November 12, 2007
Sharing with Writers
A newsletter that is also a community. Share your ideas. Learn from theirs!

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.

To read this letter in plain vanilla text, scroll down. To read this newsletter with a bit more pizzazz (not much, though!) at Authors Den go to:
http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/Sharingwithwriters_NOV_No2Week_2007.doc

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Note from Carolyn:

Dear Subscribers and Authors' Coalition Members:

I keep talking about blogging. As effective as I think websites are, I think blogging is better. Especially for exposing you and your book to new people.

Last week in the AllMarketing edition of Sharing with Writers, I talked about having a blog for your book - - some months before you book is released and some months after. I was slow but this week I got a blog up for the Frugal Editor. It is called "The Frugal, Smart and Tuned - In Editor" and though it will have announcements of things I am doing from time to time, it will be modeled after the Q&As in this newsletter. Readers write in with questions related to craft, formatting, indexing, grammar, punctuation, etc. and I answer (or get someone else to do it for me if necessary or prudent!). I hope you and many others will use it as a resource. It is http://www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com.

If your blog relates to writing, I am also ready to add your blog links to this blog. I would love a return link but that isn't a requirement. E - mail me at HoJoNews@aol.com.

I'd also appreciate it if you'd pass the word to your writing pals. What better than a place you can get a brush - up lesson on the verbs to lie and to lay! What better than a place you can learn not to do things your English teacher told you that you could!

Happy, happy writing and promoting and, yes, EDITING, too.
Carolyn Howard - Johnson, HoJoNews@aol.com
Websites: http://carolynhoward - Johnson.com (literary)
http://HowToDoItFrugally.com (all things about writing)
Authors' Coalition: http://www.AuthorsCoalitionandRedEnginepress.com
For the Frugal Editor, Amazon - direct: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870/
Blogs: http://AuthorsCoalition.blogspot.com, a blog focused on book fairs
http://www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com, a blog on all things publishing
http://www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog focused on YOUR reviews
http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com, a blog focused on editing, formatting and craft

PS: There may or may not be a letter next week. I'm leaving on a vacation. If I get one out it will be short. I suspect, though, that you won't miss a week. I know it will give some of you a chance to catch up some of the issues you have stowed for leisurely reading. Ha!

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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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Letters to the Editor

Dear Carolyn,

My name is Jim Leatherwood. I am a retired college administrator and new author. I had a chance to talk with you briefly at the BPSC Awards dinner hosted by Kelly Lange. I informed you how helpful your book The Frugal Book Promoter had been for me.

My book Facing the Future Together: Forming Successful School - Business Partnerships was released on Sept. 1, 2007. Being a new, self - published, author I was lost when it came to promoting the book. I ordered your book on Amazon and it has definitely made a difference. On vacation, I read your book, sat down and designed a MEDIA RELEASE following your easy - to - follow steps. I mailed over 300 of these to magazines, newspapers, TV and radio stations announcing my book. The results have been excellent. Thanks!
Warm regards,
Jim Leatherwood
www.jimleatherwood.com
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Q&A a la Ann Landers

Let's All Speak the Same Language
or
Stigma, Book Bigotry, and Other Publishing Terms

Question: There seems to be some confusion between the terms "print on demand" and "publish on demand." Are some calling self publishing and vanity publishing "publish on demand" hoping to avoid the stigma that's attached to vanity and self publishing?

Answer: The term "publish on demand" rather than "print on demand" goes all the way back to the days when monks published a book when they got orders. They'd copy it, illuminate it and deliver it. But only if they already had a client waiting. The term "publish on demand" has a long tradition. We moved away from the monk's model when printing presses were developed. Large runs were more economical so we printed 'em up and waited for orders. "Print on demand" became a term when digital printers became available. We could go back to doing it "on demand" as the monks did it but it with a lot more speed. Of course, it was also - - to many - - still "publish on demand." To further complicate the issue, M.J. Rose (and I'm only paraphrasing) said in Poets and Writers that publishing is a word that should only be used when a book is both printed and promoted. I agree. Printing up a bunch of books or even getting one ready to be printed on demand isn't really publishing. Further, the big publishers do a disservice to the whole industry when they print a book and then don't give over a budget so that readers will know it well enough to buy it.

Now, about that stigma thing. Let's just ditch the term "vanity publishing." Some of the best (and richest) authors I know self - publish. The kind of press they use does not make their books bad or good. The content makes them good; their promotion makes what they do lucrative.

In fact, let's ditch anything that smacks of book bigotry. Let's stop doing what we were told never to do when we were young. Let's stop judging books by their covers. And that's a metaphor for judging them any way at all other than by their content.

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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, consideration for an interview or review in Yarnspinners and Wordweavers and ditto for The Fiction Flyer and Betty Dobson's Inkspotter. Membership is reasonable, too.
Tell friends to visit our blog. There they'll learn how to spark generally insipid book fairs by using value - added promotions. www.authorscoalition.blogpsot.com.
http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
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Thank Yous

(There are leads here, just as you'll find in all the most innocent - looking areas of this newsletter. You never know when you'll find a name or a site that will help you network or write better!)

To My Favorite Sassy Brit for mentioning that my Frugal Editor won the USA Book News award for best in writing and promoting category. You may find her Yahoo group a great asset to your promotion campaign, too. Find the post here:
http://tjbook - list.blogspot.com/2007/11/media - release - carolyn - howard - johnson.html
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To the Reverend Cherise Thorne for having me on her radio show and for the beautiful follow up blog. If you go see how her program might work for you, please take a minute to leave a comment. http://www.knowingspirit.blogspot.com/
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To Connie Gostch for publishing the release on my USA Book News award for the Frugal Editor. You'll also find information on her real - time radio show there. Here's the URL: www.conniegotsch.blogspot.com
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To J. D. Vine, publisher, for recommending the Frugal Editor on his publishing company's MySpace blog http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=153595515

While you're there, check out this publisher's contest and publishing policy.
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To Lauren Smith, for the nice interview and presentation at Celebrate Authors: http://www.celebrateauthors.com/content/view/29/54/. My novel, This Is the Place, is enjoying new interest because of the polygamy cases in Utah but also because Mitt Romney calls Utah his Zion. This interview also touches on the Frugal Editor.
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To Karina Fabian - - for using an excerpt from the AllMarketing edition of this newsletter on her blog at www.fabianspace.blogspot.com.

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No part of this newsletter is paid advertising. If you would like to advertise to subscribers, display ads are available at www.howtodoitfrugally.com at less per year than most sites charge for a single month (see the advertising tab at the top of the page). Authors' Coalition www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com is also accepting ads.
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Tip: Nadine Laman, author of Katherine's Beach, sends this link where you'll find a list of distributors: http://www.bookmarket.com/distributors.htm
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Sharing On Selling Books

(From J. D. Gordon, author of Caribbean Calling after I asked him what he did to sell so many books at one event.)

I got lucky, had help and sold more than 50 books around one book signing. Here's how I did it:

When my books first hit the shelves in Borders I went around to all of them, said hello, signed the store stock and passed out a few freebies to the staff and said thanks for selling them. In the store where I signed, I happened upon the fellow who orders the stock and sets up the floor displays. He enjoyed the book, thought I was a nice guy and made a point to keep it stocked and on a table up near the front the store with a local sign applied.

That's all I did, a simple visit, said hello and thanks and it paid off. I was honestly surprised when he tossed the stock printout that showed my book sale numbers down in front of me. Of course, you probably need a distributor like I had to get your books into a chain store to begin with. But once the books are there, any author can do what I did.

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More on Selling Books to B&N

Diana Estill said: I've been following your newsletter discussions about Barnes & Noble and [alternatively published] books. My book, Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road, was published by Brown Books (essentially a self - publisher), and it has been carried by most every B&N in my home state, Texas. Because Brown Books does not have a relationship with B&N, I made contact with the B&N Small Press Department, 122 Fifth Ave., New York, NY, 10011, telephone number (212) 633 - 3300. After sending them an ARC and a request for consideration for in - store placement, I received (through Brown Books) a substantial order from B&N. This was (at that time) the largest advanced print order ever received by Brown Books - - and all I had to do was follow the B&N guidelines to receive it. I have since sold my book to out - of - state Barnes & Noble store managers, many times, and I've participated in several B&N store book signings. You just have to pound the pavement and make the phone calls. If you have a good quality product, you can work with B&N. The book must be returnable and wholesaled through Ingram or one of B&N's other suppliers. I hope other authors will contact B&N's Small Press Department - - because from there large orders can originate.
Diana Estill
Author, Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road
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From Carolyn: I hope people aren't misunderstanding what's been going on in my newsletter. I try to print letters with as little editing as I can and some do read the letter through quickly.

One of our SWW subscribers wasn't saying that it was impossible to get any book in B&N, but that it there seems to be something going on (according to B&N's own letter) between BookSurge and B&N, a kind of proprietary thing. In fact, the address and advice you supply above is in the Frugal Book Promoter. Following this advice has certainly worked well for many readers of the Frugal Book Promoter and, I'm sure, for many others. In fact, the Frugal Book Promoter (subsidy - published with StarPublish.com) is in many B&Ns, has been for years and I've never personally contacted one of them I think my UCLA students ask for it, and that may help. It also appears that when a writers' conference appears in a city, the B&N nearby stocks it. Whatever the reason is, it's sort of magic. Having said that, placing any of my books in bookstores has been a slow process: If I'd had time to push it, the process might have been faster.

The reason I published this exchange isn't to discourage people from trying to place their books in bookstores. It was to let them know that there are times the cards are stacked against them and to understand - - exactly as you say - - that they may not have an easy time of it, but that it is possible. Many find that aiming their efforts online, in the long run, is more productive.

Thank you, Diane, for sharing your knowledge.
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Tip: Sometimes even frugal promoters buy lists because to do so is a timesaver
A place you might get one of those for libraries is http://www.librarymarketinglist.com. They sell lists of university libraries, public libraries and community college libraries. Don't forget to figure the cost of getting your message to these libraries before you decide to purchase one or more of them.

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Subscribers who have websites or newsletters of their own may be interested in the Free Articles 4 Readers and Writers on my site, www.howtodoitfrugally.com. I try to add new articles to it each week. If you don't see what you need for your blog, or newsletter, just ask. HoJoNews@aol.com.
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Author Successes

(If you read about others' successes you'll not only be inspired, you'll glean resources for future successes of your own. You are invited to send me news about your successes. Please use "AUTHOR SUCCESSES" as a subject lines.)

Kevin Gerard author of the Crossworlds Series, http://www.conorandthecrossworlds.com, shares his success: "I spent the last ten months calling 3000 youth librarians, school and public, during 2007. After a quick chat, I would send a promotional postcard. The efforts paid off. Next year, in January I'll be in Mississippi for a week, in February, Nevada for a week, and in April, I'll spend ten days traveling through six states on the Eastern Seaboard. These book tours are the direct result of hundreds of hours of promotion, and a fortunate bit of word of mouth as well. The second book in my series comes out in one month. You can bet I'll work twice as hard next year promoting that one."

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Fun and F r * *: If you purchased The Frugal Book Promoter in the past, I'd love for you to review it on Amazon or BN.com. Make it simple; just tell what part of it you found most valuable. If you do, send me the review link (URL) and I will send you an excerpt from The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success that is now available on Amazon. The excerpt includes some of the sidebars from the book that may help you with some tricky grammar. As a thank you, of course. HoJoNews@aol.com.
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Serial Feature

On Green Responsibility

In the next few issues Diane Tinney will share ways that you might green up your office.

Move toward a paperless office by using a scanner that has a feeder (20 sheets at a time). We save storage space and it's easier to find what we need when we need it.
- - - - - Offered by Diane Tinney, president and publisher, Keene Publishing, Home of Moo Press Children's Books
www.KeeneBooks.com
Illuminating lives, one book at a time.

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Carolyn's blog on anything related to publishing - - from scolding Oprah to support of freedom of speech issues is at http://www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com.
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TIP: Are you prepared to be a partner in the design of your book cover? Even those with traditional publishers will want to be equipped with more information than the words, "I just hate it." Start now to know more about design, even if your next book is not coming out soon. I think you'll find inspiration in a book I just reviewed. Go to my F R E ^ articles and content page http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/free_content and scroll down to the "Reviews for Riters ™" section. The book is called New Vintage Type.

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A general marketing rule is that a product must be seen seven times before it is purchased. That is just as true for books (because they are products, like it or not!). Let people see that book cover image! So, you are invited to advertise as a site sponsor at www.howtodoitfrugally.com. for a year at the same price many sites frequented by readers and writers charge for a month. Yep, the frugal way! Click on the Advertising tab at the top of the page or contact me personally at hojonews@aol.com.
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In the News

A book, printed one at a time, at only $3 a book? Yep. At this price I think most books will soon be printed on a digital press, POD - style. It's available now for $50,000 at www.ondemandbooks.com. It will print a book complete with color in three minutes. It could transform libraries into bookstores. It might make second - hand bookstores obsolete. And that $3 price tag might shrink. The source is Time Magazine, Nov. 12, 2007, edition, the section called "Best of the Rest."

Now, my question. What will happen to anti - digital snobbery now?

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Available: Audios from Audio Divas on many aspects of building a writing career are published by Double Dragon Press. Here is the page where you'll find the full list (http://www.double - dragon - ebooks.com/eAuthor.php?Name=Carolyn%20Howard - Johnson ) including one on "Do It Yourself Indexing." The first audio, "Promoting Easy and Cheap!" is a F R ^ ^ sample you can download. Each comes with a resource guide. Here is an example of a guide for the audio - lesson Your Divas did on "Contests": http://www.derondouglas.com/audiosample/AwardResourceGuideContests.pdf
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Tip: Amazon has a discussion board by topic. It's located on your book's page and may be a good way to generate some discussion about your book. I just posted on my page http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870?ie=UTF8&cdPage=1&newContentID=Tx1Q6JSPT9T0WQ9 as a test. If you want to see what it's all about, scroll down to below the reviews. You can even weigh in on what you want to see on my new editing - focused blog. ( - :

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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! You know you want it on your website!
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Do You Use BookTour Yet?

I admit I'm not plumbing a new site I signed up for as well as I should but that doesn't mean that you should do as I do. It has great possibilities with a targeted audience - - those who like to read and, of course, authors who want to reach those readers. Check it out. Post a profile and your coming events, at least. http://booktour.com/signup?referrer=1326

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Authors' Coalition: No Hum - Drum Book Fair Promotion Allowed is a new blog where you can follow watch how Authors' Coalition members make book fairs successful with cross - promotion, value - added promotions and a good assessment process. Find it at www.authorscoalition.blogspot.com. Leave your best book fair ideas there for others to see under the beige "comments" links.
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Help: I am looking for anti - bias sites as well as sites that promote peace to link to on the tolerance page of my website. If any of you have any favorites, please send me the URLs. E - mail me at hojonews@aol.com.
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Tip: Angel Notes is writer Angel Logan's e - mail newsletter designed to share the personal and professional pearls of wisdom she has acquired along her journey. To Subscribe: Send an e - mail with "ANGEL NOTES SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line to: LOGAN52397@aol.com.

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"AC is the current that powers your writing career." http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
Carolyn Howard - Johnson, Authors' Coalition Founder
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From Elizabeth Lucas - Taylor

(Elizabeth contributes at least one valuable paying resource per SWW issue - - either a great place to sell material or find writing craft or promotional idea - - and sometimes throws in a resource for you.)

FREELANCE ARTICLES, TIPS, JOBS - http://freelancesteps.blogspot.com
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Find Elizabeth at http://www.authorsden.com/elucastaylor or her new blog at http://www.elucas - taylor.blogspot.com/ or at MySpace http://www.myspace.com/elucastaylor
where you will find a writers' community.

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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 any of my books - - the HowToDoItFrugally Series to my chapbook of poetry - - for a place on my Resources for Writers or Resources for Readers pages on www.HowToDoItFrugally.com.
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Tip: Allyn Evans (www.queenpower.com) talked to authors in Oklahoma at the Red Dirt Book Festival. She reports on her topic, "Tame the Amazon," on her blog at the www.talkingallthingswrite.blogspot.com. The most recent post includes her recommendations and links to help you use features on Amazon.com. The talk included referrals to the Frugal Book Promoter, this e - zine and Authors' Coalition, just to name a few. Watch the blog for follow - up posts on subjects that benefit authors.

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I use Vista Print for lots of my promotional materials. Be aware that shipping prices may fluctuate, depending on the deal of the moment. Even at that, the prices generally are good, the products they offer are of excellent quality and they do short runs. (I don't advise long runs on promotion material because your needs can change very quickly.) Please use this link:
http://www.vistaprint.com/frf?frf=815651421184
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Web Advice from WebforAuthors.com Expert Marshall Turner

Selling Through Your Website 3
A third option is to handle money transactions on your site yourself. At the most basic
level, you need a merchant account and a payment gateway. Most authors who handle payments this way will want a shopping cart, although it’s not necessary.
- - - - - - Learn more about WebforAuthors.com at http://www.webforauthors.com/ or contact Marshall at mturner@webforauthors.com.


======================================================= The New Book Review is a service of this newsletter and Authors' Coalition. It allows authors to get more exposure from their favorite review and reviewers a chance to have more readers see their reviews - - with links, of course. Please check the guidelines on the blog site at www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. This has been popular so please allow some time before your review will be posted. =======================================================

E - Tips for E - Promotion

Here is an online writers' helper you might like. http://www.newpages.com.The prices on their mailing list, http://www.newpages.com/forms/mailinglist.htm, seem especially good, and I might try them.

Here's a caveat: There is really no way to know other than by referral, how many list names are valid on any given list, although this service guarantees theirs with a money - back - - - offer. Also, building lists is something you can do - - painstakingly - - yourself.
- - - - - This is a regular Sharing with Writers feature by Carolyn Howard - Johnson, author of USA Book News' Best Professional Book The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't and the soon - to - be released The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success.. (E - tips for E - promotion was originally a regular feature of SellWritingOnline.com.)

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Endorsement:
"www.HowToDoItFrugally.com , by Carolyn Howard - - Johnson [is] a top website for writers . . . I'd say my ROI is over 1,000%. The advice is particularly strong in addressing the new author where they are in learning the publishing/selling process. Very practical. The site is excellent." ~ Hill Kemp, author of Capitol Offense, http://www.capitoloffense.com/, and contributor to Secrets, Fact or Fiction? I, ISBN 0 - 9737282 - 5 - 6 and Secrets, Fact or Fiction? II, ISBN 1 - 59594 - 062 - 6, LOC 2006904627, http://www.secretsfactorfiction.com
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Opportunities:

Radio Interviews from Dave and Lillian Brummet:

Conscious Discussions Talk Radio show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions
The 3/4 hour talk show shares real - life, positive stories from those who are working to make the world a better place. Conscious Discussions is not about pointing fingers, it's about saluting people that are stepping up and doing the right things in life. Each broadcast is made available as an archive. Guests cover topics dealing with living consciously and range from the environment to the value of the individual and the world of writing. If you apply be sure that your query fits the focus of the show.
Conscious Discussions is recorded live and is commercial free. *We voluntarily host and produce this program on our own time without pay, and the guests voluntarily call in on their own time as well. We don't charge our guests a fee.
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One Day Writers' Conference:
How to Be a Successful Author Without a Major Publisher
Half - Day Seminar

In the 21st century, the most successful authors aren't necessarily those signed with major publishers. With the confluence of Internet marketing, digital printing, online sales, and other current factors, it is entirely possible to achieve best - seller status on your own - - and authors are doing it. This information - packed seminar brings two publishing experts, Jerry Simmons and Debbie Allen, to San Diego. They are on the leading edge of this publishing revolution. In this exclusive engagement, they'll teach authors exactly how to go up against "Big New York Publishing" and beat them at their own game.
Register today to reserve your seat as space is limited! This special event, hosted by Publishers & Writers of San Diego, will take place at the Encinitas Community Center, Saturday, November 17, from 9 AM to 1 PM. The fee is $97. For more information, go to www.PublishersWriters.org or email Andrew@PublishersWriters.org.
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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching:

Carolyn Howard - Johnson is chatting with those who have questions on promotion, editing, the craft of writing, or anything else about the publishing world the entire month of November. The place is the Boomer Women Speak forum. Those who would like to become members of the Boomer Women Speak F - R - * - E forum, should go to http://www.boomerwomenspeak.com/index.php home page and then click on the "Visit our forums" and then follow the instructions.
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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be Valerie Connelly's guest on her Webinar Dec. 5th, 2007. The two will talk book promotion ad infinitum. There will be a printable agenda and follow - along materials prior to the event as well as a downloadable PDF of the Web screen shots and an MP3 recording of the Webinar available to registered attendees. There is a charge. Space is limited. Please register before Dec. 4. For more information or to register contact Valerie at info@callingallauthors.org.
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Carolyn Howard - Johnson talks to Valerie Connelly's radio audience on "Editing as Branding: Spelling success from queries to your book's manuscript." Circle your calendar on Wednesday December 12th at 8PM Eastern, 7PM Central, 5PM Pacific time. A downloadable MP3 recording of the Webinar will be available to registered attendees after the event. Sign up by Dec. 11th. Space is limited. Contact Valerie at info@callingallauthors.org or Nightengale Press, publisher@nightengalepress.biz

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Sign up to receive a copy of my Sharing with Writers blog in your e - mail box. It is a focused blog on all things related to writing and publishing. Go to www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com. Sign up in the left hand column. Find related resources by scrolling to the bottom of the blog.
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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching for 2008:

Carolyn will speak on Jan 2, 2008, at Ridge Writers, the East Sierra Branch of the California Writers Club founded more than 100 years go by Jack London and friends in the Bay area. They provide f r ^ ^ programs for writers at High Desert Haven in Ridgecrest. Learn more at www.ridgenet.net/ ~curtdan/ridgewriters.
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New! Please join Carolyn Howard - Johnson for the f r ^ ^ January Wasabi Club meeting, a teleseminar the last Friday of every month at 1 pm ET/10 am PT where you can learn from the PR pros about how to conduct a savvy PR campaign. To join, please visit the 'Wasabi Club' page at www.wasabipublicity.com to register.
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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be Valerie Connelly's guest on her Teleseminar March 19th, 2008 at 8PM Eastern, 7PM Central, and 5 PM Pacific Time. The subject is: "It's Your Call: Frugal Book Promotion with Carolyn Howard - Johnson." A downloadable MP3 recording of the Teleseminar is available to registered attendees after the event. Please sign up by March 18th. Space is limited. Let Valerie tell you more about it: info@callingallauthors.org
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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will share with the nation's humor writers again in April 3 - 5 of 2008 at Dayton University's Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. She'll speak twice at the Kennedy Union on campus. http://www.humorwriters.org/ Registration opens Sept. 10, 2007. Find some of the nation's best speakers here: http://www.humorwriters.org/2008SpeakerBios.html. This conference sold out 77 hours after opening registration. It is not too early to be thinking about 2010.
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Carolyn will teach a new seminar on the UCLA campus on March 22, 2008, room 1323 Public Service Building. It's called The Business of Writing: Carve Your Career with Great Queries and Covers. Here's the class description: "You've written your story, your poem, your book. What now? You've tackled your craft like a professional but when it comes to introducing yourself to the decision makers—the marketing and editing part of your work—you may show a lack of expertise with seemingly innocuous departures from accepted procedures. Like using a cover letter when you need a query. In this one - day seminar, the students will use basics taught in the class to critique drafts of letters they have brought with them. In the process you'll get grammar, punctuation, and even computer editing tricks you may apply to your other writing as well as your queries. You'll receive a handout of the do’s and don'ts for approaching gatekeepers straight from the mouths of agents who contributed ideas on the subject for the instructor's book on editing and samples of letters that have produced results. Participants will not only walk away with two letters they can be proud to send out, but also have a low - cost plan for using them effectively in a variety of ways." So, are you all planning to come to spend a weekend in the sunshine in LA and make it a business expense? ( - :
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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will appear on Write On Four Corners with host Connie Gotsch on KSJE FM Public Radio broadcast from San Juan College. Access the program at: www.ksje.com 10:30 am Wed. 2:30 pm Fri. Mountain Time. Click on the website to listen live in your appropriate time zone. Connie is the author of the mystery suspense novel Snap Me a Future as well as host of Roving with the Arts on KSJE and regular contributor to The Four Corners Free Press www.fourcornersfreepress.com
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Letters - to - the - Editor:

Hi Carolyn,

It is nice to know we are in the same online writing Yahoogroup together. I actually became aware of you - - before I knew you were in my group - - when I purchased the Frugal Book Promoter, quite some time ago. I was doing some research online through Google, and discovered your book. Then I went down to my local bookstore, which carries my book on their shelves - - and ordered it.

I am my own entourage. I tend to set some of my own guidelines and accomplish my goals through the "Angel" way of doing things. That doesn't always mean that my way is the best way, but thus far, it hasn't failed.

However, it is always nice to receive a little validation and your book did just that for me. Much of your advice included things that I had been doing all along. It demonstrated that I was on the right track. Not to mention, I discovered a few ideas I had not considered.

Imagine my surprise today, when I realized you were in Jay's Writer's World. [jayswritersworld - subscribe@yahoogroups.com]. I'm sure I have seen your e - mail address before tonight.

Anyway, I thought I would say hello and commend you on your book! I wish you an abundance of success.
- - - - - Angel Logan
www.wingsofanangel.us
Wings of an Angel
Poetry Collection by Angel Logan
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Wordstuff ™

Something to Make Writers Smile
(Every year the Washington Post conducts a neologism contest. These are the winners, one at a time. You might have some favorite neologisms metaphors or similes that make you smile. If so, please contribute.)

"Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease."

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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://carolynhoward - johnson.com

author of This Is the Place, Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracings, and the How To Do It Frugally Series of books for writers,

www.howtodoitfrugally.com.

Tracings, a chapbook of poetry, published by Finishing Line Press may be ordered at
www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1139084827/sr=1 - 1/

This is a place to share with others and learn from others.

Though I do attempt to verify information used within this newsletter's pages, Sharing with Writers does not guarantee entities or information. Subscribers should research resources

To submit information articles, tips or other information e - mail Carolyn at HoJoNews@aol.com. Please put "Submission: Sharing with Writers" in the subject line.

If you do not care to receive this letter, send an e - mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with "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 at http://starpublish.com/carolyn_howard - johnson.htm

or paperback at Amazon where it is discounted:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/qid=1149015406/sr=2 - 1/

The second in the How To Do It Frugally series of books, The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success is available at Amazon at
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870/


The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know About Selling Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less will soon be available on Amazon as a Short for 49 cents.