Calendar

Jun
18
Tue
June Tech Tool Box – YouTube
Jun 18 @ 9:00 pm – Jun 19 @ 12:00 am

Tech ToolboxJune Tech Tool Box —SOLD OUT

 

Create or Enhance Your YouTube Channel on Tuesday, June 18th
Do you know YouTube is the second most popular search engine after Google? People search YouTube for trainings, tutorials and educational purposes as well as for some entertainment. Join us for this intensive workshop to learn how to optimize your YouTube account, tips for uploading videos and strategies for posting your videos on your websites and blogs. We will start with instruction and have work time for you to start implementing what you learned.

It’s YouTube, starring you and your book!

Time: 3 – 6 pm
Cost: $60 or both June and July Tech Tool Boxes for $100
Location: Judith’s Offices
Register for June Only at $60: CLICK HERE

for BOTH Toolbox Workshops June 18th and July 23rd at $100:  CLICK HERE

 

Jul
23
Tue
July Tech Tool Box – Blog Talk Radio
Jul 23 @ 9:00 pm – Jul 24 @ 12:00 am

 

 

                   The Ins and Outs of Twit Chat  PLUS Google + PLUS Other Cool Chat Sites July Tech Tool Box   – 2 SPOTS left

Create Your Own Blog Talk Radio on Tuesday, July 23rd

Having your own radio show is within your reach from free to a small fee, depending on what bells and whistles you want!

 

Showcase your expertise through your own radio show on Blog Talk Radio. This will also give you an opportunity to invite guest speakers to your show to reinforce your niche area. Don’t miss this intensive workshop on setting up an account on Blog Talk Radio, features in your radio show account, and strategies for scheduling and planning  your show and show topics. 

 

Time: 3 – 6 pm
Cost: $60 or both June and July Tech Tool Boxes for $100
Location: Judith’s Offices
Register for July Only at $60: CLICK HERE

for BOTH Toolbox Workshops June 18th and July 23rd at $100: CLICK HERE

Feb
18
Tue
February Tech Toolbox: Google+ Authorship
Feb 18 @ 10:00 pm – Feb 19 @ 1:00 am

icon_techtoolbox 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.

Attention all authors – you need to set up a Google + Authorship account.

Why?

Authorship is establishing you (to Google) as the confirmed author of an item of content that gets published on a website.

Very important aspect to your online presence!

In this Tech Toolbox workshop, we will walk through the steps in setting up your Google + Authorship.

You will need to have a Google + account and Google + profile.

You will also need to bring:

  • the log-in to your WordPress website dashboard or
  • the FTP log-in to your server for your website files if you do not have a WordPress website.

*WordPress website dashboard log in consists of a username and password.
*FTP log in includes the host name, user name and password (this is only if you do NOT have a WordPress website).

Cost:  $60 each or all 3 (Feb/Mar/April) for $150
Time:
 3 to 6 pm
Location: Judith Briles’ Office in Aurora (you will get directions the day before and what to bring for each session)
Register for February Only at $60:  

For ALL THREE Toolbox Workshops February 18th, March 18th, April 15th at $150:

Mar
18
Tue
March Tech Toolbox: Audioboo
Mar 18 @ 9:00 pm – Mar 19 @ 12:00 am

icon_techtoolbox 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.

Audioboo is a tool to record, upload and share audio.

A boo consists of any clip of audio, a picture, a location, a title and a description.

The free account has a 3 minute limit, but you can upgrade for more.

Your audios can be shared on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms, you can embed playlists on your sites, and use the mobile apps and widgets as “listen again” players.

You can also submit your audios to iTunes as a podcast.

Join us for this Tech ToolBox workshop and start recording today!

 

Cost:  $60 each or all 3 (Feb/Mar/April) for $150

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

For ALL THREE Toolbox Workshops February 18th, March 18th, April 15th at $150:

Apr
15
Tue
April Tech Toolbox: Demo of Cool Tools… Which are for You?
Apr 15 @ 9:00 pm – Apr 16 @ 12:00 am

icon_techtoolbox 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.

This workshop will take you through demos of programs that will teach you simple-to-use business tools, such as ShortKeys, Wufoo, and others – you’ll be clicking away and using new tech tools in no time!

Believe us … new tools are added; old tools morph often. The ones that were your old standbys may have undergone a total makeover as well.

 

Cost:  $60

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

 

Jun
10
Tue
June Tech Toolbox: PicMonkey and Canva
Jun 10 @ 9:00 pm – Jun 11 @ 12:00 am

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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. AND … a limited number of participants can attend via remote.

 Turn Your Ideas into Eye-Catching Designs: PicMonkey and Canva

How would you like to turn your tips, quotes from your book or show your creative side by designing your own images? With PicMonkey and Canva, we’ll show you how you can use these free tools to develop your own ideas into fun, stunning designs!

Learn about PicMonkey and Canva through our demos and then you’ll have time to start creating your own designs!

Time: June 10th, 3 to 6 pm

Location: Judith Briles’ Office in Aurora (you will get directions the day before and what to bring for each session). If you are attending remote, you need to contact Judith directly to set it up. Please put in subject line: Remote Tech Tool Box and email her at Judith@Briles.com.

Cost: $60 each or 3 for $150

For ALL THREE Toolbox Workshops June 10th, July 15h, August 12th at $150:

Jul
15
Tue
July Tech Toolbox: How to Use Pinterest to Promote Your Blog, Services & Products
Jul 15 @ 9:00 pm – Jul 16 @ 12:00 am

icon_techtoolbox

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. AND … a limited number of participants can attend via remote.

More Than Just Images: How to Use Pinterest to Promote Your Blog, Services & Products

With Pinterest having such a focus on images, we tend to forget that is just one aspect of how to utilize Pinterest.

This workshop will review various methods of using Pinterest for your book and business including:

  • How you can drive traffic to your blog through Pinterest.
  • Conduct a contest through Pinterest.
  • How you can add your Audioboo recordings to your Pinterest and not only grow your followers but offer “snippets” from your book.
  • How to monetize your book and other products with a Pinterest boost.

… and more!

This workshop will help you set up your Pinterest account (if needed) and then walk through examples and demos to learn methods for using Pinterest.

Time: July 15th, 3 to 6 pm

Location: Judith Briles’ Office in Aurora (you will get directions the day before and what to bring for each session). If you are attending Remote, you need to contact Judith directly to set it up. Please put in subject line: Remote Tech Tool Box and email her at Judith@Briles.com.

Cost: $60 each or 2 for $100

For TWO Toolbox Workshops July 15h, August 12th at $100:

Aug
12
Tue
August Tech Toolbox: Instagram and Infographics
Aug 12 @ 9:00 pm – Aug 13 @ 12:00 am

icon_techtoolbox

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. AND … a limited number of participants can attend via remote.

Capture a Moment: Instagram and Infographics—Share Knowledge or Tell a Story Through Images and Instant info to all things Cyberland and Beyond!

Instagram is a quick and fun way to share your life and stories using pictures and video.  Come learn about Instagram, and after a tutorial in setting up Instagram, we’ll start capturing those moments for you to share!

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: August 12th, 3 to 6 pm

Location: Judith Briles’ Office in Aurora (you will get directions the day before and what to bring for each session). If you are attending Remote, you need to contact Judith directly to set it up. Please put in subject line: Remote Tech

Cost: $60

Oct
11
Sat
Brunch & Learn – HOT Book Strategies
Oct 11 @ 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

icon_brunch-learn

 

Book Strategies … Embrace Them or Perish!

 

 

Publishing: Time and Project Management, Money, Marketing, Publicity, Social Media

October 11th 10 am to 2 pm

COME EARLY … Author Circles will start at 9.30 AM … take advantage of this!

 

NOTE … there is a change of venue for this event. See below.

 

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Autumn is here … we have a harvest of goodies for you and it’s time to get to work! Author U’s Panel of Experts is ready to let it rip … you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers and solutions.

  • You are overwhelmed … what can you do to cut corners and not cut your productivity?
  • Your bank account is tilting … what can you do to keep going forward without sinking?
  • You want media coverage … what can you do to get without it shelling it out $3,000 a month for a publicist?
  • You need a Game Plan and Strategies … but you are clueless as to where to start (or stop).
  • You know you need Amazon … how can you use it effectively to maximize your book and eBook sales?
  • You know you need marketing moxie … where should you start, what should you stop and what are the latest trends?
  • You think that social media is important … but feel like you are a bottomless pit—learn where to crawl, when to leap and when to exit.

Whew! What a day is planned. Be there early … we will start Author Circles at 9:30 am for those who have questions about anything including newbies and the beginning journey of publishing. Schmoozing, hearty food and Introductions shortly after 10 am, and get ready for a great in-depth program.

Book Strategies … Embrace Them or Perish! It’s your choice, you choose.

Date: Saturday, October 11th

Location: Judith Briles’ Offices in Aurora, CO — you will get directions  … (this is new due to original venue snafu)

Cost: $30 for members, $45 for non-members (price increases $10 on Oct.7th!)

Before October 9th

Members

Non-Members

 

Beginning October 7th

Members

Non-Members

Oct
31
Sat
You Are Invited to the Authors Holiday Tea October 31st
Oct 31 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

                    Meet Local Authors at the
                      Annual Author Tea and Book Sale

Teddy bear 2

AND … share this with all YOU KNOW!

When:  Saturday, October 31st       

Time:        1 – 4 pm

Where: Julie and Bob Griffin’s home:  3929 S. Eagle St. Aurora, CO 80014

Hosted by: Julie Griffin & Judith Briles

The Twist: Almost 20+ authors sharing with you about their books and who they are in 90 seconds each. All books will be displayed on tables to “check-out”. Books are IDEAL gifts … for yourself, for others. All will be priced at less than what you can buy them on Amazon. Authors will be signing—some even come with ribbons! We have books for guys, gals and kids! Plus tables laden with tasty goodies.

Genres: There are lots to browse and choose from including: Mystery: Red Tide, The Missing, The Sacrifice, Lake of Fire, Trapline, Antler Dust, Buried by the Roan; Inspiration: Inspiration and Ideals: Thoughts for Every Day, Have You Ever Held a Mountain?, From Simms to Zanzibar; Children-Juvenile: Don’t stick Stuff in Your Ears-Don’t Stick Stuff Up Your Nose, Bella the Baker Street Baker, Cristina Gradina, Jack and the Bean Chair, Fluff the Dream Owl and Fluff the Dream Owl plush toy; Reference: Gabby Gourmet’s Restaurant Guide 2016; Cookbooks: Cake Decorating with Modeling Chocolate, For the Love of Paprika; Memoir: Another Nightmare Gig from Hell, Caught Between the Betty’s; Military History: Shot Down!; Policy: The Concrete Killing Fields; Women’s Fiction: Where the Heart Lives, What the Heart Knows; Adventure: The Bootlegger ’40 Ford; Health: Natural Childbirth Exercises, Childbirth Exercises Workbook;  Humor: Princess Golf; Writing-Publishing: Crowdfunding Guide for Authors, Author YOU, Snappy Sassy Salty; Fantasy: Legon Awakening, Pactum; Self-Help: Stop Poisoning Your Marriage, 99 Things Women Wish They Knew before Saying I Do; How to: Get this Mother Published; Neighbors at War, How to Take Care of Old People without Losing Marbles; Astronomy:  What’s Hot on the Moon Tonight?, Field Map for Moon

RSVP (please!): Tell Judith or Julie NOW that you are coming (and how many guests you are bringing). Yes, you can invite your friends to come as well—the more, the merrier! We just want to make sure that we have plenty of food.

OR, you can email Judith at:  Judith@Briles.com or Julie at JGriffin3929@comcast.net
your YES (with how many).

Jun
8
Wed
The Indie Author’s Guide to Creating a Killer Media Kit
Jun 8 @ 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm

 

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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.  

 

 

Jul
20
Wed
FREE Webinar July 20: Create the Press Release Every Author Needs
Jul 20 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
  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? PR
  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 StewartJoan 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

Aug
11
Thu
AUG WEBINAR Create WorkBooks and Adult Coloring Books
Aug 11 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

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.

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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 11th—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 11th.

 

May
6
Sat
May 6th: Improve Your “Author” Visibility
May 6 @ 8:15 am – 12:00 pm

This month we will focus on showcasing you!

  • Are you ready to sell more books?
  • Do you know how to create a brand that shows off your best side, on and off camera?
  • Are you aware of how to consistently influence, market and pitch yourself to get noticed?
  • Are you ready when a publicist or event planner calls for a TV or radio spot?

All of you know that walking your talk is an integral part of personal and professional branding. As an author, you need to look and sound your best. When you pitch your books, you’re pitching yourself! When you get that long awaited call, you want to be ready. Too often when you get the call, you focus on scripting what you’ll say and forget to plan on how to look. Remember, over 80% of what people hear is what they see!

This morning will provide a practical approach that can save you, both men and women, from wishing for a do-over! Today’s speakers will help us look our best in person and sound our best on paper! They will share their secrets of how to become successful. When you leave, you will be ready to fine-tune your brand and ready to win the pitch.

Success is knocking! Are you ready to sell more books?

Speakers:

Rhoda Johnson, Hollywood Secrets to Showcasing You (Brag: Image Consultant and
Columnist, former Hollywood makeup artist)

Want to increase book sales? How you look in front of the camera and on speaking engagements tells a bigger story. Learn how to improve your personal brand to optimize your social media presence and attract potential readers. Discover the Hollywood secrets of maximizing your image to engage your audience. Note: authors Ronald Beach and Connie Pshigoda have graciously agreed to be models!

  • Your personal brand should help you, not hurt you
  • Simple techniques that will attract people to you
  • Be prepared to look your best on camera
  • Current trends to use and ones to avoid
  • Looking your best sells more books

Rhoda Johnson received a Fashion Merchandising Degree from Brooks College in Long Beach, California and has studied makeup artistry at Cinema Secrets in Burbank California. She received a license to teach Personal Development from John Robert Powers in Cerritos, California and JF Images Talent Agency in Denver, Colorado. Rhoda has over 35 years’ experience collectively as an Image Consultant, Makeup Artist, Jewelry Designer, and Motivational Public Speaker.  She also writes a monthly beauty and fashion column for 50 Plus Marketplace News.

Jill Christensen, How to Become a Noted Influencer (Brag: Recognized by Engagement101 as one of the Top 100 Employee Engagement Global Influencers of 2017, alongside Richard Branson and others.) Featured Author of the Month.

Book sales, speaking engagements, and your reputation will soar if you can position yourself as a thought-leader and noted influencer on the topic of your book.

How to Become a Noted Influencer
1. Pick a Lane
2. Determine Your Target Audience and Research Where They Are Online
3. Develop a Strategic Plan to Position Yourself as a Thought-Leader in Your Space
4. Gauge Your Progress and Course-Correct if Necessary
5. Be Open to Building on Your Success – Do Not Rest on Your Laurels

Jill Christensen has three decades of consulting, speaking, and most importantly, real-life, in-the-trenches global Fortune 500 executive-level experience. She has served as the head of global Internal Communications at both Avaya and Western Union, has a Six Sigma Green Belt, authored the best-selling book, If Not You, Who? Cracking the Code of Employee Disengagement, and was recently named one of the Top 100 Global Employee Engagement Influencers of 2017.

Marilyn Heywood Paige, Leveraging Media to Sell More Books (Brag: Former event planner with B&N!)

Earned media is one of the most powerful marketing tools because it’s not you telling people how great your book is, it’s a trusted media outlet telling them. Earned media opens new audiences to you and gives you more credibility.

Today you will:

  • Learn the do’s and don ts of pitching to the media
  • Discover how and when to approach journalists and bloggers
  • The elements of a good pitch
  • How best to leverage a media placement once you’ve earned it

Marilyn Heywood Paige is the Vice President of FiG Advertising and Marketing in Denver, a full-service marketing agency that moves the needle for small businesses. She was the marketing and public relations manager for Barnes & Noble for ten years where she worked with over 600 authors, helping them market their books more effectively.

 

 

GOLDden

 

Gold members need to login to Member site to register.

 

 

BASIC

 

 

Nov
8
Wed
WebinarGold: Why you should have a Coloring Book around your Expertise, or Something New
Nov 8 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

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 8th, 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