7 Rules to Avoid Author Self-Sabotage

As the political season enters the final month, we have all been overloaded with accusations, innuendos and a variety of interesting and inventive side steps and blatant untruths. Some of you are appalled by it; some of you have been amused by it; some of you have been mesmerized by it; some of you are sick of it; and some of it you have chosen to just ignore it.  Why am I bringing this up? Because …

Inappropriate words can sink an author’s reputation

What you say … what you write … what you say that you think is private … what you say kiddingly … what you say when you put your mouth or words out there before your brain has the opportunity to kick start … can come back to haunt you. And there isn’t one of us who hasn’t said something or put it in writing and post sending/saying, and regretted doing so.

It’s that simple … and that important.

I have told my Book Shepherd clients to tone down anything to do with politics, celebrities and scandals on their social media pages. Guaranteed, many can immediately be ticked off. For this season, I cautioned them about posting positions/thoughts about Trump or Clinton. Do I have opinions about either? Yes, I do, but they aren’t on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ or Facebook. Have I wanted to post or respond at times? Oh yes, but I don’t. I’ve shared with friends in person—but on social media? Nope. In fact, after observing a vomiting of posts pro and con for each, I told a stand and posted:

Note to all ... if there are any political or what I deem offensive postings, I will delete and in some cases, unfriend you or disconnect. My pages are about author, publishing, and personal success. Thanks.

And I had my virtual assistant start go through and deleting posts and in some cases, disconnecting. I don’t want to read it and I don’t want my social media to be clutter with it. I’m about author success. Now, do I follow politics? Yes—I read two newspapers a day; do a catch up with a couple of hours a week with various media shows that I follow.

Judith’s 7 Rules

1. Do not … do not … do not say or do anything that can land you in the media and tarnish you or your book. The old rule that any media—good or bad—is good media. I don’t believe it.

2. Do not … do not … do not send an email that you could possibly regret. Once sent, it’s fair game to land in the wrong place. I know, I know, it doesn’t seem right, but that’s what can happen … and does. And did you know that any email that is forwarded can simply be edited with what you wrote by the forwarded that could even alter what you originally wrote?

3. If you are upset about something … do not … do not … do not leave a voice mail. Your name and call back number is best if you don’t connect live. With Caller ID on my phones, it’s difficult to hide from a completed call.

4. If you feel a tirade coming on … don’t. It’s best to have an outburst pal to get it off your chest vs. spell it out in emails or social media channels. Or keep it within the walls of your home or office.

5. Don’t post things that could offend or tick off potential SuperFans. Nurture them instead—it’s what will grow you and your author success. Your Fans will hunt you down … they want to know about you. Are they going to get a surprise when they find posts, interviews that may be contrary to what you are positioning yourself as?

6. If you are a Facebook user—remember FB favors the family/friends approach … lots of pics, trips, chatty personal stuff. Not business. Authoring and publishing is a business—understand that. If you are a Twitter devotee and you get on a rant, don’t be surprised if you get a boatload of unfollows.

7. Think of your beloved Gramma listening in or reading what you wrote. What would she think? What would she say? If it’s not, “Wonderful” or “Others need to hear this” or a variation, take a pass.

Solid reputations take time to build and only seconds to take down. Think before you put your mouth or words in gear.

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 35 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 #35 was published this summer: The How to Avoid 101 Book Publishing Blunders, Bloopers & Boo-Boos. Get your copy now.

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 2017, the dates are June 22-24th.  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 "AuthorU – 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.

Author 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

6 Tips To Increase Discoverability and Book Sales

Are you that author who regularly shouts “buy my book” on Twitter and Facebook? If this is your idea of book promotion, you need to get comfortable with the fact that your personal brand is “salesperson.” That’s fine if your books are about how to sell things, but a terrible fit if you write novels.

Authors are often uncomfortable with the idea of personal branding. Yet, by being part of the social conversation, most are creating some type of brand whether they’re aware of it or not. Why not be more deliberate about the process? In today’s crowded book marketplace, crafting an effective personal brand has never been more important.

So what exactly is personal branding? We like this straightforward definition: “personal branding is the process by which individuals and entrepreneurs differentiate themselves and stand out from a crowd by identifying and articulating their unique value proposition, whether professional or personal and then leverage it across platforms with a consistent message and image to achieve a specific goal.” (Just to clarify, a value proposition is a promise of value to be delivered.) For authors, this boils down to what is the type of reading experience you promise to deliver to readers.

So if readers were asked to describe your personal author brand in a few words or phrases, what would they say? Do you know? If not, perhaps it’s worth taking some time to define and create a plan for your personal brand. Here are five simple steps:

1. Discover your brand. Explore and define your life-long aspirations, passions, and goals as an author. When you start in a place of honesty, you build a brand that is genuine. 
2. Know your audience.  Brands do not exist in vacuums. They are designed to reach a specific audience. You can’t craft an effective author brand without understanding your target audience. Do your homework. Research everything you can about your target audience. Do you know their genders? Age? Areas of common interest? Favorite social channels? Popular entertainment (movies, books, songs, etc.)? Find out as much as you can about your target audience. It is central to your success.
3. Ask hard questions. What makes your work compelling? What differentiates you and your writing in today’s book marketplace? How do readers perceive you and your work? Is that perception aligned with the perception you desire? Do the books you create and the way you market them help you cultivate your personal author brand and achieve your goals? How do you add value to your community of fans?
4. Create a plan. Map out a clear roadmap to help you reach your readers. If you don’t have enough information, consider surveying your audience. If you know where and how your readers are discovering new books like yours, map out a marketing plan to reach them. This includes creating a content calendar to share relevant content with your audience on a consistent basis. Your planning should also include long-term strategy sessions. in which you outline the types of books you will write (not necessarily just genre, specific qualities are important too), when you will release them, the way you will share them with the world, and the types of actions you will take on a regular basis to demonstrate the qualities and values for which you wish to be known. Thinking strategically will help you craft a more effective author brand.
5. Choose your platforms. Where are the best places to communicate authentically your brand’s message? Research social and real-world communication channels that make sense for your brand message. Execute on your plan across your chosen platforms.
6. Think long term.Building an effective personal brand takes a long time. It requires commitment and consistency. Don’t give up on your roadmap just because you’re not seeing results quickly. If you stick to your plan, you will achieve your goals over time.

Kathy Meis will hold a session at this year’s AuthorU entitled, “Metadata IS Your Brand.” She is the founder and CEO of Bublish, the world’s first complete publishing solution with integrated brand-building, marketing, and discoverability features. With more than twenty-five years of experience in the media and publishing industry, she has served in a wide variety of editorial and management positions at some of the world’s leading media companies, including CBS and Forbes, Inc. She is a founding partner of PubSmart, a publishing conference in Charleston, South Carolina as well as a professional writer, editor, and ghostwriter. Kathy speaks and blogs regularly on the subject of book promotion, author branding, social marketing, and discoverability. She has appeared at many conferences, including Book Expo America, Women in Media, GrubSteet, PubSmart, and IndieRecon.

Author 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 into 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

5 Steps To Do if Your Copyright is Infringed Upon

Most authors don't think of themselves as "police" ... yet its one of those post-publication duties added to the authoring list once the book is out.

For copyright protection, if you’ve taken the steps to register your work, enforcing your copyright through the court system is a little easier--if it becomes a necessity. One of the challenges is identifying which part of your work has been copied.  Interesting, it's often a "fan" who will bring it to your attention that your work has been zapped and an infringement is in play.  

What do you do next?  Good question.

Start with:

1.  Notifying the author/freelancer/publisher that your work has been infringed upon and that you are protecting your copyright.

2.  You may want to contact an intellectual property attorney if a significant amount of your work has been lifted and discuss the best way to proceed with the "alleged" words.

3.  If your work has not been registered yet with the U.S. Copyright office, and the alleged infringement is significant, get it done pronto. 

4.  What about book piracy? Matey ... you've got a problem. 

Book piracy costs publishing over $200 million a year--don't let you or  your book become a victim. Get help. I've done a recent podcast on it. Listen HERE. 

Piracy Trace is an automated platform that searches the entire web looking for copies of your work. With an always-on scanning approach, you can rest assured if it’s been copied we’ll find it. There is a free 30 day trial… after that, to track one book, it’s $1 per month; up to 5 titles, $4. Suggest you listen in pronto to the podcast done on AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing dated February 25, 2016. Your book may be on the plank with pirates!

Create a Take Down Notice for Pirated Books!
One of the critical notices to send to any website hosting company is the DMCA. Go to IPWatchDog.com and download the sample letter. Do a copy and paste with your information, then submit it to any hosting company that is carrying your books and shouldn't be. The clock starts to tick with a 24 hour window to remove your material

Create a Take Down Notice for Pirated Books!

One of the critical notices to send to any website hosting company is the DMCA (stands for Digital Millennium Copyright Act). Go to IPWatchDog.com and download the sample letter. Do a copy and paste with your information, then submit it to any hosting company that is carrying your books and shouldn't be. The clock starts to tick with a 24 hour window to remove your material. http://IPWathdog.com

5.  With that said, get yourself registered immediately for the June 4th Saturday Mornings Program. If you are in Denver--register anyway, or if you already have commitments. We will send the video to you the following week of the entire program.

Copyright questions. Trademark questions. Even Patent questions. You will get answers.

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 35 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 #35 was published this summer: The How to Avoid 101 Book Publishing Blunders, Bloopers & Boo-Boos. Get your copy now.

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 2016, the dates are June 23-25th.  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 "AuthorU – 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.

Author 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

Judith Briles Unplugged for Authors is Hot! Are You and Your Book Ready to Be?

Get ready for THREE Author changing days ...
it’s Book or Bust time June 23-25, 2016

Last 3 years have been sold out ... don't miss out!

There are ONLY 10 spots left!

Awesome authors came have journeyed from Hong Kong, Canada, New Jersey, Tennessee, California, New Mexico, Texas, New York and Colorado ... where will you come from?

June 23-25,2016 at the Radisson Hotel Denver Southeast
3155 S. Vaughn Way, Aurora, CO 80014
will change your authoring life ...

Experience three full days of Judith every Summer ... no guest speakers, no pitches, just Judith Briles' Book Publishing Unplugged delivering an amazing depth of publishing, authoring and marketing information that she has derived from her 30 plus years in the publishing field and as The Book Shepherd.

Create the best-seller you dream of ... turn into the award-winning and sought after author you aspire to.

Judith has done it multiple times and she will show you how.

HOT: If you are an Alumni of  ... you can attend again (and again) for only $250
HOT: Register and bring a friend(s) for only $287 each

BONUS session has been added on How to Create the Crowdfunding GamePlan Model plus Finding, Feeding and Growing Your SuperFans

• If you are just starting down the authoring and publishing path, you will come away with a personalized strategy to create and develop your book.
• If your book is ready to birth, you will come away with amazing steps and ahas on how to soar its official launch and develop your next steps.
• If your book has birthed, your will come away with how-tos, re-directs and the latest and greatest in strategies to goose it about the masses who are shouting for buyer attention.
• If you want to crowdfund, you will learn the who, what, where, when and how.
• If you want a creativity gooser, Judith has a wild exercise that will open your eyes and mind.
• If your book, and you, want to create a book launch that sells books and gets you noticed, you will learn how.
• If you want to make serious money as an author, you will come away with strategies that are doable and how to do them.
• If your book is currently available, no matter how old, your current marketing concepts and strategies will be turned upside down.
• If you want to create a speech that uses the key elements of your book and expertise, you will learn insider tips on how to and how to niche yourself into "your" market.
• If you want to master social media tricks that will allow you to breathe, you will learn and see exactly how to create a life beyond your computer. Judith selects several books of attendees and will demonstrate and position them for a marketing blitz your won't believe in front of your eyes!
• If want to know tricks of the social media marketing whirlwind, you will learn which platforms work best for which books and how to drill down into them.
• If you are still noodling on what a Platform is, you will not only get it, but you will drill down into yours and embrace it.
• If you haven't done a GamePlan for your book, no matter what stage it’s at, you will (or will revisit what you thought your GamePlan was) ...  and discover amazing "ahas" along the way about both You and  Your Book.
• If you want to be Pitch Perfect, it's the way to sell your book, and few authors succeed. You will now.
• If you want to sell your book Everywhere, let's get foreign as in rights, that is.
• If you want to look at crowdfunding, you will learn the ins and outs of a campaign and create a dummy one just for you--even if you don't think crowdfunding is for you ... you never know! Last year, Ashlee Bratton paid close attention. This year, she raised over $9,600--guess what is paying for her production?
• If  you want to make serious money as an author, you will come away with the  how to strategies that are doable.
• If you want to know how to deal with, and avoid, the publishing predators, you will come away with knowing who they are and how to disconnect from them.
• If ... what are your "IFs" ..., there will be hot seats throughout. Those who are registered by June 30th not only get a discount, they will be "entered" into a drawing that will allow three attendees to take the hot seat and get immediate laser coaching. How cool is that?

Judith Briles' Book Publishing Unplugged is not just another publishing conference where you sit in your seat and take notes—expect extraordinary high interaction, plenty of “to-do” Activities—you will not only listen and hear The Book Shepherd, you will immediately implement what she says. Judith believes in feeding your brain and your belly. On Thursday evening, you don't want to miss the schmoozing and noshing event post the day's session--a great way to let down and regroup.

All attendees with get a FREE copy of Judith's Publishing Essentials Alphabet Soup ... all the "must haves" for Front and Back Matter in your book to be.

It is your next, next step to authoring and book success. Be there. You and Your Book can't afford not to be.

Call Judith, determine if this is the "right fit" for you and your book now.
Call 303-885-2207 or email Judith@Briles.com. Don't delay.  www.TheBookShepherd.com 

In other words, your life as an author will be morphed.

Judith Briles' Book Publishing Unplugged delivers extraordinary high interaction, plenty of “to-do” Activities and Hot Seats—you will not only listen and hear The Book Shepherd, you will immediately implement what she says. As the author of 35 books, many best-selling and award-winning, she knows publishing. Her latest book, How to Avoid 101 Book Publishing Blunders, Bloopers & Boo-Boos will be released in time for all to get. It joins the other AuthorYOU mini-guides, The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors & Writers (GOLD winner of the Indie Excellence Book Awards, USA Best Book Awards and IPPY Silver medialist in the Writing/Publishing categories. They now join the Author YOU: Creating and Building the Author and Book Platforms that is used throughout ... and a book that has earned 6 national awards including the coveted Foreword magazines IndieFab Book of the Year status in Writing! Limited to a small number of participants, each will receive individual attention and walk away with a personalized GamePlan for his or her Book and for Self, as the Author.

It is your next, next step to authoring and book success.

If that's your goal, be there. You and Your Book can't afford not to.

Save these three days in 2016:

June 23-25 ... they will change your publishing life. Who better to captain your journey than Author a 3 days with publishing expert, Judith Briles?

Location: Denver, Colorado ... our Summers are spectacular in Colorado.

Time: 8:30 to 4:30 each day.   On the 1st, there is an after session reception that is a great schmooze and noshing time.
All meals are included PLUS extensive detailed workbook.

Cost:
Early Bird ends on May 31, 2015 ... your cost is $397  ... it increases $50 on June 1
Registration increases after June 15th ... you cost is $447 ... it increases $50 on June 16
Last Minute registrants pay $597 ... that means from June 16th until Judith Briles' Book Publishing Unplugged starts.

     ***You can bring a friend for only $297

ALUMNI ... you can attend for $250 ... refreshing your GamePlan is always an excellent idea ... and you just may be ready to start the next book or book related project!  Call Judith's offices to secure your spot. 303-885-2207

Site: Radisson Hotel Denver Southeast, 3155 S. Vaughn Way, Aurora, CO 80014
Room Rates:  Call 720-857-9000 to reserve yours now, ask for  to get the Judith Briles rate of  that includes free parking and wifi.  FREE Shuttle from Denver International Airport.

Refund Policy:  there are no refunds 30 days prior to event.  Cancellations before 30 days will have a $200 fee with the balance refunded to you within 30 days.

Beware of Publishing Pitch Fests

Be careful of what is known as a “pitch fest.” Pitched to newbie authors as education, they are really designed to lure them in (and their credit cards) to buy, buy, buy and buy some more. What are they buying? Products, services, trainings—you name it.  Pitch fests are big business for the promoters. Authors want a quick fix to whatever ails them … or they are on the hunt to the “wonder cure” for quick marketing success … quick ways to get on TV … quick fill in the blank.

Typically, the person running the conference gets half of the moneys. Such a deal … for them. The truth is, is that too many attendees get emotionally hooked in the hype of the moment and buy with the herd when they shouldn’t.

Suggestion: never pay for anything without using a credit card. When the “hype of the moment” cools down and you are back home and realize you got roped in, that whatever you did is a wrong fit or not the right time for you, contact whoever hooked you and withdraw. Most likely you have a brief window to do this, such as three days.  If that doesn’t work, contact the credit card company and merely say that what you had initially bought was misrepresented to you and you want your money back. Companies like American Express and Bank of America move fairly quickly on their customer’s behalf (that’s you) and reverse the charges.

Tip: If you do land at a Pitch Fest, go in with a budget for yourself. I’ve seen some shell out mega-thousands with the deer-glazed look in their eyes. PitchFests will make you feel like the turkey “done” popper has popped up along with getting fannyitis as you sit through one pitch after another. It’s a hype. Author Beware.

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.

Author 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