Book Awards … Should You or Shouldn't You?

 Book award contests are everywhere. What do you do when you win a book award? The savvy author tells others about it. Don’t count on your publisher to do it if you are published by someone other than your own company. Get your computer open and:

1. Create the publicity to now support your book and drive up book sales. Write a media release that includes who awarded you, in what topic area. Make sure you include your book title (I've actually seen this forgotten), you as the author, publisher and where the book is available. For example, I live in Colorado—the top book store in Denver is the Tattered Cover—include that the book is available (and make sure it is). If you have a judge’s comment and appropriate, include it.

2. Tell the media world … it’s bragging time. Send the media release to your local newspapers, TV, radio or any organizations you belong to.

3. Think social media. Let your Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn Fans know … add the link to Amazon’s page for your book. You can create a video and post on YouTube. When I hear about AuthorU members or Book Shepherding clients, it is immediately posted on our Facebook Fan pages and announce in The Resource eNewsletter.

4. Have a photo with you, your book, award … post it, post it, post it … on all social media sites. If appropriate, link to them as well.

5. Blog it … blog about it on your blog; and if there are other blogs you've been following or are appropriate to connect with …announce to their world as well.6. Add that you are an Award-Winning Author to your signature line for all emails.

7. If you have multiple awards, consider putting the award images as an imprint on the back of your book--always there.

8. Don’t forget your website. Get it on the Home page—include a photo of you and your award and book. 

Add it to your Media page … if you don’t have one, create it—use the logo of the group that honored you … once you win one award, that seem to start multiplying. Add to the page as they come in.

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.

Book Publishing Today ... Avoid Preying Publishing Predators

Reading ... cooking and eating ... movies ... some of my favorite things. A day/evening of cooking with a good movie--either at home or on TV sometimes becomes the catalyst for writing ideas. I was ready to love, love, love the book that had them all, and I didn't.

First of all, I have to tell you . . . I did not like Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Eat, Pray, Love. Oh, there’s no question that the author is talented. It’s well written—about a married women who doesn't want to be married. She’s got to do a re-direct on her life to find herself, so she’s taking a year off and schmoozing, learning and speaking Italian plus eating in Italy, praying in India, and loving in Indonesia. And though I like Julia Roberts, I didn't go to the movie.

Did I mention she does love her husband, David—the one she doesn't want to be married to? What scares the hooey out of her is having a baby—something that, in the early days of their relationship, they agreed they would do when the big 30 hit. Fast forward to now; it’s approaching and our author is a blabbering mess.

Here’s what I didn't like about the book and the author: she did not communicate to hubby that babies weren't her forte and that it wasn't going to work for her. Then the two could have come to closure instead of her dumping him for a new language, some pasta, and eventually meeting a guy who wasn't interested in increasing the population.

What’s this got to do with authoring and publishing besides the book itself?

 Everything. Let’s start with clear, 

effective communicating, which is what many of the iUniverses, AuthorHouses and those who package publishing projects don’t do. My favorite thing about AuthorHouse is the coining of the word “authorcentric”—it’s a very cool word and one that I embrace. I wish AuthorHouse did. Then there’s iUniverse, which claims to be the champion of “supported self-publishing.” What’s supported self-publishing? It's a great term for a publishing predator to use!

Per iUniverse (via its website):

Self-publishing your book with the support of iUniverse is a professional, affordable, and fast way to get your book into print. Compared to publishing on your own, it costs you control of some aspects of the publishing process, but only in exchange for less hassle and expense. iUniverse professionals with book-publishing expertise will educate and guide you through the entire process for an affordable price.

Supported self-publishing also enables you to test your marketing abilities and learn about the publicity process without emptying your bank account or making it your full-time career. And, because you control the rights to your book, you can get started with supported self-publishing but move to a traditional publisher—or choose to self-publish on your own—after you have experience and a track record.

Let’s look at the folks at AuthorHouse via its website:

AuthorHouse has grown into the largest self-publishing company in the world – responsible for helping more than 40,000 authors publish more than 60,000 books. AuthorHouse allows you to maintain creative and financial control of your book while receiving all the personalized attention and support you need – from publishing to promotion and everything between. AND AuthorHouse has print-on-demand service that combines high-quality production with speed to market. Plus, formatting options and distribution capabilities can help set your book up for selling success.

Each boasts about its marketing services (very expensive), low cost entry into publishing for the author, generous payments (really?), distribution capability, etc., etc. AuthorHouse and iUniverse are just two of the many, many who proclaim themselves as “self-publishers” but who are, in reality, Vanity Presses.

Period—nothing more, nothing less. They are huge and have a literal boiler-room approach, just like a hounding credit collection agency would—dial and re-dial … “If you don’t respond by today at two, our special offer will no longer be available … blah, blah, blah.” They eat, prey (on writers), and probably just love themselves. Communicate clearly? … nope. It’s grey everywhere.

They all use a POD model—which I’m the first to admit has a spot where it’s the right method for a quick print or end of life. But for the serious author/publisher, the one who intends on making money with a pBook format, this is a pass.

Publishing predators eat, prey and pretend to "love" the author when what they love is the money and a fat credit card. Masters of deception, authors must beware. The self-published author is their favorite meal.

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.

Ripoffs, Scams and Authors ... Oh My!

Have you ever been around someone; read something; or seen something … and you want to get in a shower or a hot bath and soak the slime off?

That’s exactly how I feel when I read about the gobbling up that involves the granddaddy of all Vanity Presses—Author Solutions as the mother ship to Booktango, Inkubook, iUniverse, Trafford, Xlibris, Wordclay, AuthorHive, Pallbrio and Hollywood Pitch. Did you know that Author Solutions and its various companies derive over two-thirds of its income from selling services and books to authors … not to the readers of authors’ books?

The kingpin of vanity presses (as Smashwords’ founder Mark Coker states in his blog that Author Solutions makes more money from selling services to authors than selling authors' books, "Author Solutions is one of the companies that put the 'V' in vanity. Author Solutions earns two-thirds or more of their income selling services and books to authors, not selling authors' books to readers ...”

The shocker is that truly legit publishers have gotten into bed with the predators ... one recent pitch from an Author House/Solutions rep to an author who contacted me, “If you sign with us ... your book will get in front of (fill in the blank) … at Penguin.” Hmmm... are they that desperate ... or they that smart?

With the partnering, both stealth and visible, Author Solutions has gotten into bed with Hay House (Balboa Press), Thomas Nelson (Westbow Press), Simon & Schuster (Archway Publishing packages start at $1599 and can go up to $24,999), Guide Post/Writers Digest (Abbott Press) and others. With Penguin recently acquiring Author Solutions, who knows what Penguin will turn over from their slush/pass piles to Author House to “follow up” on.

Author House/Solutions is a boiler house operation. Pitch, pitch, pitch. The deals put together with them ... mean squat—there is absolutely NO GUARANTEE that a book will get in front of the acquisition team with the publishing house that is now diving into the self-publishing/vanity press arena. You are still dealing with a pay-to-publish operation; a vanity type of press—they type that has excelled in total sales average of 100 copies of a book and selling books to the author at a very inflated cost. What it wants to do is SELL you more stuff.

Some of these companies have tarnished records with a lot of unhappy customers. Several authors have complained to the Better Business Bureau and some companies have been sued.

When people are victims of scams, they often report the incidents on the Internet. Before doing business with POD publishers, a pay-to-publisher operation or any other person or company that wants your money, make a Google search for:

(That company name) + Scam
(That company name) + Problem
(That company name) + Complaint
(That company name) + Fraud
(That company name) + Ripoff
(That company name) + “Better Business Bureau”

Read the reports and be advised. Unfortunately, too many walk away woven with shame that they got sucked in the first place and/or so ticked that they got taken, they just want to take the shower and get as far away as possible.  As a side note, one of the members of the Author U LinkedIn group, posted that she had just got he had been sucked into the Balboa Press operation, sure that Hay House, and of course Louise Hay, would personally be watching over her book. The pitch she got from her Author House rep—which is what Balboa Press is—she needed, she should get the marketing package, and it was only $18,000!

The boiler rooms are in full gear. Outside of the Author Solution predators, another crop is popping up offering “self-publishing services” to authors and small/indie publishers. They employ "boiler rooms" of sales people making relentless calls. The goal: to wear the author on the other end of the phone down. In many cases, they are hard to resist.

Let’s face it. The major publishers are doing some bleeding. The self and indie author moves faster and in many cases, is willing to commit money—often more that what a traditional publisher would commit to in the support of a newbie author’s book. Don’t be seduced. Check them out.

My advice .... Do not; do not; do not go down this rabbit hole. Stop this predator insanity. Stop the wrong author package. Author beware, be very beware.

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.

Author Wise Tips

Every book has a starting point for its journey. Along the way, the author sharpens their ideas and gathers the tools to be successful.

Start with:

#1 Be smart from the get-go! Savvy authors learn quickly that books are a business. Creating cobwebs in your garage or basement shouldn't be an option. Knowing what your book cost (really cost, not an estimate—that means you crunch the numbers so you have a true unit/book cost); knowing who your reader and buyer is (it is not everybody—get off that soap box); knowing how to drill down in your market to become the whale in the pond (much better than the sardine in the ocean); and learning how to position yourself outside and beyond the traditional book sales path (the bookstore) assures that you will move books.

#2 Get the right people on your team … the sooner, the better. Creating and selling a book is not a solo operation. Whether it’s assistance in the creation; the layout; the design; editing; the marketing; the electronic world; foreign rights; or any of the other publishing avenues you find yourself in, don’t go it alone. Learn from other’s mistakes. Don’t be afraid to ask other authors—Who have you worked with and would you want to work with them again on another book? Did they create stress … or de-stress the process?

#3 Get the wrong people off your team immediately … today. If a consultant, supplier vendor, representative, or seller isn't working, dump them. Books usually don’t get second chances; neither do authors. If someone is the wrong fit, open the door and move them out. Don’t let loyalty to someone because you like them (or were referred) create a hazard. If it isn't working, it isn't working. Get off the bus.

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 28

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 Jake Williams, illustrator, author, charicature creator! It’s all about creativity today! Last week, Judith and Kari May deep-dove into how to work with libraries (Kari is the President of the Colorado Library Assocation—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

• WOW—a dozen spots that #book designers go to get royalty-free images-listen to podcast via @AuthorUow.ly/yNhHG

Social Media and Marketing Strategies

• HOT for all #author posting with blogs, articles, Internet anything- key words out, topics in-must read @SusanGilbert for #seoow.ly/Ax68F

• New from @SMExaminer 4 Tips to Create the Perfect Cover Photo on Any Social Network http://t.co/VCDituwcxb  #authoru

• Tips for #authors on how to get an objective review for your #book: listen to podcast #publishing #authoru http://ow.ly/A57dO

• #Author’s Inkling Google and Apple ibooks-the interactive #ebook-how to use-listen to podcast: http://ow.ly/AlnAq

Writers

• #Writers Who Published Great #Books Before Age 25 ow.ly/AvMlX#authoru

• The 5 Cs of Writing a Great Thriller Novel - ow.ly/wCkqq

Fun and Cool Things to Know

• 29 earth-shattering young adult books is.gd/UUNlTa

• If you listen better, you will sell more. #gitomer

• 9 reasons to eat more chocolate [Video] is.gd/ggLyP3

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.

Would You Like to Join Me on Vacation in January?

If there is one thing I want for authors, it’s this: succeed. Succeed in the writing of their book; succeed in the design and production of their book; succeed in the publishing of their book; succeed in the marketing of their book … succeed!

That's why I want you to come with me on vacation January. And only a few of you can.

Yep. You, me, four other book publishing experts and a small group of several other fiction and nonfiction authors who all want the same thing: success!

It's our second annual Publishing at Sea cruise to the Eastern Caribbean this time. I promise you the vacation of a lifetime and an author experience that will shape our success.

We'll be leaving January 18 from Fort Lauderdale, aboard Royal Caribbean's award-winning "Allure of the Seas." The ship has 7 distinct "neighborhoods," including Central Park where you can go ziplining, stroll through beautiful gardens (imagine trees growing in the center of the ship), unbelievable onboard shopping mall seeing items you don’t normally come across, or just settle in with a book to read and maybe your favorite breakfast or snack.

Enjoy the Broadway play "Chicago" in the main theater, or the Aerial acrobats in the AquaTheater.

Bring the family. The kids will love Shrek, Po the Panda, and more friends in the DreamWorks® Experience.  Royal Caribbean has the most amazing program for kids via the Adventure Club—free so you get quiet time as well—they have their own meeting rooms to hang out and play. And, I should mention that there are beautiful places on this massive ships that no one under 18 is allowed?

Oh, let’s talk about food … you'll be able to enjoy gourmet meals and snacks 24 hours a day along with free room service. If you have allergies (I have extreme ones to rosemary and thyme), the dining room makes sure to work with you. How cool is this … and that?

If money is tight right now, not to worry. You can take advantage of our handy six-month payment plan. Register by Sept. 15 and get a $300 discount. If you want true value … this is where you want to be!

Here are 9 reasons why you need to be with us ...

1          For your book to succeed, you must know about the business of publishing, including the hidden opportunities and the dangerous landmines. You'll learn this on the cruise.

2          You will have access, for one full week, to me and four other of the savviest book publishing experts on the planet.

3          On the days when we're at sea, you'll be learning how to make your book a best-seller in our 10 in-depth workshops.

4          We'll show you how to create a strategic plan for your book. We'll coach you on how to become an expert on almost any topic. You'll learn how to write sizzling sales copy for your marketing. You'll know all your options for sales and distribution. And you'll learn where to find a dazzling book cover that screams "buy me!" (This is a short list of our courses...)

5          We're leaving time for one-on-one coaching. Your book isn't like anyone else's. That's why you you'll get all the attention you need.

6          You can celebrate with us at our private, open bar "Bon Voyage" party on the 18^th at 3 PM.

7          Your registration includes ***all*** cruise fees. No worrying about port charges, government fees, taxes or gratuities. Roundtrip airfares to Ft. Lauderdale are less than $300 from most parts of the country right now.

8          The Caribbean is fabulous to be in during the winter. The days we are in Port, you get to play—no classes. Sun, Fun … and Book Mastering all in one week. Fantastic!

9          This cruise is the equivalent of earning a PhD in book publishing, book marketing and social media for books all wrapped into one week. You will be so much farther ahead of all the other authors in your genre! Which means … success!

What you need to do NOW

• Go to http://www.PublishingatSea.com for all the details. Watch the short video on the Home page of the “Allure of the Sea’s” sister ship, “Oasis of the Sea” (they duplicate each other). Let me know if I can answer any of your questions. I’ve even set up a 6-month payment plan through PayPal. And, this all ties into “education” or “consulting” expenses for your book … which allows for tax benefits. That’s a happy dance from me!
• Remember the important September 15 deadline for saving $300! All you need to do is send me an email at Judith@Briles.com and say “I want to go” … let me know if you need a cabin mate … and if you are thinking about bring the family, we need to get a special cabin for you--all our cabins are Ocean Balconies--they have the capability of a pullout bed in the small sofa in each. Cabins can be King or Twin beds.

Join me … I have 5 cabins left! Judith

Book Success: The Magic of Perseverance

Sometimes it’s not easy being an author ... there’s rejection—sometimes in a cascading abundance; sometimes we authors feel that everything attempted is a massive flop; sometimes we think we should be committed for spending the time and money in creating our books; sometimes we think there’s no freaking way we can sell any; and sometimes we just think ...

But then, a nudge comes into play. You love your topic. The cover makes you happy. You remember the unbelievable sense of pride when you held that first book in your hand. A kind word, email, or note comes your way that you've made a difference, solved a problem or just provided a new fan with a terrific story.

Authoring ... what a journey. Highs and lows. Hopes and fears. Tears and joy. And a journey that requires perseverance. Webster’s defines perseverance as continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.

Isn't that what we authors face—sometimes on a daily basis? Are you thrilled with your book sales? Would you like to increase them? Book sales don’t come from luck ... they come from marketing work. And perseverance.

Your book is like an iceberg—5 percent is the writing; the other 95 percent is below the surface ... everything that you do to kick start sales, your marketing, and your on-going plan. The continuation of your Book and Author Platforms. Everything.

For sure, authoring isn't for sissies. Successful authors have more rejections than Hogan’s got goats. Successful authors have it the wall of dismal sales more times than they care to count. Successful authors have received more negative reviews than their walls have room to post them on. Successful authors have had days, sometimes weeks, months, even years when they have wondered, “What was I thinking ...”

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.