Episodes

Besides crappy editing, the cover design of a book could easily be the kiss of death--don't pick this one up! The interiors can sing and carry an awesome theme and design throughout the read. Does yours? In this edition of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing, The Book Shepherd and Host Judith Briles are delighted to have multi-award winning book designer Rebecca Finkle in front of the mic. Your takeaways include: -Why the first 3-7 seconds of any cover are the deal breaker. -What words you nee...

Mark Coker

The Author’s Journey has highs and lows along with twists and turns. Joining the Book Shepherd and Host Judith Briles in this edtion of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing is multi-award winning author Lisa Rienicke who reveals the mistakes and successes she’s encountered. Within discover the 6 essential steps that have led to her author success. It's the Author's Journey. Lisa's evolution from doing her first book herself to the use of a “core” of pros to take her and her books to the next, n...

AHA for all authors: do you want to sell at least 200 books over the next two weeks? And, do you know the #1 way to sell books? John Kremer joins host and The Book Shepherd Judith Briles for a lively how to in creating massive books sales in a short period of time. Join in if you want book selling success. You can and you will—this podcast has got tips from John Kremer to kickstart your success and outsell what the average self-publishing author does in a lifetime in just a few weeks. Loved the ...

Oh-oh—there’s a new stealth publishing predator lurking. Get the essential steps for authors on how to identify publishing predators that could be rising in the midst and how to search for and do if they surface. Host and The Book Shepherd Judith Briles has steps to take, starting now: -If you have been snared, key steps to immediately take to do a financial rescue- -Listen to the latest update on publishing predators. -Learn how to find them on the internet. -and much more. If you are publishin...

A critical component of dealing with the book overwhelm is creating a spending plan—both for time and money—for book marketing and social media engagement. As an author: -learning about what moves books; -what trigger points allow an author to soar above “like” books; -what the sweet spot of book marketing is leads to success. Another excellent and insight AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast for author and book success with host and The Book Shepherd Judith Briles and Amy Collins.

Do you know what the Fan Base Formula for Authors is? How about how to land a spot on the USA TODAY Bestseller list? Do you know the steps to expand your categories from two to ten on Amazon? You will and so much more on this podcast on AuthorU- Your Guide to Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd and her guest, Adam Hoague.

It’s a huge yahoo for authors in this edition of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. Host The Book Shepherd Judith Briles and Publicity Hound Joan Stewart dive into 11 amazing ways to gather up promo and create marketing for you and your book. -Did you know that there are over 3,000 #book bloggers? -Do you want your book in front of them? -How about getting 10 ways to use a press release that you never thought about? And lots more. You will get terrific tips for authors for brandi...

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...