Author YOU-Creating and Building the Author and Book Platforms

by Judith Briles

Winner in Publishing/Writing category: USA Book News Book Awards, Indie Excellence Book Awards, International Book Awards; bronze winner in IPPY awards; Finalist in ForeWord magazine Book Awards
Are You an Author?
Do You Have a Platform?
Do You Know What a Platform Is?
Every Author, every Book, needs a Platform. It's the stage, the very foundation of your book and authoring businesses. Platforms don't happen by themselves ... they take a Village to create and you are the Mayor. And yes, authoring and publishing are businesses.
Platforms start with a statement of fact: why you wrote the book; why you are the author for it; why you are committed to its theme/topic; and what value you bring to the reader. You do it with Confidence, Clarity, Competence and Commitment.
Author and Book Platforms don't happen overnight. They take time, and there are steps--some small, some large and some in-between--that will transition you from just an idea to a book that stars you as the expert or an amazing story-teller.
Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms is an extraordinary and interactive guidebook. Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd and author and publishing expert, will share insider strategies on how she created multiple bestsellers and award-winning books for herself and hundreds of clients.
Discover how to:
Create a successful book plan
22 Activities that will captivate your author and book development
Identify which publishing venue is right for you
Use simple ways to get to the core of your book
Carve out the time and space to craft your masterpiece
ID which Internet and social media features will work for your book
Steer clear of the publishing predators
Learn the components of creating a successful book launch
Authors Must Be Snappy, Sassy and Salty ...
Wow! ... you are thinking of writing a book. So is 80 percent of the population. What will separate you from the masses ... those that sell less than 100 books ... the majority of authors? Do you have the right stuff to create a winning book and make a splash into today's market? How will you be heard above the author and book noise out there? Will you be successful?
Do your words captivate and resonate with your targeted reader ... or are they so-so? Did you know that "problems" make the world go round? Author YOU can solve those problems--problems that need solutions from everything from business to personal issues. Problems that an engaging story or inspiring poem can be just what the reader needs. With words that connect with clarity, competence, confidence and commitment, all delivered with the right "pop," your reader is transformed. A transformation that is expedited when you have your Platforms in place.
Do you know the difference between the Author Platform and Book Platform?
Your Platforms consists of three key ingredients: Vision, Passion and Commitment. When those are in place, the People can, and will, come. And so will your book sales.
Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms will reveal how to:
Platform prep
Find your Muse
Get rid of the "noise"
Keep costs under control
Find money to underwrite your book
Judith Briles will share the secrets of her Platform which created in excess of four million dollars over a 30-year career, all created from her words that started with just one book. Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms ... don't start writing your book (or your next) without it!
Judith Briles' Author YOU: Creating and Building your Author and Book Platforms should be required reading for all authors who want to succeed in the new world of publishing. Her wise counsel combined with the reader participating through Questions and Activities will guide you to real success in building your author platform. Highly recommended.
Joel Friedlander, Marin Bookworks
A Self-Publisher's Companion

232 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Judith Briles is an advocate for authors and writers and is known as The Book Shepherd. Delivering practical authoring and publishing information and guidance, she has authored 37 books, won multiple book awards and co-founded Mile High Press. Judith is the Chief Visionary Officer of AuthorU.org, a membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful and founder of the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame.

Each summer, she presents Judith Briles Unplugged, a two-day exclusive “happening” for authors who want to create and put their Book and Author GamePlan into action.

Judith knows publishing and she gets the challenges that authors go through in creating and publishing their books. Known as The Book Shepherd to many, she’s personally guided thousands of publishing clients throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zeeland. If you were to describe her, she would say, “I’m a blunt, butt-kicking, benevolent book coach and book doctor.”

Her latest book is Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers joining her multi-award winning and #1 bestseller on Amazon, Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms. She lives Colorado, working with authors in her offices remotely, reaching out to Australia, New Zeeland and China.

Her books and her mouth have generated in excess of $5,000,000 in revenues and taken her from Oprah to GMA to CNN to Time to People to the Wall Street Journal. Her websites are TheBookShepherd.com and AuthorU.org.

Reviews

[Courtney Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something enabling about prompted discovery that leaves you feeling that the discovery is personal and inspired. Judith Briles knows the questions that prompt the author to reach deep to discover and develop their platform by developing their strengths and face their fears and short-comings. This is a workbook for the serious author.

[LAWonder10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I contacted award-winning author/business person/publisher, Dr. Judith Briles, and she said she would send her book, 'Author You', for review, I thought,"Okay....This should be interesting. It WAS! It was GREAT!
For all authors, it is a must! Whether you are a casual author or a serious one, this book has key points and creates an awareness in all that is involved in becoming an author. It is presented in a "workbook" fashion so you can analyze yourself and if it is truly what you are willing to do to make it worthwhile and successful.
I found many parts of it that would have totally benefited me before beginning my blog!

Regardless what business ventures you are pursuing, applying this book's instructions and layout - adjusting it to fit your individual needs - can benefit anyone creating a blog or business online.

Many aspects of online ventures are discussed it this remarkable book/workbook.

My policies are to donate the books I receive to the Library system for further reviews, but I am selfishly "holding on" to this was to benefit self,family and friends. I really feel ashamed not to share it with the public but not enough ashamed to give it up.

This book was generously sent for an honest review, of which a strong Five Stars rating is honestly given.

[Linnea Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author You-Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms by Dr. Judith Briles is a uniquely designed book that serves as both a guidance and workbook for authors to jot down their ideas as they read through the suggestions. Dr. Judith Briles has a down-to-earth writing style that provides practical advice that is primarily directed toward authors who plan to independently publish their books. Judith, who has published both traditionally and independently, uses her life experiences as examples to guide authors in establishing author and books platforms and for publishing quality books. Not only does she provide good insights, she encourages authors to ride the ups and downs of publishing on their road to success. There are several good tidbits on how to use social media to get the author's message out there. This is book full of wisdom that both traditionally and independently published authors can benefit

[Judith Briles · Rating 5 out of 5]

So HONORED ... Author YOU received a Book of the Year award from ForeWords Indie/Fab at the annual American Library Association meeting ...

OK ... I'm the author, so I'm just a tad biased. And here's a confession--this book was totally layed out in the standard 6x9 format. Then a cosmic goose came in and I decided to gut; change the entire format; add the color and illustrations; and additional material. The landscape format of 7 x 10 works so much better. After I called the book designer with all my new ideas ... there was dead silence ... and then "This will work, I like it." Sigh of relief from me ... makes me a happy author.

Here's what I love about Author YOU and the others that will be created in the series. It's so freakin author friendly and fun. I've taken the core items in the years of workshops and put them in a format that is really a combo how-to and workbook. Loaded with points, I love all the illustrations created and in full color, it has eye-candy.

There are 22 Activities, all design to create a "come to book time" with the author and him/her and the book.

The reviews have been lovely on Amazon; the feedback as an author always good; I'm tickled that it has won the best awards in Writing/Publishing category in 2013 with Indie Excellence Book Awards, International Book Awards and the Independent Book Publishers Awards. Now to get going on the next one in the series ... the all critical Book Launch. JB

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well thought out workbook for anyone who is contemplating writing a book. This is not a how to write a book but more of a how to get yourself into writing and then how to get it published. Also, the advice is mostly "book-centric" as opposed to writing for magazines or other periodicals. Her lists of things to think about are thought provoking though, and offer some interesting insights into the process of creating a worthwhile book.

[Gene Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the clearest guides to independent publishing. Judith saves time and helps writers along with the creative process. Then she shows how to put it out there.

[Lisa Reinicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely helpful and to the point. Not a lot of fluff to get bogged down in. Recommend to new authors!