All Tech Tool Boxes are for Author U paid up members only and limited to 8 participants to allow for in-depth work with each and are led by Kelly Johnson and Judith Briles

January 14th: Instagram and Infographics – Share Knowledge or Tell a Story Through Images and Instant info to all things Cyberland and Beyond!

Information Graphics or Infographics is a method to share knowledge or tell a story about a topic through a graphic image. Since “a picture is worth a thousand words,” Infographics allow you to present details and content in a compact, easy-to-understand way. Demos of programs to create your own Infographics will be covered in the workshop. Instagram is fast and fun.  You will laugh and learn this afternoon!

Time: 3 to 6 pm $60
Location: Judith Briles’ Office in Aurora (you will get directions and a reminder the day before and what to bring for each session).

October 26th Salon:

Everything You Need to Know About CrowdFunding and You Didn’t Know to Ask … Start Building Your Campaign Tonight!

There’s nothing like having cash to fuel your book project. You can use your own; you can borrow it; you can have a massive garage sale … or you can do it the OPM way—other people’s money.

Judith is going to walk you through how to create a CrowdFunding campaign, step-by-step. She’s worked with several authors who have all succeeded. Yes, it’s work—but how else are you going to get moneys that you don’t have to pay back? If you don’t think you have the ultimate winning lottery ticket, here’s where to start.

Don’t miss this Salon for GOLD and BestSeller members only. You will have extensive handouts with it.

Must have to participate in this session: Your laptop, images that can be used to enhance any slides you start to create—the more the better. If you have key phrases and quotes that link to what your expertise is and your book is about, have them already written in a file. You will get video tips as well.  Expect a few hot seats.

When: Monday, October 26th     DINNER INCLUDED

Time: 6 to 9 pm

Where: Judith’s Offices, Aurora

Cost: $30 – You are encouraged to get Judith’s book on Amazon and bring it with you that night, The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors & Writers.

Time: 6 to 7:30 Eastern on Wednesday, June 8

Register at  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5859541930907013378

If you want to sell books, you need publicity. If you want the maximum publicity possible, you need a Media Kit for your fiction or nonfiction book.

Seven important audiences, including journalists, will expect one. And if you don’t have one, hope you never get a phone call from a journalist who hears about your book, wants to interview you and asks, “Can you send me your media kit?’

Publicity expert Joan Stewart, aka The Publicity Hound and a former newspaper editor, will explain the 10 essential elements in every media kit, when she’s my guest during a special 90-minute webinar at 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 8. This is for authors who have written fiction or nonfiction, and for those who haven’t started their books yet.

You will learn:

• How to use a media kit and how not to use it.

• The seven important audiences for your media kit, and what they expect to see in it.

• The correct format for writing a press release for a fiction book and one for nonfiction.

• Why you should have more than one bio, and the exact word count of each one.

• Tips for using photos in your kit to make the media’s job easy.

• How to shave weeks off the tedious chore of creating a media kit from scratch.

As a special bonus, Joan will give away three 15-minute consultations, but you must join us on the call to be eligible.  

1. Get Ready to Create the Press Release Every Author Needs for Promo! Bring your questions … there is a live Q&A within the webinar.
2. Many listened into the superb free webinar Joan Stewart on how to create an off-the-charts media kit. Are you ready to now listen in to learn the step-by-step process to create an off-the-charts press release? 
3. One of the most difficult tasks in a book launch is writing the press release for you book.

• It can’t sound like a free commercial that screams “Buy My Book!”
• It must be interesting.
• It must communicate clearly and concisely the target audience for your book and what they will learn, feel or experience when they read it.

  Get ready to be the “piper” to lead buyers to you and your book!
  
  Joan Stewart, aka The Publicity Hound a former newspaper editor, will walk you step by step through two press releases–one for fiction and one for nonfiction. You’ll learn not only how to write it, but how to use it in your publicity campaign.

  Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd and book publishing expert, will be your moderator.

1. Date and Time:  Wednesday, July 20th at 5 PM Mountain (4 PT, 6 CT, 7 ET)
   Location: Anywhere your computer is

REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5528808833818352642

Get ready to create a variation of your book and expertise that Marvel Comics would be proud of! With the ability to tap into Amazon’s CreateSpace and IngramSpark, you too can join the crowd that had gotten the “how-tos” of creating workbooks, guidebooks, comics … even adult coloring books (not to mention kiddos). If you publish children’s books and adult coloring books or even if you publish nonfiction … OR, are thinking about doing it … you’ve got to see how this is done … and learn how quickly you can convert ANYTHING into a snappy and sassy new product.

Register here (even if you can’t attend live, you will get the replay the next day): https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1767883132402882306

If you could do this quickly and easily, you can increase your monthly passive income with a snap of a finger (well kind of).

Here’s your question: Are you ready to catch a new wave of ideas and repurposing for you and your books? One that coattails to a top selling trend for adults?

There are a lot of sticky details when it comes to publishing physical books and physical color books that you will want to throw your laptop into the ocean because it could be so confusing! This webinar will be your lifeline … learn how and discover how you can add income to your cash water-way.

NEW! SPEEDBOAT Printing and Publishing Webinar on Thursday, August 11^th—it’s another freebie. There’s so much you can do to create new products that are a variation of what you currently have. The time is 4 PT, 5 MT, 6 CT and 7 ET. Expect a fast hour.

Even if you can’t attend “live”, register to get the replay: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1767883132402882306

Are you aware that adult and kid coloring books are hot in book sales? Would you like to know how to convert what you have written and create them? How about spiffy newsletters, guides, and workbooks?

Get ready for a speedboat of a webinar. We are going to show you how to make a full-color book fast. It’s all in this week’s WebinarGold on Thursday, the 11^th.

Get ready for the AuthorU Extravaganza’s Hot Event …

SOLD OUT as of June 19, 2015
for the September 15, 2016 date

Contact Info@AuthorU.org and ask to be placed on Waiting List–there is a possibility on one more spot opening up.

There are FOUR HOT sessions will be available at the 2016 Extravaganza September 15-17, 2016 … only ONE Attendee can get his or her toe in the Author Shark Tank at a time. Our panel will listen for a few minutes to your pitch (hear/read that: LISTEN) and then decide IF and HOW they will help the author in the book and publishing quest. The Author Shark Tank will be held late Thursday afternoon, September 15th.

The Author Sharks like passion, persistence and excellence. They will proved incentives to writers and authors who demonstrate it in publishing and authoring through a variety of awards that pertain to their own expertise and product line.

What’s the value to you? It could be money; it could be time; it could be a product – as in the Author Shark has a product that he or she sells all day for $897 and it’s yours, free; it could be the joint venture creation of a product that features the author and his or her book—that is blasted to mega thousands to buy; it could be printing reduction; it could be a book cover; it could be a discount on a layout; it could be … What it could be will be solely dependent on YOU and YOUR PITCH to hook them and could be worth many thousands of dollars. Or if you bomb, you may only end up with a shark tooth! To enter the tank, there’s a fee.

Last year, participants came away with many thousands of dollars.

Author Shark Tank participants are identified on a first-come, first-serve basis. You will get pre-conference coaching from Judith Briles prior to entering the Tank.

Save the date – get it on your calendar. And if you want a guaranteed spot in the Author Shark Tank, swim forward and let us know!

As you can see, there are ALREADY two guppies ready to start swimming. Are you ready to Dare Greatly?

 I’m ready to start swimming … add me in!

Many of us experience dread when thinking or talking about using social media venues to sell our books. Yet, as authors, we need to break through these fears in order to sell our books, attract future readers and influence the media. Attend this event to learn about ways to blast through your phobias, sell your books faster and build the number of followers (aka potential readers). 

Speakers:

• Debra Jason, How You Can “Create a Thunder” to Sell Your Book (Brag: Sold an additional 200 books in 30 days using this social media platform!)
• Laurie Weiss, Featured Author of the Month (Brag: She can help you reduce anxiety about anything!)
• Erin Cell, Increasing Sales through Twitter (Brag: She’s the mastermind behind the inaugural Social Media Day Denver event!

How You Can “Create a Thunder” to Sell Your Book

After spending a year working on my book, I proudly held the physical proof in my hand. As I began planning the official book launch, I was introduced to a cool online marketing tool that helped me achieve a broader reach – broader than I could have ever imagined.

This cost-effective marketing tool helps you “create a thunder” as your announcement travels across social networks. It resulted in my book having a social reach of more than 1.4 million viewers and ranking in Amazon’s Top 10.

The good news? You can do this too when launching your book!

• Create a buzz around your book before it launches.
• Amplify your message across social media.
• Build your social reach without asking your network to dip into their wallets.
• Launch a thunderous online campaign in 3 simple steps.
• Design an attention-grabbing graphics even if you’re not an artist.

Debra Jason is an author of the award-winning book, Millionaire Marketing on a Shoestring Budget™, Debra Jason is also a speaker, copywriter, and multi-faceted marketing mentor. A recipient of the Boulder Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year Award, she started The Write Direction in 1989. Her mission is to empower you with the cost-effective marketing strategies you need to gain exposure for your book so that you attract a steady stream of happy readers.

Featured Author of the Month: Dr. Laurie Weiss

After over 40 years practicing psychotherapy and coaching, Relationship Communication Expert, Dr. Laurie Weiss had no intention of starting a new phase of her career. Then a colleague helped her resolve a persistent, stressful problem using an amazing new technique. She was astounded that he did it in just a few minutes, using only words while standing on the sidewalk outside of a restaurant. As a Psychotherapist, Coach and Consultant Dr. Laurie has been helping clients reclaim life energy and find joy in life since 1972.  She has taught professionals in 13 countries and authored 8 books that make complex information accessible to anyone. Her latest, Letting It Go, reflects her expertise in the rapid anxiety and stress relief process she first encountered that fateful evening. She is a long time member of AuthorU.

Dissolve Social Media Blocks—Yes, Really!

• Identify what scares you most
• Picture your “why”
• Use 3 sentences to change the picture and dissolve the blocks

Increasing Sales through Twitter

Looking to increase book sales through the use of social media, more specifically, Twitter? We will start with the basics & learn the language of Twitter. Building a Twitter Tribe is key to increasing your exposure on the platform, we will walk through engagement and follower tips & tools. As with all marketing, you need a plan, learn how to create a winning content & engagement strategy for Twitter to help you increase your online sales.

• Twitter Talk – Learning the Language
• Building Your Twitter Tribe
• Creating a Winning Strategy for Twitter
• Twitter Tips & Tools
• Increasing Sales through Twitter

Erin Cell is a social media strategist, consultant & speaker who is passionate about helping businesses (and authors) understand the power of social media. She has helped thousands of authors, business owners, entrepreneurs, and executives improve their online presence while saving them time and money. She is the mastermind behind the inaugural Social Media Day Denver event in partnership with the Colorado Women in Social Media. She speaks regularly around the Denver area to a variety of groups, including SCORE Denver, Polka Dot Powerhouse, Denver Start-up Week, and hosts her own Social Success Club Meetup.

REGISTER NOW … costs go up on the January 28^th.

Gold members need to login to Member site to register.

Are you ready to tap into an ADULT craze that doesn’t to appear to have an end in the short-term horizon?

Did you know that adult coloring books are rocking it in book sales?

But consider this…

Adult coloring books and other low content types of books are easy to create and profitably publish IF you know how to use complicated graphics like Photoshop or Gimp Shop. 

But what if you don’t? As you like the idea … but where is the Dummies version?

Get ready … this webinar has that solution for you.

On Wednesday, November 8^th, we’re going to show you a brand-new way starting at NOON Mountain time—11AM Pacific and 2 PM Eastern.

Here’s the other great thing you can use this to create:

• Adult coloring books
• Children’s coloring books
• Maze Books
• Game Books
• Action Guides
• Journals
• Diaries

and much, much more!

Get ready to create new products that compliment what you have now. Create something spanking new. And have fun.

Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8441475619286147586

Details

Register here: https://www.meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons/events/260321129/

For AuthorYOU members only.

It’s an ONLINE Saturday AM gathering for the AuthorYOU Salon community. Grab a COOL beverage–who knows how hot it will be outside? Bring your questions … you get answers. Catch up with old and new friends. August is often a “laid back” month… get ready to rev up your marketing engines for Fall time. What are you going to position yourself for the prime selling season?

REGISTER HERE: https://www.meetup.com/AuthorU/events/rrbcjsycclbsb/

For AuthorYOU paid members. This is a virtual event that starts at 9 AM and ends at Noon. The morning is then off … who knows what paths it will take? Is there a book in the works? Are you stuck? Curious about the various publishing options? Ask your questions … AND participate. The value of the group is to GIVE and SHARE ahas, insights and techniques. The AuthorYOU participants are hungry for new information and delighted to share what works for them … and what doesn’t. The Circles created will expand your projects and the breadth of your success. If you want to make your book happen … here’s the inner circle that has ideas and experience to kick start it, goose it and just get the launch started that The Book Shepherd Judith Briles leads each month. Your answers are in the room.

This event is free for paid members of AuthorYOU. If you are not a paid member of AuthorYOU, you won’t be allowed access to the room. You can become a member at AuthorYOU.org

When: Saturday, February 12th

Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM MST

Register Here: https://www.meetup.com/AuthorU/events

For AuthorYOU members only. For AuthorYOU members only. It’s your Second Saturday MasterMind gathering … think of the Salons as having a mini Advisory Board. THE SALONS are a benefit for fully paid members of the AuthorYOU.org community. If less than 5 register by NOON the Friday before, the Salon will be canceled.

May open up a strategy session on how to defrost what isn’t working on how to open up new avenues for your author success .. about you; about your book … about what? It’s part of your author infrastructure. 

This Event is exclusively for AuthorYOU Members. To Join AuthorYOU, visit https://authoru.org/join-author-u/why-join-author-u.html, and sign up for a VIP AuthorYOU Membership.

• AS ALWAYS, All gatherings start with a virtual flip chart and a question: what do you need? The morning is then off … who knows what paths it will take? Is there a book in the works? Are you stuck? Curious about the various publishing options? Ask your questions … AND participate.

The value of the group is to give, not just take. The Author YOU SALON participants are true masterminds. The SALONS created with expanding your projects and the breadth of your success. If you want to make your book happen … here’s the inner circle that has ideas and experience to kick start it, goose it and just get the launch started. Your answers are in the room.

There is no charge for AuthorYOU Members, except your “fee” is to bring a healthy snack to share and some NEW socks (I’m a sock Ambassador and donate to the homeless and kids who need them), your ideas, questions, an open mind and meet other authors. No question goes unanswered!

Warning: if you are a “no-show,” you get two passes; after two misses, future participation will be based on availability.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons/events/282997417/

For AuthorYOU members only. For AuthorYOU members only. It’s your Second Saturday MasterMind gathering … think of the Salons as having a mini Advisory Board. THE SALONS are a benefit for fully paid members of the AuthorYOU.org community. If less than 5 register by NOON the Friday before, the Salon will be canceled.

May opens up a strategy session on how to defrost what isn’t working on how to open up new avenues for your author success .. about you; about your book … about what? It’s part of your author infrastructure. See you Saturday a 9.00 a.m.

This Event is exclusively for AuthorYOU Members. To Join AuthorYOU, visit https://authoru.org/join-author-u/why-join-author-u.html, and sign up for a VIP AuthorYOU Membership.

• AS ALWAYS, All gatherings start with a virtual flip chart and a question: what do you need? The morning is then off … who knows what paths it will take? Is there a book in the works? Are you stuck? Curious about the various publishing options? Ask your questions … AND participate.

The value of the group is to give, not just take. The Author YOU SALON participants are true masterminds. The SALONS created with expand your projects and the breadth of your success. If you want to make your book happen … here’s the inner circle that has ideas and experience to kick start it, goose it and just get the launch started. Your answers are in the room.

There is no charge for AuthorYOU Members, except your “fee” is to bring a healthy snack to share and some NEW socks (I’m a sock Ambassador and donate for homeless and kids who need them),, your ideas, questions, an open mind and meet other authors. No question goes unanswered! –come at 9, stay til noon– Warning: if you are a “no-show,” you get two passes; after two misses, future participation will be based on availability.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons/events/282997436/

For AuthorYOU members only. You MUST RSVP by NOON MT the day before each event is to start. A minimum of five members need to say YES. If not, the gathering will be canceled.

It’s an IN-PERSON Saturday AM gathering for the AuthorYOU Salon community. Grab a COOL beverage–who knows how hot it will be outside? Bring your questions … you get answers. Catch up with old and new friends. August is often a “laid back” month … get ready to rev up your marketing engines for Fall time. How are you going to position yourself for the prime selling season?

IN-PERSON attendees … bring new socks for my Sock Ambassador support plus a healthy snack to share.

For AuthorYOU members only. You MUST RSVP by NOON MT the day before each event is to start. A minimum of five members need to say YES. If not, the gathering will be canceled.

It’s an IN-PERSON Saturday AM gathering for the AuthorYOU Salon community. Grab a COOL beverage–who knows how hot it will be outside? Bring your questions … you get answers. Catch up with old and new friends. August is often a “laid back” month … get ready to rev up your marketing engines for Fall time. How are you going to position yourself for the prime selling season?

IN-PERSON attendees … bring new socks for my Sock Ambassador support plus a healthy snack to share.

Covers, Interiors, and Marketing… from the view of book designers

Award-winning book designers Rebecca Finkel and Nick Zelinger join forces (for the first time!) to give you an in-depth look at the successes and missed opportunities of cover and book design. Including tips about print, digital, and audio projects as well as producing effective collateral marketing pieces.

You’ll discover:

1. Effective ways to brand you and your book(s).
2. All things SWAG. How it can help sell your book.
3. Insight into creative ways to produce unique marketing materials.
4. And so much more.

Rebecca Finkel, F+P Graphic Design, with over 30 years of experience, specializes in creating award-winning books and interiors—then transforming them into fantastic eBooks.

Nick Zelinger, NZ Graphics, with over 30 years of experience and over 100 book awards, produces award-winning books and dynamic marketing materials.

ONLINE meeting starts at 8:00 A.M and goes to 10.00 A.M. MDT

AuthorYOU Members:  $30   

Nonmembers: $50