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Are you a Giver … or Do You Star as a Moocher-Taker?

Are you a Giver … or Do You Star as a Moocher-Taker?

As summer progresses, I start thinking of the annual author BBQ slated for the 20th of this month. No agenda but eating. No agenda but catching up with other authors. No agenda but schmoozing and sharing ideas. Totally casual, one of my preferred ways to hang out with others. And something I look forward to on my back deck. It’s a giving thing.

Throughout the year, as The Book Shepherd, I create programs that are designed to lead to my client’s publishing success. The Unpluggeds, the Author Friendly Friday early am coaching each week; the personalized coaching designed just for them and the books or programs they work on; the events I gladly host in my home for authors, the weekly podcast; the daily YouTube videos; and of course, my Wednesday newsletter and week blog. It’s all about giving to them … whoever the “thems” are. Some have a fee … many are free.

It’s my way of being a GIVER. And it does become a button pusher when people feel entitled. It’s one of the reasons I don’t do coffee or lunch—that’s what I do with friends. What it really means someone wants to pick my brain for free.

Then there’s the AuthorYou leadership team who works to create and deliver events and programs throughout the year, all designed for members’ success … that enhances their publishing walk and is available for questions. It’s done with a Huge GIVE to AuthorYOU community. Those who participate are TAKERS .. and ideally, what is received is then GIVEN back to others. BY sharing what we learn with others and what we GIVE back through our writings and presentations.

So … here’s my question for you …  really, the question that other GIVERS ask …

  • What are you GIVING back? Think about it.
  • Are you only a convenient TAKER, picking just something that you think might benefit you or your book? AuthorYOU and The Book Shepherd wants to deliver multiple tools and ideas that will do just that—not everything we offer will be the perfect fit all the time … but lots will.
  • Do you understand that your participation, your energy, your experiences, your spirit are what makes a living community … the AuthorYOU Community? The Author community where authors help authors. It’s why we really want to see you at our events and programs; to take advantage of them and at the same time, share your experiences and seeds of wisdom with other members.
  • Or do you just want to TAKE? Pick others’ brains … and not share yours? And then move on?

Your Suggested Call to Action:

Participate … Show up: we can’t deliver the high level of programs we do if only a few register to participate. The FALL AuthorYOU programs are planned. Saturday programs are on the first Saturday of the month. July, August, and December are bypassed. The second Saturday is designed for both online-remote members early and later in the morning, in-person. Other events do occur during the month–podcasts, webinars, and gatherings.
Participate … AuthorYOU is a nonprofit … it needs help from volunteers. And it needs your membership.
Participate … Refer your writing and authoring friends to join … Membership adds are critical for any association’s survival and trivial.

What say you …

Throughout the year, as The Book Shepherd, I create programs that are designed to lead to my client’s publishing success. The Unpluggeds, the Author Friendly Friday early am coaching each week; the personalized coaching designed just for them and the books or programs they work on; the events I gladly host in my home for authors, the weekly podcast; the daily YouTube videos; and of course, my Wednesday newsletter and week blog. It’s all about giving to them … whoever the “thems” are. Some have a fee … many are free.

It’s my way of being a GIVER. And it does become a button pusher when people feel entitled. It’s one of the reasons I don’t do coffee or lunch—that’s what I do with friends. What it really means someone wants to pick my brain for free.

Then there’s the AuthorYou leadership team who works to create and deliver events and programs throughout the year, all designed for members’ success … that enhances their publishing walk and is available for questions. It’s done with a Huge GIVE to AuthorYOU community. Those who participate are TAKERS .. and ideally, what is received is then GIVEN back to others. BY sharing what we learn with others and what we GIVE back through our writings and presentations.

So … here’s my question for you …  really, the question that other GIVERS ask …

  • What are you GIVING back? Think about it.
  • Are you only a convenient TAKER, picking just something that you think might benefit you or your book? AuthorYOU and The Book Shepherd wants to deliver multiple tools and ideas that will do just that—not everything we offer will be the perfect fit all the time … but lots will.
  • Do you understand that your participation, your energy, your experiences, your spirit are what makes a living community … the AuthorYOU Community? The Author community where authors help authors. It’s why we really want to see you at our events and programs; to take advantage of them and at the same time, share your experiences and seeds of wisdom with other members.
  • Or do you just want to TAKE? Pick others’ brains … and not share yours? And then move on?

Your Suggested Call to Action:

Participate … Show up: we can’t deliver the high level of programs we do if only a few registers to participate. The FALL AuthorYOU programs are planned. Saturday programs are on the first Saturday of the month. July, August, and December are bypassed. The second Saturday is designed for both online-remote members early and later in the morning, in-person. Other events do occur during the month–podcasts, webinars, and gatherings.
Participate … AuthorYOU is a nonprofit … it needs help from volunteers. And it needs your membership.
Participate … Refer your writing and authoring friends to join … Membership adds are critical for any association’s survival and trivial.

What say you …

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 42 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book PlatformsSnappy 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. 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.

©2022 Judith Briles – The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.