Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Time is Running Out to Register for Book Awards

 WOWSA … several annual Book Awards have deadlines NOW …
Why should you bother … let me count the ways. Book Awards get the attention of readers, librarians, book stores … and yes, the media. Post it on your website, your social media connections—with a link to where it can be bought. It’s shout-out time.
And, when you get one, you should create a press release and let the world – or at least your local area know about you and your book. After all … you are a star!
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  1. Which book awards do authors enter?
  2. Do they matter?
  3. Should you care?
Let’s start with the second question first.  Do they matter? The answer: sometimes. Depending upon the tenacity of the author/publisher in getting the word out about the book and the award, you could be wasting your money. Awards can be used to market your book, but it doesn’t happen by itself. You will be the primary promoter. Always.
Some of the more established awards—Parents Choice, Moonbeam, USA Book News, Global eBook Awards, ForeWord’s IndieFab, Ben Franklin, IPPY, Indie Excellence and the Center for the Book (put your state name in front on Center for the Book to find contact)—send out professional press releases. Lots of them. Some actively promote the winners on their websites and events. When I won the Colorado Center for the Book in the non-fiction category, the Tattered Cover Bookstore attended with a display of all the winners and sold books—lots of them … and continued to promote them actively throughout the year. However, other awards just take your money and only notify you if you are a finalist or winner. Little else is done.

Note: USA Book News, ForeWord’s Indiefab, Indie Excellence, IPPY, Moonbeam, Global eBook, Parents Choice and the Center for the Book do not require membership to enter their competitions. That’s where AuthorU believes the line should be drawn—awards can be big money for the promoter. With that money, there should be some media promotion for the winners and there should be a specific website that cares all the winners’ names and their books.

Back to the first question. If you are active in a publishing or authoring organization, consider entering. But if you have to pay a fee to be a member and then another one to enter the competition, take a pass. Your marketing (and these are marketing) dollars are best spent elsewhere.
The Book Awards business is a revenue business . . . for the promoter. Before you put your moneys out, make sure you do your homework. Why are you entering? If you win, what will you do to promote your status? Does the group support its winners with media coverage? Last but not least, Google the group—are there any complaints, problems or accusations of scams? If so, find another group. Make your time, your book, and your dollars work for you.
Is a book award in your midst? You will only know if you enter.

Can book awards make a difference? Yes, if they are the right ones—
That deals with the second and third questions. Below are a few recommended by AuthorU and The Book Shepherd that receive ongoing national attention and are worth investing some of your marketing/promotional dollars for submissions. Some give stickers; some give cash prizes; all do national media releases/promotion with winners and finalists and have national recognition. None require that you become a “member.” Deadlines and entry fees for submissions are varied. Submissions and guidelines will give you the details on each site included—deadlines could mean books need to be in hand or merely postmarked. Read their rules–their are HOT links in both the name of the award and “here” that will take you to Submissions and Guidelines for eachSOME HAVE PENDING DEADLINES
Note: Not all Awards are a fit for your book or category. Good luck!


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Enter by December 12, 2015 to pay just $85 per category!

The “IPPY” Awards were conceived as a broad-based, unaffiliated awards program open to all members of the independent publishing industry and are open to authors and publishers worldwide who produce books written in English and intended for the North American market. “Independent” is defined as 1) independently owned and operated; 2) operated by a foundation or university; or 3) long-time independents that became incorporated but operate autonomously and publish fewer than 50 titles a year.
Independent Publisher Book Awards submission guidelines here

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Foreword Book of the Year and IndieFab Awards

Every year, ForeWord looks back to the best books of the previous year. The ForeWord Book of the Year competition provides publishers with a valuable opportunity to breathe new life into the promotion of a distinguished title. These fiercely contested awards are viewed by librarians and booksellers as an important statement about a title they might have overlooked. For fourteen years, savvy publishers have used the gold, silver, and bronze awards as additional marketing material as their titles drift toward the backlist.   Foreword magazine is dedicated to the independent author and publisher.
Foreword Indiebab and Book of the Year Awards. Entry fee is $99. Submission guidelines here

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USA Book News Awards and International Book Awards

Open to all books, e-books, and audio books with an ISBN and published in 2014 (galley copies welcome). 2014 through 2016 titles are eligible.You must have an ISBN and galley copies can be submitted. It covers books from all sections of the publishing industry with over 100 categories—mainstream, independent, and self-published. Winners will be promoted to the entertainment industry. USA Book News Awards Guidelines herehttp://www.internationalbookawards.com/2016callforentries.html 

Final entries by December 15, 2015

Named in honor of America’s most cherished publisher/printer, the Benjamin Franklin Awards™ recognizes excellence in independent publishing—sponsored by IBPA—Independent Book Publishers Association (AuthorU is an Member Affiliate of IBPA). Publications, grouped by genre, are judged on editorial and design merit by top practitioners in each field.
Awards to the best books in several categories and are presented to the publishers during a gala awards ceremony on the last evening of the Publishing University (just before the opening of Book Expo America).
All entrants receive critique sheets with advice on how to improve their publications, as well as words of appreciation for the good work produced. Note–only submit for copyright year of 2015.
Ben Franklin Book Awards submission guidelines here

NIEA celebrates overall excellence for seven years, including design and promotional text, so that discerning readers know an NIEA winner or finalist is something special. What’s more, award announcements receive extensive media coverage you can leverage to your sales advantage. The Indie Excellence Awards cover multiple years, extending back to 2013 through 2016. Entry is $75 per category. National Indie Excellence Awards submission guidelines here

Untitled 5 The Beverly Hills Book Awards

BHBA is a unique contest that celebrates excellence in presentation. All aspects of the book are considered: the cover and interior design, promotional text, aesthetic components, and other factors that demonstrate outstanding presentation. Accepts fiction and non-fiction books in a wide range of topics and categories, including mystery, romance, business, self-help, memoirs, inspirational, and many others. This is the place to be. Authors with books that could be Hollywood “attention getters,” this could be Print books only from all publishers and authors in English language format available for sale from 2013 through 2016. Winners are announced in March.
Beverly Hills Book Awards guidelines here

Recognizes Books and Audio Books that promote spiritual growth, conscious living, and positive social change, while at the same time stimulating the “imagination” and offering the reader “new possibilities” for a better life and a better world.
They look for distinguished literary and heartfelt contributions to spiritual growth, conscious living, high-level wellness, green values, responsible leadership, and positive social change, as well as to the worlds of art, creativity, and inspirational reading for children, teens, and young adults.
Nautilus Book Awards submission guidelines here


Untitled 10Next Generation Indie Book Awards

A not-for-profit book awards program for indie authors and independent publishers. In its fifth year of operation, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards was established to recognize and honor the most exceptional independently published books in 60 different categories for the year, and is presented by Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group.
Next Generation Book Awards submission guidelines here



Designed to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading, the awards are given in 38 categories covering the full range of subjects, styles, and age groups that children’s books are written and published in today.
The contest is designed to honor the year’s best children’s books, authors, and illustrators. Open to authors, illustrators, and publishers of children’s books written in English or Spanish and intended for the North American market. Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards submission guidelines here



The nation’s oldest nonprofit program was created to recognize quality children’s media. The Parents’ Choice Awards program honors the best material for children: books, toys, music and storytelling, magazines, software, videogames, television, and websites. Parents’ Choice Foundation’s panels of educators, scientists, performing artists, librarians, parents, and, yes, kids themselves, identify the very best products for children of different ages and backgrounds and of varied skill and interest levels. Parents’ Choice Awards submission guidelines here



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. To be eligible, eBooks must be released on or before March 11, 2013. All entrants in the Global Ebook Awards must have their eBooks in the Smashwords’ system for this contest. If your book is not at Smashwords, email a PDF, epub, or Kindle file to Becky@ParaPublishing.com after you have completed your entry. Global eBook Awards submission guidelines here


 Untitled-9Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

Whether you’re a professional writer, a part-time freelancer or a self-starting student, here’s your chance to enter the premier self-published competition exclusively for self-published books. Writer’s Digest hosts the 24th annual self-published competition–the Annual Self-Published Book Awards. This self-published competition, co-sponsored by Book Marketing Works, LLC spotlights today’s self-published works and honors self-published authors. Deadline is April 1, 2016. Info and submission guidelines here: http://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/self-published-book-awards

Untitled 9Colorado Book Awards

This annual program celebrates the accomplishments of Colorado’s outstanding authors, editors, illustrators, and photographers. Awards are presented in at least ten categories, including anthology/collection, biography, children’s, creative nonfiction, fiction, history, nonfiction, pictorial, poetry, and young adult. To be eligible for a Colorado Book Award, a primary contributor to the book must be a Colorado writer, editor, illustrator, or photographer. It doesn’t matter if the book was published by a New Mexico or New York
Entries in the annual Colorado Book Awards must have a copyright date of the previous year. Books published and available in late FALL that have a delayed copyright date are also acceptable–check the guidelines in YOUR STATE.
For Colorado, the submission guidelines and dates are here

NOTE:  this is Colorado’s program—your state may have a duplicate  program. In 1984, the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress began to establish affiliate centers in the 50 states. Today, there is a State Center for the Book in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These Center for the Book affiliates carry out the national Center’s mission in their local areas; sponsor programs that highlight their area’s literary heritage; and call attention to the importance of books, reading, literacy, and libraries. Many of them have state awards. Google “Center of the Book” for your state and/or go to http://read.gov/cfb/index.html for more information.


 Of course, this list is not “complete” … but it’s a start.  Good luck.




Ashography Event Photography
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 34 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #34 was published this summer: The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors & Writers. Get your copy.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2015, the dates are August 27-29th.  Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.

header-logo1.pngAuthor U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
 If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching ... call in to Judith's Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 ... have your questions ready--there's a full hour to ask and listen

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

The Author’s Tweak

Authors should always have the final say; the final pass through; the final anything on their books. The question though is: what is the final-final? When is that final tweak really the final-final … or is it just another “tweak” in the author letting go? This “tweak” is the direct opposite of the RTP syndrome—the rush to publish wiz who pushes through without giving any thought for one more read, another set of eyes to check the book over.

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Yep … letting go is hard to do.

Authors get tired. So do their consultants, advisors and designers. Yet there is “something” that keeps pulling everybody back for one more look; one more fine-tuning. It’s a good thing .. but it also can become not-so good. Sometimes the self-doubting gremlins surface: is the book good enough; did I really explain myself; do my characters make sense; will the reader like (or hate) them; is the storyline trite; are the colors right on the cover; what if no one buys it; what if … what if … what if.
Self-doubt is a book and author killer. What seemed like a good—no great idea— starts to lose its sizzle. The fizzle surfaces. The last twirl, the final phase is exhausting. It’s when all the possible reasons why it could lose its—the author’s and book’s—steam boils over.

STOP 
And ask: why did you start writing? Was it because you had a story that was gripping, gritty, entertaining, funny, thrilling … what? Was it because you had an idea, concept, solution to the relief of a “pain” that others could use … that they need? If yes, get it out there. What form you choose to take—be it pint, “e” or audio is up to you. Whether you print lots of copies or start with a POD format will be a personal, and usually financial choice. How you plan on marketing it brings in another choice of options.

The Truthiness
We authors are always fine-tuning. It’s the truthiness in us. What we must do is “let go” … to decide that there is merit in what we have created … that changes can be done in the next version; the next book. Otherwise … it’s going to evolve to the Author Procrastination Dance that starts: one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready … three to get ready … three to get ready and GO never happens.
Is that what you want?  I didn’t think so.
The Author’s Tweak … of course you should do it … but there is a limit. Of and for time. Of and for energy. Of and for support. 


Ashography Event Photography
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 34 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #34 was published this summer: The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors & Writers. Get your copy.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2015, the dates are August 27-29th.  Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.
header-logo1.pngAuthor U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
 If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching ... call in to Judith's Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 ... have your questions ready--there's a full hour to ask and listen.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Book Truthiness Time Does Your Book Cover Soar … or Does It Suck?

Why authors think that they DIY cover will be “the one” has always amused 
me.

 In the old days, when an author would proudly reveal his or her newly birthed book … I would verbally support them and encourage. The conversation I would be having in my head may have had a totally different dialogue.
Today, I no longer keep my thoughts within if I’m asked for my opinion. The author gets it—sometimes glowing; sometimes with a: What were you thinking? … This cover is a disaster.
Yikes, it’s out of my mouth. The author may be hurt, pissed, curious or befuddled. Or not care. If I’m asked, I will respond—it’s what the blunt to the point of me does.

Book Truthiness Time 
Too many book covers suck. They have fallen down and can’t get up.
How do you keep yours … and possibly your book from spiraling down the drain?
Start by looking at covers that you have been presented as options. Is it a plain Jane? Is it vibrating with the title? If there is an image, is it a grabber?  If there is a back cover sample … is it appealing? Does it have a header? How about visual breaks from text? Is it readable? Does it use keys words and phrases that connect title/them with the reader?

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Get yourself to the nearest large book store. You are on a scouting mission. Look at all the new titles. What are the fonts and sizes—what grabs your attention? What about colors? Use of images? What covers are vibrating –speak to you—look at both fiction and nonfiction covers.
Book Truthiness Time
Shrink your cover samples before finalizing.
Millions of books are sold online—your cover needs to pop when viewed small. 

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The wise author-to-be immediately reduces the size of the cover to a minimum of 25 percent of original size. Have your designer send you a jpg and start reducing its size. You will be competing with plenty of titles in your category—does yours shine? Or, does it become invisible in the sea of others?

Book Truthiness Time
Create a provocative cover and title. 
Both can help sell books and get people to pick yours up.


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Yes, it’s what’s in between the covers and on the sheets that count the most. But, and it’s a huge but, buyers judge a book by its cover. There are wonderful designers that don’t charge an arm and a leg to create a stellar cover that becomes the beacon … come to me reader/buyer … effect you want to create.
Yes, books are judged by their covers. It’s the Book Truthiness of book marketing and selling. Book covers speak, are you listening? You want yours to soar; not to suck.






Ashography Event Photography
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 34 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #34 was published this summer: The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors & Writers. Get your copy.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2015, the dates are August 27-29th.  Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.
header-logo1.pngAuthor U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
 If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching ... call in to Judith's Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 ... have your questions ready--there's a full hour to ask and listen.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Top Ten Twitter Tweets of November 12

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 Today
Author U Your Guide to Book Publishing, host Dr. Judith Briles of The Book Shepherd digs into a variety of writing insights this month. During November, millions pick up pen, pencil, dictating and heaving typing as they particiate in the National Write a Novel  and a new Nonfiction book month. Very cool. During the month you will pick up a variety of short-cuts for writing/publishing from authors “who are doing it”.
Today, award winning book and cover designer Nick Zelinger joins Judith—they are deep-diving into what Judith calls the RTP Syndrome: Rush to Publish … or as they both say: the messes the authors create when they do. Tune in.

Tune in at 6 Eastern, 5 Central, 4 Mountain, 3 Pacific and for our out-of-the-country members and followers … you are going to have to do the clock crunching for your time zone at http://tinurl.com/AuthorURadio.  You can also go to the Home page of http://www.AuthorU.org, scroll down and click on any of the past shows—just click and are instantly there!  With over 300,000 downloaded podcasts each month from around the world, you are in good company!

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Here are your Top Ten Tweets for the past week
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Tweets are faster than a speeding bird … below are Author U’s Top Ten Tweets from the past week that you may have missed …
Success & Resources
  • Like this for #authors when bombarded with deadlines: 10 Ways to Reduce Stress in Under 10 Minutes - bit.ly/1LhXUUB
  • You won’t bug people with your emails if you’re sending something of value ow.ly/Tx0oW
Social Media and Marketing Strategies
Writers & Writing
  • Call to Action Phrases That Will Convert your followers and/or visitors. bit.ly/1LusISe #author #selfpub
  • Looking for a literary agent? @MarySouth seeks your queries for #fiction and #nonfiction? tinyurl.com/pt85hd8 #author #book
Fun and Cool Things to Know or Do

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Remember  … you can listen to over 240 programs that Author U Founder Judith Briles has created for your book and authoring success: http://tinyurl.com/AuthorURadio , scroll down and click on any of the past shows—just click and you are instantly there! Or you, subscribe directly on iTunes: http://ow.ly/QO0oK    
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching ... call in to Judith's Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 ... have your questions ready--there's a full hour to ask and listen. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

4 Essential Questions (plus 1 more) Every Author Must Ask (and Answer)

When in 4th grade (and that’s a long, long time ago), my teacher Mrs. Russell reminded her wide-eye students to avoid two words:  always and never.

Her words were ingrained in us and to this day, they gurgle up repeatedly in my thinking. In most cases, Mrs. Russell was correct. But there are exceptions.
When it comes to writing and books (and living), the “always” and “never” need to be tossed aside. I always ask authors a few questions when I meet them … and ask again as I work with them. Two “always” questions that I ask involve the word “WHO” in them. Who is the book for … Who are you to write it?
As a follower of Seth Godin’s wise words in his daily blog, he hit on my hot spot questions on October 13, 2016 when he asked four simple, yet critical questions for all writers. And that means we authors.

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Godin’s questions were:

1. What is it for?
If this piece of writing works, what will change? What action will be taken? 
The more specific you are in your intent, the more frightening it is to do the writing (because you might fail). And, magically, the more specific you are in your intent, the more likely it is to succeed.
For me, I’m looking for value and the “who cares” factor. If you don’t know it, how do you expect readers and buyers to know?

2. Who are you?
Writing comes from someone. Are you writing as scientist, reporting the facts? Are you an angry op-ed writer, seeking political action? Or are you perhaps the voice of an institution, putting up an official warning sign in an official place?
My add is that when you know “who” you are, your expertise spills forth—your credibility. It’s not so much what alphabet soup initials you have behind your name; rather, it’s the true, in the trenches experience you deliver to ease the pain and deliver the solutions for the reader. For the fiction writer, what entertaining factor your deliver.

3. Who is it for?
It's almost impossible for a piece of writing to change someone. It's definitely impossible for it to change everyone. So... who is this designed to reach? What do they believe? Do they trust you? Are they inclined to take action?
Oh boy, this is a hot button for me. Why do so many authors get the deer in the headlights glaze when asked this question? The “why” here is that they haven’t done the necessary homework to really ID this “who” … the kiss of death is the common response, “Oh, my book is for everyone.” No, it is not. The reality is that the more you niche yourself, drill down into who your reader is, the more successful you will me. Your book is not for everyone—far from it.

4. Will it spread?
After the person you seek to reach reads this, will she share it? Shared action is amplified action.
My take is ditto, ditto, ditto. Your words, your writing and the re-sharing of it via social media, buzz, mouth are what makes the difference. Depending on situations and circumstances, your words bring solutions and in many cases, healing. What an awesome power to have.

5. What’s holding you back from completing it? OK, this is my add. Are you diddling at all in getting your writing, your book done? Do you practice what I call, One for the money; Two for the show; Three to get ready … Three to get ready … Three to get ready … and you just don’t GO?
Are you do feel you have to get one more study; that you need to research one more thing … The reality is that if you don’t GO … all that research, another study, will just suck your time and energy. The reality is that the likelihood of GO becomes dramatically lessened. In my How to Write a Book in 4 Weeksworkshop I do (the next one will pop in February), after the first week, participants are told to STOP researching and START writing. At the end of the four weeks, then they are encouraged to do one more Google search; one more quick independent study using a tool like Survey Monkey to get an update if needed.

Five essential questions to ask yourself about your writing. Today would be a good day to answer them.



Ashography Event Photography
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 34 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #34 was published this summer: The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors & Writers. Get your copy.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2015, the dates are August 27-29th.  Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.

header-logo1.pngAuthor U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.