For authors, we all have an ideal of what author success would look and feel like. To get where you want to be in your vision, there are a variety of “unwritten rules” that will lead to authoring success.

And then the fizzle factor arises. For your book. For you as an author. The unwritten rule is that it happens. A fizzle can be anything from a minor disappointment to full out fiasco and disaster. It can hit you emotionally or deep into your savings account. Fizzles aren’t fun.

Sounds simple … so where are they? First, don’t practice the writer/author recluse dance. Lots of authors are shy about who they are and promoting their books. Immerse yourself in groups where authors are actually selling books—it doesn’t matter if it’s via the traditional publishing route of the indie/self-publishing route. You want to be where the action is happening, connecting with others who have similar hopes and fears—yet are pushing forward.

When my first book was three months from its June publishing date in the eighties, I was speaking on a cruise. One of the other speakers had made the New Times bestseller list with her first book. Taking me under her wing, in three hours, I got a listen my new author and you will hear earful. Oh my, did I get an earful—it was a “kind” earful, not a true scolding. Will, kinda.

My expectations were that all I had to do was sit back and wait when St. Martin’s Press rolled out the book—my book. Nope, I was told, “You have plenty of work to do the moment you get off this ship.”

And work I did. My take-away was significant and has been the guiding force with all my book strategies forward, now at #47 with the recent publications of the Harmonie historical fiction series: The Secret Journey and The Secret Hamlet. Book 3, The Secret Rise will debut in spring of 2025. And I have a mini cookbook popping in a month—lots of the recipes came from hanging out with other authors.

Yup … if it’s to be, it’s up to me.

• If it’s to be in media appearances, it’s really up to me.
• If it’s to be in getting bookstore appearances, it’s really up to me. 
• If it’s to be in getting people to buy at bookstore signings, it’s really up to me.
• If it’s to be in getting speaking engagements, it’s really up to me. 
• If it’s to be in positioning myself as “the expert”, it’s really up to me.

Jeeze Louise, I had written a good book … wasn’t that enough? Nope, it wasn’t.  I had work to do. So, do you as an author or author-to-be. Otherwise, the fizzle factor will be in your midst.

To avoid the fizzle factor, get involved. Discover the AuthorYOU Salons that are held on the second Saturday of the month—both online and in-person for Coloradoans: www.Meetup.com/AuthorYOUSalons.

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 45 books and 56 book awards 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 The Secret Journey and The Secret Hamlet. Collectively, her books have earned over 50 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. The AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Marketing podcast is ranked in the TOP 10 podcasts for book marketing by Mashable and Feedspot.

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.

©2024 Judith Briles – The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved