July 2, 2006: Sharing with Writers:
From the Desks
Of Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Authors' Coalition Friends
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"Sharing with Writers" is the official newsletter of Authors' Coalition,

http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com

an organization of writers who help writers.
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Note from Carolyn:

Dear Authors' Coalition Members and Subscribers:

The Fourth of July.

Many of you know, I am from Utah. Perhaps that may mean more to you now that "Big Love" is such a Big Hit on HBO (it comes on right after "The Sopranos" on Sunday night). The fourth isn't such a big deal in Utah. Oh, we have sparklers and Roman candles and watermelon but the big celebration (the big parade, the naming of a queen, etc) are reserved for July 24th when we celebrate the Days of '47 (That's 1847) when Utah was more or less founded by Brigham Young, the day when he purportedly said the famous words "This is the Place," which, not coincidentally, is the title of my novel based on my own life as a young half-breed in that state (half Mormon, half Protestant, and--as it turned out--not really anything).

There is a scene in "This is the Place" that describes how unique this holiday was--for my family, anyway. The book is full of scenes set in a culture that is probably very foreign to most of you. Many of you may have even "got it wrong" as they say, for there is much misinformation going around about the state, the religion and the culture.

I have nothing against "Big Love." I think the writers have done it very well. I do worry that many think that what they see there is the way it is all over the state. That culture (I have lived all over the world and some three decades in California now) is certainly unique but a little bit of knowledge can be misleading.

Thus, on this Fourth of July, I urge you to learn more about one of the amazing separate cultures that make up our United States of America. You have probably read dozens of novels set in the South, a few set in Amish country. Why not do a fellow author and yourself a favor this season and read "This is the Place?"

You can find it on Amazon at

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1588513521/qid=1151878187/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-4692447-2218401?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

While you're there you can read an excerpt from my book of creative nonfiction "Harkening" about a small town in the toolies somewhere about midstate called Gunnison. It's on my Amazon plog and appears on the Amazon page for "This is the Place."

So, Happy Fourth of July! Did you know there are more pianos per capita than anywhere else on earth? That we eat more green Jell-o, catsup, and ice cream than anywhere other state in the union? That we are the highest educated per capita than any other? And have more bi-lingual residents than most?

There are reasons for them all. Neither Krakauer's book nor "Big Love" will explain why.

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

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If you enjoy "Sharing with Writers" please nominate it for Writer's Digest's 101 Best Newsletters for Writers. We aren't big, we aren't old. So it would take a huge outpouring from subscribers to make a dent. Send an e-mail to writersdig@fwpubs.com with subject line, "101 Best Newsletters for Authors" and let them know what this newsletter does for you!
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Letter to the Editor:
carolyn

we must be in sync this a.m.

check out my recent blog post on the Amazon buy thing when you have time titled "A Percentage Means Nothing," or go to http://thebackroomat.dehanna.com/ to read my take on the "Ultimately Bought" feature on Amazon.

*smiles*

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Authors' Coalition members! For credibility, use the AC logo on your promotional materials. Ask for it by sending an e-mail to HoJoNews@aol.com or download it with a click from the AC site http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com.
Be sure to link it to the AC site, too!
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Opportunities:

Podcast on Podcasts!

Everyone interested in book promotion needs to know more about podcasting and now Passionate Internet Voices presents Annie Jennings speaking at no c ^ st on "Podcasting 101." Go to http://passionateinternetvoices.com. Scroll down until you find where the latest podcast is posted for that particular program, for example June 26, is the last program done by Jennings and Schlicting on Podcasting Basics 101.

When you are finished with that podcast, go to the top of the webpage and look for Annie Jennings' name. If it isn't there, look at the left hand side where three tabs display, Talk Show Hosts. Click on one of the Talk Show Hosts and a new line of talk show host's names appear. Continue until you find "anniejennings." Click on that one to go directly to her webpage. Scroll down so you can see how Annie has used podcasts on her site. Click on the triangle lying on its side to listen to the program. For more information on Passionate Internet Voices, contact Lillian Cauldwell at Lillian@Lilliancauldwell.com .
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Writer's Conference in the Fall

Plan for a November Conference in Utah? This year's AML Writers Conference has been scheduled. It will be November 4, 2006 at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. Keynote speakers will be Tracy and Laura Hickman. Learn more at http://www.aml-online.org

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New members will help Authors' Coalition serve all its members better! Ask your writing friends to join at http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com. Paid members get a favorite review posted, their photos and titles listed among members, consideration for an interview or review in Yarnspinners and Wordweavers and with more in the works.. Membership is reasonable, too. We're even planning a speakers' bureau.

Tell friends to visit our blog, too, where they'll learn how to spark generally insipid book fairs by using value-added promotions: http://redeneginepress.com/chjohnson .


http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
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Learning Opportunity:

If you are new to researching or just want to know more about using search engines effectively, the audio series I co-produce is now available at http://www.fictionwise.com/

It is called "Find a Needle in a Haystack: Using Boolean Logic to Support Research for Your Writing."

You'll also find our recent release, "Using Your Senses to Tell a Story -- Showing Over Telling" featured on the front page there.

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When was the last time you bought a book from an author you know? "Tracings" my new chapbook of poetry,
www.finishinglinepress.com,
is available for that honor at
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1141623936/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-4692447-2218401?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
but any book mentioned in any one of your "Sharing with Writers" newsletters would be a nice gesture. If all of us directed more of our reading to newer authors who write in genres we love or genres we need to stretch into, we would do ourselves and the publishing industry a great favor.
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Reciprocal Links:

Book Exclusives! Find insider news from authors, publishers, agents, editors and others involved in the book biz. Read excerpts, interviews and get in on the latest in promotions, sales and contests. http://pubproauthors.bravehost.com/
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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. 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 to be reviewed. The books 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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The Scribal Press News Calendar. The news calendar of writer events around the world, no matter where you live. Find it at: http://www.scribalpress.com/thisnthat.html?
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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-f e e 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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Patrika's Tips:

Promote Creatively.

Bookstores aren't the bet places to sell your books. Let librarians know you are a reputable supplier through ads in Library Journal, School Library Journal and Boooklist. Then send informative, educational letters to these magazines' editors, offering free fact sheets on topics in your subject areas. Then convert your information into 3.5 x 8.5 booklets (fits standard business envelopes). These informational booklets become a marketing tool, the starting point for your subject, so keep it to 16-24 interior pages.

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Want to receive Patrika Vaughn's fr ^ ^ monthly newsletter for writers? Subscribe at: A Cappela Publishing - http://www.acappela.com/ (Sign up at bottom of opening page)

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Please pass this letter on to others. Unlike many others, I do not mind if you use only portions of it as long as you credit the writers and include this subscribe information. "To subscribe to 'Sharing with Writers' send an e-mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with 'subscribe' in the subject line."
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Reciprocal Links:

For snappy marketing tips and the f~r~e~e report "How to Obtain Book Reviews," subscribe to the PR Postcard at
http://www.authorscompanion.com/
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Spirited Woman, launches the Spirited Woman Circle, a monthly phone conversation series with bestselling authors. Learn more at http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/spirited_woman_circle/
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Cynthia Brian, Media Coach, Writer, Author, Speaker, TV/Radio Personality, Spokesperson. www.star-style.com , www.goddessgals.com , and www.starstyleproductions.com
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Francine Silverman, publisher of Book Promotion Newsletter, serves authors by e-mailing Expert Sheets to the media. 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 brings authors, bookstores, publishers and reviewers together. Subscribers can write a short article of interest for publication. Send an email to nate@redenginepress.com with "Y&W Newsletter" in the subject line.
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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 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, and more. http://press.heliographica.com/
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Has writing lost its spontaneity? Find 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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Find a f * * *, database which details over 2,000 literary and genre magazines and publishers at Dee Rimbaud's site: 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.
http://www.redenginepress.com/

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Thank Yous

To Pinkie Paranya, author of "Treasure of the Amazon," a romantic adventure and the soon-to-be released "Herr Schnoodle & McBee," a cozy mystery from Five Star due 10/2006, for telling her publisher's Yahoo loop about "The Frugal Book Promoter." She says, "Some of the authors are so new they didn't know what arcs are and what constitutes a media kit. So I had to set them straight. (-: " How nice of her to recommend -- for the author (in this case me) and for those she is helping.
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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching Gigs:

UCLA Class: Carolyn is teaching a one-day class at UCLA on Saturday, August 5th (summer quarter). Circle it on your calendar! Enroll to learn all you need to know about preparing a professional manuscript for submission to agents, publishers or to ready it for alternative presses. To enroll or to receive a free copy of UCLA's "Writers' Program Quarterly," contact Marcus Hennessey at writers@uclaextension.edu or (310) 825-9415.
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Audio Classes: Allyn Evans, Joyce Faulkner, Kathe Gogolewski, Marilyn Peake and Carolyn, have produced audio classes covering writing skills, book promotion, and technology for writers. Access new audio classes regularly in MP3 or CDRom at

http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/imprintlist.asp?imprint=PODRADIO

Learn more about the instructors and find a list of the coming classes at our Authors' Coalition site at:
Please feel free to use it.

http://tri-studio.com/AUDIOCLASSESALL.html

To get a fr ^ ^ sample class called "Radio: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Promoting Easy and Cheap!" go to the Double Dragon Publishing (DDP) Website: Download at:
http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.asp?isbn=DDP00000001QP&genre=
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The Muse Online Writing Conference: Lea Schizas, editor of "The Muse on Writing," and Carolyn Howard-Johnson are sponsoring this first annual virtual writers' conference October 9 - 13. This conference lets writers -- published or not -- mingle with some of the publishing world's personalities. Choose from a huge selection of free online workshops.
Bookmark this site

http://www.freewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference/

Go back often to see the newest presenters and workshops. Agents, Michael Larsen and Elizabeth Pomada have just accepted invitations and we have dozens of others. Carolyn will be presenting on both book promotion and the craft of writing, specifically "Writing Sparkling Dialogue in 10 Easy Steps."

To check on the growing faculty and workshop session, go to:

http://www.freewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference/agenda.htm
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Reciprocal Links: 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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Tip: Marcus Alexander Hart sends "Sharing with Writers" this note: "I just wrote up a little article with some tips and tricks for POD
publishing with Lulu.com." He's invited us to check them out: http://marcus132.livejournal.com/114866.html
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Author Successes:

Betty Dobson (http://inkspotter.com/) says, "Can you believe this? I just had another poem accepted for publication! The market this time around is the 2006 Binnacle Ultra-Short Competition. My poem "Scrape Rattle Bang" was one of about 60 finalists (out of more than 600 submissions). The poem will appear in their annual competition edition later in the year.

Last year's publication (which included my finalist poem "The Last Time I
Saw Lisa") took the form of a deck of cards (business-card size) in a
decorative box. Will history repeat itself? I'm eager to find out.
For the first time this year, finalist entries will also be prepared as downloadable audio recordings--a first for me! (Here's hoping they record someone other than me reading the poem.) The URL for your subscribers to check it out for themselves is: http://www.umm.maine.edu/binnacle/short_2006.asp

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No part of this newsletter is paid advertising.
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Reciprocal Links:

PENCILS™ - A Proofreading & Copyediting Company
"Improving the written word one letter at a time."
Let Laura Kerley help you present your work in the best light possible!
Email: pencilsproofreading@yahoo.com
Web: http://www.pencilsproofreading.com Phone: 310.357.9140 to:
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One of my favorite groups for meeting "Publishing and Promoting" peers is moderated by award-winning suspense novelist Diane J. Newton, http://dianejnewton.bravehost.com/
To subscribe go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/publishingandpromoting/ .
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Dr. Bob Rich, freelance editor, finds the good things in your book and makes suggestions for improving it. Find him at http://bobswriting.com/editing.html
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Success Literary Services offers complete book manuscript services. They were honored with twelve awards. References. http://www.successliterary.com / suc-srv@pacbell.net
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HUGS, HOPE, and Peanut Butter: Finding Light Behind Life's Storm Clouds is a book of humorous, inspirational essays illustrated by critically ill children. www.hugsandhope.org/pb.htm
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The Compulsive Reader reviews books!. Find interviews, literary news, criticism, a no - c^st e-zine, and more. http://www.compulsivereader.com/html.
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Do bookstores owe you money? Michelle Dunn's books 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, edits a newsletter with an emphasis on journaling. Subscribe at: http://www.ericaminer.com/newsletter.php
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Need help with your writing career? From coaching and ghostwriting to publishing and marketing,contact your Author's Advocate, Patrika Vaughn, at http://www.acappela.com/.
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Dreams of Grandeur, a book of poetry 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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Tip: My motto for better writing is "Never leave home without a journal and a slew of pens!" Naturally, I would see to it that you have the perfect one! I co-edited "The Complete Writer's Journal" with Pat Avery and Joyce Faulkner Use it for notes, sketches or inspiration, but use it. Your next book may be within its pages and many Authors' Coalition members are quoted within it. Order it at

http://redenginepress.com or e-mail me at HoJoNews@aol.com and I'll give you a discount.
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New Feature:

Every year, English teachers from across the country submit their collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays. I don't have the resource but I thought they might not mind if I published them one at a time. I also thought some of you might have some favorites you could contribute.

Here is one of the teachers' favorites with more to come:

"Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master."
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Tip: This tip from Michael J. Wallach, author of "How to Get Arrested" is for you. Go to www.LibraryThing.com to list your your book
f r @ @. I tried it and found that I could add more information that would be useful to readers by using the manual function rather than the automated one. If we all added our own books plus one other by someone else that we've enjoyed or found helpful, we could increase our own bookpower incrementally!

LibraryThing users can view their online catalogs as a virtual bookshelves complete with cover art

If you subscribe to the Wall Street Journal, you can read more about it in an article by Aaron Rutkoff at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115109622468789252.html? mod=hps_us_inside_today
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Must-Read for Writers:

A must-read book for fiction writers is "Writing Dialogue" by Tom Chiarella. Because dialogue is being used more and more to make nonfiction sparkle, other writers might want to check it out, too. Go to MyShelf.com for my complete review of this book. http://www.myshelf.com/writing/06/writingdialogue.htm

While you're there, leave a note in that site's guestbook. Most of you know that if you include your website address when you leave notes at blogs, etc., it helps expand your Google footprint.

By the way, I have been recommending this book to those in the critique group I facilitate for a long time and it is on my list of recommended reading for the classes I teach at UCLA.

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Essential Book and Record Keeping:

This letter is an entity of Authors' Coalition

http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com.

Edited and distributed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson,

http://www.tlt.com/authors/carolynhowardjohnson.htm

author of "This is the Place," "Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered," "Tracings," and "The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't," this newsletter lets authors share with each other.

To submit information for consideration, e-mail Carolyn at

HoJoNews@aol.com

If you do not care to receive this letter, unsubscribe at

HoJoNews@aol.com.

Include "Unsubscribe" in the subject line but please, please don't tell me you've given up writing or promoting!

To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send an e-mail with "Subscribe" in the subject line to: HoJoNews@aol.com.

Please pass this newsletter on to friends or e-groups. It needn't be pasted in its complete form, but please credit this newsletter, Authors' Coalition and the individual contributors with anything you snip and paste.

Order "The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't"
at stores like UCLA, Dayton University and San Diego State University's bookstores. Order it as an e-book or paperback at Amazon where it is discounted:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-0672916-9668863 .

Tracings, a chapbook of poetry, may be ordered at

http://finishinglinepress.com

and at,

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1139084827/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-7824821-4156653?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Carolyn's novel, "This is the Place," and book of creative nonfiction, "Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered," may be ordered at Amazon.com.