has 900 members, San Francsico, my old stomping grounds, is the largest.
Here in Colorado, I’m setting up local author book signings with Barnes & Noble Book Fairs for fall. Add them to your calendar to do a “drop in” and support the many AuthorU members who dedicate their time to support the Aspiring Author Scholarships.
October 25 BN Southlands
November 7 BN Ft Collins
November14 BN Colorado Blvd
November 1 5 BN DenverWest- Lakewood
I will be doing signings and tastings solos in several of the BN stores for my new book Appetizers with Judith:
September 20 Southlands
October 3 Colorado Blvd
Dec 13-Denver West … definitely should feed into holiday shopping! |
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On this Thursday’s Podcast
Last week, author Viki King walked listeners and viewers in to the Strategies of Making a Movie. This week, Get Your Book and Memoir Written with Dan Janal is the topic of the week. |
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Are you getting my Tuesday and Saturday BLOGS? Tuesday is about info and meaty—all designed for your author and publishing success. Saturday is about chewy and re-juicing. Read in less than a minute.
Make sure you are registered to get them: https://thebookshepherd.com/author-newsletter |
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Top 10 podcast for book marketing and Top 100 for book publishing tips for authors! You can always listen in via our websites: www.AuthorU.org - click on the Resources tab on the Home page—pick your podcast. |
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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.
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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. August 20 Podcast … How to Write a Movie in 21 Days …Viki King
2. August 27 Podcast … How to Write a Memoir … Dan Janal
3. August 28 Book Launch and Tasting … at Judith’s home
4. September 5 Author Gathering … In - Person Only - Get registered
5. September 9, 16, 23, 30 … Amazon Bestseller Workshop
6. September 11 … Aspiring Authors Celebration
7. September 18 Ask Judith
8. September 20 Judith at Barnes&Noble, Southlands … Book Tasting for Appetizers with Judith book |
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1. Discover and Use … Inkarnate Maps |
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Are maps an add for your books? Should they be included in a forthcoming one or a “revamp” of an already published edition? Inkarnate is a site to check out for creating maps for less than $25 a month. You can do a month, then terminate.
https://inkarnate.com/
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2. Being Featured at Barnes & Noble |
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Are your books registered with Barnes & Noble? Do you want to have them available to the customers of their stores? Would you like to do book signings at Barnes & Noble bookstores? If yes, then you need to step up and request that your books be available. The bookselling game has a new twist.
Why?
The reality is that too many authors show up, maybe sell a couple of books at a store event … and that’s it. Very few put in marketing time to encourage contacts to come to the store. The time a bookstore’s staff does to support an event is wasted. The stores doesn’t want left over books. So … now BN wants the author to reveal marketing plans—for years, I’ve told authors that if you want your books in a bookstore, you better be committed to drive customers to the store as well.
If you are committed … here’s where you start:
https://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/publishers-authors/sell-your-book-at-barnes-noble/
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3. Create an Amazon Bestseller Campaign for Your eBook Online Course in 4 weeks! Starts in September … there is only ONE spot available as of today! |
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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:
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Two hours of your time online each week via Zoom with Judith Briles. Late Wednesday afternoon will be our start time.
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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.
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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.
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A computer.
Times: 4.00 P.M. to 5.30 P.M. MT
Cost: $299 special Alumni rates at $199
Register: https://thebookshepherd.com/create-an-amazon-bestseller
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4. Get the REPLAY of 30 Publishing Tips via 6 Publishing Pros … Don’t MISS the Ship in February! |
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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 …
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Photographer Ashlee Bratton delivered tips are creating photos for websites, posting and so much more.
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Editor Carolyne Ruck revealed a variety of writing tips to make your words and stories sparkle.
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Book Designer Rebecca Finkel bridged covers and interiors and how to work with a designer.
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Author and Strategist Charles Breakfield dove into AI, video, and foreign rights.
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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.
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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.
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5. Aspiring Authors Celebration - Join me September 11th |
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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-no
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6. Hot Podcasts Slated for August |
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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
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7. Question of the Week ... I’m Looking for Blog Ideas. Do you have Suggestions? |
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My Answer: Always remember ... Problems make the world go round … make a laundry list of common problems you identify in your book, and one by one. Write them down; create a blog on each one, synching with a theme in your book or subject expertise—that’s got be worth at least 10 blog ideas!
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8. Smile of the Week |
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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 Smile time—it happened on a Hot August Night when Neil Diamond headlined the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. The global sing-along rolled out with Sweet Caroline—the title came from a photo he saw with the Kennedy family and Caroline Kennedy with her pony Macaroni. My reveal: listening to Neil Diamond has been part of my many surgical healing adventures. And yes, I’ve done the live concerts—six of them! Take a six minutes and do the Ba Ba Ba and It’s So Good with me: Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline (Live At The Greek Theatre / 2012)
Enjoy a few minutes … and ooh and ahh … my two bits.
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Author Friendly Friday this week! |
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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/ |
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Want tips for Authoring, Marketing and Publishing? |
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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, and 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. You can book time with me at: https://thebookshepherd.com/pick-judiths-brain |
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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 at: http://bit.ly/JudithCoaching |
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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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Follow us, listen, and learn … new shows every Thursday. 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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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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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
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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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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. She's also the Director of San Francisco chapter of the Women’s National Book Association. 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.
© 2026 Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd |
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