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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue
#26 July 04, 2018
Publisher: Judith Briles


Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue

1.   Get ready to pitch … to a literary agent OR woot: win a complete publishing package.

2.   Updates on The AuthorYOU Extravaganza!

3.   Another great tool that is a no-brainer …

4.   Hot podcasts for the month coming …

5.   Webinars slated for Summertime…

6.  Question of the Week …

     7. Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week …



This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s Roof:


Hello and Good Publishing Day to all of you.
Today is the 4th of July. A time to celebrate the freedom you have as an author; the freedom you have as a writer. The freedom that your ideas and words can make a difference for others. And that you have the freedom to express them.

Sit back and think about that freedom—one that most of us take for granted. Don’t. There are so many who can’t say or write what they feel; they think; or dream about doing.

It’s a day that many gather family around them; fire up the BBQ; oooh and awwww at fireworks that flare in the evening skies. I’m one of those … but I always begin my day with my freedom acknowledgment. And thank you.

I love revisits. This past week found me in Vancouver, British Columbia and the Salmocapitalal of America—Ketichan, Alaska. This time, my travel mates were my 14-year-old grandson Ryan and my two daughters, Shelley and Sheryl. Taking them to favorite places—little stores on Granville Island and the wonder of Stanley Park—we also spent an afternoon in Capilano Park, something I recommend for all. If,  heights and suspension bridges don’t hold you back. Hours were spent crisscrossing roadways amongst trees hundreds of years old.

Removing computer time from my daily agenda, it became a love of nature as we watched birds dive for fish; the swooping of bald eagles; and the breadth of nature’s landscape.

We spent five hours in Capilano, and mega thousands of steps that were up and down, even Ryan said, "My legs are screaming." Yep, all of us agreed. And none of us regretted it.

Ketichan is an island and opened their eyes to what a rainforest is. Gathering over 200 inches of rainfall a year—it’s lush with a combination of calming with the surrounding waters. Snow visible in July in the low mountains, all got a lesson in "life in a forest range". Wait until they get to experiencing glaciers.


MEET me when I’m on the road. I’m looking forward to traveling this year to work with Texan authors at the July 27-29 event in Dallas, TX; authors from Colorado and multiple states in Breckenridge, CO August 23-26; Michigan authors at the Booktoberfest in Dexter, MI on September 8; Alaskan authors in Anchorage, AK September 20-22; and Florida authors in Altamonte Springs, Florida October 18-20.

Are you in Colorado on July 21? Come to our annual BBQ. It will be helpful in the afternoon at CADA—the Colorado Automotive Dealers Associations facilities with terrific schmoozing rounds; fire pit for toasting marshmallows and just a fun and relaxing afternoon. All you bring is yourself—family members welcome.

Details are posted under Events on the website.
https://authoru.org/event/its-the-annual-author-bbq?instance_id=1423


If you are thinking of a crowdfunding campaign The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors & Writers was created just for you. Amazon has copies—get your copy here. I promise—it will explain step-by-step the how-tos along with the whys. The section on Timelines and Essentials will set you up. Crowdfunding is free money … but there’s work and a gameplan that needs to be followed.

All here: https://amzn.to/2tXnyuo

 
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. 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:
https://thebookshepherd.com/pick-judiths-brain


Author Friendly Friday this week …

9 Eastern time and again at 2 pm ET. It’s a full hour when you can ask questions—any question. Starting now, it’s for paid subscribers ONLY and we do it on Skype. I loved the comment last week when one of my participants said that she really liked doing it this way—when I see others at events—the Extravaganza—we are already friends. I like it too!
Here’s the link to take advantage of it and subscribe: https://thebookshepherd.com/product/author-friendly-fridays-subscription

And, what, there’s more. We have all new webinars set up through June and planning July. This month covers LinkedIn on June 12 and How to Create a 7-Figure Income via the FIVE steps to persuasion on June 19. Details below.



AND … How’s your week going?


 
1

Get ready to pitch … to a literary agent OR woot: win a complete publishing package.
Oh boy … don’t miss out on this one. Want your book picked up to be published. We have two options at the Extravaganza this year.

Option #1: Jeff Herman and Deborah Herman of the literary agency, the Jeff Herman Agency will be on site to hear pitches from Extravaganza attendees. Jeff also represents foreign rights and will be doing a session on getting your share. He and Deborah created the bestselling Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 that Sold and Why plus Jeff produces the annual edition of Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents 2018.

Option #2: This is awesome-sauce and already half full:
This year at the Extravaganza, we will have the first every Book Pitch Fest in Colorado. Thanks to the vision of Thomson Shore’s team, up to 15 authors will "pitch" their books in less than THREE minutes to our panel.

JUST ONE attendee/pitcher will walk away with a full publishing packaging—editing; cover and interior design; and printing—how cool is that. You must be there … it all happens late Thursday, August 23 at 5.30 … I’ll be there cheering for YOU!

All info here:
http://authoryouextravaganza.org/authoryou-book-pitchfest/


2   
It’s rolling in fast … and I do mean FAST. Happening in 50 days, you don’t want to miss out.


In just 50 Days

Get ready for all-new Author YOU Extravaganza in 2018. Get ready for Education—the deep dive type. Get ready for entertainment— laughing is the perfect way to end a jammed-packed day of information. Get ready to meet the Who-Who’s in Publishing Service Providers in our Exhibit Hall—your village to create an awesome book, publicity campaign, uncovering sponsors, promotion and much more. And get ready to change your book and authoring life
Does Amazon bug you? How about confusing you? Or, downright irritate you?

Welcome to the crowd. And, if you are in the crowd, we are doing a session that will be
a not to be missed one: 

What the Hell is Going on with Amazon?  

Sigh … you think you’ve got it figured it. Then the Amazon gremlins change "the rules". Figuring it out is beyond the beyond. We’ve got help coming your way in one of our not to be missed sessions at the Extravaganza.




The Question is: will you?
Register—early bird ends on June 30
http://AuthorYouExtravaganza.org


3
More Great Tools

What: Free, high-resolution photos.

All photos published on Unsplash can be used for free. You can use them for commercial and non-commercial purposes. You do not need to ask permission from or provide credit to the photographer or Unsplash, although it is appreciated.

Unsplash grants you a nonexclusive copyright license to download, copy, modify, distribute, perform, and use photos from Unsplash for free, including for commercial purposes, without permission from or attributing the photographer or Unsplash.

What: GetHuman helps people to find customer service / company numbers when you need to talk to a live person at a company. Last year, roughly 1 in 8 Americans used GetHuman to save time or money on a customer service problem.

Example: https://gethuman.com/phone-number



 
4
Hot podcasts slated for May - August
In JULY
· How to Get Associations to Hire Speakers with Ed Rigsby  
· Publicity How-tos from a 70-Year Pro with Irwin Zucker
· Pitching You and Your Book with Joan Stewart
· What the Hell is Amazon Doing? with Amy Collins


In AUGUST
· How to Propel Your Book Launch with Kimberley Grabas
· Discovering the Anatomy of Fiction Writing with Barb Wilson
· Discover the Latest Strategies for Advanced Book Marketing with John Kremer
· Insider Tips on How to Market Author as Speaker to Meeting Planners with Tonya Hoffman
· Are You Branding You … Really? with Kathy Meis

In SEPTEMBER

· Revising and Repurposing What You’ve Already Done with Anne Janzer 

Here’s the master link for iTunes: http://bit.ly/PublishingPodcast

And, if you have listened, support our podcast and post a review. Thank you!


5
More Webinars are coming … more Webinars are coming


 
AUGUST 15: 4 PT, 5 MT, 6 CT, 7 ET p.m.

How to Create a Caviar Audiobook on a Tuna Fish Budget

Did you know that audiobook sales revenue is up 32% so far for the year 2018? Do you have an audiobook to take advantage of this growing market?
Don't miss this opportunity to join the Audiobook Revolution!


REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6320070193348322562

Find out:

  • What's brand new in the audiobook world
  • The new audiobook creation competition for Amazon and Audible
  • How to independently publish your audiobook yourself or with help
  • How authors can make more from their audiobooks than their eBooks
  • The key steps to set your audiobook up for success
  • Planning your next audiobook (key decisions)

You can have an audiobook version of your book created (with help!) for hundreds, not thousands, of dollars. Here's how!

REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6320070193348322562

YES, there will be a REPLAY. Please register to make sure you get it if you can’t attend live.

Date:
Wednesday, August 19, 2018. Time: 4T, 5 MT, 6 CT, 7 ET


June 19th

One of the highest content webinars I've had – here’s the replay
If you're tired of webinars that are all hype and no substance, then you'll be thrilled with the one I just did with Tom Antion. He promised high content that was immediately usable and WOWSA, did he deliver! And we had fun to boot!


Here's what one attendee said:


     "This is the best and the most fun webinar I've ever been on and I've been on a lot of them."


Count me in as, "Me too."


The replay is ready right now and I suggest you jump on it immediately because the info Tom presented can increase your business dramatically and quickly. I loved, LOVED the idea he rolled out on making big bucks with PDFs. Immediately, I called out live to three individuals who were attendees ideas that they could do—like in tomorrow—to create a fast, no-brainer, easy-peasy push out to their fans and email contacts. I’ll bet when you hear them on the replay, you will also say, "Hey, me too."



And the magic website to pick up all the elements he revealed is: www.Copywriting901.com

Go for it …


MAY 31

Did you know that library buying is up—way UP? Over 70% of the U.S. population uses libraries every month. In the area I live in—Denver, Colorado, libraries have a $9,000,000 budget for new books, ebooks, audiobooks. Wherever you live, your community has a budget as well. How cool is that!

THIS WAS SO HOT:
even if your book is not ready yet–maybe the end of the year or early next year—jump in. You will be "grandfathered" at the reduced rate (guaranteed, the price will increase significantly the next go around).

"Left Out" means the awesome PITCH TO 8,000 LIBRARIES for only $399 disappear soon … you, of course, can get it for $399 until Amy Collins and I pull it. As always, it’s a choice. I’m doing it … I want my audio, eBooks and print books to be reintroduced to 8,000 libraries, just like you do.


Reminder … here’s what you get:
· Get your book in front of 8,000 libraries around the country who have requested information about books to acquire.
· Your cost is 5 cents per library pitch.
· A full-color listing designed and laid out showcasing your book.
· Having someone (that means not you) do the follow-up to determine if there is interest in acquiring your book for the library.
· A detailed report after the mailing and follow-up calls that includes the number of librarians who actually clicked on the order button for your book.

Here's the link for the REPLAY. Don’t miss out on this one … there were 12 slots available for the JULY mailing—several were taken during the live presentation last night:


                                     https://vimeo.com/272930535

NEXT, here’s click on the link to participate:


                                  http://newshelves.com/authoru
 
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Questions of the Week:


Question: I write nonfiction. Why do I need stories in my book?

My answer: Listen my author, and you will hear. If I had only one word to use, it would be engagement.  

Too many nonfiction authors slip into a world of factoids and telling. All good, but at times, downright boring. Storytelling takes your reader "there"—whatever/wherever there is. It connects them with where you are leading them to. Opening a chapter with a "setup" of someone/something that your reader can immediately connect with via an event they did or experienced or someone that they know who did, opens a wavelength of truthiness.

Sometimes the story setup is light; sometimes heavy; sometimes even on OMG moment. Many times, when I’m working with an author for the first time and they’ve presented a book that is a "tell" or a "fix it" book, I’ll say, "Tell me about a time that you’ve experienced or known someone who has experienced about what you are trying to solve …" It changes the "feel" of the book. It makes it more personable.


The reader connects with you. You are writing about them. About what they need and want. When it’s more personable, you sell more copies.



7
Book Shepherd "Fun" or an "Uh-Oh"of the Week

Love it when I find a fun shorty—a quick smile, a laugh out loud, a sip of tea … and back to work—perfect. Calling all dog lovers ... have you thought about having a private chef for your pooch?

This is amazing: https://bloom.bg/2KuBN5f



That’s my author and publishing news for today … what’s yours?


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.

The Book Shepherd
 
 
 
 


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