Ellen Reid is a Book Shepherd, an author, and a speaker who practices what she preaches: Putting forward your best in all that you do. Her primary focus is assisting authors in establishing their own publishing companies and producing books that represent the excellence of their message. She does this with an uncanny ability to get inside her clients’ minds, grasp their vision, and guiding them in creating materials that take them to levels beyond what they had imagined possible. Ellen’s background is eclectic and deeply rooted in advertising, marketing, promotion and sales.

Growing up in a Los Angeles family involved with motion picture distribution, she learned at an early age how to think in terms of target markets and appeal to people in a way that motivated them to action. As an adult, she enjoyed phenomenal success in the sales and marketing divisions of national companies. By the 1990’s Ellen had had enough with being a cog in the corporate machine and set out to establish her own advertising/marketing company, Smarketing. An avid student and reader, Ellen soon found herself involved with the publishing industry, more specifically with its self-publishing arm, which was, at the time, reinventing itself. Soon she was presenting talks at self-publishing seminars for industry legend, Dan Poynter. She steadily built her reputation as one of the field’s premiere Book Shepherds by consistently producing top quality, often award-winning books for authors who chose the lucrative self-publishing approach to getting their books to the public. She was able to do that because her unique background gave her the experience and vision to assemble a creative team and, through her direction, inspire them to exceed the vision of her clients. Hearing story after story of how authors would produce books that only sat in boxes in their garages, Ellen decided more was needed. So she steeped herself in the business end of the self-publishing industry so she could make sure her clients’ books have the all important technical standards necessary. She then created an approach for guiding clients in establishing a publishing company that would stand on solid ground to be taken seriously in this multi-billion dollar industry.

With the advent of Web 2.0, Ellen is currently learning the ins and outs of social networking and other cutting edge developments as tools for successful book promotion. As a result, she is advising clients on website and other Internet resources that assist in successful promotion and sales. Today, in addition to her one-on-one work with clients, Ellen has become a popular speaker at self-publishing seminars and conventions. Her own book, Putting Your Best Book Forward: A Book Shepherd’s Secrets for Producing Award-Winning Books that Sell, is due to be released in the fall of 2009. She also sponsors the National Indie Excellence Awards (www.indieexcellence.com). Ellen makes her headquarters in Southern California and serves clients worldwide.

ELLEN REID'S BOOK SHEPHERDINGSM

Ellen Reid may just be the indie-publisher's best friend. A pioneer "Book Shepherd," she helps writers become published authors by creating a book that stands up to those of the big houses with stunning design and punchy promo text, and by establishing a ready-to-roll professional independent/self-publishing business.

Ellen stands on a solid foundation of experience for taking authors—and others—to success. She learned the ins and outs of promotion at her father’s knee, watching him operate as a Hollywood film distributor. As an adult, she carved out her own career, applying her talents and almost mystical insights to sales and marketing. This ability naturally evolved into helping others realize their dreams. In the 1990's she started her company, Smarketing.

When she "Smarkets" a client, she starts by getting inside their head, learning their passions, aspirations and dreams. Then she works with them, positioning them to achieve—and often exceed—their objectives.

Dealing exclusively with authors she puts a team together to "brand" her client so the target audience understands who they are and what benefits are offered to them. Ellen and the team collaborate with the author to successfully navigate through each step of the process: editing their book, designing its cover and interior, and creating promotional materials that are consistent with the author's image and message.

Ellen has come to be acknowledged as not only one of the first, but one of the best Book Shepherds in the business, especially for those who want standout books of unexcelled quality.

ELLEN REID'S BOOK SHEPHERDINGSM
269 S. Beverly Dr. #1065
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Toll free: 866-406-4352
310-862-2573
Cell: 805-403-5285
Fax: 310-862-2575

ellen@bookshep.com