January 25, 2006: Sharing with Writers:
From the Desks
Of Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Authors* Coalition Friends
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Most recent issues of Sharing with Writers are posted with live links at Fairgo E-Books: http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/fairgoebooks/literary.htm. You will find the *Best of Sharing with Writers* at Apollos Lyre (www.ApollosLyre.com). Sharing with Writers is the official newsletter of Authors* Coalition, an organization of writers who help writers.

Note: In order to cut down on computerese, I do not use (or I substitute for) many punctuation marks. They seem to disagree with Yahoo and others. I hope it doesn*t drive you crazy.
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Note from Carolyn:

Dear Authors* Coalition Members and Subscribers:

A January note: A beautiful, crisp day here in sunny Southern California. The morning light on the delicate blooms of our jade tree makes me think of how grateful I am that I am a writer and have so much to share with other writers, and they with me. There is something about our hearts and the way we connect. Here*s to a creative new year. May we continue to support one another.

Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
HoJoNews@aol.com
http://carolynhowardjohnson.com
http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com

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No part of this newsletter is paid advertising. At the suggestion of a subscriber who reads every issue of Sharing with Writers, you will find brand new material so noted with a pointing finger.
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Tip: Bev Walton shares information about Liz, the Webmaster who redesigned her site (see it at http://www.bevwaltonporter.com/ . Bev says, *She does a first-class job and I*m ever so grateful for the fantastic work she has done to help me promote my books! *throws kisses to Liz* Please stop by and have a look at her site, (http://www.flyinglasagnasisters.com/).
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Letter to the Editor:

Let me say, that I think that you and the core organizers of the LA Book Festival are doing a most outstanding job and your efforts are appreciated not only by me, but I would think all of the others.

Hugh Rosen, Professor Emeritus
Author of *Silent Battlefields: A Novel* http://www.hughrosen.com/
*Creativity is a pathway to alternate realities.*

Editor*s Note: We do have a good team and I want to remind you all that even if you can*t be present, there are ways for you to join some of the cross-promotional efforts! Go to http://authorscoaltionandredenginepress.com or e-mail me at HoJoNews@aol.com.
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Opportunities:

First Annual Flash Fiction Contest Sponsored by WriterAdvice

*WriterAdvice* is searching for flash fiction. If you have a complete story that runs under 750 words, has a strong theme, sharp images, a solid structure, and an unexpected discovery, please submit it to the *WriterAdvice* Flash Fiction Contest. Visit www.writeradvice.com to learn more about the e-zine.

Type and submit hard copy entries to B. Lynn Goodwin, WriterAdvice, P.O. Box 2665, Danville, CA 94526-4339. They must be postmarked by MARCH 15, 2006.

Enter up to three stories. Enclose a $10 check for EACH entry made payable to B. Lynn Goodwin. If no prizes are awarded, checks will be refunded.

Include a separate cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, current e-mail address, and each story title. Please put the story title, but not your name, at the top of each page. Winners will be asked to submit a brief biography as well as an e-mail copy of the story. Names of all winners will be announced in the June – July issue of WriterAdvice, www.writeradvice.com .

PRIZES: Winning stories will be published in *WriterAdvice.* In addition, First Place earns $60, Second Place earns $30, Third Place earns $20, and Fourth Place earns $15. Honorable Mentions will also be published. A list of all winners will be posted in the June – July issue of *WriterAdvice.*

Special Perk: All entries accompanied by an ---SASE will be returned with brief comments.
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Call for submissions!

Acts of kindness are often overlooked. To celebrate the little things that people do in life, I am collecting real-life stories for a book on kindness (Spring 2007, Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing). If you have a story to tell, I*d like to hear it. Maybe it*s about how you picked flowers for a sick neighbor just to make his day. Or someone fed your parking meter during your lunch hour so you wouldn*t get a ticket. I am particularly interested in how your life changed after the act of kindness occurred. What happened? Who was involved? How did it come to be? Did you notice a change in your life after being the recipient or offering an act of kindness? Were others around you kinder? Were you kinder? Were you more joyous? Generous? All appropriate stories will be considered (no more than 1000 words). Please forward your story and full contact info (full name, address, email, etc.) to me, Christine Louise Hohlbaum, at storyofkindness@yahoo.com . Compensation is a bio. Deadline is Feb. 15, 2006. Thank you!
Christine Louise Hohlbaum
http://www.diaryofamother.com
Awarded Author of the Year 2005 by Montauk Sun
Diary of a Mother: Parenting Stories and Other Stuff
SAHM I Am: Tales of a Stay-at-Home Mom.

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A Cross Promotion Effort You*ll Use! Hurry!

Red Engine Press is publishing a Journal (a real one that people write and draw in). Joyce Faulkner, Pat Avery and I, are looking for 100 writing-oriented quotes of 2 lines ( 2 additional lines for accreditation will appear on each page--that would include book title, website address or other mention at the discretion of each winner).

There is no fee--and no royalties--but those chosen for publication can buy as many as they want at 50% off list price to sell as companions with their book, to give away as gifts or to use as promotional items. The idea here is that there will be 99 other authors selling and giving them away and when they do they will be disseminating information about YOU and YOUR book as well as their own. There is no obligation to buy of course. The journal will be listed on Amazon. The deadline is January 31. Send entries (yes, you can send more than one but they must be your own work) to Joyce at katieseyes@aol.com.

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Bookseller Catalog Op

The Authors* Coalition booth at the LA Times Festival of Books will be sending a catalog to booksellers. A cross-promotion effort with each participating author sharing names of bookstores, this catalog will be sent to bookstore buyers (we*re shooting for 500) and some local press. All those participating in the booth will be included but we have room for a few more participants in the catalog. Joyce Faulkner, a member of the AC Board of Directors and our faithful Webmaster and publisher-of-materials, sends this offer along to you:

*…if you want to have an ad in this catalog, here are the prices: A full page ad is $600, one half pages is $300, and one quarter page is $150 and one eight of a page is $75. These all include cover art, ISBN, a short blurb and your Website address. If you want just a text notice with title, authors* name, ISBN and tend words, that add is $10. Businesses are welcome to purchase ads as well.*

So, if you have questions or want to participate, contact her at katieseyes@aol.com. Please put *Book Fair Catalog* in the subject line.

As you know, postage rates just went up and color printing is expensive. We are pleased to offer these rates to AC members and believe that the catalog will keep the images of AC authors* books in the minds of many of the movers in the book business. Further, high participation will allow us to send the catalog to more bookstores.
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Tip: Success Literary Services does complete book manuscript edit, proof, critique, and film script story analysis coverage. It was honored with twelve top awards for writing, editing, teaching, ethics, consulting, and educational services for the professional literary community. Find it at: http://www.successliterary.com

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Gift for Your Love: A book of poetry at Valentine*s is traditional. *Tracings,* a subtly-designed chapbook of poetry (www.finishinglinepress.com),is both personal and nostalgic. It is now available on Amazon.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1137368318/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-7824821-4156653?n=507846&s=books&v=glance. You*ll find a bottle of wine or a rose to go with it at your favorite grocery store.
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Tip: Learn writing skills, book promotion, technology for writers when you*re on the go. Access new audio classes regularly in MP3 or CDRom at http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/audio.asp. Learn more about the instructors and find a list of the coming classes at http://tri-studio.com/kathegogolewskieAUDIOCLASSES.html or go to our own Authors* Coalition site at http://authorscoalition.redenginepress.com/ddp_teleclasses.htm.
Listen to a mini podcast of one of the audio classes here: http://tri-studio.com/kathegogolewskiAUDIOCLASSES.html
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Great Quotation!

This from Rowdy Rhodes*s newsletter.

*The original style is not the style which never borrows of anyone, but that which no other person is capable of reproducing.* François René, Vicomte de Chateaubriand (1768–1848) http://www.bartleby.com/66/
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To sign up for Rowdy*s newsletter go to: http://www.fwointl.com/FWOSignup.html

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New Amazon Author Benefits:

Editor*s Note: This information is from Eric Dinyer (www.dreamless.com ), my co-writer/book packaging partner for *Support Our Troops* and *Effort and Surrender. * He is also a book cover designer.

Amazon is broadening the functions of the profile that they have offered Amazon visitors for some time. It will allow them to communicate directly with their *favorites.* This link is direct from Amazon*s site with the information you need to utilize the newest kink in their services for authors.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/arms/role/ref=cm_arms_cr/103-7824821-4156653

I believe this may be worth your time promotionally speaking. I*ll be testing it for Fugal II but you might want to give it a run before you read about it there!
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More Amazon News:

Amazon May Publish Your *Shorts*

Here*s the dope, straight from Amazon*s mouth. Go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/13993911/103-7824821-4156653 and nose around. If you can see any brilliant ways to promote or further your writing career with it, let us all know.

Amazon*s Short Program Information:

Amazon Shorts features previously unpublished short-form literature for sale exclusively at Amazon.com. Fiction and nonfiction pieces on a wide variety of topics are available in a digital format only for just $0.49. This is a great way for authors to maintain a more direct and frequent communication with their readers as well as promote their backlist.
Benefits of participation in Amazon Shorts:

•Access a powerful marketing tool to promote an author*s backlist in a new and meaningful way

•Create an author profile page with biography, photo, and complete backlist

•Maintain author*s visibility between published projects

•Establish a more direct and frequent communication with readers

•Introduce readers to unfamiliar writers

•Provide a new outlet to sell short fiction and nonfiction

Amazon Shorts on the site:

•Customers get instant reading gratification from favorite authors.

•Readers can easily sample new writers without investing much time or money.

•Shorts are available to customers via PDF, HTML, plain-text e-mail, and they are stored in customers* Digital Lockers forever. Shorts can be read immediately on-screen or printed out to be read later.

•Amazon Shorts will be promoted on the Books home page, presented as part of book search results, and recommended to book buyers.

•Full personalization features--customer ratings, reviews, recommendations--will be included.
Attention publishers, agents, editors, and authors: If you would like to participate in Amazon Shorts, please contact amazon-shorts@amazon.com.

Author FAQ:

What types of material can I list as an Amazon Short?
Any previously unpublished short-form work (2,000 - 10,000 words, fiction or nonfiction) you*ve created that your readers would find interesting. An Amazon Short could be a single short story, an update on a well-loved character, a compelling speech, additional material that enriches your published works, or even your commentary on your work or other subjects. Some authors have chosen to treat this as a *laboratory* for experimentation with new genres, themes, etc. We are open to creative ideas for new work.

What if I want to contribute more than one piece?

Once you are accepted into the Amazon Shorts program, you are free to contribute as many pieces as you wish. We are especially interested in getting new material from you on a regular basis. Please allow a turnaround time of approximately three weeks from the time you deliver the material to the time you can expect it to appear on the site.

Can I sell my material elsewhere? Can I publish it later? Will I continue to own the rights to it?

Authors retain the rights to their material. However, we do require that all Shorts be exclusive to Amazon.com for a minimum of six months.

Can anyone submit an Amazon Short?

We are accepting work from a diverse group of authors. In order to be eligible for participation you must be a published author with at least one book currently for sale on Amazon.com. If you are an agent, author, publisher, or editor, and you would like to be considered for inclusion in this program, please contact us at amazon-shorts@amazon.com.

Does this material get reviewed by customers just as books do?

Absolutely. The digital content listed in Amazon Shorts is just like other media products that Amazon.com sells to customers and is subject to the same privileges and conditions that are afforded to books, CDs, and other media products.

Can authors promote their Shorts on their own Web sites?

Yes. Authors who have their own Web sites are encouraged to join the Amazon.com Associates Program. Through this program, you can use your own Web site to drive traffic to your Amazon Shorts as well as any books you have for sale on Amazon.com. This is especially worthwhile for writers who have active or well-frequented Web sites.
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Patrika*s Marketing Tips:

Free Publicity. It*s available, but you have to think like a reporter to access it. When preparing press releases, separate real news from promotional puffery (and delete the puff); deliver a sharp story angle that will be of real interest to the reading/viewing public; deliver that angle in a professional, courteous way (use proper etiquette when contacting a report or editor). To learn more, see
http:www.publicityinsider.com
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Patrika Vaughn, the world*s leading author*s advocate, helps new voices get into print. See http://www.acappela.com , for full information on her books, critiques, online classes, consulting, book doctoring, etc. (http://www.acappela.com/)

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Carolyn*s Appearances:

Jump-start Your Credibility and Salability: Publish a Book: is the topic of a workshop I*ll be presenting at the American Board of Hypnotherapy*s 2006 Convention: Newport Beach, CA, Radisson, Monday, Feb. 20, 2006, 3:30 pm. I will also be presenting a seminar on marketing skills on Sunday, Feb. 19th at 9 am. Visit their site at: www.hypnosis.com.
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Sold Out!! Dayton University*s Erma Bombeck Writers* Workshop, March 23-25, 2006. Plan to sign up early for 2007!!! http://www.humorwriters.org/
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Las Vegas Writer*s Conference, Henderson, NV. March 30 to April 2, 2006 is slated for Sam*s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, 5111 Boulder Highway, LV, NV. I will be presenting. To learn more go to www.LasVegasWritersConference.com or contact Gregory Kompes, conference coordinator, at Gregory@kompes.com for more information.
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PEN has asked Carolyn to teach a class for the program they sponsor for writers in underserved Los Angeles area communities sometime in May. If you are interested in joining PEN or contributing in some way to this program, contact Carolyn at HoJoNews@aol.com for a referral.
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Wanna Trade?
Many subscribers are in a position to cross-promote. Let me know if you would like to trade some recommendation or promotion for a permanent spot (or as my list grows, semi-permanent) spot in this newsletter. I use only links that benefit writers
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Success Story:

This is an example of delayed success that comes from persistent promotion from one our LA Times Festival of Books booth participants:

*I still get my national sorority*s magazine (Alpha Xi Delta). Decided to send in a press release about my writing to the mag about a year ago. Just had an e-mail today from the Seattle alumni chapter, asking me to be the keynote speaker at its Founder*s Day banquet, April 8th. So, some promotion is like planting seeds. Sometimes the rooting and sprouting isn*t visible, until one early morning, scanning the yard, there*s a blossoming plant!
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Learn more about the contributor of this success story, Patricia Harrington at: www.patriciaharrington.com and mysterywritingmusings.blogspot.com
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Recommendation:

Perfect Source for Those Searching for A Subsidy (or POD) Publisher

Dehanna Bailee, is a long-time subscriber who has written *The ABC*s of POD: A Beginners Guide to Fee-Based Print-on-Demand Publishing.* It provides authors information they need to make an informed decision when considering publication through a fee-based print-on-demand publishing service.

It has easy to read chapters, special questions by section, over forty exploratory inquiries and recommended reading selections (The Frugal Book Promoter is among them). Authors will learn to identify and understand important concepts regarding the fee-based print-on-demand publishing industry including publishing definitions, setting goals, rights and contracts, hidden costs, critiques and editing, royalties, procedures, research, and more. Also included are several helpful observations and testimonials from veteran authors.
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Dehanna Bailee is also the author of *True Nature,* a contributor to *Barn and Snow: A Holiday Poetry Anthology,* *to wound the autumnal city: a dyingdays.com 9-11 anthology,* and *Writer*s Journal* magazine. She hosts the *POD Database,* a free online resource for authors interested in fee-based POD publishing, and her work in the industry has been recommended by Patricia Fry, Fern Reiss, Dan Poynter, U-Publish, *Writers Digest* magazine, and more. Find her on the web at: http://dehanna.com
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Thank Yous:

(Editor*s Note: The thank yous below are full of names and links you can use in a variety ways, from finding publishers for your work to finding sites suitable for promoting your writing and yourself

To Denise Fleischer, editor of Gotta Write Network. She invited reviewers from Reviewers* Café to submit their favorite books of 2006
http://www.gottawritenetwork.com/. *Tracings,* my chapbook of poetry was recommended by Magdalena Ball. Do you know how rarely a book of poetry makes a list like that? Thank you to both of you!!
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To Dr. Bob Rich, for publishing news of my Noble (Not Nobel!) Prize winners in his Bobbin* Around. http://mooramoora.org.au/bobrich/mudsmith//bobbing5-5.html#announcements
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To Marilyn Peake, author of *The Fisherman*s Son Trilogy* (young adult) for including a banner for audio classes and for Authors* Coalition on her site. See how she did it at http://www.marilynpeake.com/ .She also included a URL for the LA Times Festival of Books: http://www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks.
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To Christine Louise Hohlbaum, author of the CD-Rom, *The Author*s Companion: A Self-Guided Course on Book Promotion* for installing our Authors* Coalition logo and link on her Authors* Companion site ( http://www.authorscompanion.com/ ).
Christine*s sample query letter to NPR (one that actually worked!) appears in the index of *The Frugal Book Promoter.* She is also the author of *Diary of a Mother,* http://www.diaryofamother.com .
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To B.J. Bramblett author of *Sliding Stop* and *Flying Change* for contributing a review of *The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won*t, to the Tennessee Writers Alliance*s newsletter. She has an interesting approach to cross-sales for his book. She attached her book*s page to the page where she advertises her horse business, http://www.mtnbreezeqtrhorse.com/ . She says *It has resulted in cross sales--people who buy a horse buy books and vice-versa.*. Of course her novels are *horsey who-done-its with a medical twist* so the interest is there among her visitors.
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To Fictionwise for featuring our audios (MP3 and CDs) for authors on their home page. One placed number four and the other number 50 (out of 525) in only a few days. Find them at: http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/SelfImprovementeBooks.htm
or copy and paste this link:
http://www.fictionwise.com/servlet/mw?action=view&template=browsebook.htm&index=25&catid=24&sortby=b.NumberSold&sortorder=ASC&formattype=
These audios are produced for the benefit of authors by Allyn Evans, Joyce Faulkner Kathe Gogolewski, Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Marilyn Peake and published by Double Dragon Publishing.
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Tip: Authors* Coalition member Patricia Harrington, author of *Death Comes Too Soon,* (www.patriciaharrington.com ) offers us her goal for 2006: *I try to do one kind of promotional/publicity-related thing each day; if nothing else, adding a contact name with info to my source list for promotion. My goal in 2006 is to have a list of 1,000 names that I can send out fliers, postcards, announcements to.*
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Reciprocal Links:

Francine Silverman, publisher of Book Promotion Newsletter, represents authors by e-mailing Expert Sheets to the media. This low-cost service began in December 2005 and already some clients have been interviewed by major dailies. Contact Fran at franalive@optonline.net for more information. www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
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Read author interviews, market information, and more in WriterAdvice, www.writeradvice.com. To subscribe or to submit material for consideration, E-mail LGood67334@comcast.net . Put subscribe in the subject box.
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The Y&W newsletter sponsored by Red Engine Press bring authors, bookstores, publishers and reviewers together. Subscribers can write a short article of interest to this group and we*ll try to publish it. To subscribe send an email to nate@redenginepress.com with *Y&W Newsletter* in the subject line.
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The Shy Writer: An Introvert*s Guide to Writing Success - Author C. Hope Clark advises you how to *sell your words, not your soul* when you promote your work. Highly acclaimed and loved by many. http://www.theshywriter.com/
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The Reading Tub is a charity that promotes family and children*s literacy. They read every children*s book that is sent to them for a review. They are then donated to community organizations. Go to www.thereadingtub.com.
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Walter Brasch*s America*s Unpatriotic Acts: The Federal Government*s Violation of Constitutional and Civil Rights. ) is a look at the history and effects of the USA Patriot Act upon the erosion of our civil liberties and violations of at least five of the Bill of Rights. It has been endorsed by liberals and conservatives.
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Star Publish offers near self-publish profits on your paperback; it is an alternative to unapproachable publishers. http://starpublish.com.
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Do you want to hone your skills? Writer to Writer features tips on writing, marketing, submitting, selling and more. Regular no-fee contests. www.writer2writer.com
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Authors* Coalition is for writers. Find support for authors--both emotional and material--at http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com.
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Gather at QueenPower.com where women promote, support and encourage women. Start living your best life now! http://www.queenpower.com/
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Sun Signs for Writers: Learn how astrology can benefit (and entertain!) writers with a new Writers* Digest book: http://www.writersigns.info
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Judith Woolcock Colombo: Author of The Fablesinger and Night Crimes: Learn more at: http://odin.prohosting.com/~night01
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Discover a novel by Cynthianna Appel and receive your choice of another e-book at no cost. Go to http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna/promo.html today!
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Read Joyce Faulkner*s Celebrity Cafe.com column to learn about anything from aging feet to her favorite books on writing: http://thecelebritycafe.com/features/Columnists/The_Weekly_Shriek/
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Fr** Publicity Resource: Let this site send your media release to book trade professionals including Associated Press, Reuters, Dow Jones, and more! http://press.heliographica.com/
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Has writing lost some of its spontaneity? Find fun writing remedies in Milli Thornton*s online writing course at: http://www.fearofwriting.com/creative-writing-course.htm
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Discover a true-life philosophy about making marriages last a lifetime in Choose Love For Life, by Joe and Edwina Roady (http://www.chooseloveforlife.com/.)
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The AA Independent Press Guide is a f***, database which details over 2,000 literary and genre magazines and publishers. It is hosted on the website of writer and artist, Dee Rimbaud, at http://www.thunderburst.co.uk/
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The Complete Writer offers advice on writing, editing, proofreading, publishing and design. Published by Red Engine Press. A traditional press, it publishes fiction, nonfiction and children*s titles. http://www.redenginepress.com/
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Dr. Bob Rich, freelance editor, finds the good things in your book and makes suggestions for improving it. His clients include independent publishers, and a long list of writers. Find him at http://bobswriting.com/editing.html
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The Compulsive Reader reviews books by some of the hottest writers working today. Find author interviews, literary news, criticism, a free e-zine, giveaways, and more. http://www.compulsivereader.com/html.
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Do bookstores owe you money? Michelle Dunn*s books How to Make Money Collecting Money: Starting a Collection Agency and Become the Squeaky Wheel, A Credit and Collections Guide for Everyone will help you get your checks in full and on time. http://www.michelledunn.com/
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Erica Miner, queenpower.com*s Queen of Journaling, has a monthly e-mail newsletter with an emphasis on journaling. Subscribe at: http://www.ericaminer.com/newsletter.php
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A Cappela Publishing*s audio book, How to Write Your Own Life Story (or Your Family*s Saga) is recommended by the American Library Association*s Booklist. Go to www.acappela.com
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A lovely Valentine gift! Dreams of Grandeur by Amber A. Whitman is available at http://homebody2001-ivil.tripod.com/. A reader says *I*m impressed…a great deal of talent.*

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Authors* Coalition members! Add credibility to your business cards and other promotions by using the logo available to you. Ask for it by sending an e-mail to HoJoNews@aol.com. Ask your writing friends to join,too.
They will help AC serve all its members better! Tell them to visit our blog where they*ll learn how to put a spark into generally insipid book fairs by using value-added promotions: http://redeneginepress.com/chjohnson .
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Feature:

Why Sponsor Contests that Promote Other Authors?

By Kristin Johnson

Lily Tomlin famously remarked, *We*re all in this alone.* That seems to be doubly true of authors despite all the writers* associations, conferences and Websites that join writers together. We writers scramble for self-promotion in a world that seems to have less and less shelf space or media attention, unless you happen to have a memoir with controversial contents that Oprah has endorsed.

Why, then, would we decide to promote each other? The first rule of book sales and Website building is: never lead *em away from you. It*s business sense too: Starbucks doesn*t tell people to go elsewhere.

Here*s the answer. We promote each other because of Relationships.

For example, I am sponsoring a contest till February 14 giving away copies of Dora Levy Mossanen*s *Courtesan* at www.poemsforyou.com/courtesancontest.html . I happen to think Courtesan is a fabulous book. And author giveaways, such as the romance contests at www.writerspace.com, are hot--always have been. Do giveaways of signed copies, even when the copies aren*t your own book, mean automatic author self-sabotage?

Absolutely not. Carolyn*s newsletter, here, and the Authors* Coalition she founded are prime examples of connecting with other authors.

Again: relationships.

Contests drive traffic to Websites--the author you promote probably has a mailing list a mile long, which means those fans will be looking at your site and thinking, *Hmmm, this is a great thing to do when everyone else out there won*t give an author the courtesy of an e-mail response.*

Remember the book *Miracle on 34th Strreet* and the movies, including the one with Natalie Wood and Maureen O*Hara? The kindly Santa in the book encouraged rival department stores to give referrals to each other.

It*s easy to forget the lessons of giving when Scrooges abound in the publishing industry. And hey, you have to eat. Still, remember: relationships.

Call me foolish, but I believe that whether it*s publishing related articles on your Website, writing a review of a fellow author*s book on Amazon.com, sponsoring a contest or going to a book-signing and saying, *Hey, this book is terrific, read it,* you cast your bread on the waters. Actions like these build bonds with other authors who know exactly what you*re going through.

We*re not all in this alone.

I heartily recommend *Courtesan* as a great book for Valentine*s Day!
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Movie reviewer/screenwriter Kristin Johnson composes personalized poems, speeches, toasts, vows, and family memories. Visit http://www.poemsforyou.com to order your personalized memories. She is also co-author of the Midwest Book Review *enthusiastically recommended* book Christmas Cookies Are For Giving: Stories, Recipes and Tips for Making Heartwarming Gifts (ISBN: 0-9723473-9-9). Visit
http://www.christmascookiesareforgiving.com. And sponsor a contest on your own site; help yourself and help a friend.

Win signed copies of COURTESAN by Dora Levy Mossanen...intrigue, love, decadence, rebellion, a woman*s destiny...visit
www.poemsforyou.com/courtesancontest.html to enter a trivia contest by February 14

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Essential Book and Record Keeping:

This letter is an occasional and informal way for me to share with my writing and publishing friends and for them to share with each other. Please send me your tips and news and I will try to pass them on for the benefit of others. If you do not care to receive this letter, just let me know but please, please don*t tell me you*ve given up writing or promoting!

To submit information for consideration, e-mail me at HoJoNews@aol.com. Include *Submission* in the subject line.

To unsubscribe, e-mail me at HoJoNews@aol.com and include *Unsubscribe* in the subject line.

To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to: HoJoNews@aol.com. It is edited and distributed sporadically by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, http://carolynhowardjohnson.com, author of THIS IS THE PLACE, HARKENING: A COLLECTION OF STORIES REMEMBERED and THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON*T and is an entity of Authors* Coalition, http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com.

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Ordering Information for The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won*t:
Order FRUGAL in e-book form for only $9. at: http://starpublish.com/starbooks.htm
Paperback copies may be ordered at Amazon where it is discounted: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-0672916-9668863 and at stores like UCLA, Dayton University and San Diego State University*s bookstores.

This is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered and Tracings, a chapbook of poetry, are also available online or may be special ordered from most fine bookstores.

Tracings, a chapbook of poetry, may be ordered at http://finishinglinepress.com and Amazon.com.