My apolgies. AOL is giving me fits on this newsletter. You get it in a plain, generic wrapper this week! (-:
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July 15, 2006 Sharing with Writers:
From the Desks
Of Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Friends

Most issues of Sharing with Writers are posted at FairgoeBooks.com: http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/fairgoebooks/literaryfour.htm and you will find the *Best of Sharing with Writers* at www.ApollosLyre.com.

Note: I am trying to cut down on gobbeldy gook for some subscribers. I do not use (or substitute for) many punctuation marks. They seem to disagree with Yahoo and others. I hope it doesn*t drive you crazy. I am also working so that more subscribers received their letter through their spam filters: too many caps seem to be a no-no.

Included in This Newsletter:
1. Note from Carolyn: Tips on How to Get the Most from Stuff that Doesn*t Look as if It*s Important
2. Letters-to-the-Editor
3. In the News
4. Blatant Promotion
5. Tips are scattered throughout. In fact every single link in this newsletter may lead you to something or someone you can work with to sell or promote your book.
6. Carolyn-Approved Links are featured throughout.
7. Opportunities
8. Editorial
9. My Thank Yous (Per my own advice in Frugal. Each is a possible lead for your own publicity.)
10. Fellow Writer News
11. Featured Article: The Queen of Journaling Talks!!
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Reminder: No material in this newsletter is paid advertising!
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Note from Carolyn:
How to Get the Most from this Letter

Most entries in this newsletter will be useful to you as a resource or tip if you will but put your thinking cap on and try to find a way that the information relates to you or your book. News and thanks yous are usually not only that but opportunities lying (yes, that*s correct usage! (-: ) in wait. Watch for:

 Attn: Those Who Missed Out on the 2005 Fair
 Radio Producers/Hosts You Can Contact (by the way, one way to get your name on the air is to call in to programs when you know people who are being interviewed--it will give you a chance to mention your name and your book. Casually, though, please. Tie your comments to content.
 Publishers/Agents/Editors You Might Contact
 Websites/Books that Might Help You with Promotion or Craft
 Fellow Writers to Cross Promote With: Tell Them I Sent You--a proper Introduction, of course!
 And More!!

Happy Writing. Happy Promoting!
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
HoJoNews@aol.com
http://carolynhowardjohnson.com

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Letters-to-the-Editor:

Dear Carolyn: I am a real newbie to the (PR) game and have been reading FBP to introduce me to the publishing world so I can be more of an asset to Red Engine Press. I decided to place markers in the pages I wanted to refer back to and maybe do a little highlighting. I Give! This is absolutely the best book and after marking every other page, marking it seemed kinda silly. I*ll just commit everything to memory ho ho.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know I am thrilled with all the helpful info and I like they way you have clearly defined the various parts. Makes it much easier to use as a reference.
Vicki Malone, publicist Red Engine Press, vickiopks@yahoo.com
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Dear Carolyn: I use your book…for marketing ideas and such...It is my manual. I have Guerrilla Marketing for Writers too, but yours is very straightforward with definitive directions that confer profitable outcomes.
Shane Ellison, M.Sc., author Health Myths Exposed
Life has an expiration date. Want to extend it?
Get my fr^^ e-Book at www.health-fx.net/eBook.pdf
and avoid heart disease forever - Naturally.
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To receive a copy prologue of the award-winning This is the Place in your e-mail box F#R#E, send an e-mail to carolynhowardjohnson@sendfree.com. If for no other reason, do it so you can see how well a no-cost autoresponder can work for your promotion campaign.
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In the News:
If you feel strongly that jailing Judith Miller is counter-productive to our nation*s freedom of speech and freedom of the press, you may want to take a second to sign a petition to support her. This petition is primarily for working journalists but there is a box there to check if you simply want to show your support as someone who knows the value of a press that is encouraged to keep our government honest, not discouraged. You can see where I stand. LOL. Here is the URL: http://www.rcfp.org/shields_and_subpoenas/support_judith_miller.php
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Blatant Promotion (with Leads for You, too!):

Carolyn*s Appearances:
 The Jane Prince-Jones Show at KFYO in Lubbock, TX on Monday, July 18th at 7:45 am, For information or to comment e-mail PrinceJones@clearchannel.com, This is a repeat visit for me, in fact it is visit number three!
 Call in! Carolyn will be Barry Allen*s guest on KFNX 1100 Arizona News Talk Radio (www.1100KFNX.com) on Monday, July 18, at 2:30 pm. Listen on the Web from anywhere in the world at 2 pm, (Pacific Time) http://www.1100kfnx.com/. Call in to chat! Arizonans call 602-277-KFNX. Listeners nationwide call toll free at: 1-866-536-1100
PS: This program is for entrepreneurs. Authors are entrepreneurs. If you have an angle that you want to pitch to Barry, contact him at Contact the Host –818 243 4864, allen@makeradiowork.com
 Book PR on a Shoestring with Carolyn and Darlene March! at the Book Publicists of Southern California at Sportsmen*s Lodge, 12825 Ventura Blvd., Studio City (corner Ventura and Coldwater). Mixer: 5:30 Dinner ($25.) Presentation only, $10. Reservations: irwinzuckerpr@aol.com.
 UCLA Writers* Faire, Sunday, Sept. 11,Young Hall Courtyard, 11 am to 3 pm. Consult schedule for Carolyn*s panel.
 Duarte Festival of Authors, Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 am to 3 pm, Ray Bradbury, keynote speaker. Consult program for Carolyn*s segment. No charge. 1420 Santa Domingo Ave., Duarte. Information: 626-256-1212.
 My class, Creating a Promotion Package for Your Fiction or Non-fiction Book, Saturday, Nov. 5th, at UCLA. A one-day class, it is affordable in terms of time and tuition. Contact Marc Hennessey at writers@uclaextension.edu or (310) 825-9415.
 Jump-start Your Credibility and Salability: Publish a Book! is the topic of Carolyn*s seminar at the American Board of Hypnotherapy*s 2006 Convention: Newport Beach, CA, Radisson, Feb. 19, 2006, 9 am. If you have an idea for them, they are looking for speaks. See their site at: www.hypnosis.com.
 Dayton University*s Erma Bombeck Writers* Workshop, May 20, 2006. Learn more about this opportunity for writers at http://www.humorwriters.org/
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Tip: Subscriber Virgil Jose, author of The Examined Life (http://www.fatcatpress.com/), found BlogCritics.org where they accept releases about books and reviews. Find the invitation to submit at http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/09/01/095735.php. or put site administrator Eric Olsen (ecolsen2003@cs.com) on your media release list.

Tip: From Janet Elaine Smith, author of Pampas (http://janet_elaine_smith0.tripod.com/id6.html): one of her favorite ways to post releases is to go to http://www.newslink.org/ .She says, *They list newspapers, both daily and weekly, for the entire US, as well as almost all of the radio stations. They are separated by state. Start by sending releases out regionally, then move farther out. Also, it helps to have a media kit on your website so editors can find everything in one easy stop.*


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Reciprocal Links: Many subscribers are in a position to cross-promote/ Let me know if you would like to trade something (almost anything!) for a permanent spot (or as my list grows, semi-permanent) spot in this newsletter. I use only links that might benefit writers.
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Reciprocal Links:

The Reading Tub is a charity that promotes family and children*s literacy. They read every children*s book that is sent to them for a review. They are then donated to community organizations. Go to www.thereadingtub.com.

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 (among them Noam Chomsky and Paul Krassner), and conservatives (among them Bob Barr and Alan Caruba) and may be ordered at Amazon.com or your favorite bookstore.

Star Publish offers near self-publish profits on your paperback and an alternative to noncommunicative publishers. A different kind of publisher where the author is the Star. http://starpublish.com.

Do you dream of becoming a published writer? Or maybe you want to hone your skills? Writer to Writer features tips on writing, marketing, submitting, selling and more. Regular no-fee contests. www.writer2writer.com
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OPPORTUNITIES:

Participate in USA*s Biggest and Best Fair without Being Present!

Several authors/promoters are partnering in a double booth at the LA Times Festival of Books for 2006. We are looking for 15 to 20 authors who would like to have their books exposed at this fair but can*t be there in person. Last year, Marilyn Peake, author of The Fisherman*s Son participated without being on the premises and this is what she said,

Please count me in! I would like to be included in this project. I*ve had an amazing number of hits to my Website since this year*s LA Times Festival of Books.

Here are the essentials:
 The fee is $160 per book. Authors need not be present; they may, nonetheless, promote.
 Each book will be displayed in a space dedicated to it along with a flier/order card not larger than 5 x 7 plus bookmarks or business cards.
 Each author may supply a 12 X 17 laminated sign with grommets for display.
 Books will not be sold in the booth.
 Books will be listed in a flier/catalog that will be sent to a number of bookstores* buyers. (The number of mailings will depend on how many participants we have and we will accept suggestions from participants so that we target bookstores that will help individual participants.)
 Roaming authors will give out fr^^bie gift bags full of participants* promotional items to fair-goers and the press.
 Our booth will have a Website with links to authors* sites. The website will be listed in the festival programs and the insert that goes out to the entire LA Times readership--HUGE!
 We will post Listmanias and So You*d Like Tos at Amazon listing participating books/authors.
 Supplementary advertising space in our catalog will be available for an additional charge.
 Authors may promote and are urged to do so but it is not required for the booth will be promoted by a team of expert, active promoters including The Frugal Book Promoter. Leads will be welcomed.
 Space is limited so if you are interested, please let me know at HoJoNews@aol.com. ASAP.
 Sorry, but no refunds will be given and fees are due upon signing.
 This fair is one of the biggest--if not THE biggest--around. Learn more under events at latimes.com.

Note: This booth will not be like the ones that large organizations sponsor where hundreds of books must vie for attention. Yours will be one of only 15 to 20 books, displayed individually. After the fair books and other materials will be donated to local libraries.

Contact me at: HoJoNews@aol.com
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A New Site for Your Reviews!

Cheryl Wright (cheryl@cheryl-wright.com ) has begun a new site that both authors and readers will love. www.authorsunlimited.net will feature reviews on e-books and independent press titles. They are celebrating with contests, give-aways and more. Sign up for their newsletter while you are there.
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I speak and do workshops. I*d love to come to your critique group or writers* association. Contact me at HoJoNews@aol.com.
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Editorial

Ahhh. The stuff going around on the Web. We can learn so much from it and so little.

The easy path can get us into trouble whether we pick up information easily and inexpensively (but from poorly credentialed sources!) on the Web or rely on our memory or instincts instead of purposefully honing our craft.

Recalling our sense for what we have read is an important part of writing but it is, like the Web, fraught with danger. We almost certainly need more. We should not only stretch ourselves--read better material--but we should examine what the books we read are made of: anecdotes, scenes, grounding, dialogue and more.

This group has grown and I do not know all of you but I urge you all--especially, but not exclusively--those who are writing their first books to read good books in your genre (Hey! Buy one! You will expect others to buy yours!) Take classes and choose the best you can afford. And get a good editor!

A good editor will give you perspective on technique, craft, structure, characterization. Actually teach you about writing, not just clear away your typos and fix your misused synonyms.

What got me on this rant? This poem (along with other similar ones) that has been seen around on the Web. I*m sure you will see the connection.
I
Candidate for a Pullet Surprise
From The Journal of Irreproducible Results, Vol. 39, #1
By Jerrold H. Zar

I have a spelling checker,
It came with my PC.
It plane lee marks four my revue
Miss steaks aye can knot sea.

Eye ran this poem threw it,
Your sure reel glad two no.
Its vary polished in it*s weigh.
My checker tolled me sew.

A checker is a bless sing,
It freeze yew lodes of thyme.
It helps me right awl stiles two reed,
And aides me when eye rime.

Each frays come posed up on my screen
Eye trussed too bee a joule.
The checker pours o*er every word
To cheque sum spelling rule.

Bee fore a veiling checker*s
Hour spelling mite decline,
And if we*re lacks oar have a laps,
We wood bee maid too wine.

Butt now bee cause my spelling
Is checked with such grate flare,
Their are know fault*s with in my cite,
Of nun eye am a wear.

Now spelling does knot phase me,
It does knot bring a tier.
My pay purrs awl due glad den
With wrapped
word*s fare as hear.

To rite with care is quite a feet
Of witch won should bee proud,
And wee mussed dew the best wee can,
Sew flaw*s are knot aloud.

Sow ewe can sea why aye dew prays
Such soft wear four pea seas,
And why eye brake in two averse
Buy righting want too pleas.
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Jerrold H. Zar, Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115-2864, jhzar@niu.edu. Title suggested by Pamela Brown. Based on opening lines suggested by Mark Eckman. By the author*s count, 127 of the 225 words of the poem are incorrect (although all words are correctly spelled).

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More Reciprocal Links:
Gather at QueenPower.com where women promote, support and encourage women. Don*t wait till you*re ready, have more time, or are a little older. Start living your best life now! http://www.queenpower.com/

Sun Signs for Writers: Learn how astrology can benefit (and entertain!) writers with a new Writers* Digest book: http://www.writersigns.info

Judith Woolcock Colombo: Author of The Fablesinger & Night Crimes:Learn more at: http://odin.prohosting.com/~night01


 Discover love, laughter, romance, and eccentric, meddling neighbors in a new novel by Cynthianna Appel:
http://cynthianna.bravehost.com/

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/

Fr** Publicity Resource: Let this site send your media release to book trade professionals including Associated Press, Reuters, Dow Jones, and more! http://press.heliographica.com/

Milli Thornton, created a clinic to help promote her book, Fear of Writing. She is also the author of an e-book called Become a Workshop Presenter. Learn more at: http://www.fearofwriting.com/

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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Feel free to forward Sharing with Writers to other writers. Unlike many others, I do not mind if you send only part of it. I do ask that you include the subscribe information I have provided at the end of this newsletter.
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Special Thanks Feature:

Peruse the following thank yous for sites, editors and ideas for promoting. All of these entries featured or recommended The Frugal Book Promoter or my other books in the last few weeks.

To Abel Peña for listing Frugal as one of the books he is reading in his blog (http://blogs.starwars.com/abelgpena/11) at Starwars.com. Any Sci-Fi fans out there? His is among the most popular blogs on this site and Abel is one of my former students who will soon be teaching me the art of promotion!

To Belinda Hughes for naming Sharing with Writers newsletter of the week in her Writing News. To subscribe go to: http://belinda-y-hughes.tripod.com/

To Erica Miner, who published our question and answer session about journaling on her website (http://www.ericaminer.com/qa.php). Why the subject of journaling? Journaling led to This is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered.
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Reciprocal Links you Can Use:

The Complete Writer offers advice on writing, editing, proofreading, publishing and layout and design. Published by Red Engine Press, it offers writing services. A traditional press, it publishes fiction, nonfiction and children*s titles. http://www.redenginepress.com/
.
 Dr Bob Rich is a freelance editor. He finds the good things in your book and makes suggestions for improving it. His clients include independent publishers, and a long list of writers. Find him at http://bobswriting.com/editing.html

The Compulsive Reader reviews books by some of the hottest writers working today. Find author interviews, literary news, criticism, a free e-zine, giveaways, and more. http://www.compulsivereader.com/html.

Do bookstores owe you money? Michelle Dunn*s books How to Make Money Collecting Money: Starting a Collection Agency and Become the Squeaky Wheel, A Credit and Collections Guide for Everyone will help you get your checks in full and on time. http://www.michelledunn.com/

Erica Miner, queenpower.com*s newest Queen Team member, has a monthly e-mail newsletter that rocks. News and tips for writers, with an emphasis on journaling will enrich your writing. Subscribe at: http://www.ericaminer.com/newsletter.php
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Tip: Ger information by autoresponder on how to conduct a virtual tour. If you don*t know what this is, maybe you should. It has become a buzz word in the promotion world and is so new that it is not covered in Frugal. Here*s the address. virtualauthortours@getresponse.com. You send a quick note and you get information in your mailbox very soon after that.

Tip: Janet Elaine Smith has been helping me design a virtual book tour for my soon-to-be-released chapbook of poetry, Tracings. It is part of the Promo Pak she offers at http://janet_elaine_smith0.tripod.com/. She likes this URL for locating blogs one might want to visit by subject: http://www.blogpulse.com/. Just enter your keywords. For Tracings I shall check out nostalgic poetry, war poetry and experiment a bit after that.

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Carolyn*s The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won*t is USA Book News* Best Professional Book 2004. Ordering information is at the end of this newsletter. Her This is the Place and Harkening are both multiple award winners. Learn more about her work and download her fr** promotional e-books at http://carolynhowardjohnson.com.
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Fellow Writer News!

A word to the promotion savvy: Some of these links and names may help you with your publishing or promoting!

Susan Merson, author of Your Name Here: An Actor/Writer Guide to Solo Performance (http://starpublish.com/starbooks.htm) will be talking about solo performance issues, artists and work and taking a stand for your self as an artist. Plan to see her at the Writers Store on Westwood Blvd in Los Angeles ( www.writersstore.com ) on AUG 5, from 6-8 PM..
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Feature Article:

Fiction… Or Not: Turning Your Journals into a Book, by Erica Miner

Erica Miner talks about how she turned her journals into a novel…or was that a memoir?

In my former life, I was a woman torn, trying to hold down a high-pressured job as a violinist for the Met Opera in New York while simultaneously raising and supporting two little kids on my own and struggling to maintain some semblance of a personal life. Unfortunately, I soon found that the latter issue had to remain on hold until the summers, when the Met was on hiatus and the kids with their dad. Then it was my chance to do something for myself: take off and explore Europe.

Over the years I recorded scores of intriguing experiences, a combination of sightseeing and finding love in a variety of languages, in my journals.

Later, when I had to give up my musical career, I turned back to writing as my artistic outlet, moved to Southern California and penned a number of screenplays under the guidance of a script consultant. Ultimately the novel writing bug bit me; I pitched this consultant the story of a young mom who takes off on travel adventures during her kid-free time. *Sounds great - write it,* he ordered. I resurrected my journals and, with his help, turned those journals into my novel, Travels With My Lovers.

Readers and lecture attendees constantly ask me how much of Travels is true-to-life and why I choose to write my journals as fiction. To the first question I usually reply, *Only the author knows for sure.* As for the second question…

Though writing in first person, I thought it would be much more fun to do fiction, embellishing here and romanticizing there, in ways that would keep the reader guessing – much more fun than a memoir, right? I could change the names, punch up the situations without revealing anyone*s secrets – my own included. My next project, based on my teenage journals, is a novel series written in third person, but ironically truer to the letter than Travels. Vive la difference.

So for you budding journalers, memoirists and novelists, here is my advice. If you want to tell your life story, transcribe your journals into a memoir. If you have a pressing desire to write a novel, cull some of your most fun journal stories and fictionalize them. Either way, you*re writing what you know. Just remember: if you don*t want to admit to the saucy, steamy or downright embarrassing events that you lifted from your journals into your book - consider fiction.

Fiction… or not? Only the author knows for sure!
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Erica Miner is the author of Travels With My Lovers, a Fiction Prize winner in the Direct From The Author Book Awards and a top-rated lecturer for Celebrity Cruise Lines. Learn more at: http://www.ericaminer.com.
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Essential Book and Record Keeping
This letter is an occasional and informal way for me to share with my writing and publishing friends and for them to share with each other. Please send me your tips and news and I will try to pass them on for the benefit of others. If you do not care to receive this letter, just let me know but please, please don*t tell me you*ve given up writing or promoting!


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

You are encouraged to pass this newsletter on to friends or e-groups who may have an interest. It needn*t be pasted in its complete form, but please include this credit of anything you snip and paste:

To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to: HoJoNews@aol.com. It is edited and distributed sporadically by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, http://carolynhowardjohnson.com, author of THIS IS THE PLACE, HARKENING: A COLLECTION OF STORIES REMEMBERED and THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON*T.
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Ordering Information for The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won*t:

Order it in e-book form for only $9. at: http://starpublish.com/starbooks.htm

Paperback copies may be ordered at Amazon where they are discounting books this month: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-0672916-9668863 This is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered may also be ordered there.

And at Barnes and Noble by clicking on this link: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=the+frugal+book+promoter&userid=Rt39vFn9pM&sourceid=00393694016245851818&bfdate=12%2D30%2D2004+19%3A13%3A56&cds2Pid=946 This is the Place and Harkening are also available there and if you order more than $25. in product, you get free shipping, no tax.