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Book Marketing and Publishing Tips for Authors–

eZine Issue #120 – April 22, 2020
Publisher: Judith Briles

Practical Publishing Advice and Guidance for Authors

In This Issue

           
1. Author Tools …  Discover this cool Face Mask for Authors

2. AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Global eBook Awards

3. May Program … –Audiobooks 2020
4. Webinars …  Discover Your Demand April 23 and Replay of Goldmine of Author Nuggets

5. Write a Nonfiction Book in 4 Weeks – May Online

6. Speaking Unplugged … sell oodles of books moxie via the cash Cow 2-   Step and get the super-duper Bonus  in May

7. Hot podcasts for APRIL … Add to your calendar and listen/learn

8. Question of the Week … When do I use hashtags?

       9. Book Shepherd "Fun" of the Week …  where did it go?


This Week Under The Book Shepherd’s Roof

Hello and Good Publishing Day to YOU …

Finally, we had a delightful afternoon on our upper outside deck. I set it up so seating areas were 10 feet apart. Did a "Yoo-hoo" to neighbors Bev and Dan. They showed up Sunday afternoon with their snacks and beverage – we had ours and it was just nice to connect in true face-to-face for a few hours. No hugs, no elbowing, no fist bumps. Just smiles and chatter. Nice.

Saturday, it was another puzzle day while we binged on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Done … and I’ve decided the puzzle table is being put away. It’s become too much of a distraction.

The outside is luring me in and I’m going to hit the garden this weekend. Possible project on my summer list—tube skylights in the second bathroom, my closet, and the kitchen. It makes me smile when I think of the possibilities of having light in and lights off.

And, when I woke up at 4 am Monday, my thoughts were filled with my own needs. I’m not getting done what I need to get done with my own writing and written/implementation of strategies that I usually just roll off the top of my head. What’s up here? Then I shifted to all the authors I am interacting with from early AM to evening. But not always on the writing side. Nor the get out and market side ideas and how-tos. It is lots of "hi"… Here’s what I’m observing … and experiencing: it was about what I’m seeing as the "needy" side of so many out there. I’m spending far more time virtually holding hands, offering encouragement, just listening than I can remember. Most authors work solo … yet they are lonely. Really lonely. Or, maybe bored with the "stay at home" orders. Yet it is here, and it is what it is.

It goes back to the HUGE value I put on face-to-face meetings. The power of spontaneous ideas that in-person chemistry can create. The drop-in of ideas that just don’t bubble up when there aren’t others in the physical midst. People want to connect. We need to connect. But, it’s still a very cautious "wait … don’t rush it."

So, I am still on virtual handholds … but the time I do it will be cut way back. No longer one hour chats—15 minutes max … and back to work. What say you? Are spending more time creating nothingness this past month … wondering where the day has gone?

Noodling as we all are in during the "lockdown" … I will continue VAHH through April—Virtual Author Happy Hour. We can share what’s up. Support each other during this time. Togetherness. Who knows? It’s ZoomTail time!

I am happy to host a gathering where we can share resources and support for each other at this time. The details to join are below.

ZoomTails … Virtual Author Happy Hour


Join me for my How to Write a Book in 4 Weeks MAY sessions. The dates are four consecutive Wednesdays: 6, 13, 20, and 27 starting at 3 pm Mountain time. These will be delivered virtually. Signup up to participate on the Events tab on my website: www.TheBookShepherd.com.  Classes are limited to 10 participants. If you want to write a short nonfiction book, this is your window to do it. There are 5 slots available as of today.

Speaking Unplugged dates are now in MAY (until further notice). Details HERE: http://bit.ly/Unplugged-Speaking. Treat yourself ... Come … it’s fun and lots of take-aways. Savvy attendees have learned that it’s smart to stay on site at the hotel. The site is the Embassy Suites DTC North. The NEW DATE is May 29-30. We will be doing Speaker Photos on the 29th with the awesome Ashlee Bratton. We usually gather for a let our hair down dinner and bonus time together Friday night. Alumni participants of previous Unpluggeds always get a deep discount. JOIN me – all my fingers and toes are crossed that the shutdowns will become open doors for events. It will be WONDERFUL to be around people in person. Early bird for this ends at the end of April. This will be a GO if the "lock-in" eases. We will know soon.

Have you ever explored the network website where I store all my podcasts? Over 100,000 authors download episodes every month! Here’s a new link to the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast SHOW page. Last week I focused on YOU … as in—are you eating the right foods to enhance your creativity? Are you eating the right stuff? Discover the wisdom of Jerry Jenkins on writing success. Loved his take to "plan" a procrastination time slot each week. You can select which podcast is for you from over 300 shows … the latest will always be posted on top: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast

Stay well and take care of yourself.


Add these to your calendar now. Details will all be posted under the Events tab on the website.






1. April 1, 8, 15, 22 – How to Write a NF Book in 4 Weeks

2. April  17, 24, 31 – VAHH – Virtual Author Happy Hour

3. April 23 – Webinar – Discover Your Influence and Findability for Marketing

4. May 2 – Author YOU program – Audiobooks 2020

5. May 6, 13, 20, 27 – How to Write a NF Book in 4 Weeks

6. May 9 – AuthorYOU Salons-free for AuthorYOU members only

7. May 12- Webinar: The Life of the Author - Business, Organization, and Creativity Juice

8. May 29-30 – Speaking Unplugged – confirmation of "go-no go" will be made at the end of the month.


AuthorYOU members … the April second Saturday AuthorYOU Salons of the year is slated for May 9th WILL BE VIRTUAL. It starts at 8.30 a.m., ending at 11.30 a.m.

It’s on Zoom—Here’s the link (copy and paste in your browser)—accept the audio on computer and when in, in the lower left of the dashboard at the bottom CLICK on the camera so that you are not blocked. A separate email has been sent to all AuthorYOU members with the link—just do a copy/paste and you will be on Zoom. BRING YOUR QUESTIONS

 
Want Tips for Authoring and Publishing? Tomorrow on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, Linda Radke joins me from Story Monsters … kids’ books features and awards.

 
JOIN the new AuthorYOU …

Renewals were in January for AuthorYOU … if you didn’t, it’s an oh-oh. You have been blocked from the updated benefits and discount codes.

Stay involved—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 or RENEW AuthorYOU today. Benefits galore.   
JOIN AuthorYOU today. https://mp.gg/e9d1o
And a heads up—hold the FIRST Saturday of each month for our live event meetings—

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Discover this Cool Face Mask
Thanks to a co-author of the Enigma series, Rox Burkey for this idea. I ordered mine! Stay safe, stay connected, keep reading!  Check out this #MasksNow on sale at this link https://teechip.com/authors-promotional-face-mask?fbclid=IwAR3YzWEBro_3HaNprOtc4tY82en387osa7seoCiByheAXDCo1N8vKsXBl8o 
 
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AuthorYOU VIP Member Benefit … Meet Global eBook Awards
Global eBook Awards
Created by Dan Poynter, Global eBook Awards announces that it is now taking submissions for award consideration. The Global eBook Awards are designed to help you achieve these goals. More than a "sticker," these awards come with a built-in publicity machine. Entries are accepted from both authors and publishers. All entrants in the Global Ebook Awards should have their eBooks in the Smashwords’ system for this contest. If your book is not at Smashwords, email a PDF, epub, or Kindle file with your application. after you have completed your entry.

Founded by self-publishing pioneer Dan Poynter, there is no annual Dan Poynter Legacy Award in addition. I was honored with the first Nonfiction one last year and cherish it. Use our discount promo code: 32%OFF  Global eBook Awards submission guidelines here

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Are you ready to discover The Audiobook Wizard’s Guide to Audiobook Creation – 2020 Version? May 2 ---
We aren’t sure if this is a remote or in person yet.

Things have changed rapidly in the world of audiobooks since Richard Rieman’s award-winning book, The Author’s Guide to Audiobook Creation, (part of Judith Briles’ AuthorYOU Mini-Guide Series), debuted in 2016.

· For the first time last year, half of all Americans over the age of 12 have listened to an audiobook

·  There are new major competitors to Amazon’s Audible in the audiobook creation world

· Nonfiction books (History, Biographies, Memoirs) are overtaking many other genres among audiobook listeners

The Audiobook Wizard, Richard Rieman will share:

· How to Avoid Audiobook Publishing Predators

· When Narrating Your Own Book is the Best Option

· How You Can Cover the Cost of Audiobook Production through Crowdfunding

· How to Use Audible’s new promotional codes to get reviews and boost sales

…and much more.

Details popping next week for registration …

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Webinar—Author Influence and Marketing: Discover Your EXISTING Demand
Thousands of people search the Internet every day for what you sell.
Are you connecting with them?
We’ve discovered that 95% of Authors aren’t!

Your takeaways include:
• How to get in front of the existing demand for your goods, services or book.
• Discover the keywords that people search on when they look for your book.
• Spy on Your Amazon Competition
• What you need to do to increase your website visitors, leads and book sales.
• Tips on Using Amazon Marketing Services (AMS)


When: Thursday, April 23 at 10 PT, 11 MT, Noon CT, 1 ET

Presenter Dave Westfall is an internet marketing expert and consultant. He has helped hundreds of small businesses (author publishing would fall in this category) grow by providing solid advice and proven solutions that work.




REPLAY Webinar - It’s an Author How to Goldmine
Virtual Gathering

If you want Author Success,  How-to and Tools … including enhancing your productivity, this webinar is for you. Many wrote me post—this was one of the best … it’s a NO PITCH to buy anything—just information.

If you want Author and Book Marketing Success,  How-to and Tools … including enhancing your productivity, join me this Saturday, April 4 in the morning. Audiobooks 2020 will be rescheduled for the May program.

-connect with tools to push you forward for writing and marketing
-rediscover your writing mojo
-Marketing tips for going forward
-And of course, more …

Listen and Watch here:  here is the link for the replay https://vimeo.com/404571098

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Write a Nonfiction Book in
4 Weeks – May Online


Register for Create Your SHORT NF Book on MAY ONLINE

May 6, 13, 20, 27

LIVE: 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Maximum Attendance: 10 aspiring authors!
ONLY 5 Spots left

WOW! how would you like to outline, structure, plan and create your NonFiction book within one month … in four short weeks? Your guide is Dr. Judith Briles, the author of 34 books. Transitioning from the typical how-to, business book ranging from 300 to 400 pages, she has mastered the creation of the less than 100-page book (that means 10,000 to 20,000 words) … the book that is in demand by book buyers today.

For NonFiction authors (and authors-to-be) … the new theme for books is that short is the new black … the business reader wants shorter books—books that can be read on a short plane ride, within two hours.

Questions to ask yourself include:

· Could your book be a series?

· What are the must-have elements?

· Did you include any "filler" material in an already published book?

· Is there anything within a current book that is more ego-driven than essential content?

· What parts are vital to your topic, work and vision?

· Are you able to let go and dump (or save for the next book)?

"Yikes," you are thinking. "This is an impossible task!" "Not so," says Judith, "it’s actually fun and eye-opening. Is it work? Yes. Does it pay off? Yes again."

REGISTER: 
https://thebookshepherd.com/calendar

 
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Want to Sell Oodles of Books? New date!
Join me in Colorado for my 4th Speaking Unplugged slated for May 29-30th – it’s all about creating the Cash Cow 2-Step!
Would you like to turn the book you have or are creating into a money machine that cements your expertise and authoring success?

Would you like to know how powerful you, your book and experiences are and how they can influence and change others one word at a time?

Would you like to turn your book, your ideas, your mouth into a business that creates a lifestyle woven with travel, fun, global friends and financial success?


If that’s a YES, get yourself to Denver and show up for the 4th annual Speaking Unplugged bootcamp next month. You can with the smart and savvy strategies, you will reveal in this interactive and fun intensive workshop. With over 35 years of speaking on the platform, Dr. Judith Briles will show you how to become a successful professional speaker … a speaker that will soar your book sales. Since the 80s, speaking has been her #1 way to sell books … over 1,000,000 of them!

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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).

March 26 Wellness Tips for Authors - Connie Pshigoda

April 2 – Great Geek Tools for 2020 Kelly Johnson

April 9  Writing Tips and Creating a Series Jerry Jenkins

April 16 Children’s Book Reviews & Book Awards Linda Radke

April 23 How to Use Card Decks to Push Book Sales Rosita Battista

April 30Awesome ways to get a podcast out – Danielle Hampson


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Questions of the Week:


Question: I’m confused over hashtags. When do I use them?

Answer: On ALL your social media posts. Use at least two of them that will open the opportunity for you and your book to be discovered by those interested in your expertise or topic. For me, the main hashtags I use will be #authors #books #publishing #amwriting #bookmarketing #pr #hope. Identify yours. Make it a habit to include in your written posts.


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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: Senior Cat Loves These Little Girls More Than Anything - BAILEY | The Dodo




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.

GO to the SHOW page and select which podcast is for you… the latest will always be posted on top: http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast


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 SEVEN podcast channels. How cool is that? Listeners can tune into the weekly (always new – no repeats) show on:

iTunes - Player FM - Stitcher - MixCoud - Bluburry - iHeart Radio - Toginet Internet Radio

Get the latest #AuthorU-Your Guide to #Book #Publishing #podcast with @MyBookShepherd via iTunes here:   http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast

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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