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http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/SharingwithWriters_Jan_1_2011.pdf

January 1, 2011
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 (except when I'm traveling or on deadline) and it's long!
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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: Free Panels, Webinars from Bookbuzzr
~On Poetry
~Author Successes
~Mindy Lawrence's Itty Bitty Column:
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™
This Issue
~Feature: Conversations with Jim: On Review Ethics
~Q&A’s a la Ann Landers:
Mastering a New Blog and Social Networking Integration and The
New Amazon Screenwriting Contest
~Feature
~My Memoir

Note: You may have better luck with the URLs in this newsletter if you copy and paste them into your browser window. I leave the links long rather than use hyperlinks because the letter is available in plain text in your e - mail window as well as a .pdf format.

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Note from Carolyn

Dear Subscribers:

First of all, thank you to all who took the time to nominate this newsletter and its sister blogs and Web site for the Writer’s Digest 101 Best list. And to all those who took advantage of the fr ^ ^ whitepaper on upping your Amazon ratings from Aggie Villaneuva by recommending this newsletter to friends who write. Oh! And to those who sent season’s greetings. That’s such a nice way to maintain friendships, which is all networking really is.

We’re off to a new year. My forty - five year old tangerine tree seems to know that. It’s celebrating by hanging its boughs with red - orange balls. A huge decorating job that is making the limbs bend under their weight. I’m taking that as an omen that 2011 will be fruitful for authors and the publishing industry as a whole.

Happy Writing, Editing and Promoting
Carolyn


PS: For information about making retailing work in a down economy and how authors can make their case to retailers for letting them host book signings or workshops (and how retailers can boost profits by partnering with authors) check Paul Bruno's Career Czar® radio program. The show is available f r ^ ^ at http://www.careerczar.com/mp3/career121710.mp3 . Listen to his other shows at www.careerczar.com or at the show's blog at www.careerczar.wordpress.com . E - mail Paul at careerczar@cs.com and ask to be on the show's notification list for free podcasts or to query for a spot on his show..

PPS: Special thank you to subscriber Lorilyn Roberts for sending so many new Sharing with Writers subscribers from her group. Of course, I sent her an additional little gift. That’s in the spirit of caring marketing. If you missed that offer in this newsletter and want to know more about my subscriber drive and the fr ^ ^ white paper on improving your book’s Amazon ratings, go to

http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2010/11/free - amazon - secrets - in - return - for - favor.html


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Needing something more meaningful for the celebrations in your life? Something that stays within your budget? Valentine’s is coming. Check out Cherished Pulse (www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse) ($6.95) for someone you love. Try Imagining the Future: Ruminations on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions for the men in your life. Sure, they like fusses made over them, too! (www.budurl.com/Imagining) ($6.95).; She Wore Emerald Then (www.budurl.com/MotherChapbook) ($12.95), for mothers and other women; and Blooming Red (www,budurl.com/BloomingRed), to use as Christmas cards or incidental holiday gifts. Plan next Christmas early. And ask about my special price on chapbook/cards purchased in bulk! All these chapbooks are from the Celebration Series of poetry from Magdalena Ball and me.
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Letter to the Editor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hi Carolyn,
What do you think of Facebook Ads? Have you or anyone in your group had any success with them?
Thanks,
Tom Barnes
tombarnes39@yahoo.comwww.RocktheTower.com

Editor’s Note: Let’s see if any of our Sharing with Writers subscribers can share their Facebook ad experiences with you! Subscribers?

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My review blog is there for you to use. It’s a place for you to honor authors and books you’ve loved with a review. It’s a place to recycle the review of your own book, the one you love most. It’s f r ^ ^. Submission guidelines are in the left column at www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com.
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Tip: John 3:16 Marketing Network is especially useful for Christian writers who launch books on Amazon and/or Barnes and Noble: http://john316mn.blogspot.com/2010/11/become - best - selling - author.htm
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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. 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.
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Feature

The Ins ‘n’ Outs of Book Reviews: Conversation with Jim Cox of Midwest Review
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INTRODUCTION:
Below is a string of e - mails reprinted, in part, from "The Jim Cox Report." The first is copied directly from Cox’s newsletter and it includes the copy of an e - mail sent to him and a response from Jim to that e - mail. Then you will see that Jim and I started a conversation on the all - important subject of book reviews. Jim gave me permission to reprint the thread and I am doing so because I feel there is so much misunderstanding going around about reviews, even among seasoned writers. Of course, I’m reprinting because Jim is not only an expert on the subject, but is also one of the few reputable review journals/sites that is fully open to review books regardless of how they are published. I hope you will take the time to follow the thread, maybe even print it out to read at your leisure. It wouldn’t be in this letter if I didn’t think it was worth your time. Exchanges about personal matters have been deleted.

FROM THE JIM COX REPORT
Publisher Folk, Friends & Family:

When you are in the business of working with people - - and most especially self - published authors - - it is inevitable that from time to time you have to engage with disappointment, disaffection, disillusion, and even outrage. The key to success in such dealings is to remain calm, compassionate, realistic, and informational.

I received a letter of complaint, accusation, demand, and threat from a Mr. xx, a self - published author whose review copy submissions to the Midwest Book Review did not result in a review.

Professional book reviewers and book review publications all too often turn down self - published authors from consideration simply because every now and then they have to deal with the naiveté, emotional involvement, ignorance, unrealistic expectations from a few self - published authors ultimately resulting in threats and hard feelings against the reviewer, and/or the editorial staff of the book review organization.

I'm going to share my response to just such a contact with just such a self - published author. The reason why I put up with belligerent authors is that they are few and far between, plus I've always seen as part of my responsibility as the editor - in - chief of the Midwest Book Review to be that of an educator. So I want to share with other self - published authors information that will prove useful to them should they ever find themselves in Mr. XX’s position.

Indeed, once the aggrieved self - published author learns the rules of the road with respect to book review guidelines and standards, often their tempers cool and they become more discriminating in their book review submission decisions. In other words, they become more professional and less emotional.

HERE'S MY E - MAIL TO THAT AUTHOR:

Dear Mr. XX:
Your certified letter of November 9th has been received.
Your books arrived safely and passed my initial screening. Unfortunately they ultimately failed to achieve a review assignment. This is no reflection on the quality of your work because it made a quite favorable impression on me. Simply the unfortunate consequence of having only 76 reviewers to cope with the more than 2,300 titles a month arriving here for review consideration.

With respect to your concerns upon finding a review copy title for sale on the Internet there are some basic publishing industry standards that I would like to bring to your attention because as a self - published author your are apparently not aware of them.

All review copies submitted for review become the property of that reviewer and/or review publication to do with as they please, whether or not a review is generated, and whether or not a generated review is positive or negative with respect to the book in question.

There are several instructional articles with respect to book reviewing, the book review process, what to do with reviews, and avoiding scam artists posing as reviewers.
I would direct your attention to the following articles and strongly suggest you read them:

1. Rules Regarding Review Copies
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/rules.htm
2. How To Spot A Phony Book Reviewer
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/phony.htm
3. Amazon Book Review Guidelines
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/amazguide.htm
4. Amazon Review Copy Policy
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/arcp.htm
5. A Conversation About Getting Your Book Reviewed
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/conversa.htm
6. Defacing Review Copies
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/deface.htm
7. Getting Reviews For Self Published Books
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/revself.htm
8. How The Book Review System Works
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/system.htm
9. On Book Reviews & Reviewers
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/bookrev.htm
10. On The Use Of Press Releases In Book Reviews
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/pressrel.htm
11. Publication & Book Review Timing
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/revcopy.htm
12. Publicity Released - Based Reviews
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/prbr.htm
13. Regarding Review Copies
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/regardin.htm
14. Reviewers, Accessibility, And Book Stamping
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/stamping.htm

One more general comment I'd like to make and it’s with regard to the overall tone of your letter. It's quite combative in nature, demanding that you be paid the full cover price for your review copies or dire consequences will result. I quote from your letter:
"Failing your immediate action, I will feel compelled to alert the authors of the two Self - Publishing manuals of my findings and alert the management of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), of which I am a member to warn members of potential unethical actions by some in your company. I will also alert other Publishing/Author organizations of which I am associated with on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter."

This attitude is precisely why most book review operations will not deal with self - published authors.
You might be interested to note that the Midwest Book Review was founded in 1976 and that I personally have become something of an elder statesman with respect to the publishing industry - - simply through longevity in the business which includes a well - earned reputation as being an advocate of small - press publishing and self - published authors whenever possible.

One of the ways I try to assist aspiring authors and novice publishers (this includes the self - published author) is to write a monthly column for the publishing industry called the "Jim Cox Report". This is a column of advice, commentary, "tips, tricks & techniques", and resources for the small - press community.

You will find my columns archived on the Midwest Book Review web site at:
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/jimcox.htm

Incidentally, all the information on the Midwest Book Review web site (including the "Jim Cox Report") are fr^ ^ of charge.

This e - mail to you in response to your certified letter will be included in the [next issue of ] "Jim Cox Report" to benefit other self - published authors who may be in need of educating themselves as to the book review process and publishing industry standards with respect to review copy submissions.
Jim Cox
Midwest Book Review

MR. XXX THEN RESPONDS TO THE ABOVE E - MAIL

Dear Mr. Cox,

It is unfortunate that you believe my letter was primarily frustration or anger over my book not receiving a review. As such, you have missed the point. I thought you would want to know what was happening in your company, but I'm astonished that you believe you are operating within normal trade procedures and are indeed defending the process as your right. I believe that while it may be legal, it is unethical for any review copy to appear for sale on Amazon within three weeks of being sent, in direct competition with the publishers own books. I appreciate the articles you sent and they explain a lot. It is obvious that some Reviewers feel it is their right to dispose of the review copies "as they see fit" (some seem to have even institutionalize the process) and must rejoice when they receive copies not marked as such, thereby increasing the value of them. You are right. This is a good learning experience for me. I will never send out a Review copy again without "Review Copy" stamped on it.

Sincerely,
XXX

ANOTHER E - MAIL EXCERPT FROM JIM TO MR XX:

Thank you for your response. Publishers have every right to mark their review copies as they deem fit.

I appreciate the civility of your latest email. In return, perhaps I can provide one more service to you. On the Midwest Book Review there is a book review database called "Other Reviewers." You will find it at:
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/links/othr_rev.htm
This is an extensive listing of freelance book reviewers, book review publications, book review web sites, etc. A few (like Forward Magazine) are "pay for play" in that they charge for their reviews, but most are free of charge. Some are specialized (e.g. children's books, poetry, science fiction, etc) while others are more general in nature.

[Note: You will find another list at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/reviewers_and_review_journals.htm]

The trick is to go down the list (and it's a long one), when you see one that sounds promising, click on it and you'll be zapped to their particular Web site. Read through the Web site and you will be able to determine if they are thematically appropriate for your particular book. And if they are - - what their submission guidelines are.

I wish you well in your endeavors and will include this latest exchange along with the first one in the next issue of my "Jim Cox Report.” It has a subscription list of about 3,000 and I believe our two exchanges will be to the benefit of a great many folk who are also trying to understand the publishing industry standards and issues that involve the book review process.

Jim Cox
Midwest Book Review

JIM CONTINUES IN HIS NEWSLETTER:

Something to remember is that whenever confrontation occurs it is often quite possible that offended persons may well be having stress in other parts of their lives - - and you just happen to be standing in the direct line of fire at the time.

But to balance this particular experience - - just in this same past month I also received a letter containing a postage stamp contribution to "support the cause.” What's unique is that the letter containing the postage stamp contribution came from a self - published author who asked in that same letter that the review of their title be removed from Amazon and from the Midwest Book Review web site because it was so badly flawed.

I investigated - - and sure enough, a new reviewer for whom this was their first assignment had so badly botched the review that I was compelled to delete it and remove the reviewer from any further considerations for assignments.

The old dictum that you can't please everybody holds true. But you can make disappointing them a teaching moment for themselves and for yourself.

Please remember that reviewers, like authors, come in three basic categories: The Good; The Bad; and The Mediocre. That's why dealing carefully and courteously with reviewers and with authors is always a good idea.

EXCERPT FROM MY NOTE TO JIM:

Oh, my gosh, Jim. Thank you for this issue. I too have had to deal with a couple frustrated authors after I worked hard trying to help market their books. Both times that happened around my now defunct Authors' Coalition and the book fair booths I put together on behalf of authors under its banner.

I took a different path. I did some hard thinking and decided that I'd rather be writing. Because I love to teach and help, I still keep up with my books, my blogs, my newsletter and my UCLA classes.

I'm so glad you didn't give up as easily as I did. What you do for subsidy - and self - published authors is rare indeed. We need more patient educators, not fewer.

Note: After Jim noted that he was considering charging fore - book reviews in order to get more reviewers willing to review e - books I wrote:

I definitely can see the temptation to charge for e - book reviews (or any kind) and know lots of people who charge and try very hard to maintain ethical review standards. The trouble is, can they? The other issue is how are those reviews then perceived? Even Kirkus has lost some of its professional status with the "paid for" segment it started a couple years ago. And, to take it one step farther, do we really think bookstore buyers and others put any credence in them? Witness how many have begun to distrust Amazon reviews and how many have begun to misuse them.

Another thing. Do we really think that reviews which begin to look like paid ads have any point at all? That is what will happen eventually, no matter how some reviewers attempt to be impartial. Then we might as well just say we are selling paid advertising with a twist.

You have an amazing reputation and, unfortunately, the self - and subsidy - published books suffer from a poor one. Your acceptance of books based on quality - - not the looks of its cover or the press it is printed on - - is very nearly unique in the industry. I'd hate to see it compromised.

Just my two cents, as long as we're having this conversation and you mentioned it. ( - : Guess it's the old journalist in me.

BTW, I think training in the field of publicity often helps with difficult situations we find ourselves, too. The question for me is not whether I can handle it, it's whether I want to. Maybe a few years ago I would have felt it was worth it on the outside chance I could help. I'm beginning to understand that time is even more precious than I always thought it was.

I'm sure you know that the idea that reviewers should not resell their review copies has been going around the Web among writers for at least a decade. So many view it as unethical. Now we have the new tax laws that advise reviewers to include a disclaimer that they received a book "as payment." I find the idea laughable but more than that, I think it is misleading. The word "payment" suggests that the reviewer has been compensated for the review (and sufficiently!), which means they can’t possibly provide a completely unbiased opinion of the book. No wonder people are confused! Some of my old journalism professors would be turning over in their graves if they had lived long enough to see reviewers who consider a book adequate compensation for a review. Many don't mind doing it for the love of doing but this is hardly "pay." Those same professors would be scratching their heads trying to figure just how a reviewer might go about reviewing a book without a copy. Even e - copies have value. So how will reviewers figure the value of an e - copy to claim as income? It is all beyond belief. Journalism ethics dying on one hand and on the other ethics being carried to the edge of ludicrous.

Oh, by the way, I'm reprinting your article, too. You once gave me permission to do it (credited) at any time, and I take you at your word. In fact, I may include this whole discussion if that's OK.

Best,
Carolyn

ANSWER FROM JIM:

Dear Carolyn:

Thank you for your very kind words. They are greatly appreciated! My "Jim Cox Report" [on review] has certainly struck a chord with a lot of folk. I've had two requests for permission to reprint it.

I think it's my professional background as a social worker and counselor that has given me such a useful skill set in dealing with unhappy people.

Jim Cox
Midwest Book Review

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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
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Author Successes

Fellow UCLA Instructor Chris Meeks . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. . . was commissioned to write a short piece of for AOL’s Web site. It was published on Thanksgiving Day:
http://www.kitchendaily.com/2010/10/08/thanksgiving - traditions - casserole/#ixzz16KfdbQcP

My Former Student Jamie Schaffner Utilizes Alum Blog . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . and finds them willing to publish her success story. Now, that is a success in and of itself. http://www2.uclaextension.edu/writers/success.php?recordID=214 Jamie is the author of Best Lesbian Romance 2011 which will be on Amazon in January. Her other awards are 2011 PEN Emerging Voices Fellow and
2009 UCLA Kirkwood Literary Award Finalist. Find her on www.facebook.com/jamieschaffner
www.twitter.com/jamieschaffner

Longtime Subscriber Connie Gotsch Publishes . . .
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. . . her second doggie book for kids. It’s a novel for youth titled Belle’s Trial. Written from a dog's point of view and illustrated by Farmington, New Mexico artist, John Cogan. Belle's Trial empowers children ages 8 to 12 to use self discipline to accomplish goals and to solve problems.

The rescue dog, Belle looks forward to life as a pet, but her adoptive mistress, Darcy, is too busy with school, soccer, and singing to play with the little dog. Bored, Belle turns over wastebaskets, and persuades Darcy’s other dog, Buster to dig out of the yard. Darcy’s parents threaten to get rid of Belle. Darcy enrolls Belle in dog agility training. Determined to stay with her beloved mistress, Belle sets out to master the difficult obstacles on the agility course to teach her discipline. To succeed, she must learn to follow commands and overcome her fear of the horrible teeter totter obstacle. Worse, she must work with Big Toby, a human who once tormented her.

Belle’s Trial is a sequel to Belle’s Star, the story of Belle’s arrival in Darcy’s life, and the love that grew between them. Belle’s Star won a Silver Mom’s Choice Award, and a First Place for Juvenile Fiction in the New Mexico Press Women Communication Contest and the National Federation of Press Women Communication Contest in 2010. In 2009 and 2010, Belle’s Star was a Finalist for a New Mexico Book Award for Juvenile Fiction. Belle’s Star is also published by Artemesia Publishing. http://www.amazon.com/Belles - Star - Connie - Gotsch/dp/1932926011/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274921732&sr=1 - 1


Subscriber Opens New Inspirational Web Site . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Most of us this last year found it hard to stay positive in this crazy world that seemed intent on bringing us all to our knees. As a matter of fact, for the last few years whichever way we turned there were people hurting. Fortunately as writers and authors, we should keep in mind how beneficial it is to others to use our words for healing and recovery. A good example of this is when we remember the words of the Little Red Caboose saying ‘I think I can, I think I can, I know I can,’ as he chugged up the hill? Creative expression is good medicine to both the reader and the writer. I think writers and authors like to start the year feeling like we’ve brightened the world of our readers.
Because I am convinced there are so many people in pain right now, most probably you are among them, I’ve decided to follow my own instincts and construct a Web site and an interactive blog at http://www.healingwords.vpweb.com/default.html. If you know more people who could benefit from my new, Healing Words for Recovery Blog, feel free (no, feel required!) to share this with them! In the meantime, you can always find me and my two companion books, art therapy books, Sculpting the Heart and Sculpting the Heart’s Poetry at its sister sites at http://www.wingedforarttherapy.com and at http://www.sculptingtheheart.com. See you soon! Happy Holidays, Joyce White, I’m Winged for Art Therapy


Longtime Subscriber Utilizes Author Membership ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Gene Garrison is now a member of Western Writers of America (www.westernwriters.org), and has an article titled Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, Architect in the December 2010 issue of its magazine, RoundUp (www.westernwriters.org/roundup.html). The Colter article can be viewed at the Roundup Web site.
Her book about Hube Yates, titled From Thunder to Breakfast, and numerous magazine articles about Westerners qualified her for membership. Her other books are Widowhood Happens, There's Something About Cave Creek (It's The People), and a children's book, Javaelina (Have - uh - WHAT?). All may be ordered in the online bookstores and are available for Kindle.


New Subscriber’s Book Hits Fictionwise Bestseller List ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Daniel Springer's debut novel, The Wilco Project, is the #1 Bestseller in the Suspense/Thriller category and the #10 overall Bestseller on www.fictionwise.com and Ebookwise.com. The Wilco Project is a mystery/thriller published by Solstice Publishing (http://SolsticePublishing.com) where it also claimed the #10 overall Bestseller rank for the entire catalog of 51,000 eBooks.

How did a little known author's first novel, released by a small publisher, climb the top of Bestseller list? Springer says, "I think it is all about the story," said Springer. "My book is timely as it involves a fictional game played on a devices similar to the iPhone and the Droid that are taking over the cell phone world. The entire story takes place in a span of about 48 hours, so it moves fast. The cell phone game concept in the book sounds fun, but the readers find out quickly that the game is also quite deadly."

Learn more about the author at http://DanielSpringer.com.

========================================================Book Proposal Help: "The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know To Sell Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less" is now an e - book or paperback booklet (Only $6.95). Find it at http://budurl.com/bookproposalreport =================================================

Q&A a la Ann Landers

Mastering a New Blog and Social Networking Integration
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Question:

Dear Carolyn,

I followed your directions in your blogging book [www.budurl.com/Blogging4Retailers), as you had advised
me, and I was able to create a blog. I gave it the name Shades of Culture. That is the name of women's club that my friend and I have created. Now I think I need another one for my personal use.

You gave me the idea of starting a blog, but I am not sure how it will benefit me. I am in the middle of writing our newsletter for the holidays. I was thinking to post it there. I am not exactly sure
what to do with a blog. Or maybe I can post my memoirs and each time I have a new entry I can send the link to my email list and tell them about my new entry.
Catherine Yesayan

Answer:

Yes, you are on the right track. Your book Your Blog, Your Business (www.budurl.com/Blogging4Retailers) gives you lots of ideas of things to blog about. You just need to adapt them to your writing/political life. You may also want to read (it's free with signup) the article I wrote with Phyllis Miller, http://www.fictionmarketing.com/

It is specifically for writers. With a title like the one you have selected, you can write about most anything. Politics, your memoir. Even excerpts from your book. Be sure to include a note at the end of each post telling people to watch for the book when it comes out. And why not your newsletter if you wish! Maybe include in the newsletter some of the things that Iranian immigrants do to celebrate Christmas. That stays with the "culture" theme.

It benefits you to brand your name long before you have a book. Do know that you need to encourage friends, relatives and other writers to subscribe and visit your blog. If you're on Facebook or another social network, post about your new blog posts. That's all in copy of Your Blog, Your Business. It's pretty complete. ( - :
CHJ


Submission: Amazon Vs Big Studios
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Question:

Hi Carolyn,

I am a subscriber to your newsletter. It seems to me that you know more about Amazon than most. I have a book that is being considered for a feature film by an agent and a production company. I have not signed on the dotted line yet so I am free to shop it around. Someone sent me something from Amazon Studios. Amazon is interested in getting into the film industry. The have a deal with Warner Brothers to give them award - winning screenplays.

At first, I thought it was a good idea but as I read the policy agreement, I think they expected exclusivity, even though they did not use that word. I know that they will take a huge share of the author's money, but it is Warner Brothers (that is what I believe they are thinking).

I wondered if you have heard of Amazon Studios. If you have, what do you think about them?

I value your opinion.
Susan Titus

Answer:

Susan, Amazon has done the same thing with contests for authors of books and they have given many newcomers strong starts in their careers. They are truly a powerhouse in the publishing industry, as you know, and they are seeking to expand that reach. Who knows if they will succeed. But, if they do, being the first of their selections would indeed be worth a ton of publicity value!

Here is my thinking.

1. If we wait around to hear from places who are considering our work before we submit elsewhere, we could be dead before we ever sell anything.
2. If your work is accepted where it is being considered, it would only take a moment to withdraw your work from entry with Amazon.
3. I can't advise you legally, but editors and publishers everywhere know that their exclusive submission "rules" are patently unfair to the authors. I've heard them say so - - at conferences and in private. These "rules" are written strictly to protect their own interests.
4. When studios option screenplays, it is lovely. But in a huge percentage of cases, the movie never gets made. Does Amazon actually guarantee production?
4. I've convinced myself. I'd go for it if I were you. What do you have to lose?

Hope this helps. And good luck!
CHJ

=================================================Social networking is one of the best ways to make valuable contact and build a list of readers. The most supportive and interactive one I know with an associated site for displaying fiction to the movie industry is iFOFO. Subscribe at http://www.ifogo.com/buy/order_chj.html
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Tip: Subscriber Jamie Schaffner suggests authors look at this idea for cross promoting books with groupon.com http://www.sarahcypher.com/2010/12/01/indie - book - advertising - that - works/ Find Jamie at www.twitter.com/jamieschaffner. She says, “Follow me and I'll follow you back!”


========================================================I’VE reworked my Web site. Please use the huge Resources for Writers sectionhttp://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/links_for_writers.htm. And please let me know if you find broken links. I need your help! =================================================


Editing Tip: Fiction writers, this tells you about an amazing new free tool from Google! www.thefrugaleditor.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 http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/advertising.htm at less per year than most sites charge for a single month. Find classified there, too.
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Writing Tip: Read Tom Chiarella’s Writing Dialogue, even if you think that you are a strong writer of dialogue! ( - : www.budurl.com/OnDialogue


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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://howtodoitfrugally.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.
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On Poetry
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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.


Offending Lines
When you come across an offending line in a poem on which you are working, Michael Bugeja, author of The Art of Craft and Poetry, suggests that you get rid of the whole line. “Don’t try to save it, he says, “no matter how brilliant your images or extended your metaphors.”


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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.
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Feature

Networking and The Golden Rule . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Networking is nothing more than building relationships. It is at the root of all great promotion. So, if you’re having trouble with any aspect of your promotion campaign, consider your networking skills.

As an example, you will have an easier time booking a signing or workshop at a bookstore where you know the staff. You’ll have an even easier time if you’ve funneled your readers to that bookstore to buy your books (and other books, too!) They are sure to notice and be eager to stock your books on a regular basis.
Ditto for sending your online buyers to one store. You’ll be surprised at how your ratings benefit, as an example, if you use links to your book’s buy page at Amazon exclusively. The better your book sells there (and hits their bestseller list in its category) the more sales begin to grow incrementally.

The same concept works with almost everything you do for your book. It’s a bit like the golden rule, isn’t it? What your mother always told you tends to work well in marketing, too.

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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! To do that, you are invited to advertise as a site sponsor at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/advertising.htm for only $35 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.
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Tip: I received an amazing special offer from a restaurant I frequent. It was handwritten. It was an offer that one couldn’t refuse - - if one had enough money. The restaurant didn’t need to sell many of them to come ahead—in fact the offer was so good that the restaurant couldn’t accommodate huge numbers of sales. So, handwritten? That’s the secret here. What a wonderful way to make a select few of your readers, clients, or customers feel very, very special, and (just maybe!) very, very willing to buying something expensive from you.


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Audio divas bring you audios on many aspects of building a writing career:
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.
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Tip: For 15 tips on getting f r ^ ^ publicity, check out my regular column on BookBzzr.com. http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book - marketing/tgif - book - marketing - tips/publicity - is - free - 15 - commandments - for - getting - in - on - the - ride/


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Are you confused about how to credit facts or quotes when you write articles or nonfiction? Check out my Frugal, Smart and Tuned - In Editor blog: http://thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com/2010/10/q - la - ann - landers - academic - accreditation.html
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An Itty - Bitty Column on Writing


Pouring Out Your Soul
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

I’ve been reading Antonia Frazer’s new book, Must You Go? My Life with Harold Pinter (Doubleday, 2010). If all the famous names dropped in the book were golf - ball size hail, I would be in the emergency room. Truth is, these two knew all these famous people, and more.

What fascinated me most about the book were Frazer’s discussions on how both she and Pinter worked. They had separate offices—Pinter a separate house, actually, connected to their home by a garden. He got ideas out of the blue while at a restaurant, walking down the street or in transit somewhere. He always carried a notepad and pen. Frazer, on the other hand, mulled over a topic and researched the heck out of it before writing. She might get an idea from something someone said, but she’d ponder the topic for a while before settling on it and doing the research. A bigger difference is that Pinter was a playwright/actor and Frazer is a nonfiction writer/novelist. They came at words from different perspectives but one no less creative than the other.

After reading about this couple, I realized how much of themselves they put into their creations. The writing world has changed a great deal from when they began, but the concept of putting your soul into your work is now, and forever, the same.

I’ve also been listening to Herbie Hancock, the exquisite bebop, jazz, fusion pianist and composer who played with Miles Davis and so many others. By watching his 2006 CD called Possibilities, I saw how musical artists of all kinds poured their souls into their work. It impressed me that artists, writers, musicians and all creative people HAVE to give everything they have inside to their craft if they want to publish or perform.

As this brand new year unfolds, I wish you the very best in finding your inner flame and learning how to harness it in your work. It’s work, hard work, but you inner drive and desire will see you through.

~ 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.


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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://budurl.com/carolynsconsulting
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Tip: Introduce yourself to Paul Bruno (paulrbruno@cs.com), especially if your book is rooted in history or business. Listen to my recent radio show with him for his Career Czar broadcast at http://www.careerczar.com/mp3/career121710.mp3. We’re talking author/retailer partnerships.


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Recent guest blog posts: BookBuzzr.com’s regular blog for writers: http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book - marketing/your - stepping - stones - to - credibility/
Recent podcast links: Elemental Musings from Bev Walton - Porter of Scribe and Quill: http://budurl.com/waltonporter
Talking with Funky Writer Rob Batista about starting a career, promoting the hard - to - promote genres:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thefunkywriter/2010/07/30/the - funky - writer - radio - show - episode - 74
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Tip: Here’s a site that is often an ideal place for women writers to be seen and it’s free: www.bizchickblogs.com. ~ Submitted by Nikki Leigh who is a whole battery of writers’ opportunities all by herself. Here are some:
Sign up for BloggerLinkUp at http://BloggerLinkUp.com/
Request Guest Posts: http://bloggerlinkup.com/guest - post - ask
Offer Guest Posts: http://bloggerlinkup.com/guest - post - offer
Request Sources for Interviews: http://bloggerlinkup.com/sources
Offer Products for Review/Giveaway: http://bloggerlinkup.com/review
Announce Contests and Giveaways: http://bloggerlinkup.com/giveaway


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Here is a list of small publishers for your consideration: www.howtodoitfrugally.com/small_publishers.htm
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Thank Yous

Thanks to Clara Freeman . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for including my first person essay, Beating Time at Its Own Game, on her blog: http://clara54.wordpress.com/2010/12/04/beating - time - at - its - own - game - by - carolyn - howard - johnson/



Thanks to Lillian and Dave Brummet . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . for letting me share promotion and publishing ideas on their Conscious Discussions Blog Talk Radio (and for letting me read a funny Christmas poem from Blooming Red (www.budurl.com/BloomingRed), too. Find the interview at

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions/2010/12/07/world - of - writing - with - c - howard - johnson - 1



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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 35 - page handout from one of my UCLA classes. As a thank you, of course. HoJoNews@aol.com
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Tip: Manufacture reasons to promote. Start a writing scholarship at your local college. Donate books or start a free book exchange at the local homeless shelter. Then let the local media know about your project. And not just once. Once you’ve solidified the agreement. When you add new personnel. When the program takes off. When the scholarship is awarded.


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Unsolicited endorsement from Chaz DeSimone, book cover designer extraordinaire (www.chazdesimone.com): “Carolyn, the Frugal Book Promoter is amazingly comprehensive, understandable, and is using up all my highlighter ink.” Heidi (one of his clients): Start reading! It'll get you excited about promoting, and getting your promotion all ready ahead of time. ================================================

Opportunities

BookBuzzr Offers New Learning Ops for Writers
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
How to Avoid Becoming a Book Marketing Dinosaur (and market your book with emerging technologies) is what BookBuzzr aims to help you with. They are offering an entirely new and f r ^^ program for authors online. I will be participating on a couple of the panels, contributing blog posts, and, yes, trying to let as many people know about this great opportunity as I can. Get the details at

http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2010/12/bookbuzzr - expands - its - author - education.html

Or just go to register for fr ^ ^ Webinars now at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/255248102
Here is the panel of experts who will be contributing. Do take a look: http://bit.ly/igPsNh



Google Announces New E - Book Sales Program ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Google has officially announced its new sales program for e - books. I see some advantages here if you hurry to get in on the furor.

1. There will be lots of publicity surrounding Google's e - book program launch.
2. The amount of competition on any given topic at the Google e - book site will be limited - - at least at first.

The disadvantages are, of course, that I can't tell you how well it works, how fast they pay. etc. If you decide to use this program, please let your fellow subscribers know your take on all the details!

If you want to see the letter I received from Google go to http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2010/12/sharing - with - writers - subscribers - google.html

It includes links directly to their FAQ pages.



Op for Writers of Children’s Books . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
From V. S. Grenier: World of Ink Author/Book Tours
Have you written or illustrated a children's book and you need to get the word out about it? Are you an author or illustrator working on building your platform? Or are you trying to get the word out about workshops or services you offer writers, illustrators, parents, and teachers? Then Stores for Children Publishing is here to help. You’ll find our World of Ink Tour is the perfect way to get your books, products, or services out in front of the buying public and build your platform as a writer, illustrator, or expert in your field. What makes our tour different is we don’t charge per book. You can tour one book or six book all in the same month for the same price. To learn more visit Stories for Children Publishing at http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com. You’ll find our World of Ink Tour package on the website.



New Sharing, Learning Op for Writers. . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
How many times have you wished you’d known better? Had 20 - 20 hindsight? Knew the facts before you made the decision?

Reflections in Hindsight offers you a glance at how things worked out.

We’re an eclectic group of authors at various stages of our careers who share a positive message about the choices we’ve made and the results.

Beginning in January 2011, Reflections offers an updated weekly rotation of inspiring, helpful and interactive messages. The Sunday Book Review will showcase books you’ll want to read. Market Mondays will touch on methods of turning you into a respectable professional author with marketing tips by Carolyn Howard - Johnson, what conferences are right for you, how to get past the slush pile and effective blogging and much more. Promotion in Motions is our Tuesday spot, where authors share their stories. Wednesday – Saturdays feature our own means and methods of coping with a writer’s life. Reflections in Hindsight is pleased to partner with Clash of the Titles.com, the newest premier contest site where readers vote on themed anonymous excerpts and the battling authors and books revealed afterward; and TheBarnDoor.net and BarnDoorBookLoft.net, a site that treats the rest of the planet to life through Midwestern eyes. We invite everyone to join us, especially by subscription, at http://reflectionsinhindsight.wordpress.com.

The Review Depot is a free service, which allows authors and publishers to submit their review requests in one location and have those requests routed to one or multiple review companies. As each review company completes its review, their star rating and review excerpt will show on the Manic Readers website.

Authors and publishers can access the Review Depot by logging into Manic Readers (www.manicreaders.com) and clicking on the "Manage My Books" link under their "My Links" menu. The Review Depot gives authors and publishers an easy - to - user interface to request book reviews, while also providing a real - time interface to track the status of each review request.


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This is an example of one of my tweets: "FrugalBookPromo New trend? Borders will 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 for more great tips. Make a profile page and invite me at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo. =================================================

From Carolyn’s Coming Memoir/NotACookbook

Here’s How I Don’t Cook ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Please note that I am on my way to Mexico again. Hope to bring back some more treasured, poetry - worthy memories:

Some of the recipes in my memoir come from my travels, like this one from Mexico. You can see I include the recipe after I tell about a humiliating food experience in France.

Mazatlán Shrimp a la Maria

So, if I can make myself look foolish in France where the natives are not accepting of much American anyway, I can share one of my recipe poems from Mazatlán where people love it if you'll even say gracias to them. If I let pride get in the way, I deny myself another way to enjoy food, you know, without cooking.

It seems everyone in México
who wears an apron
is named Maria. No matter
what. Those who pull the huge
prawns from the bay are all
named Manuel. I stayed (quedarme)
not long enough to know names.
But long enough to know

Maria's secret for Mazatlán Shrimp. She never hoards recipes
like the matrons of San Marino
but shows you with her sharp cuchillo
how to make butterflies of the shrimp
the Manuels brought in that morning. Chijuajua queso
si tenerlo pero mozzarella haceré. (Something like that, this Maria
tells me.) A whitish cheese slab inside the cut,
ample, please. Then bacon wrapped 'round like a Band - Aid
to make it stay. Or use the silver cocktail spears, souvenirs
you bought in Taxco. Marinate. Chili you think? No. Kahlua!
Broil. Then a gravy of Cuantro de la Pacifico
(orange liqueur) with a little cornstarch.
and what Kahlua is left, simmer
on low. Maria suggests you plan
to cook enough to feed twice
the number who will be at table,
tsks, tsks that she is sorry when I get home
I must make do with bland and scrawny
camarónes from my supermarket
rather than true Mazatláneros
from her bay.
Spoon extra sauce over each serving.
Mas, Señora, por favor. Mas.

- - - - -
Watch for my memoir (Here's How I Don't Cook), now being shopped by super - agent Terrie Wolf. And keep your fingers crossed for her success. Please!


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The New Book Review is a f r ^ ^ 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.
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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 Carolyn will chat with writers (yes! fiction writers, too!) on how to make Twitter work for them. The Catholic Online Writers’ Conference, March 27, 2011, at 10 am Pacific Time. Registration required but it’s free. Limited enrollment so do it now! ( - : http://www.catholicwritersconference.com/.


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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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Wordstuff ™

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

(Fun with language from The Washington and other publications.)

Glibido (v): All talk and no action.


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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 http://budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo
The e - book at http://starpublishllc.com/id43.html

The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success
http://budurl.com/TheFrugalEditor

The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know About Selling Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less,
E - book: https://www.createspace.com/3468136

Great Little Last - Minute Editing Tips for Writers: The Ultimate Frugal Booklet for Avoiding Word Trippers and Crafting Gatekeeper - Perfect Copy
E - book: https://www.createspace.com/3422926

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://budurl.com/MotherChapbook

Tracings, a chapbook of poetry (Finishing Line Press)
www.budurl.com/CarolynsTracings

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