Episodes

Calling all writers … discover the awesome resource that the Thesaurus Collection delivers. Created by Angela Ackerman and Becca Publis, you will learn about: - a database to get unstuck when writing emotions, -dealing with positive and negative traits, -how to describe character motivations … -even tips on describing and using weather and settings that you’ve never thought of. AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing host Judith Briles--The Book Shepherd--loves to discover new resources—you will t...

One of the hottest social media formats for authors and book selling is Instagram. -What is it? -How do you use it? -What tips can authors use to position their expertise and books in this fast moving image rich platform. You will get the how-tos in setting up, posting, using hashtags, and adding images in with AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing host Judith Briles.

I’ve been using slides for decades in my presentations. What I learned in less than 60 minutes on this edition of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing will change how I create future PowerPoint presentations for when I speak or do webinars … and it will start me on the path to create slide makeovers for all I have—and there are a lot. On this podcast, PowerPoint magician Dr. Jaclyn Kostner joins me and reveals an array of tips and tricks to take your slides into the next century—it’s bye-bye bo...

Authors know that social media is a must for book influence and book marketing. —how do you control it; -how do you know which platforms to use; -how do you decide; -how often do you post; -what new tools should be used for book marketing and launching; and plenty more. Get ready for a mini course in just 57 minutes that will revamp and goose what you are doing to position yourself and your books on social media with Host of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing Judith Briles and her guest, Kare...

Taxes are rarely fun … and this week’s show is one of those “essentials” that all authors need to listen to. With Podcast Host Judith Briles is Abby Eisenkraft, a federally licensed Enrolled Agent (EA) and Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA) … YOu will get: - home office deductions—what you can’t and what you can; -how to deal with receipts (make copies of all thermal receipts); -how to deduct your cell phone (and most will get it disallowed if the cell phone that is used for business is bundled with o...

Book launches that are based on the “traditional” publishing methods don’t work for self and indie authors—gather new strategies for the new author along with a variety of ideas on repurposing old content. The savvy author needs to think creatively about how to use his or her strengths to reach the ideal reader. AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing host Judith Briles has Book coach and editor Anne Janzer back to brainstorm the keys to author success. As an author, think about your skills: writi...

Amazon has made massive changes over the summer months leaving authors and publishers in confusion and at times, chaos. Today's show with book expert Amy Collins an publishing expert and host Judith Briles is designed to make sense our of the chaos. Your take-aways include How to use: - Amazon Marketing Services, - What to do about Create Space - How to use Amazon's KDP - the Early Book Review program - When to use Amazon's Unlimited program - ebooks in bulk strategy - get the "buy button" on Am...

Calling all authors who has a story in their book—fiction and nonfiction. Can it be on the screen as in film or TV? If that's a YES, It’s time for you to discover StoryRocket.com. An awesome new platform that brings producers to you. Best, it’s free to be a member. With host Judith Briles on this edition of AuthorU-Your Guide to book Publishing is Ana Benitez, CEO and a producer herself. She is a two-time Emmy winner and a passionate advocate for helping authors take their Books to Screen. Story...

Hey authors: tune into how to position themselves as the speaker for any event. -Are there tips and tricks in getting marketed as a speaker? -How about getting the attention of meeting planners and decision makers? -Do you have to be a perfect speaker? -Is there an ideal time for an author to start seeking speaking gigs? Answers to all those questions and more on this edition of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with host Judith Briles The Book Shepherd and her guest, Tonya Hofma...

In this podcast of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing, host Judith Briles brings back Kimberley Grabas to explore: -ways to roll out a book; -to create a rolling book launch; -how to find the sweet spot in building relations with readers and buyers; -how to uncover and deal with the 5 major roadblocks that authors encounter; -and how to deal with the author resistance mindset. All this and much more—join in:

Discover what successful authors know about getting publicity for their books … and you may not. Joining host and The Book Shepherd Judith Briles on this edition of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing is ace author and book publicist Sandy Lawrence. -Great discussion on book clubs—finding them and working with them; -which social media platforms are better for you book and which ones not to waste your time on; and -making sure you always using the #1 thing that will enhance and increase your v...

Discover what Martha Stewart, George Will and other NY Times best sellers have in common: it’s Karen Strauss, who reveals the NY publishing push out that’s done for “the front list authors” to independent and small press authors in this edition of the Author U-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with host Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd. Take-aways include: -Today's options for publishing today; -the pros and cons of hybrid publishing; -strategies that NY publishing houses use for author prom...

OMG... Kick in the Butt podcast for all writers on this edition of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing with Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd and master fiction editor Barb Wilson. —Did you know that there are over 10,000 grammar and English rules?—it’s why the Chicago Manual is super thick! -Do the best you can do—definitely get a solid editor at your side. -Make sure you keep verb tense and which person (first or third) consistent throughout. -Info dumping—telling vs showing—overuse of adverb...

The savvy author knows that pitching is essential to their success. Knowing what to say; when to say it; and how to to say it enables authors to position themselves as author experts. Get the magic that comes from the Perfect Pitch. This week's show has a leader in the publicity field, the Publicity Hound Joan Stewart is back with fast ideas on how to move your book to the next level when it comes to PR. If you want to compete in the "book industry" ... knowing tricks to grab producers, reporter...

Do numbers really tell all? The answer is NO, when it comes to where sales are coming from for books, eBooks and audiobooks. The truth is that what is reported by the APA—American Publishers Assn reflect the numbers of are not presenting “the big picture”. What’s that? It must include what is happening in the independent and self-publishing selling stream. AND, that number is impressive—if fact HUGE. The Self and Indie publishing markets are growing and substantial. And one, that you should be d...

One of the best ways to sell books is to speak. The question becomes: who pays speakers. And how do authors find them? With Judith Briles for this podcast is Ed Rigsbee, an expert in getting booked to speak for both associations and societies. You will discover: -how to find the true decision maker who hires speakers -how to get paid to speak -how to find paid speaking gigs -when to speak for free -how to get paid to speak for associations Another "how to" podcast with Judith Briles, The Book Sh...

Publicity veteran Irwin Zucker joins host Judith Briles on this edition of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. With over 60 years in promoting authors, Irwin offers imagination and insight to what’s happening in today’s PR world. His sage advice: it’s going to be up to the author—he or she is the primary conduit to selling the book. Did you know that email is the preferred way to contact the media? It is. One of the excellent tips veteran Irwin Zucker shared was that authors should im...

Did you know that an essential ingredient for writing and publishing success is "patience"? Yep, that's what publishing expert Jane Friedman, the author of The Business of Writing reveals on this edition of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing. She joins host and The Book Shepherd Judith Briles and reveals: -the top three mistakes writers and authors make -what the two key publishing personalities are -what's going on in publishing today -what value literary agents deliver -what's happening in ...

-Most authors would love to increase their efficiency in the writing process. -Most authors want to sell lots of books. -Most authors want to know how to get through the publishing maze. Get the latest on what speedy publishing can do; what potholes to avoid; and a variety of tips and how-tos that can excel writing and publishing tasks. Dan Janal is the featured guest on AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing with host Judith Briles. His book, Write Your Book in a Flash delivers a fast hour of sa...

Internet Marketing powerhouse Tom Antion joins The Book Shepherd Judith Briles for an indepth show on how to create a seven-figure internet marketing strategy. It all comes from one word: copywriting. When authors use the right words in the right context, is a homerun for creating mega sales. No author can afford to miss this how. You will get a variety of tips, tricks and strategies to create a career and soar the one that you are in. An excellent show on AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing w...

Do you know what LinkedIN can do to PUSH your book sales? Mike O’Neil of Integrated Alliances joins Judith Briles The Book Shepherd for the hour, deep-diving into how to use the Sales Navigator tool can micro-target your audience and deliver results. Your take-aways include: -advancing you as a "thought leader" -pitching directly to who really wants to know about your book or products -how to position your book as a corporate give away or gift Another thought provoking and action / to do podcast...

Writing clearly calls on different sets of mental processes – those involving creative, nonlinear thought, and those involving willpower, structure, discipline, etc. They have to collaborate like players on a team – when they’re out of whack one way or another, either the creativity suffers or the productivity suffers. It’s a pain in the tush at times. Then there’s the first process of “self-editing”—which is essential. During self-editing, all of our worst attributes come out: impatience, self-...

The #1 mistake #authors make when it comes to finishing their #books and moving to print is that they don’t use a book designer-someone who does book design for living. In this AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, host and The Book Shepherd Judith Briles delves into all things book printing with expert Meg Souza of Total Printing Systems (www.TPS1.com). -Did you know that you can sprinkle color throughout your book without spending much? It’s a great way to make chapter openers pop. -H...

How would you like the LONG view on SHORT talks? In this edition of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing, Sam Horn joins host Judith Briles for a lively "how to" on create a TED like talk. The result: You will rock! If you are planning a 10-20 talk, you will love this podcast. - Condense your premise into an attention-grabbing sentence and tagline. -give your big idea a sense of urgency so people are motivated to act on it. -What you should start with in every speech. -Avoid INFObesity--even on...