Author U Your Guide To Book Publishing

Writing and publishing in today’s world is NOT as hard as most believe. To “ease the overwhelm and stress,” preparation in doing your research is part of the formula. Joining Judith Briles today is Barb Wilson, an author herself, and an editor with over 30 years of working with authors and editing their manuscripts. Think of this session as Fire Horse Writing and Editing! -Make sure your manuscript is in the best shape possible BEFORE moving it to your editor. Ditto, if you are submitting to an agent for representation. -Always read comments on Amazon that are 3-star and below for grumbles by readers—what is missing? -Never stop learning about the craft of writing. -Pay attention to trends. -Even if the genre you write in is not trending—just keep writing. There are plenty of followers of whatever your trend is. -Write what you want to write—NOT what you think will sell. Readers are smart—they will know if you are faking it. -Editing takes time—it’s not an overnight process that many authors think it shou

In this episode of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, host Judith Briles has invited author of Communicating with the Future and Futurist Dr. Thomas Frey to join her for a session on the Future of Authoring and Publishing. The founder of the DaVinci Institute, Tom has crisscrossed the globe physically and now via Zoom to crowds as large as 150,000 attendees. A daily blogger, you can find him at FuturistSpeaker.com and via his Substack newsletter, ThomasFreySubstack.com. Your takeaways include: -Don’t compete where machines can do it better. -Become an expert in something you like—expect years in your learning curve. -Always be curious. -The future of libraries. -Never underestimate the power of convening LIVE, In-Person meetings. -Build relationships as fast as you can. -Always consider: what can go wrong? -Technology is not the bad guy! Join in ... you will learn a lot! Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It’s ranked in the

When is the last time you did an author “spring cleaning”—your office, your surroundings, even what your goals are? If you have been on the author and publishing track for a few years, most like some of your original goals have changed. Your overall mission may be different; you may have altered your marketing philosophy and your execution of it; you may decide to tweak your writing style and genres. Who knows … only you. Before summertime arrives, many go through the housekeeping cleaning out, cleaning up, and decluttering of what the wintertime delivered. Authoring is no different. In the episode of the AuthorU—Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, Judith Briles is your host and guide to stimulate a look in your mirror, ask and answer: Where am I? What do I believe and value? What do I need to support where I want to go and be? It is realignment time for your author success. Your take aways include: -A strategic lookover of what your values and mission as an author are. -Your branding a

The Weeklies are the core of a community—a type of local press that features a variety of things that helps a community to thrive. Who better to talk about the strength and power a weekly brings to a community that Bob Sweeney, publisher of The Villager for over 40 years that spiders out to communities in the Metro Denver area of Colorado. Usually offered in both print and digital formats … and published weekly. Join in ... you will learn a lot! • Why a Weekly would feature their local authors and events they are at. • How Weeklies focus on the hyper-news of a community that includes events and in-depth features. • How Weeklies curate local happenings, political news, life style and work news. • How they are used as weekly shoppers for readers. • How they bring the people in the communities they follow into an upfront and personal connection. • Tips on how to find, reach out, and connect with your local Weekly. • Use press releases, include images, and send directly to the Weekly publisher. Tune in for l

In this episode of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, host Judith Briles has invited author of 29 books and creator of the www.BigFatWords.com Substack, Dom Testa to join her in a deep probe in what holds writers and authors back. Within his Substack is a creative content studio. His book, The Color of Your Dreams will seed their conversation and tips for you. Dom is a storyteller who writes fiction and nonfiction. With both traditional publishing deals and multiple indie-published books, Dom is truly a hybrid writer. Your take aways include: -The psychology bending two major blockers that holds authors and writers back. -The key factors that hold people back. -Why solitude works best for creative minds -Why "being bored" has acquired a bad reputation, when it's really where creativity blooms -How to get to the point where you release your work to the universe. -Why authors should stop trying to sell … and start creating desire. And of course, much more. You’ll come away with tips for ex

IP PART 2 ... The recent pirating of over 500,000 books and lawsuit settlement from Anthropic for 1.5 BILLION dollars opens with Judith Briles and the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Marketing podcast. Joining her is Colin O’Brien, intellectual property expert and partner in the Illinois based law firm of Latimer, LeVay Fyock LLC. This is Part 2 in one of Judith’s favorite podcasts, so much is covered that focuses on your Author Success. So much, that a second podcast was created to cover “the rest” of what authors need to know. Get ready to take lots of notes. His website is www.LLFLegal.com and email Colin@LLFLegal.com. Your take-aways include: -Understanding the “lifetime” of a copyright. -Why the authors must use their imagination and “reimagination”. -How to register a trademark federally = ® . -When to start using your intentionality with a TM = ™ -Unconfusing fair use. -Exposing Parodies … and how to avoid getting into trouble. -Revisiting the use of lyrics. -Knowing the four main rules of fair use. -Wher

The recent pirating of over 500,000 books and lawsuit settlement from Anthropic for 1.5 BILLION dollars opens with Judith Briles and the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Marketing podcast. Joining her is Colin O’Brien, intellectual property expert and partner in the Illinois based law firm of Latimer, LeVay Fyock LLC. In one of Judith’s favorite podcasts, so much is covered that focuses on your Author Success. So much, that a second podcast was created to cover “the rest” of what authors need to know. Get ready to take lots of notes. His website is www.LLFLegal.com and email Colin@LLFLegal.com. Your takeaways include: -Get two critical questions to separate generic to true branding. -What the current status is in copyright litigation. -Why DMCA is critical for authors. -Why AI companies have significant risk. -When and Where to posts copyright marks ©! -Why every author should read, understand, and embrace Article 1, Section 8, Clause 8 in the US Constitution. -Tips on how to create your trademarks—what you can

The ultimate entrepreneur Tom Antion, joins the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with his latest AI hacks to evolutize your publishing business. Your take-aways include: - How to write so it doesn't look like AI. - How to ensure that all your writing shouts out that it was done by a human. - Tips and tricks in using Canva with your next generation images. - How to create a "master prompt generator" by having ChatGPT interview you. - How to use Google's NanoBananas. - When using AI, always add, "Verify and cite all answers" to avoid hallucinations. - Why you should instruct/prompt that anything you create is for a specific reading/grade level. And much more. It's a jammed-packed hour with host Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd for author success.

Publicity expert Joan Stewart has been a frequent guest on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. -Why Press Releases work … and what are the new twists. -Why Newsjacking works … and what are the new twists. -Why Target Marketing is a must … and what are the new twists. -Why Book Hooks are hot … and what are the new twists. -Why eMail Marketing works … and what are the new twists. -Why Repurposing is a must … and what are the new twists. And of course, much more. You’ll come away with tips for expanding your “author beware” chops. Join in ... you will learn a lot! Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It’s ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years ago, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with over 22 million listeners downloading various shows for practical publishing and book marketing guidance. Join me and become a regular subscriber.

In this episode of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, host Judith Briles and book designer and branding expert Rebecca Finkel deliver an hour of show and tell … an hour to enhance your presence and book marketing forward. Your take aways include: -A dozen tools you should using in your Author Kit. -Essential thing you should be adding to website metadata. -Signing event swags to boldly standout. -Idea for depleting old inventory and increasing book sales. -Latest item to add to a bookmark when printing. -eBook makeover time. -Adding QR codes to bookmarks and website. -Don’t forget to use AMInstitue.com headline analyzer. And of course, much more. You’ll come away with tips for expanding your “author beware” chops. Join in ... you will learn a lot! Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It’s ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years ago, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast wi

What does the Kroger grocery store empire have in common with authors and books? Lots … and now you can discover another alternative portal to sell your books. The Authors In Grocery Stores program is available in half the states in the US … that is if you are working within the portal that 220 authors are using, selling over 30,000 books and retaining over 60 percent of the retail book price. Sound interesting? CEO Ray DePew is the featured guest on the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. Within it, your takeaways include: -Why it makes dollars and sense to add grocery stores to your book marketing mix. -How to be invited into the program. -What an author needs to have at a grocery signing event. - How to create your author bookselling tour. -How you get paid and how often. And of course, much more. Join in ... you will learn a lot! Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It’s ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Sin

In this episode of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, host Judith Briles has invited author and sponsorship expert Roberta Vigilance to join her for an hour of show and tell … an hour to grow your support network. Roberta is the author of How to Secure Sponsors Successfully and other sponsorship guides. Her website is www.RobertaVigilance.com Your take aways include: -What is sponsorship, and how is it different from donations? -What do sponsors actually look for before they say yes? -What is the biggest mistake people make when reaching out to sponsors? -How early should someone start approaching sponsors for an event? -Why most sponsorship outreach fails (and how to fix it). -How to approach sponsors with clarity and confidence. -The difference between donations and sponsorship. -How to build long-term sponsor relationships. -What is one simple step someone can take today to be more attractive to sponsors? And of course, much more. You’ll come away with tips for expanding your “author sup

How to Thrive in Writing, Authoring, and Publishing THRIVE is one of AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast host’s favorite words. When “thriving” is in your mix … it is way beyond surviving. Think being healthy, striving for personal growth, being able to manage challenges that land in your lap, having a positive mindset, and enveloping the strength and power of resilience. Author and leadership coach and expert Laura Belsten shares her insights about writing, authoring and getting published. Her website is CenterForThrivingLeaders.com. Your takeaways include: -Putting into practice GLAD: gratefulness, learning, accomplishing, and deleting -What “Positive Psychology” is why you should embrace it. -Incorporating wellbeing into your thought patterns and practice. -What “toxic positivity” is … -Why authors need to create a“-10” (where what is being done is limp to not working) to “0” (not neutral) to “+10 “ (all is good). -The twelve pillars for author and writing success. Tune in for lots of id

Ouch … You’ve been stung. There is nothing subtle when it comes to someone or a group of “someones” who go after you and your credit card and bank account. The book thieves, the pirates, and those who penetrate your accounts via lures with their ever-flowing emails and texts that bombard you … that attempt to seduce you and your ego. In this episode of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, host Judith Briles has invited author and cyber theft guru Charles Breakfield to join her for an hour of show and tell … an hour to protect you and your intellectual property. Your takeaways include: -The most common scams focused on authors. -Exposing the resurfacing of the literary Nigerian scam. -How AI is a major culprit in the scammers tool kit. -Our book club loves your book scam. -Very bad players to be on alert for. And of course, much more.

Strategies on Creating a Series - Finding Money for Authors

Two publishing pros reveal the power for newbie authors … for authors-to-be … for any resident of Colorado over 20 on how to get help … money … guidance via the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame Aspiring Authors Scholarships. Joining host Judith Briles is Mara Purl. Both are founding members of the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame and are the guiding lights for the creation and the implementation of the Asping Authors Scholarships valued at $17,000. In 2026, five will be awarded to Colorado residents who want to write … want to publish at a special luncheon event honoring them on September 11, 2026, at the Inverness Denver hotel. There is no cost to submit … do not wait until the last minute. Here’s the criteria: -You are unpublished in either your name or a pen name in a traditional, independent, or a self-published venue. -You are over 20. -You are a legal resident of Colorado.  You have a desire to be a successful author. -You will submit an essay of less than 1,000 words as to WHY you want to publish and w

In this week’s AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, Dr. Judith Briles invites Social Media Marketing Specialist Jules Marie to join her. You will learn the latest changes on Instagram and how to implement for your social media and influence building on Instagram. Embracing them will enhance your 2026 marketing and publishing success. Your takeaways include: -Use CanvaPro to resize quickly for social media platform. -Hey authors—discover the updated power of Instagram. -How to turn non-followers into followers on Instagram. -Discover the power of the “sticky feature” on Instagrams. -How to link to buy book within Stories on Instagram. -Post at odd times on Instagram. -Use Trial Reels on Instagram. -Tips for engaging followers on Instagram. And lots more. Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It’s ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years ago, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with

In this week’s AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing, Dr. Judith Briles, host of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, has invited book marketing guru John Kremer back to deep dive further into the massive changes that Google is pushing forward. Embracing them will enhance your 2026 publishing success. Your goal: You want to create what others want to read. To buy. Smart 2026 publishing strategies should include: -Understanding the power of the Google Monster. -Ways to work within the Google Monster. -How to rise above the metadata cloud. -Using the power of Substack. -Sites for podcasting contacts and becoming visible. -Why podcasting guesting matters. -Making your book a bestseller and shouting it out. -Tagging key authors. Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It’s ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years ago, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with over 21 million listene

In this week’s AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing, Dr. Judith Briles, host of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast, has invited book marketing guru John Kremer to step up and reveal his key tips for 2026 success for authors. Your goal: You want to create what others want to read. Smart 2026 strategies include: -Revisiting your website and updating each page’s metadata. -Why you need to visually post the price of your books and other “products for sale” on your website. -Hooking onto existing bestseller titles and authors in your genre with ongoing posts. - Hooking onto names of authors and their titles that are bestsellers in bookstores you want to work with. -Commit to "knocking on doors" 20 times a week. Pitching you and your book--speaking, podcast guesting. -80% of book sales come from "word of mouth." Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It’s ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years