Create Your Author’s Inner Circle for Publishing Success

Have you created a special circle of who becomes an advisory board—ready to give you pushback comments and reality checks? Authors need feedback, reality checks, and plain old-fashion butt-kicking. And they need a little kindness. Few think about putting together an “official” type of board to serve in the feedback/reality check/butt-kicking honors. A “board” that can see through clouds surrounding you that you can’t. An Inner Circle … a type of Advisory Board.

Who Belongs in Your Inner Circle?

It’s time to create yours. The Inner Circle … trusted colleagues, pals, and always someone who has “been there, done that.” Most likely, it’s not going to be your sibling, mom, or dad. Not unless they’ve authored or worked with authors, publishing, books. You want someone who has got an inkling of what is going on in the publishing business; someone who is connected with others; someone who has a sense of humor; someone who has a kaleidoscope of business experience; someone who will say it as it is and not side-step the elephant in the room (which could be you); someone who loves to brainstorming and bounce off-the-wall ideas around; someone who will move you to action; someone who gets what social media marketing is about; someone who gets your Vision for your book and where you want to go with it.

Here are nine someones that can make the difference between your author’s success or failure:

1 You want someone who will say it as it is and not side-step any elephant in the room, including you. Let’s face it; we all get stubborn at times; quite myopic in the author paths we get into our head. You need a reality checker. Who is out there and has the guts to tell you YOU are off your authoring/book rocker?

2 You want someone who is connected with others and opens doors. Yes, you do—someone with a phone call or email can get you to a source—someone who knows someone else that can smooth your way.

3 You want someone who has a sense of humor. Not only can authoring and publishing be lonely at times as you tunnel yourself into the completion of your book—there are booby traps along the way. Having a sense of humor helps; having someone within your Circle can lighten the load and ease the pain.

4 You want someone who has a kaleidoscope of business experience. Absolutely—one of the key failure factors in the authoring/publishing business is that most authors don’t recognize. This person gets a P & L, and understands contracts and negotiating. If they know publishing, it’s a bonus.

5 You want someone who has got an inkling of what is going on in the publishing business. We all know publishing is in a combo evolution and revolution. Who is out there in the midst of it?

6 You want someone who loves brainstorming and off-the-wall ideas. Eccentric, a tad wacky—you name it, this person walks to a different tune … most of them you don’t get, but once in a while, your unique and odd-ball someone hits it out of the park.

7 You want a “Go-Go-Go” person who gets you into action. No butt-sitting allowed or procrastination allowed.

8 You want someone who gets social media marketing. But there’s a catch, this person has to be able to articulate in your mother tongue what he or she is saying and you understand it. It doesn’t mean that you are going to be the full-time implementer of

9 You want someone who gets your Vision for your book and where you want to go with it. They get it; they get you; and they are your cheerleader. They get the Passion you have and totally get the amount of time, energy, and money you invest in your Commitment to the Book.

There you have it. Who should be in your Author and Book Inner Circle? Who do you need … and who should you avoid? Why not create yours, starting today? Start looking and gathering those who can guide you and forewarn you if appropriate.

Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. Often, she must roll up her writing sleeves and become a Book Doctor, juicing up storylines and author words. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 43 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Success for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a Million Dollar Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon and her historical fiction debut Secret Journey. Collectively, her books have earned over 45 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences. 

Throughout the year, she holds Judith Briles Book Unplugged in-person and online experiences: Publishing, Speaking, Marketing, and Social Media. All are two-day intensives limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Join Judith live for the “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE. 

Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorYOU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact her.

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