The Author’s Inner Circle Seeds Author 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. Your secret sauce.
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.
P.S. Remember … your “Inner Circle” does not just consist of YES people. Be open to their thoughts, words and suggestions. Their goal should be to support YOU and YOUR book.
Dr. Judith Briles is the award-winning and bestselling author of 49 books and calls Colorado home. When she’s not in the kitchen or in the garden, she’s working with clients as The Book Shepherd, a book and publishing consulting and project management firm that works with authors at all stages of their book to create and publish a book they never regret! She’s the founder of the first Authors’ Hall of Fame exclusively dedicated to ensuring the legacy of authors connected in some way with Colorado.
Judith’s books have been translated into 17 countries with over 1,000,000 copies sold! They have been featured in over 2,000 radio and TV shows including repeat appearances on CNN, CNBC, and Oprah. She has worked with over 1,500 authors and created 500 plus bestsellers. Print publications include Newsweek, People, Time, The Wall Street Journal and … The National Enquirer! Her popular podcast, AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing is dedicated to authors and writers and their success and is ranked in the top ten in four categories on GoodPods.
©2026 Judith Briles – The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.