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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #101 December 11, 2019
Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue
      
1. Author Tools … Discover Book Flipper

2.Holiday Gathering … it’s happening in 10 days

     3.  January program … it’s all about kids

     4.  Webinars Replays … enjoy

     5.  Hot podcasts for DECEMBER & Replays … 4 to add to your   calendar

6. Question of the Week … Do media releases work?

7. Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week … a shoulder to lean on


This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s Roof:

Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU.


I love the gift of giving that involves not a huge amount of my time and little financial costs. It’s the lights … the visual beauty of the holidays that bring out the little kid in me. Last week, as I was out hanging the last light on a big corner tree I decided to add after the rest of the outdoors had been completed, my neighbor came over. Her reveal: "I stand in front of my living room window each night and just look at your lights. They make me feel good." Now I know, I did this to bring Nancy a little joy each evening. How cool is that?

The weekend is past, and I loved meeting so many authors in Palm Springs at the Palm Springs Writing Guild. In the special Ninja Book Marketing workshop held on Sunday, it’s always fun for me to see ears and eyes open as I do the tell, demo, and then "do" segment of this workshop.
On Monday, I arrived in Phoenix to spend a few days with my Heart Sisters Ellen and Glenda, I was hustled off to a series of "errands" –what where they really? Distractors … little did I know what was going to unfold an hour later. Finally, walking into their beautifully decorated home—I totally was swayed away from the dining room table or even looking at the walls; through the kitchen where I immediately noted the nifty new rug on the floor, not seeing all the items on tables and counters; and into the back Arizona Room with their delightful Christmas tree … and … OMG packed with Arizona Heart Family and Friends springing a "SURPRISE!" on me.

SURPRISE … what were they surprising me about? Huge smiles everywhere … hugs abounded … the surprise was a bravo and celebration for the creation of the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame. A wonderful full-blown tea and luncheon followed. Hours of catch-up chatter


The next day, I had to quickly buy a pair of shoes that enclosed my feet from heel to toe. Why? —tis the requirements of the special tour that had been scheduled for me—I’ll be heading to the humongous Amazon warehouse—bet it will be an ooh and ahh time. A tad like being in a candy store as a kid I’m thinking.

Don’t forget, for those in Colorado, it’s a gathering of authors with the agenda of just eating, schmoozing, and having a good time that happens in 10 days—get registered for the party on the 21st. Plus, bring an unwrapped toy or book for the Children’s Hospital box of goodies we will deliver before Christmas. It’s a very good thing.

Things not working as well as you planned? Want to change your results? How about: stop doing things the same way. You gotta change your box of doing and thinking to move in a new direction … with different results. Snappy Sassy Salty Cat Quotes for Authors and Writers on Pinterest adds more each week. I’ve had fun creating at least three new posters for pinning each day. Check it out and DO SHARE them on your Pinterest HERE

The end of the year months always bring in lots of events and things to do. Add these to your calendar now. Details will all be posted under the Events tab on the website.


The end of the year always brings in lots of events and things to do. Add these to your calendar now. Details will all be posted under the Events tab on the website.

1. December 14 - AuthorYOU Salons from 8.30 to 11.30 (celebrate what’s happen and plan forward)

2. December 15 - Barnes & Noble Book Fair from 9 to 6 (if you buy anything in the store, it will donate to the Authors Hall of Fame). Colorado Blvd. location in Glendale.

3. December 19 -  Barnes & Noble Book Fair from 9 to 6 (if you buy anything in the store, it will donate to the Authors Hall of Fame). Sheridan Ave. location in Westminster.

4. December 21 - Holiday gathering from 12.30 p.m. to ???  Yes, I’m the cooking and bring your spouse/partner. New this year: in addition to our annual wacko gift exchange, please bring a NEW, unwrapped toy or BOOK for any age—baby through teen. AuthorYOU will support the Chris Alexander Annual Toy Drive for Denver’s Children's Hospital. Member MaryJo Wagner serves as our "ELF" representative and will arrange delivery.

5. January 4 – Author Saturday Program – creating kids books (even if you write adult nonfction)/

6. January 11 – AuthorYOU Salons from 8.30 to 11.30 (plan forward)


The DECEMBER AuthorYOU Salon will be held on Saturday, December 14th – join me at my home—we call it Casa Quatar! All start at 8.30 am —we’ve moved the time up by popular demand!

The AuthorYOU Salons
if you are in Colorado—come for coffee or tea … it’s on me. It’s a perfect way to start your Saturday for author savvy and know-how.

Details HERE.  
https://www.meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons/events/260321129/

 
Want Tips for Authoring and Publishing? Tomorrow on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, visualize 2020 for social media strategies.

 
 
JOIN the new AuthorYOU …

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 AuthorYOU today. https://mp.gg/e9d1o
And a heads up—hold the FIRST Saturday of each month for our live event meetings—

1
Author Tools – Discover Book Flipper

Most of your readers are visual. How about adding a visual tool to your book marketing where you can drop in an excerpt of your book to readers in a flip-book format? The pages of your book turn like they would in a real book. It’s not free—pricing is monthly, ranging from $10 for one book t0 $60 a month of more than five books. BookBuzzr had created a 14-day free trial.
Check it out at: https://bookbuzzr.com/book-marketing-tools/
Features include:

· Pages turn like in a real book.

· Include your bio and book description inside the preview.

· Add buy links, not just to Amazon but also to other online stores.

· Include social media profiles like GoodReads, Twitter and Facebook inside your preview. Analytics ready.


2    It’s time for the Annual AuthorYOU Holiday Party in 10 days!
Join your fellow authors for some 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 lunch. Of course, there will be plenty of wine and beer to go around.  

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 wild and fun.

Date: Saturday, December 21st from 12:30 to 4:00

Location: Judith and John’s Home: 8122 S Quatar Cir, Aurora, CO 80016, USA

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 … as long isn’t is not a clear reject from something past.

Unwrapped Donation: Please bring a new toy or book for the Chris Alexander Xmas toy drive for the Children’s Hospital. Member MaryJo Wagner will be the delivering Elf to the kiddos. Collection box will be on the front porch.

Cost: $20 per person or $30 per couple

Register NOW please: https://authoru.org/events.html

3
JANUARY 4, 2020 …
It’s about the Kids … Write and Publish a Children’s Book

Whether you are currently writing books for kids … or you hadn’t thought about it … January will kick off our Author Year of Possibilities. And why not start with books for kids? If you write for the adult reader, did you know that the book you have already written speaks to all ages when presented in another format?

What message is in your book that children need to hear?

· Fantasy can be changed to be appropriate for all ages.

· Villains and Heroes softened for younger audiences.

· The plot and theme can be used to share life lessons

Because words change the world, you have an opportunity to change the lives of children. Changing your audience is simply talking to short people without big words.

· The Giving Tree- teaches about selfishness and selflessness

· Historical novels- teach about history (which our kids are not getting)

· Oh, the Places You Will Go- Can your novel teach about challenges

Your characters are already developed. By changing them to animals, dragons, trolls, or children- the novel takes a different approach

· Trolls are grumpy

· Butterflies are freedom

· An older child is a good mentor for the younger one reading

Stories for the younger crowd are from one point of view

·  The cast of characters are fewer

· Much will be shown in action

· Shorter pieces of dialogue

Scenes you have written can be shortened and enhanced with illustrations. Children’s books have the same conflict, climax, and resolution that your novel has.

· The length of the conflict is sorter

· The black moment will be midway through

· The resolution is longer because you will explain more at the ending

Most people think that you are dumbing down the story to write for children, but you are going to crank it up a notch.

·  You must fit more content in fewer words.

·  Every word must work harder to get the meaning across.

· Be conscientious about word choice

Who should attend the January 4th program? Authors who are already writing for kids. Authors who have been thinking about writing for kids. Authors who didn’t think they could or just hadn’t thought about it beyond their current book.

Show up, have fun, and learn with the guidance of multi-bestselling, award-winning children’s and adult author, Lisa Reinicke.

When: Saturday, January 4, 2020

Where: Smokey Hill Library, 5430 S Biscay Circle, Centennial, CO  80015

Time: 9 am to Noon

Cost:  $25 for AuthorYOU members, $35 for NonMembers. Price increases $ 10 on December 31st.

Register: https://authoru.org/events.html

4 Recent Webinar Replays
Slaying the Amazon Marketing Ad Dragon December 5th Replay
Have you ever wondered ...?


Have you ever wondered ...?
·   How can I focus on writing and publishing instead of constantly promoting my books?

·   How can I get consistent sales of full priced books full-priced just short-term spikes during promotions?

·   How can my book stand out when there are SO many competing books on Amazon and it feels like pulling teeth to get sales?

·  How do I get reviews and build my audience FAST if I'm starting from scratch?

·  Where can I outsource the work I don't want to do?

Note: If you want 1,001 ways to market your book, this isn't for you.
If you want to 80/20 concepts, the 20% that leads to 80% of your results ... then you'll need to check out this free live training called Automatic Book Sales System we're doing Thursday, December 5th at NOON Mountain time.

Replay here:


November 7th Replay

Audiobooks are booming in popularity, and they're only growing.
With so many people craving audiobooks these days, if you're not providing them, you could be losing out on extra royalties every month.  

The cool thing is, unlike eBooks, it's not overly crowded so you stand a much better chance of having your books be seen and sold there.

I'm doing a free webinar training with Derek Doepker on how you can start profiting with audiobooks.


Creating Your Book Launch REPLAY of Tuesday, Nov 12

Oh boy … It’s happening… your book has arrived, and your readers want to know. It’s grand news … but what do you do to kick it off? To bring attention?
How do you shout it out? What?

-Should you create an "event"?
-Should you do a social media campaign?
-Should you have a party?
-Should you do press releases?
-Should you do ….?

REPLAY here:  https://vimeo.com/372844465


5
Hot podcasts slated for this month
You can always listen in via our websites: www.AuthorYOU.org  (click on the On the Air image on the Home page—wait for it to upload. Or www.TheBookShepherd.com (click on the Resources tab).

December 5Social Media Forward for 2020 – Aimee Ravichandran

December 12 Why Radio Shows Hate Authors … and How to Change That! – Wayne Kelly

December 19 Foreign Rights and Getting Noticed Outside the US – Judy Klein

December 26 Strategies to Make 2020 the Year of Your Vision – Judith Briles


6
Questions of the Week:


Question: How do I sell my book outside the US?

Answer: You are asking about foreign rights … and you should be. I’m aware that some authors decide to track down reps connected with other countries and do the pitching, negotiating and contracting. It’s something that I’ve avoided, choosing instead to seek agent representation. I suggest you do too. On December 19th, I will roll out a new podcast with foreign rights consultant Judy Klein of KleinWorks.com.

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. Love this: sweet video—dogs, shoulders and a song:

Get your copy today – Available in Print, eBook, Audiobook  http://bit.ly/1000000speech
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 …

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.


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  

Podcast expands to 7 networks … Follow us and learn … new shows every Thursday.

Here’s the master link for iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/author-u-your-guide-to-book/id493527713?mt=2&ign-Jampt=uo%3D4

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

The AuthorYOU – Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast is now heard on SEVEN 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 radio podcast with @MyBookShepherd via iTunes here:   http://bit.ly/PublishingPodcast


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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