If you would prefer to read this letter in its not - so - glorious full formatted version ( - : copy and paste this URL you’re your browser:
http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/SharingwithWriters_July_18_2009.pdf

July 18, 2009

Sharing with Writers
A newsletter that is also a community. Share your ideas. Learn from theirs! Associated with the multi award - winning series of HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers, www.howtodoitfrugally.com


From the Desks of
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
and Sharing with Writers Subscribers

In the spirit of the advice I give in the Frugal Editor - - that is to use an extra pair of eyes whenever possible - - this newsletter is voluntarily copyedited by Mindy Phillips Lawrence ~ mplcreative1@aol.com ~ www.freewebs.com/mplcreative. I also tell writers to be patient with other writers when they make editing boo - boos. We're all human. This letter comes out weekly and it's long!
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~

Contents
Regular Features
~Note from Carolyn
~Letters - to - the - Editor
~Thank Yous (where you also find leads and great resources!)
~Tips and News Galore! (They're scattered, you'll just have to find them!)
~Opportunities
~On Poetry
~Author Successes
~Mindy Lawrence's Itty Bitty Column, The Business of Writing I
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™
This Issue
~ Feature: Seven Tips for Writing a Good Bio, Yvonne Perry
~ Feature: Basics of Using Bullets, Lynda Goldman



~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~

Note from Carolyn

Dear Subscribers:

Sometimes I’m amazed at the marketing possibilities that I’ve known about for years and just haven’t gotten around to utilizing. As I was catching up with my reading recently, one of those opportunities leaped up and swatted me upside my head. I’m warning you now, this isn’t new information. But it is a method that can help you sell your books and do other writers a favor, too. Especially if you promote it. It’s called the Amazon Store.

You can have an Amazon A - Store of your own.

The magazine I was reading when I got this Aha! moment was Anchora, my college fraternity’s magazine. In each issue they have a column called “From the Pens of Delta Gammas” and in it they featured my newest book, A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In - Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. The introduction said.

“Now you can hop online and browse books by your sisters. Make a purchase through our new Amazon Associates program and the Fraternity will get a small referral fee. Support your sisters and Delta Gamma! What could be better? Bookmark this page:
http://astore.amazon.com/deltagamma - 20 .”

When I support my alumnae group in small ways like this, I support the charity for the blind they’ve supported for decades. So I did as I was told. I bookmarked their URL.

But what about you? I imagine you could use a small stream of income (called passive income because once you’ve set up you “store,” you don’t have to do much else but let the money dribble in - - and, of course, let people know you have a store).

But the real value here is having one more way for your readers to buy your book. And, really . . . even better. Having one more way you can help expose the writing of authors you love. Your may not know them but you love them because they are talented. You love them because they support causes that interest you. You support them because - - like you - - they are writers.
We’re all in this together!

Happy Writing, Promoting and Editing, too.
Carolyn Howard - Johnson

PS: I’m thinking of making my store a recommended reading list for my classes at UCLA. It would have little sections, just like a real bookstore. Only mine would be on “publishing,” “editing,” “craft,” “promoting” - - maybe a separate on “writing tools” like query letters and media kits and...but then that would sort of overlap some of the other categories, no?

PPS: I just added a list of book publicists to my Resources for Writers pages. I would love to consult with you on your promotion campaign or your publishing plans but I’m not a full service publicist. This list will give you plenty of leads to research, a complete spreadsheet of them! http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/book_publicists.htm

PPPS: What do you think of this? You know my semi annual All Tips edition of Sharing with Writers? What do you think of publishing it, one tip at a time on Twitter? Say on one day in September? What do you think the pluses and minuses would be? Would you as a subscriber feel neglected?



=====================================================
There is a page of contests on the Resource for Writers page on my Web site: http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/contests.htm Follow the links on that page to other valuable lists on my site, too. =====================================================


Twitter Tip: If you think your tweet might be worthy of a retweet, keep it to 120 characters. That leaves room for the retweeter’s own @username in it. Your followers are more likely to retweet if they don’t have to work too hard at it.



=====================================================
Please pass this letter on to others. Unlike many other newsletter editors, I do not mind if you use only portions of mine 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."
=====================================================


Tip: I’m not sure I can see much benefit to Google’s Booksearch. I get tons of people reading my pages but very few of those purchase books. I could get paranoid and think it is because they don’t like my book, but the reviews don’t reflect that. I think they are just getting info on certain subjects from my books and moving on. In other words - - few if any who use it are book buyers. Thus, Google’s Booksearch gets a “not recommended” from this corner - - at least for writers of nonfiction how - to books.


=====================================================
The Green New Media Life Expos (http://www.greennewmedialifeexpo.com/content/green - book - pavilion - featuring - carolyn - howard - johnson?destination=node%2F10 ) offer Green Book Pavilions this fall at expos at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario, CA; Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento; and the Pomona Fairgrounds, Pomona, CA. An author's package for each expo is available to help authors promote themselves and their books. Contact Gerry Fisher at GeFisher39@aol.com or at 702 467 9411. =====================================================


Tip: I just heard from subscriber Dawn Colclasure that my URL for my blog post on publishing with CreateSpace that I wrote for the Gift and Home Channel isn’t working. I think you may have to login or register first. I hate that, don’t you? Go to www.giftandhomechannel.com and register and THEN go http://www.giftandhomechannel.com/content/retailers - can - reach - credibility - publishing




=====================================================
Please paste this little blurb - - perhaps with a little endorsement - - in your newsletter or Web site: To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send an e - mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to HoJoNews@aol.com or go to www.howtodoitfrugally.com for an auto subscribe box. Ask for a f r ^ ^ classified ad on my Web site in return. Let me know you did it. I will be able to do something similar for you on my Resources for Readers page at www.howtodoitfrugally.com. Let me know you did it. We'll find something I can do for you!
=====================================================


In the News: In response to the great recessionary job hunt, last week’s Parade magazine ran an article featuring a young job hunter wearing a stringed, yellow sale tag that said “Sell Yourself” on it. Hooray! It’s about time that the mainstream started understanding the importance of branding. Maybe that will make it easier for shy or reluctant authors to do what we know we must do for success. And what do they suggest we should do to sell ourselves? Among others they say, “Leave a personal mark behind.” That runs the gamut from your logo (maybe the image of your book cover), to your e - mail signature. And, yes, your business card.

Of course, before you can do that you need to “create a signature look.” Mmmm, you’ve probably already at least started the process with your book cover but do reread the sections in The Frugal Book Promoter on branding. It will be a good review. Use the index to find as much information on branding and related subjects as you can. This could be this year - of - recession’s biggest opportunity - - to refine your image and to just get out there and Sell Yourself.


=====================================================
My blog, War, Peace, Tolerance and Our Soldiers is where I get to nag and rag and try to make things better for our troops and maybe for the world. It includes a segment of frugal ways to help our troops and veterans. I'd love to have you leave a comment. www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com
=====================================================


In the News: Amazon lowers the price of Kindle by $60. Kindle stores 1500 books for you to read easily on your next trip. Include a Kindle copy of your own book to show your seatmate and all the self - help writing books you can put your hands on!


=================================================== Book Proposal Help: Phyllis Zimbler Miller and I ran a fun Tweetchat on book proposals. She edited it for easier reading and posted it for those who missed it. There is lots of info in it on shopping your book to agents, too. Remember, you read tweet chats like you follow blogs. From the bottom up. http://budurl.com/bookprotweetchat Another book proposal help is "The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know To Sell Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less" for 49 cents at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YG6O5U/ =====================================================


Books to Read: I recommend that writers read Chris Anderson's new book Free: The Future of a Radical Price. He wrote about the long tail theory, too - - in a former book. Both concepts are very important to the promotion of books and even how a writer chooses topics to write about.


===================================================== So you got As in English. You know grammar and spelling. That's great but an editor of you those skills alone doth not make. An editor knows formatting, front and back matter, indexing, structure, the elements of fiction and on and on. But mostly she'll see your manuscript in a fresh, new light. Learn how to hire a great editor and learn to be a better partner for any author, awful to superb, in The Frugal Editor. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870/
=====================================================


TIP: Media releases really do work - - occasionally. The trick is to keep sending them so that your contacts become familiar with you and what you do. I just received a note from a staff writer for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. I hadn’t heard from her in a long, long time. I heard just because I kept her on my media contact list. BTW, if you live in the Pasadena area, I’ll share her name with you. Just whistle. And if you do live in the area, watch for a column called Paging in which local authors and artists are often featured.
Daily Breeze * www.LA.com *


===================================================== Recently Yvonne Perry, owner of WritersintheSky Creative Services, and I chatted about editing, everything from em dashes to why what works on the Web but doesn't work for you book's manuscript. Yvonne offers you the f r ^ ^ podcast on her blog: http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com/2008/12/do - you - have - questions - about - editing.html. You'll find other f r ^^ podcasts on writing on her blog, too.
=====================================================


Opportunities
It’s Not Too Late to Win My Frugal Books - - The Green Way . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . and that’s as e - books, of course. Lillian Brummet, host of Conscious Discussions, says, “Don't miss your chance to win the entire book promotion series written by Carolyn Howard - Johnson in the contest that runs from Aug 11 - 16th at Lillian Brummet's Conscious Discussions. Weekly prize draws are offered through Dave & Lillian Brummet's Conscious Discussions Radio & the Brummet's Conscious Discussions Blog! Contestants e - mail me whenever a new contest is announced. Learn more at:

www.blogtalkradio.com/ConsciousDiscussions

or at

http://ConsciousDiscussions.blogspot.com



AllBook Review Offers Contest Opportunity ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ AllBook Reviews hosts a monthly book giveaway. Any author may donate one of their books by contacting Bob Medak at allbooksmktg@aol.com,please put “Attn:Bob” in the subject line. The author is asked to send the book to the winner of the contest. Promotion for the contests allows readers to learn about the donating authors. The contest and the books for the monthly contests are posted on AllBook Review’s two blogs, http://allbooksreview.wordpress.com/ and http://allbooksreviewinternational.blogspot.com/.



Literary Magazine with Great Marketing Tendencies ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Inscribed: A Magazine For Writers (http://www.inscribed.org) seeks submissions of photography/artwork for some upcoming themed issues. Send your images or queries to corry@iscribed.org. Themes for the next issue are

~inside your fridge
~old scanned favourites
~doodles

They are also seeking book reviews! They say, “Tell us about a book you’ve read, or promote your own.”
The next deadline for submissions for Inscribed ~ A Magazine For Writers and Ulterior: Alternative News is June 25th, 2009. For full details, check the submission guidelines at http://www.inscribed.org. Inscribed is always looking to add new people to the team. Please e - mail kyle@inscribed.org for more information on volunteer positions available at Inscribed. Volunteering with Inscribed allows those interested in pursuing a career in the arts and publishing industries, in adding skills and experience to their resume. Kyle Richtig is editor - in - chief of Inscribed.



My Own Contest ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Because poetry can be so important in our lives if we will but let it, I am running a contest to remind people to slow down a bit and read a poem (or write one). I will select a winner from those who send me an e - mail with TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING in the subject line. The prize is an e - copy of Lillian Brummet's Towards Understanding with a new cover by her husband, Dave, who is often also her writing partner. I'll randomly pick a winner on Sept. 30. The winner will also have an opportunity to publish one of their poems or a short excerpt from their prose in this corner of my newsletter—a piece that fits with the theme "Towards Understanding." Send your entries to HoJoNews@aol.com .


=====================================================
No part of this newsletter is paid advertising. If you would like to advertise to subscribers, display ads are available at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/advertising.htm at less per year than most sites charge for a single month. Find classified there, too.
=====================================================


Tips from Subscriber Patrika Vaughn:
Marketing Tip: Publishers rarely invest a lot of mo
ney on promotion in first - time authors. Your book is an unknown quantity, a gamble, and publishers expect to make profits on only 3 out of 10 books they publish. If you want your book to succeed in the marketplace, you'll have to be willing to do a large part of the promoting of it. Work with your publisher's publicity department and devise a cooperative program. Find out exactly what the publisher will do. then be prepared to pick up where the publishing company leaves off. (for more, see Book Promotion, at www.acappela.com/classes.htm



=====================================================
Subscribers who have websites or newsletters of their own may be interested
in the F r ^^ Articles 4 Readers and Writers on my site, http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/free_content.htm I try to add new articles to it frequently. If you don't see what you need for your blog or newsletter, just ask. HoJoNews@aol.com.
=====================================================


Quote from Bill Keller, Executive Editor of The New York Times:
“The worst enemy of journalism is floating along with the conventional wisdom.”
Another quote: “. . . reporters have to very aggressive reporting against their own theses and against their initial information.”
And another: “I don’t think fairness means that you give equal time to every point of view no matter how marginal. You weigh the sides, you do some truth testing, you apply judgment to them. We don’t treat creationism as science. Likewise in the autism - vaccine debate, our reporting shows pretty clearly which side the science is on.”

Here’s a quote from me: “Quit knocking journalists. Without them we’d have an even less trustworthy government than we have. Well, OK. Give ‘em hell. But also give ‘em credit.”


=====================================================
Fun and F r ~ ~: If you purchased the Frugal Book Promoter or the Frugal Editor, I'd love 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 a handout from one of my UCLA classes. As a thank you, of course. HoJoNews@aol.com
=====================================================


On Poetry
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is a running feature for the poets among us and those who would like to try writing poetry but feel, well, inadequate about the writing or the promotion. Please send in your poetry tips and resources for this section.

I’ll be reading from the chapbook of poetry I co - wrote with Magdalena Ball, She Wore Emerald Then, on Lillian Brummet’s Authors Read program at Blog Talk Radio on August 14 at 9 am Pacific Time. In the 15 - minute segment, I’ll also read one of Maggie’s poems inspired by ultra science. ( - :
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/AuthorsRead/2009/08/14/Carolyn - Howard - Johnson - She - Wore - Emerald - Then


=====================================================
Endorsement: I wanted to tell you how your workshops, reading your newsletter, and just chatting with you has been a great help to me. I have a background in marketing from the fashion world and even though it has helped me get my foot in the door, I honestly have to say that after getting to know you, reading your books, and everything else I just said has truly helped me put Stories for Children Magazine on the map. ~ VS Grenier, Founder and Editor - in - Chief Stories for Children Magazine. http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org.
=====================================================


In the News: Book Marketer Penny Sansevieri says that most podcasters and bloggers only keep the momentum going for a month. That made me glad that I keep nagging you (yes, moms tend to be good naggers) about persistence. Marketing is cumulative. It only works if you keep at it! And, yes, Pul - leeese quote me!


=====================================================
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! To do that, you are invited to advertise as a site sponsor at www.howtodoitfrugally.com for only $25 to $30 a year. Yep, the frugal way! Click on the Advertising tab at the top of the page or contact me personally at hojonews@aol.com.
=====================================================


Author Successes

Maryanne Raphael Pubs New Book . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Dancing on Water by Maryanne Raphael (www.authorsden.com/maryanneraphael ) tells the story of Shannon who learns she is dying and has her life flash before her. She remembers it all, especially love and loss. She learns to love life, to overcome and cooperate, to help others die of illness and to live until their death. She is a survivor and helps others to survive. The Book is available from Amazon ISBN 978 - 1442140851



Poet Lois P. Jones Publishes in . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Mannequin Envy (http://www.mannequinenvy...com/index.html), a quarterly journal of poetic and visual art. What better way to celebrate summer than through editor, Jennifer VanBuren's medley of visual and word tangos. Lois says, “As an honored guest, I am also happy to share the beginnings of a poetic conversation through my experience with J. Michael Walker's "Bodies Mapping Time" project. The movement continues to evolve with future collaborative efforts with women's organizations as well as upcoming poetry events on this subject.”



Author and Poet L Dawn Colclasure Publishes . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . in an anthology published by Mythica Publishing. The poem is titled “Don’t Call Me Victim” and it will appear in the anthology “Survival!” The anthology’s publication date is yet to be determined.

“Don’t Call Me Victim” is about being a burn survivor, and not necessarily a burn “victim.”

Colclasure has other work being published by Mythica. Her short story, “Forever Mine,” will appear in the publishing company’s other anthology, Another Time, Another Place, later this year.

Learn more about Dawn at http://dmcwriter.tripod.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/dawncolclasure

Learn more about Mythica Publishing at http://www.mythicapublishing.com/



=====================================================
Audio divas brings you audios on many aspects of building a writing career: http://www.tri - studio.com/writers.html. Titles include Contest Facts: How to Add “Award - winning” to Your Name, Do It Yourself Indexing: The Way to Sell Your Book to Libraries, Schools and Anyone Else That Buys Nonfiction, Fury and Destruction: How to Use Violence Effectively in Your Writing, and more.
=====================================================


Tweet Tip: Give others a chance to trace your tweets by using hash marks (#) before keywords that they might want information on. Did you know that Twitter is increasingly being used in ways related to search engine research? If not, turn to CNN for just one evening’s news and you’ll get it.


=====================================================
I highly recommend Jozette Aaron's f r ^ ^ DeSilva's News for writers: http://jozette.webs.com/ not just because I write a column for her. =====================================================

Feature

Seven Tips for Writing a Good Bio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ By Yvonne Perry

Having a good bio is a must for any author. You may use it in your book's front matter in the About the Author section or on your Web site or as a profile on social networking groups or perhaps as part of your marketing packet.

Writing your own bio can be frustrating. You know all about yourself, but you may find it difficult to convey what you have done or achieved that is worth mentioning. Then, there is the organization of your information. Should you list items chronologically starting with your birth and ending at your current career or place of employment? Is there a method or formula to use that will tell your story in an entertaining manner?

Here are a few things to consider in writing your good bio.

1. Length: Consider how much space or time you are given. If there is a word or character limit in the space you are provided, you may have to shorten your bio to one paragraph. If you have more space, you can create a more entertaining bio.

2. Purpose: What will your bio be used for? Are you using this bio to apply for a job? Will it be posted on your Web site for all the world to read? What and how much do you need the reader to know about you? Curtail your personal information and give only pertinent facts that will not embarrass you later.

3. Voice: I always write bios in third person. It's better for someone else to brag on you than for you to brag about yourself. This is one reason that hiring a professional writer is a good idea. He or she can see you from a different vantage point and will know what questions to ask in their information - gathering interview.

4. Be honest. If you don't have experience, don't say that you do. Let's say you're getting started as a writer and your portfolio is small. Maybe your article hasn't been published in Time Magazine; but what about the essay that was published in an online blog or newsletter? If it's relevant, let it help you shine.
5. Where do you belong? Are you affiliated with clubs, volunteer organizations, or other groups? Show your humanitarian or philanthropist side by listing your community work.

6. Write tight. Offer concise information that might include:

* Your full - time job or career, and how many years have you been doing this type of work
* What types of clients you work with
* Your pets or children
* Fluency in other languages
* Your philosophy on life
* Your goals and dreams
* Your favorite books, games, movies, TV shows, etc.

7. Hook your reader or listener. Tell something funny about yourself or tie into a memorable world event or compare yourself to a famous person.

The information you give people about yourself is fundamental to their understanding of you; therefore, you want to establish your credentials and give them something they will remember about you. If you get stuck writing your bio or need someone to give you a fresh perspective on your image to the world and represent you for who you are, give us a call!

Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer and the owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services (WITS). She and her team of ghostwriters are ready to assist you with writing and editing for books, Web text, business documents, resumes, bios, articles, and media releases.

For more information about writing, publishing, and book promotion, or to sign up for free email delivery of WITS newsletter, please visit http://www.writersinthesky.com. New subscribers receive a free eBook Tips for Freelance Writing.



=====================================================
Yes, I do consult. I tailor my fees to your needs - - everything from coaching to full edits (sorry no partial edits) to hour consultations to help you with your marketing campaign or your path to publishing. http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/consulting.htm
=====================================================


Social Network Tip: Tell your friends and/or followers about the success someone had because of a service you offer or your book. As an example, I would say, “When she was out of work after surgery a Sharing with Writers subscriber (www.howtodoitfrugally.com) received a working computer as a gift from a fellow subscriber.”



=====================================================


Thank Yous


Thanks to Irene Watson
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for promoting the f r ^^ bio podcast I did with Reader Views. It’s a great lineup, by the way, from people who care about writers’ careers: http://www.bloggingauthors.com/blogging_authors/2009/7/13/frugal - book - promotion - with - carolyn - howard - johnson.html

Thanks to Fran Silverman
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . . for adapting the media release I sent out on a podcast I’m doing for MaAnna Stephenson’s Just the FAQs. (To access that podcast, see the Appearances section in this newsletter.)


Thanks to Lea Schizas . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . . for her really beautiful blog that includes my first person essay “Life Begins at 60.” I hope it will inspire some of you - - even those of you who are much younger - - to just dig in and do it. Find it at http://thewritingjungle.blogspot.com/2009/07/life - begins - at - sixty - carolyn - howard.html. And be sure to check to see all the neat stuff that Lea does for writers! You could be one of them.

Thanks to Kathleen Gage and Sassy Brit
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for including information on the f r ^ ^ podcast I’ll be doing with Just the FAQs MaAnna Stephenson. Kathleen will be posting on her private Facebook group. Kathleen is a marketer you’ll want to know. Find her at www.KathleenGage.com. And Sassy Brit can be found at http://tjbook - list.blogspot.com/2009/07/media - release - f - r - justthefaqs - podcast.html Sassy, too, is very generous in sharing her wide reach with authors.



Thanks to Lisa Gilman and Scott Flora . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . assistant editor and editor respectively of SPAN Connection, The Small Publishers Association of North America’s newsletter for leading with my article “Partnering with Bookstores to Beat the Recession” in their latest issue. It has been a while since I’ve touted SPAN Connection. Now is a good time to explore what this organization can do for you by getting a sample of their letter. Contact Lisa or Scott at info1@SPANnet.org. Tell them I sent you and ask for a copy. Then join. And then participate in what they have to offer. Many of their benefits (not all) are listed on page 19.


=====================================================
If you're starting your own blog or want to market the one you have or focus it better here’s a f r ^^ chapter from Phyllis Zimbler Miller’s and my coming book. Download it now at http://budurl.com/bloggingchapter. =====================================================



Tip: Are your books appearing on Filedby.com? The site is another good way to increase your Google footprint, get another backlink, etc. They also tweet @filedby and here is one of their tweets: Carolyn Howard Johnson author of "The Frugal Editor" is on FiledBy: http://bit.ly/uSoNM



=====================================================
I now have a social media page on my Website. I’m including the link for you to see so you can use it as a sample if you don’t have a similar page on your own Web site. And yes, this can work even if you only network on one site. Just use more space giving your visitors an idea of how they will benefit if they join you. http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/new_page_4.htm =====================================================


Feature


Lynda Goldman Shares Basics of Using Bullets
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
by Linda Goldman

In an era of information overload, bulleted lists focus attention, add structure to your documents, and emphasize key points.

Bullets are not a magic solution to every written document, so it's important to use them effectively.

1. Keep it simple. The hundred of fonts now available provide a multitude of bullet choices. In most business situations, the basic round or square bullets still work best.

2. Keep it uniform. If you begin one entry on your list with a capital, do the same with all entries on your list.

3. Keep it reasonable. Don't use too many bullet lists on one page. In general, keep bullet list length to 6 or fewer items.

4. Keep it organized. Every list includes items for a reason. Organizing methods include alphabetical order, persuasive order, priority, etc.

5. Keep it logical. Use numbers when the heading or introduction suggests it (as in this title: 5 Bullet Basics). For small lists, or when the contents don't represent a sequence, bullets work better.

Fresh communication tips in your inbox every Tuesday! Subscribe to Lynda Goldman’s Communication Capsules at www.LyndaGoldmanInk.com, or email: Lynda@LyndaGoldmanInk.com for Words That Sell.

- - - - Lynda Goldman (Lynda@LyndaGoldmanInk.com), Words That Sell Copywriting to educate, persuade and generate leads with white papers, case studies, websites, articles, employee communications, and marketing materials.
Free mail newsletter Communication Capsules at http://www.LyndaGoldmanInk.com



=====================================================
This is an example of one of my Twitters: "FrugalBookPromo New trend? Borders to buy nonreturnable books from HarperStudio in return for a deeper discount." My tweets cover everything from news to more tips and resources, all in 140 characters or less. If you don’t want to Tweet, at least follow me. Make a profile page and invite me at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo. =====================================================


Tip: Thank you to Penny Sansevieri, editor of one of my favorite newsletters, Book Marketing Expert, for running a reader tip in her letter. Subscribe by sending an e - mail to Penny at penny@amarketingexpert.com. Let her know I sent you.


=====================================================
The New Book Review is a service of this newsletter. 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.
=====================================================


An Itty - Bitty Column on Writing

The Business of Writing I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

We’d rather forget, but we can’t. Writing is a business as well as a creative endeavor. The way we keep our records, log our submissions and prepare for the inevitability of taxes shows whether we are professionals or not.

In the next few issues of Sharing with Writers, I’m going to talk about ways to organize what you do and become the true professional that you were meant to be. Why? Because I need to know this information, too.

Let’s start with organizing our work area. Oh, yes, I know it’s never completely organized, but the better job you do at keeping things together the more time you have to write.

I hope you have a cozy nook where you can write. If you have a spare bedroom you can convert into an office, congratulations. If not, find a corner of a room (or a basement) where you can work. You simply must have a dedicated area. I use the second bedroom in my little duplex. Make sure you have space for your computer, printer and shelves filled with good reference books. I have four bookshelves crammed with volumes and a closet that I converted into a supply room for paper, folders, and so forth.
So get your act together! Next issue well take the next step.
Happy organizing!

LINKS

Handling Writers Income and Expenses
http://www.writing - world.com/rights/expenses.shtml

The ABC Checklist for New Writers
http://www.writersservices.com/mag/08/ABC_Checklist_3.htm

Organized Writer - Julie Hood
http://www.organizedwriter.com/

The Writer’s Legal Guide – Tad Crawford
http://books.google.com/books?id=VIqj8BRPnOsC&printsec=frontcover

Taxes and Freelance Writers, What to Do?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/89298/taxes_and_freelance_writerswhat_to.html?cat=3

A Straightforward Guide to Creative Writing, Stephen Wade
http://books.google.com/books?id=fWVzvxp3eBMC&pg=PA24&lpg=PA24&dq=keeping+records+for+writers&source=bl&ots=9nZTHzV_Q9&sig=ReRe9IUztTrmWeR - WwMZCmJYLNw&hl=en&ei=pv5kSrLoC426Ne6wiZ8M&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10

Simple Recordkeeping and Tax Deductions for Writers, Pamela S. Thibodeaux
http://www.go - publish - yourself.com/articles/writing - related/thibodeauxp.php

Tracking Your Submissions, Greg Knollenberg
http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/apr98/gak4.htm

Get Organized, Get Published, Don Aslett and Carol Cartaino
http://www.amazon.com/Get - Organized - Published - Ways - Success/dp/1582970033


~ Mindy Phillips Lawrence, www.freewebs.com/mplcreative, is the author of the poetry collections One Blue Star and Above and Below. She is co - author of The Complete Writer and a publicist and literary agent. She is in the process of researching a novel titled Alone is Where We Begin. Blogging at: http://mplcreative.blogspot.com/.
Her specialty is helping writers with their media releases. Reach her at mplcreative1@aol.com.


=====================================================
Get f r ^^ information from Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman's Author Access which offers several f r ^ ^ podcasts each year including a new one on writing book proposals just recorded at http://authorsaccess.com/archives/category/carolyn - howard - johnson . You'll find one on general book promotion there, too. In the past, the podcasts of my interviews with them have won their "most viewed" award twice. You'll find podcasts featuring lots of the writing world's most famous avatars there. Go look! =====================================================


Tip: Here’s an alternative to Google Alerts that even searches social media sites to see when you or your book is being mentioned. It is www.WhosTalkin.com.


=====================================================


Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Carolyn Howard - Johnson will teach “Creating a Promotion Campaign for Your Fiction or Nonfiction Book.” A one - day seminar, it will meet on the UCLA campus’ School of Public Affairs Building (Room 2317) Saturday, August 1, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Reg# U9836B Request a UCLA Extension catalog at www.uclaextension.edu. Learn more about the class (only $125!) at https://www.uclaextension.edu/r/Course.aspx?reg=U9836

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

NEW! Lillian Brummet will be my host on BlogTalkRadio’s Authors Read on August 14th at 9 am. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/authorsread. I’ll be reading a poem from She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood coauthored with Magdalena Ball. I'll read a few poems of mine and at least one of Maggie's. She is most always inspired by quantum mechanics and related subjects. I hope you’ll tune in to see how a copy of this chapbook might fit into the occasions you might want to honor a mother in your life. Learn how you can do the same at: http://www.brummet.ca/authors.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

NEW! MaAnna Stephenson has asked me to record a podcast on how - tos for writers to go live on her site on Thursday, August 14 at www.JustTheFAQS.net/podcast.shtml and on iTunes sometime after that. Until then, find other useful podcasts on different aspects of publishing from this prolific marketer at http://www.JustTheFAQs.net/podcast.shtml.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Carolyn Howard - Johnson will co - sponsor the Green Book Pavilion with The Green New Media Life Expo http://www.greennewmedialifeexpo.com/content/green - book - pavilion - featuring - carolyn - howard - johnson?destination=node%2F109 held at the Ontario Convention Center, Saturday Sept 12 from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday Sept. 13 from 10 am to 5 pm. The expo offers a $290 expo package to help authors promote themselves and their books. It includes
~An onsite Internet radio interview
~A personalized video that the participating authors themselves can use on their own social networks and Web sites
~A Web site presence for the participating authors, including blog presence and pictures, etc on the expo site
~A table where each author can talk up his or her book (and sell it, too!) on the Pavilion itself.
Interested authors may contact Gerry Fisher at GeFisher39@aol.com or at 702 467 9411 or 760 961 2728. Future expos are at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento on Oct 24 & 25, and Pomona Fairgrounds on November 6 and 8.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mark October 12 to 18 on your calendar for The Muse Online Writers Conference cosponsored by Lea Schizas and Carolyn Howard - Johnson:

We are now taking reservations for the conference. More to come on my presentations there at http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/. This year we’ve added pitch sessions: http://www.themuseonlinewritersconference.com/2009workshops.htm

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Carolyn Howard - Johnson will speak on writing picture - perfect query letters at the November session of Scribblers' Retreat Writers' Conference, www.scribblersretreatwritersconference.com at Sea Palms Resort, St. Simons Island, Georgia. Scribblers Retreat Writers’ Conference offers four conferences of specifically chosen genres throughout the year. It is brand new and one of the few chances I will speak on the East Coast in 2009.



=====================================================
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.
=====================================================



Wordstuff ™

Something to Make Writers Smile
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(Definitions in the next few newsletters are from www.butlerwebs.com/jokes/definitions.htm. You might have some favorite neologisms, metaphors or similes that make you smile. If so, please contribute.)

HORS D'OEUVRES: A sandwich cut into 20 pieces.



=================================================

Essential Book and Record Keeping:

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

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

Ordering Information:
Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/qid=1149015406/sr=2 - 1/
The e - book at http://starpublishllc.com/id43.html

The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success
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, http://www.amazon.com/Great - First - Impression - Book - Proposal/dp/B000YG6O5U/

A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In - Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques http://budurl.com/RetailersGuide

To learn more about This Is the Place,
Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracings, and She Wore Emerald Then: www.carolynhoward - johnson.com.

She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood, a chapbook of poetry coauthored with Magdalena Ball. http://www.amazon.com/She - Wore - Emerald - Then - Reflections/dp/1438263791/

Tracings, a chapbook of poetry (Finishing Line Press)
www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1139084827/sr=1 - 1/

Contact Information
Websites:
http://carolynhoward - Johnson.com (literary)
http://HowToDoItFrugally.com (all things about writing)


Blogs:

http://www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com, a blog on all things publishing
http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com, all things grammatical and ungrammatical
http://www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog focused on YOUR reviews
http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com, a blog focused on editing, formatting and craft
http://www.WarPeaceTolerance.blogspot.com War. Peace. Tolerance. And Our Soldiers.
http://www.sizzlingbookfairbooths.blogspot.com, a blog where you can learn to get some mojo behind your own booth by learning from the successes and mistakes of others.

Tweeting at:
www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo
www.twitter.com/frugalretailing
Squidooing at
http://www.squidoo.com/HowToDoItFrugallyforAuthors http://www.squidoo.com/carolynhoward - johnson