Book Publishing and ISBNs … Do You Need Them?

Do authors need ISBNs? If you plan on selling your book, the answer is yes. If you are creating something that is not for re-sale—from the family history to your high school reunion … most likely not. How many should you have … just the one for your book or do you need others? What about eBooks and other book formats? Below are answers to the top three questions that I frequently get:

Should you eBook have an ISBN?

Most will respond, “It depends.” If you plan to have your eBook available for iPad readers, than you must have an ISBN. Remember, your ISBN is the ID that the rest of the book retail world sees. It’s mandatory if your book is available in bookstores as well as with distributors and wholesalers. Amazon doesn't require one—you get assigned the Amazon ASIN number--which stands for Amazon Standard Book Number. If you already have an ISBN, then you will enter that number during the publishing process with them--just click on the upload image tab. Others, such as B&N’s new PubIt doesn't require it … they will assigned you a number

“It depends,” is technically correct … but if there’s just one format that requires it … the answer is YES.

My advice: just do it.
If you have a print edition, put all ISBNs on the © page stating which format is which.

Can you use the same ISBN for print and eBook formats?

In a nutshell—no. Each is a unique edition and requires an identity. Think of the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) as your book’s Social Security number. It’s the magic number that keeps track of what is selling. Beware, Beware, Beware of publishers who lump books together and register all their books with a master ISBN for sales to outlets such as Amazon. What are they? Crooks. This has been a practice with some of the vanity presses.

The International ISBN Agency recommends that publishers assign ISBNs to each format. That means print, eBook, audio, video and anything else that comes along.

How many ISBNs should you get?

Start with 10 (it’s cheaper to buy them this way). Go straight to www.Bowker.com and purchase them for $275 (includes process fee). It identifies your “publishing house” and gives you enough to cover the current edition, as well as any revised. Keep in mind: you need a different number for each format—hardback; paperback; audio; video; eBook, etc. If your book goes from hardback to paper, it’s another number. If you revise your book or create a new edition, it’s a new number.

Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She 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 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.
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 Unplugged, a two day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. 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 http://togi.us/authoru. 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.

Is Your Book Cover Mediocre? Does It Lack the Snap, Crackle and Pop? It Needs ... It Deserves?

 Why, oh why, do self-published authors insist on creating mediocre book covers? Save yourself ... save your book and stop in the name of love!

At a recent publishing conference, I talked with a gaggle of newly published authors. As proud as a new Dad or Mom, they put their treasure in my hands. Too many times, the cover was poorly designed, didn't relate to the book topic and was third-rate at best. You and your book don't deserve an ugly book cover.

Covers are your barker … “look at me,” “I have the answer to your question,” “Here’s the solution to your problem,” “Wahoo … pick me, I’m a terrific read,” etc. Covers are a critical investment in the presentation of your book … not just the front, but the back. Where the front is designed to say what the book is about and convey, “Pick me up now, I’m the one;” it’s the back cover that should get them to fall in.

Your buyers spend more time on the back—does it have a bold “grab them” headline so they fall in? How about three to five bullet points that are designed to hook the reader with “That’s me; that’s me; the author has written this just for me” as they read through them. A paragraph or two about the book and they should be sold. Don’t get stuck on a bunch of endorsements—unless they are knocking your socks off with a name that is the guru in the genre your are writing in. The truth is, most endorsements are fillers and used when the copy in the body doesn't sing—you probably don’t need them.

Too many authors, especially in the self published arena, publish books with covers that are dull and boring. Is your cover losing book sales? It may be.

Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She 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 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.

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 Unplugged, a two day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. 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 http://togi.us/authoru. 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.

Top Ten Twitter Tweets of August 07

It’s Thursday at 

...

Today

Author U - Your Guide to Book Publishing will focus on a variety for common hiccups that new authors get into. Her guest is Victoria Sutherland, the CEO of ForeWord Reviews, the #1 reviewer of independent publishers. Last week, Judith and D’vorah Lansky deep-dove into creating a Virtual Book Tour—you don’t want to miss this one! It’s up on the In the Air section on the AuthorU.org site. 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://togi.us/authoru.  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!

Here’s your Top Ten Tweets for the past week   

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

• Get  #book publishing costs and critical timelines-#free webinar Aug 6^th-Replays at: http://publishingatsea.com/

• Thinking of #speaking on your #book? Do you know the basics of a good #presentation? #FrippVT

• Shark Tank” star offers entrepreneurs some advice http://t.co/cM3ptddHKY

Social Media and Marketing Strategies

• #author smarts … D’vorah Lansky on the key steps to creating a successful virtual #book tour-listen to podcast: http://ow.ly/zY8y1

• #Author Entrepreneur: How To Sell #Books And Products Direct To Customers http://t.co/uy00cD9twA #authoru

• #Book Marketing: How To Use @wattpad http://t.co/Q4Fv7dLTkn w/ @AshleighGardner #authoru

• Oh-Oh for #authors:  Social Marketing: The One Thing You Should Never Do http://t.co/K7lSW0TheB #authoru

Writers

• Don't Look Back on Your #Writing Journey With Regrets: 9 Things to Avoid http://ow.ly/zU3Es RT @elizbethscraig

Fun and Cool Thinks

• 15 best things about being married http://t.co/u9lN1nurEU

• 10 movies that were fantastic…until the end http://t.co/PCED6chfNZ

Remember …

you can listen to over 130 programs that Author U Founder Judith Briles has created for your book and authoring success: http://www.AuthorU.org, scroll down and click on any of the past shows—just click and you are instantly there! Or you, can go to the radio show’s home page and do the same: http://togi.us/authoru.

Amazing 2 Days at Judith Briles Unplugged - Book Publishing Decoded

Think Book Publishing. Think Book Crowdfunding. Think Amazon Bestseller Campaign ... all that and much more at Judith Briles Unplugged.

What an event. Upbeat, loaded with more information than anyone expected ... some surprises ... as in one of the participants offered to be the "angel" to finishing the funding for any Crowdfunding project ... wow! Participants walked away with a detailed 159 page workbook, so much usable, realistic information; cheat sheets; how to step-by-step create and implement strategies for success--from crowdfunding, bestseller campaigns, creating the book launch and so much more. Woven throughout each day, free chair massages were included and delicious meals.

Participant Charles Clark brought his '40 Ford that his book, The Bootlegger '40 Ford, is based on ... of course, several of us piled out and played goofy for the camera for a few minutes!

  

Imagine two solid says of intense info; how-to ...; surrounded by authors just like you; having all your food included; working with a guide that gets your book and will link to it with ideas to move it and you forward throughout the sessions ... whew! It was a lot to absorb and it will springboard whatever is in their horizon. How cool is that?

Next year's dates are August 28-29, 2015. The savvy author will be there.  Let's get you signed up now! Payment plans available. Info is already up on the website.

Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She 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 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.

Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. 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 http://togi.us/authoru. Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and TheBookShepherd on Facebook.  If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.

Marketing Your Book: Do You Quack About Your Book … or Just Peep Here and There?

Do You Quack About Your Book … or Just Peep Here and There?

When the year began to unfold, many authors who entered their books in award competitions got good  news—their books were award winners.  Author U has gotten notification of several members who have earned recognition from book awards, with the latest being the National Indie Excellence Awards.  Congratulations to Members who picked up a variety of awards and honors:

Judith Briles - Author YOU: Creating and Building the Author and Book Platforms 
Rhondda Evans Hartman - Natural Childbirth Exercises for the Best Birth Ever 
Lynn Hellerstein - 50 Tips To Improve Your Sports PerformanceDianne Maroney - The Imagine Project: Stories of Courage, Hope & Love
Gail Mencini - To Tuscany with Love
Mara Purl - Where the Heart Lives
Joseph P. Schultz - In Search of Higher Wisdom: Conversations About Religion, Spirituality and Mysticism
Joseph P. Schultz - The Kabbalistic Journey: From Religion to Spirituality to Mysticism 
Barbara Edwards Sternberg - Anne Evans - A Pioneer in Colorado's Cultural History: The Things That Last When Gold is Gone
Barbara Stratton - Your Child: It's Up To You! Respect Principles Applied Toddler to Teen
A. J. White - The Bloomers: Wise Women Creating a New World
Debbie Wilde - The Sustainable Nonprofit: 10 Strategies to Grow a Successful and Exceptional Organization

What are they going to do with their kudos?

Here’s what: get their Quacker in gear. Tell the world … book buyers … your friends … your family … let retail outlets know that you've got national recognition … let the local media know … quack, quack, quack. Do it by:

1          Writing a media release—include a book cover on it as well as a website that reporters and producers can get more info. Make sure you have an email, day and cell phones on it. Send it to every contact you can things of. Include:

• Any associations you are a member of.
• The local media … if there is anything in the news going on that connects in any way with your title or expertise—pick up the phone and make an immediate pitch.
• The national media—print, TV, radio.
• Key Internet resources, such as the HuffPo and Slate—especially if you can tie it into anything that is remotely related to your topic.
• Groups that are connected with your topic.

2          Social media is your pal—get it up on your Facebook pages, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+ and anything else you are connected with. Not be shy—ask your friends to tell their friends … and either link the notices to your website so that they can see the book is available for sale or the Amazon link.

3          If your email Signature doesn't have your book cover in it, add it and make sure you say include award-winning in description.

4          Write a Blog on it … make sure you now include that you are an award-winning author.

5          If you have anything framed or attend a ceremony, include that as a photo. Otherwise you and your book are a lovely photo op duo.

6          Post the news on Amazon. And if your friends haven’t given you a review, this is a great time to pick up the phone and share your news … and ask them if they would—then, follow up with an email that includes the link to your book’s Amazon page.  Make it easy for them!

7          Consider do a special award celebration and drop the price of your book on Amazon to its “deal” range for a day or two. Make sure your say that it’s a celebration of its national award. And let EVERYONE in your social media connections know. Even if they already have the book—for a couple of bucks, they just may pick up another or the eBook that they don’t already have to support you.

8          Send your media release to a PR service for national distribution—this is part of your marketing dollars. There’s a variety of media/press release sites—check out Google for a list.

9          Your website should shout the news. If you haven’t created a media tab on it yet, this is the time. If you have already received book reviews, this is a good spot to add them so others can read them as well. Don’t forget to post book reviews on your Amazon page as well if the book reviewer hasn’t.

10        If you are a speaker, or a desire to be, meeting planners like “award-winning”—use it … as when you talk with them, “I’m thrilled that my book was recently honored with the Gold Medal in _______ with the _______ book awards.”

11        Keep on marketing … you as the expert … and your book.

Quack, Quack, Quack …

If you don’t, you will turn into a little peep … and those get eaten!

Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She 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 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.

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 Unplugged, a two day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. 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 http://togi.us/authoru. 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.

You must build your book - otherwise, readers won't come!

Books don't happen overnight. Neither does author success. Too many authors fiddle, sometimes for years, gazing into the belly button of "what ifs".

Today's blog has got a lot of questions for you. Let's start with: How's your book doing? Is it done? Published? Are you selling copies? Is everything working out as you envisioned ... as you planned for you and your book? Would you like to know how to get published? Discover what your options are? Get out of a situation that just isn't working? Would you like to get your book and you moving forward?

There's more ... My next questions for you today are simple, yet deep:

• Could you be fiddling while the probability to finish and publish your book burns? Could you?
• Could you be fiddling while the probability to get that crowdfunding program off the ground burns? Could you?
• Could you be fiddling while the probability to create and launch a bestseller campaign burns? Could you?
• Could you be fiddling while the probability to create and implement your book marketing burns? Could you?
• Could you be fiddling while the probability to create and implement your virtual blog tour burns? Could you?
• Could you be fiddling while the probability to start (and finish) your next book burns? Could you?

So, so many times, authors and wannabe authors have heard me say:
One for the money;
Two for the show;
Three to get ready;
Three to get ready;
Three to get ready;
Three to get ready ...
They never get to go!

... is that you or someone you know? Really?  Don't you want to get to Go!? For far too many, They never got to Go!

Today and tomorrow, August 1st and 2nd, I have the pleasure of working with 30 authors who don't want to fiddle; who don't want to experience any "burning" to the ground scenarios at 

Always keeping it small due to the intensive interaction and how-to in a variety of topics, the hot seats throughout, it's a deep dive into creating success for the author and/or author-to-be, for the book, for the, next book and for their publishing experience. They will get to GO! and beyond.

Participants will walk away with so much useable, realistic information; cheat sheets; how to step-by-step to create and implement strategies for success. Imagine two solid says of intense info; how-to ...; surrounded by authors just like you; having all your food included; working with a guide that gets your book and will link to it with ideas to move it and you forward throughout the sessions ... whew! It's a lot to absorb and it will springboard whatever is in their horizon. How cool is that?

Next year's dates will be posted soon. I hope to see you.

Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She 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 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.

Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. 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 http://togi.us/authoru. Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and TheBookShepherd on Facebook.  If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.

One-Track Marketing Doesn’t Create an Author Tipping Point

A recent reader of the Author U blog emailed about her strategy for marketing her book. She was an alumnus of a university with a few hundred thousand graduates and 15,000 current student body. Getting a review in the alumni magazine was her game plan. Assuming it was positive, she felt, it would  be all she needed to spread the “get this book” word.

Other forms of marketing would be bypassed. She didn't want to put her time or energy into other forms of marketing, including all things social media. Blogging and Facebook were questionable. Reviews would be her strategy alone. Those she would direct to her past educational connections.  She writes, “Isn't that one review worth more than all of my blogging would be?”

Maybe, maybe not. Could she succeed in creating a book buzz? Would it create the momentum to propel her book forward? And would it create the tipping point?  Success book sales do have a tipping point … sometimes it’s obvious as book sales begin to domino; most times, it’s the collective energies and actions of a variety of activities.

Those are the exceptions, not the rule. We authors should, no must, create a broad effort in our marketing strategies. Rarely is it going to happen with just one strategy—reviews, blogging, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube—or whatever platform surfaces as a tool. Sure, one will be more dominate than another—but keep in mind—your buyers don’t just read reviews. They don’t just blog, or Tweet or Facebook or Pin or watch YouTube.

When you start tuning into the tools that can cut your time, such as Hootsuite, you can create something that goes everywhere at the same time with one click. It requires that you get organized and become efficient. When you do, you become effective. And the tipping point may come your way.

Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She 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 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.

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 Unplugged, a two day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. 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 http://togi.us/authoru. 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.