Calendar

Jun
15
Sat
Brunch and Learn- CrowdFunding DeepDive!
Jun 15 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

It’s Crowdfunding Unplugged!

Crowdfunding Workshop

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 LeporeLeigh 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.

Brunch and Learn

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

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

Sep
21
Sat
The Promotional Panorama for Authors
Sep 21 @ 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Are you ready to promote your new book?

Brunch and LearnPerhaps you don’t know what questions to ask or what promotional options are available to you. Author U and expert Literary Publicist Stephanie Barko have answers for you.

Brunch and Learn Registration

Cost: $35 for members, $55 for nonmembers

Signups after Thursday, September, 19th will add $10 at the door.
Date: Saturday, September 21st
Time: 10 am to 1:45 pm
Location: Doubletree SE, Aurora

Bonus Session – Author U members only- 3 SPOTS left

Cost: $30
Bonus Mastermind Session from 2 – 4
Location: Doubletree SE, Aurora

NO refunds 30 days prior to event.


Brunch and Learn
$35 for members

Brunch and Learn
$55 for nonmembers

Brunch and Learn
+ Bonus session
$65 for members

Bonus Session
$30 members only

 


When it comes to promotion and publicity for authors and books, it’s easy to get lost and confused. Three questions usually pop up with authors around promotion and publicity.

  1. What works and what doesn’t work for today’s author?
  2. What works best for you and your book?
  3. What will it cost?

This workshop surveys book promotion from the 50 foot level, exposing the author to a wide panorama of promotional elements.

You will learn the how and why of these elements in book promotion.

AuthorU Event

  • Blogging
  • Social Networking
  • Media Kits
  • Interviews
  • Trailers
  • Press Releases
  • Features
  • Live Events
  • Virtual Tours
  • Timelines

Writers will get a feel for what they might want to do themselves and what might best be delegated by listening to examples from real campaigns and comparing cost to benefit.

Participants will walk away with a general understanding of modern book promotion and a broad sense of direction for their specific project.

BONUS Session

Stephanie BarkoStephanie is flying in from Austin, TX to present this amazing workshop, and will facilitate a deep-dive MasterMind for a limited number of attendees after brunch. Think of it as personalized laser coaching. Limited to 20.

Stephanie Barko, Literary Publicist was voted Preditors & Editors Best Book Promotion Service in 2011. Her award-winning clients include traditional publishers and their authors, small presses, and independently published writers.

Visit with Stephanie at www.StephanieBarko.com

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:

 

Oct
26
Mon
October 26th Salon: Everything You Need to Know About CrowdFunding!
Oct 26 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

icon_evening-salons

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.

Mar
5
Sat
MARCH: Breaking News: How to Find and Work with the Local Media
Mar 5 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

icon_Sat-am-AU

Authors and books love  … love publicity. Are You Getting Your Share?

And, is it the right publicity at the right time? AuthorU’s March Saturday Mornings will be like an onion … each layer will reveal new ahas, tips and the secret sauce to connect with print, radio and TV that could create a tipping point for your and your book.

Led by Rocky Mountain’s PBS Executive Producer and Colorado Matter’s host Cynthia Hessin, get ready to flip what you are doing to propel your publicity forward. Additional members of the Colorado community will be joining Cynthia from print and radio.

  • Does being on and in the media work for a book? For the author … or is it a waste of time?
  • What publicity should you be seeking?
  • How should you pitch “you”?
  • What type of follow is acceptable and what should be avoided?
  • What materials do you need and what are unnecessary?

Our morning session is dedicated for a Panel of local media pros (TV, radio and print). You will connect, get tips and tricks on how to reach out and connect for you and your book. Cynthia Hessin and Susan Gatschet will open your eyes and your ears.

Who is Cynthia Hessin?cynthiahessin1

As a member of the Rocky Mountain PBS News team, Cynthia is the executive producer and host of the weekly news/discussion program, Colorado State of Mind, and produces a variety of other projects for the statewide PBS network. A longtime Denver broadcast journalist, Hessin is familiar to the PBS audience for hosting a variety of award-winning specials, including coverage of elections and public policy issues, and appearances on the national PBS NewsHour.

Chnthia has also earned seven regional Emmy awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) for writing, producing and performance. In 2013 she was also admitted to the NATAS Silver Circle, an honor society which recognizes broadcast professionals who have worked in the industry for 25 years and have made substantial contributions to both their craft and their community.

A Denver-area native, Hessin previously worked as a news reporter and anchor at Denver television stations KCNC News 4 and KMGH Denver’s 7, where she specialized in government and policy news.  She began her broadcast career at Denver radio stations KHOW and KOA.

Susan Gatschet started volunteering at KUVO radio in 1996 and quickly gained a spot on the airwaves. Wearing a few hats, one is that she books guests for various spots of KUVO and she hosts Take Note, offering a richly diverse listening experience weekdays from 1-4 pm.

Susan is also a voice over artist, promoter, producer and camera operator. An avid photographer, Susan has shot thousands of live performances across the nation. 

 

GOLD AU 
Standard Fee: $32


BEST SELLER
AU Members $0:


ALL OTHERS (including BASIC): $45

REMOTE: Video and handouts one week after event (you must be registered BEFORE March 5th to take advantage of this) AU Members only $32

 
 

 

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.

ship1

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.

 

Feb
4
Sat
February 4th: Breaking through Social Media Phobias – It’s a Must! @ The Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA)
Feb 4 @ 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

 

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 28th.

 

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

 

Apr
17
Tue
WebinarGold: Game Changer Using Amazon Marketing Ads with Amazon expert Derek Doepker.
Apr 17 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Amazon Marketing Ads for Your Breakthrough Success

Join us for a webinar on Apr 17, 2018, at 12:00 PM MDT.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.How would you like to coat tail best-selling authors and bestselling books? How would you lie to create ads that will work and not drain your bank account? How would you to learn–really learn how to use AMS–Amazon Marketing Services and be a success with them? 

You can … and this webinar will deliver the “how-tos” and step by step in creating yours. 

Meet Derek Doepker, an 8 times bestseller and an absolute whiz with selling books with Amazon Marketing Services. 

As with all our webinars, this will be recorded.

When and Date:  Apr 17, 2018, at 12:00 PM MDT

Registerhttps://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1915868614250981122