It’s Crowdfunding Unplugged!

Is there a Kickstarter in you? Should there be? Would you like to know savvy tips to be successful?

Find out and determine exactly how to create, use and succeed with any crowding funding activity.

Whether you need $1,000 or $100,000, crowdfunding is an option.

There’s money in the cyber clouds and Author U’s first regular Saturday pops with a topic that authors want to know about … where to get money to support, create, publish and market their books.

Crowdfunding: Raise Capital To Fund Your Creative Project

Crowdfunding is “the” method for creative thinkers to raise capital for their businesses and projects. It enables anyone the opportunity to raise money for anything, without going to a publisher, VC, or bank. In this workshop, Leigh Lepore, Founder of Crowdfunding Strategy & Information, will walk through what crowdfunding is, which type of crowdfunding (e.g., donations, rewards, debt, or equity) is ideal for which situations, and how to set up a successful campaign. We will discuss in detail the key steps for engaging an audience, presenting your project to the market (including creating the right video), and hitting your goal.

• Would you like money for your Book Project?
• Would you like to expand your book empire using OPM—other people’s money?
• Would you like to learn the how and why of how to do it?
• Would you like to learn about crowdfunding from someone who creates the strategy and copy for crowdfunding projects?
• Would you like to learn how to create your own crowdfunding project?

We’ve got the answers to all of the above and much more. See you Saturday morning for a late Brunch and Learn at Author U.
Author U is switching to a Brunch and Learn format after the recent survey with our members.

Leigh Lepore is a crowdfunding strategist. She raises funds for products, creative ideas and causes. Leigh has raised a total of $40K for her personal campaigns and has researched, blogged and trained with top platforms and crowdfunding partners to assist in the raising of mega thousands for authors and entrepreneurial projects.

Leigh  is the Founder of Crowdfunding Strategy & Information. She advises small businesses and creative individuals on raising money for their projects through crowdfunding. Leigh has successfully raised $40K for her personal campaigns and advised others on campaigns of over $100K. She is passionate about helping others and being socially responsible. She is focused on crowdfunding especially for those who cannot fundraise for themselves and believes in a communal yet competitive approach to achieve success.

She began her career in crowdfunding while in San Francisco where she trained with the top funding platforms and worked with industry partners. Since then, her passion for democratizing funding and empowering others has led her to raise thousands of dollars and help people around the world.

Leigh started her career in Environmental Engineering and Strategy Consulting with a top global consulting firm. She later transitioned to work for a Fortune 200 financial services corporation until fulfilling her entrepreneurial spirit and successfully reinventing an antique African art business in San Francisco.

When: Saturday, June 15th from 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Hilton Garden Inn, DTC
Cost: $30 members | $40 nonmembers

Reserve Member Seat | Reserve Non-member Seat

What Authors Need to Know About CrowdFunding and Why You Should Care

Get ready to dust off any preconceived ideas that you have about crowdfunding. This WebinarGold will tell and demonstrate everything you needed to know about crowdfunding but were afraid to ask.

Cost: FREE to all AuthorU members

Time: 7 pm Eastern to 8 pm
Register: On AuthorU website under Events or go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4918103785740100609

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.

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.

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

Part I. It’s about the Kids … Write and Publish a Children’s Book

Whether you are currently writing books for kids … or you hadn’t thought about it … January will kick off our Author Year of Possibilities. And why not start with books for kids? If you write for the adult reader, did you know that the book you have already written speaks to all ages when presented in another format?

• What message is in your book that children need to hear?

• • Fantasy can be changed to be appropriate for all ages.
  • Villains and Heroes softened for younger audiences.
  • The plot and theme can be used to share life lessons

• Because words change the world, you have an opportunity to change the lives of children. Changing your audience is simply talking to short people without big words.

• • The Giving Tree- teaches about selfishness and selflessness
  • Historical novels- teach about history (which our kids are not getting)
  • Oh the Places You Will Go- Can your novel teach about challenges

• Your characters are already developed. By changing them to animals, dragons, trolls, or children- the novel takes a different approach

• • Trolls are grumpy
  • Butterflies are freedom
  • An older child is a good mentor for the younger one reading

• Stories for the younger crowd are from one point of view

• • The cast of characters are fewer
  • Much will be shown in action
  • Shorter pieces of dialogue

• Scenes you have written can be shortened and enhanced with illustrations.
• Children’s books have the same conflict, climax, and resolution that your novel has.

• • The length of the conflict is sorter
  • The black moment will be midway through
  • The resolution is longer because you will explain more at the ending

• Most people think that you are dumbing down the story to write for children, but you are actually going to crank it up a notch.

• • You have to fit more content in fewer words.
  • Every word has to work harder to get the meaning across.
  • Be conscientious about word choice

Show up, have fun, and learn with the guidance of multi-bestselling, award-winning children’s and adult author, Lisa Reinicke.

Part II: We will explore marketing strategies for the New Year.

It’s true 50% of book marketing works—most likely you don’t know which 50% it was. Judith Briles is going to increase your odds and identify a number of tips, tricks, and strategies to kickstart the year.

Who should attend the January 4^th program? Authors who are already writing for kids. Authors who have been thinking about writing for kids. Authors who didn’t think they could or just hadn’t thought about it beyond their current book. Authors who want marketing tips and authors who just need to jet some “juice” to get back on track or get started in the first place.

When: Saturday, January 4, 2020
Where: Smokey Hill Library, 5430 S Biscay Circle, Centennial, CO  80015
Time: 9 am to Noon
Cost:  $25 for AuthorYOU members, $35 for NonMembers. Price increases $ 10 on December 31^st.

AuthorYOU Members $25 (Only Register here if you are a paid VIP AuthorYOU Member)

Author Influence and Marketing: Discover Your EXISTING Demand

Thousands of people search the Internet every day for what you sell.
Are you connecting with them?
We’ve discovered that 95% of Authors aren’t!

Your takeaways include:
• How to get in front of the existing demand for your goods, services or book.
• Discover the keywords that people search on when they look for your book.
• Spy on Your Amazon Competition
• What you need to do to increase your website visitors, leads and book sales.
• Tips on Using Amazon Marketing Services (AMS)

Presenter Dave Westfall is an internet marketing expert and consultant. He has helped hundreds of small businesses (author publishing would fall in this category) grow by providing solid advice and proven solutions that work. 

When: Thursday, April 23 at 10 PT, 11 MT, Noon CT, 1 ET

Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2770078115399103246

Calling ALL Authors and Authors-To-Be!
It’s an Author and Writer 1 ½ Day

Did you know that over 80% of the public thinks there is a book in them? Are you part of the 80%? Want to learn what your options are in getting yours from your head; from all those loose notes that have piled up over the years; want to add “published author” behind your name this year?

Is this your COME BACK Year? Is 2022 the year that makes the difference for you? Are you ready to:

• Jump into your publishing dreams, turning them into reality?
• Create a new book or repurposing an old one?
• Do a refresher on what’s happening in publishing today?
• Or do you need to just hang out … to mingle with other writers and authors?

Part of AuthorYOU’s mission is to educate emerging authors on how to write, publish and market their books. Part is two take achieving authors to a higher level of success. And part is to create a support community of networking and information streams. AuthorYOU is for the author who wants to be seriously successful.

Today’s publishing is a journey loaded with twists, turns, and potholes. AuthorYOU will prep, guide, and demonstrate:

• The latest in marketing strategies that will create your tipping point.
• Essential information about editing your book that will turn your head.
• Master the “art” of story writing for both fiction and nonfiction that creates “the opening grab”.
• Ideas to spin you, your book and expertise to the viral sphere.
• How to create a hero, not a zero, when it comes to book cover design.
• Website designs with a twist.
• How to propel yourself and rise above the publishing marketplace with social media and metadata.
• Tips on avoiding the mistakes most authors make.
• The ABCs of eBooks.
• How to say “Bye-Bye to BORING” presentations and trainings.
• Write and publish a book that grabs your reader.
• What to expect when you are expecting—the dollars, cents, and sense of publishing is today.

+++ THREE special ticketed items. Barb Wilson will deliver an “early arrival” workshop Thursday afternoon fueled by the stellar results 9 Cube Plotting Techniques, a writing workshop delivered at the Breckenridge Extravaganza in 2018. For those who want to join in for dinner Friday evening—there will be a special dessert: humor entertainment.

You can, and it’s happening when October kicks off. Get registered NOW to grab your seat. Space will be limited.

Participate in The Gong Show!

Does lightning strike within the first page of your book? Will your readers keep reading.
Are your words magic?
Do they grab the reader within the first paragraph?
Our team of experts have their ears ready to hear your words read out loud and give you instant feedback.

Your Presenters Are:
IP Attorney Julie Bernard, Book Designer Nick Zelinger, Book and eBook Designer Rebecca Finkel, Book Marketing Expert John Kremer, Virtual Presentations and Webinar Guru Jaclyn Kostner, Wordsmith and Editing Expert Barb Wilson, Audiobook Expert Richard Rieman, Storyline Visionary Mara Purl, and Book Publishing and Marketing Expert Judith Briles.

WHEN: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 7th to April 9th

WHERE: Doubletree Denver Hotel, 13696 E. Iliff Place, Aurora CO
 *** Free Shuttle from Denver International Airport. Save Money on your room by Reserving your hotel at the link below. 

AGENDA

Author YOU Extravaganza 2022

THURSDAY

3 pm to 6 pm   The Ultimate Writing Workshop using the 9 Cube Plotting Technique with Barb Wilson

Dinner on your own

FRIDAY

8.00 am                     Welcome

8.05 – 9.30               Get Your Swagger … Your BOOK, Inc … Covers, eBooks, Swag, and Interiors with Rebecca Finkel  

9.30 – 10.45            The Audiobook Revolution with Richard Rieman

10.45 – 11.00          Break

11.00 – 12.30        The Power of Syndication with John Kremer

12.30 – 2.00            LUNCH and Author’s Gong Show

2.00 – 3.30               Copyrights, Trademarks and the New Rules with Julie Bernard

3.30 – 5.00               Cover to Cover: the Ins and Outs of Successful and Sales-Worth Book Design with Nick Zelinger

6.15 – 8.30               Dinner & Comedy

SATURDAY

7.00 – 8.30               Firestorm Sunrise Marketing with Judith Briles

8.30 – 10.00            The Color of Your Characters with Mara Purl

10.00 – 10.15          Break

10.15 – 11.45          Powerful Presentation that DAZZLE! with Jaclyn Kostner

11.55 – 12.00          Wrap up and THANK YOU!

FRIDAY April 8th 8 am – 5 pm … General Session Workshops
The Author Gong Show at Noon. There is Friday Evening Dinner & Entertainment.

SATURDAY April 9th 7 am to Noon … General Session Workshops
Sunrise Workshop at Bonus EVENTS

For early arrivals: THURSDAY April 7th 4 – 6 pm  –  9 Cube Plotting Techniques, a writing workshop with Editor and Author Barb Wilson $35.

REGISTRATION:

For AuthorYOU Members Extravaganza Full Access Package (Includes Dinner & Entertainment, and the Writing Workshop) – $312 (Only Register here is you are a paid member of AuthorYOU)

Ala carte Sessions

FRIDAY Night Dinner and Entertainment
$50

General Session, AuthorYOU members – $227; (AuthorYOU Members Save $100)

General Session, Non Members/General Admission Tickets – $327;

HOTEL ROOMS: $115 
Call: 1-800-445-8667 and ask for the AuthorYou group block at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Denver-Aurora.

Book your hotel room here: bit.ly/EX2022Hotel

It’s a YES … YES, YOU CAN publishing event. Get ready to dump any beliefs that you can’t publish a book successfully. And sell books. And make money.

AuthorYOU and The Book Shepherd will deliver to you the “how-to”. The how-to create a book cover that grabs a viewer from the get-go. The how-to of creating a book that the reader “falls in” between the covers. The how-to in becoming successful in a very crowded field.

Creative Juice for Writers and Authors

Feeling stifled? Uninspired? Tired of the blank page?

Feeling as if writer’s block is an unwelcome houseguest that never leaves and eats all the ice cream?

It’s time for a little creative juice!

In this webinar, Melody Jones, Writing and Creativity Coach, will help you move past the writing blahs by tapping more deeply into that creative core we all have.

Tuesday, April 26 at 4 p.m. MT … REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2465273717260940558

What we’ll talk about and you will learn:

• What is creativity – exactly?
• A dog’s life, and what that has to do with creativity.
• Artistic expression, and no, being able to draw a stick figure is not a prerequisite
• Your body as a creative tool.
• Valuing creative energy in the ordinary.
• Structure as a framework for creativity.

You’ll leave with a refreshed mind and new ideas and tools for moving past the writer’s doldrums.

Interaction and questions are encouraged!

Melody will send all participants handouts, and everyone who attends this special AuthorYOU webinar hosted by Judith Briles qualifies for a special discount on an upcoming creativity event. Join us!

REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2465273717260940558

Melody Jones is a published author and poet and loves all things creative. She was an early adopter of Etsy, selling numerous handcrafted paper and jewelry items. Melody has worked with hundreds of writers and authors since 2011 as a social media consultant. After 30 years in the Denver metro area, she moved back home to Colorado’s Western Slope last year and is now the President of the Western Colorado Writers’ Forum. Visit her website at www.MelodyJonesAuthor.com.