If you prefer to read this letter in its not - so - glorious full formatted version ( - : copy and paste this URL into your browser:

http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/SharingwithWriters_Sept_1_2011.pdf

September 25, 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 (Find them in a couple places this issue.)
~On Poetry
~Author Successes
~Mindy Lawrence's Itty Bitty Column: On Food Writing—Yum!
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™

This Issue
~Feature: Midwest Book Review: Conversations with People - in - the - Know
~Q&A a la Ann Landers: How to Sell E - books at Book Fairs



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:
Every time a new book comes out, the process feels new all over again.
Contact lists need updating. Media kits need updating. (You may even need an entirely new version!) Contacts need to be revisited.
Can you tell I’m getting tired? It’s a good thing I love the marketing part of publication almost as much as I love the writing part.
What I wanted to tell you is that you could do some of this groundwork before the release date, whether it’s your first or fifteenth book. I sure should have. What was I thinking?
Never mind. Don’t tell me! ( - :

Happy Writing, Editing and Promoting
Carolyn


PS: My overseas readers (overseas from the US) are having trouble accessing the new edition of The Frugal Book Promoter, at least accessing inexpensively (because of shipping costs). Luckily, it is available for Kindle anywhere in the world (http://budurl.com/FrugalBkProKindle) and as an e - book from the publisher—also from anywhere in the world—at https://www.createspace.com/3656422.


PPS: I’m pleading with those who already have a copy of The Frugal Book Promoter to help with this promotion process. Doing so will let you explore Amazon’s new feature, the “Like” Button. Go to www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo and “Like” it. A little drop menu appears that lets you tweet a little about the book you “Liked” (in this case The Frugal Book Promoter) on your Twitter feed or Facebook status report. You aren’t stuck with the canned message, you can personalize the message that comes up.

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Needing something more meaningful for the celebrations in your life? Something that stays within your budget? 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, Deeper in the Pond, for the feminists in your life—both men and women (www.budurl.com/DeeperPond) ($6.95) 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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Letters - to - the - Editor

Dear Carolyn:

"The only thing that you should add to your description on the back cover [of the second edition of The Frugal Book Promoter] is something like “Don't wait until after your book is published to read The Frugal Book Promoter, successful book promotion starts before you've finished writing your book. Carolyn tells you how to . . . .”

Things are working out for me now - - but I could have saved myself HUNDREDS of dollars if I had read this book BEFORE I sent the final manuscript to the publisher."

~ Robert W. Schaefer
Author The Insurgencyin Chchnya and the North Caucaus, From Gazavat to Jihad
"A tour de force in breadth and depth" - Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
"A remarkable book" - The Economist
Like us on Facebook

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Carolyn:

I have both The Frugal Book Promoter and The Frugal Editor, but I'm in edit mode on two books right now, so I keep finding myself thinking the same thing over and over again: thank goodness for Carolyn Howard - Johnson's book The Frugal Editor! (www.budurl.com/TheFrugalEditor). I used The Frugal Book Promoter to promote my self - published novel Dead Witness, and guess what? I landed a contract with a publisher for my second suspense thriller Broken but not Dead. So as soon as I spotted her new book THE FRUGAL PROMOTER, I grabbed it.

Thank you, Carolyn for saving me hours of work and for helping me polish my manuscripts. Having both The Frugal Book Promoter and The Frugal Editor close at hand has made all the difference. Released June 23, 2011, my novel Broken but not Dead has gone back for a second printing.

I can't imagine life without these two wonderful books.

Joylene Nowell Butler
Author of Dead Witness and Broken But Not Dead
"Man's heart away from nature becomes hard." Standing Bear


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Hi Carolyn,

I suspect you may be traveling, but wanted to comment on several things in the August 27 newsletter.

Happy to see Tim Bete's name and comments in the newsletter.

The poetry (contest?) list: I didn't see ANHINGA Press on the list. This press has a bit of prestige among poets. They have a chapbook contest every year and they are right here in Tallahassee, Florida. Haven't checked their site lately. They usually advertise in Markings, the newsletter of Tallahassee Writers Assn. Have in the past anyway.

Phillip Levine. I'm delighted to know he will be our National Poet. I have two of his books. 1933, published in 1974 and The Names of the Lost published in 1976. 1933 was a good year - - was my birth year! LOL
Didn't realize Kurt Vonnegut is now 91! What a gift, to be able to touch people with his writing, into year 91!

Thanks for letting me comment. Sometimes the newsletter has lots of stuff of interest for me and this one was.

Best wishes,
Norma J. Sundberg, author An Odd Fable, illustrated by
Esther M. Leiper; published by CyPress Publications
http://www.cypresspublications.com/index.php/An - Odd - Fable.html


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My review blog is my gift to authors. 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. =============================================

Tip: You can get a plethora of articles about different aspects of getting book reviews on Dana Lynn Smith’s book tour. See the full tour schedule at http://bookmarketingmaven.typepad.com/get - book - reviews/tour.html. While you’re there, check out the blogs of top book marketers who have participated in this tour. Subscribe to their blogs. And put your thinking beanie on—how can these marketers contribute to your promotions?


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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 so I can do something similar for you on my Resources for Readers page at www.howtodoitfrugally.com.
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Fun Tip: When I was a child, I read The New Yorker from back to front so I could read all the cartoons first. Now The New Yorker lets us pick cartoons from their cartoon bank and have them made into anything from notepaper to wedding invitations. It dawned on me that they’ve had lots of cartoons about writing and publishing in the past—some of which might be suitable for your stationery or book promotion. You can get personalized service at 1 800 897 8666 or order them online at www.newyorkerstore.com. To give you an idea of price, they’re 29.95 for a box of 20 blank cards, $39.95 for a box of personalized cards.



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This is the only site I know that can help novelists, screenwriters, and playwrights get noticed by directors and producers. It’s BooksToFilm and it’s run by iFOGO’s Gene Cartwright. It isn’t as frugal as I’d like, but there are times it pays to spend a little. One of those times would be if our investment leads to something big: http://www.ifogo.com/buy/order_chj.html .
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E - Book News From Kindle: Did you know that if you have worldwide rights to sell your books and you select worldwide rights through KDP (your Kindle account), your book will be available to customers in any country where Kindle books are sold? Adding worldwide rights can help you increase your sales. It’s a good idea to check you book’s settings page to be sure this sales tool is set the way you want it.



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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

Rules for this Section: Only subscribers’ successes are listed in this section.
Thus, I do not pick up news of new releases or awards from general media releases for
there is usually no way for me to know those releases come from subscribers.
If you have an Author Success, please identify yourself as a subscriber in the subject line
of your e - mail. Something like: MEDIA RELEASE: Subscriber’s Success



Heidi Thomas Wins Coveted Willa Award…
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Heidi M. Thomas (www.hedidimthomas.com) is the recipient of a national WILLA Award for her novel Follow the Dream, sequel to EPIC Award - winning Cowgirl Dreams. Both books are based on the author's grandmother who rode bucking stock in rodeos during the 1920s and '30s.

The WILLA is named for Pulitzer Prize author Willa Cather and is awarded by the Women Writing the West organization.


Jimmy Radzinski Writes Book To Benefit Others…
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Jimmy Radzinski, writing under J.D. Gordon, wrote “Dartboard,” a mystery set in the Carribbean, to benefit a friend. He says,
“Earlier this year, a dear friend to many, Dr. Buddy Martin, lost his battle with an aggressive viral infection. My publisher and I have set up a benefit sale of my recent book Dartboard to benefit the family. Proceeds both to the publisher and to the author will be donated to this special cause.

Here is the link to the details about the book....

http://www.facebook.com/l/3AQCgWSxDAQBxLs5wkc8XyGXR6UWW3T4sIACQWfr - XAv7kQ/bookstore.tltpublishing.com/products - page/adventure/dartboard/

One will need to enter the code below in the coupon space when they make the purchase so the publisher can track the sales to be donated to Buddy's daughter.

cccDartboard11

If anyone should run into any problems with the purchase or the code, do not hesitate to contact the author directly. His contact info is jimmygwrites@aol.com

Buddy left a young daughter behind, and these proceeds will help support her future. Please consider supporting this great cause.


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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/BookProposals =================================================


In the News: iFOGO Village has restructured. Remember it is associated with BookforFilm.com. If you join, please use my name when you sign up. So much of marketing is about networking, right? http://www.ifogovillage.com/?page_id=347

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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 iFOGO. Subscribe at http://www.ifogo.com/buy/order_chj.html
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Tip: Diana Raab, one of my fellow instructors at UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, blogs about the relatively new terms autobiographical fiction and fictional memoir and what they mean: http://dianaraab.com/blog/2011/08/30/autobiographical - fiction - vs - fictional - memoirs/


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


Tip: Getting sued always seems to be on the minds of authors at the conferences I present at. (I don’t hear as much about it from my clients—they know I’m not a lawyer!). I ran across this great blog (you may want to sign up to get it in your e - mail box regularly!) and this great post on writing a legally sound memoir. Thought you might like to see it: http://www.bloggingauthors.com/blogging_authors/2011/8/30/writing - a - legally - sound - memoir.html


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I am journalist in residence at Book in Sync, which means you can find my articles in their newsletter each month and even access old ones in the archives. Go to http://www.booksinsync.com/booksinsyncjournalist.html.
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In the News: You worry about a reviewer giving away the precious ending of your book. My clients even worry about giving away their precious climax to agents and publishers they’re trying to sell their books to (which is pure folly!). Nevertheless, you may now rest at ease. Time magazine just reported that a recent study found that knowing how a story ends doesn’t stifle a reader’s enjoyment.


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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.

Longtime SWW Subscriber . . .
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. . .Virgil Jose (The Examined Life, a murder mystery available as paperback and for Kindle and Nook - - http://www.amazon.com/The - Examined - Life - ebook/dp/B0051I53JE/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1314563790&sr=8 - 1) sent me this recommendation and clip to Pat Morrison’s LA Times column because he loves the poet W. S. Merwin.
“An Idaho resort hotel's verdure is not the wild tumble around W.S. Merwin's beloved Hawaiian home, but disciplined grass and orderly stands of trees. Not, perhaps, the sort of trees Merwin had in mind when he wrote, "On the last day of the world I would want to plant a tree." But the Sun Valley Writers' Conference bears an annual crop of words and ideas, and Merwin is here as a master gardener of that. He just ended a year's term as the nation's poet laureate. He has to his name two Pulitzer Prizes and more than 30 books of poetry and prose, and a hand - planted forest at home of rare and endangered palms. The Merwin Conservancy is dedicated to keeping his works green - - the ones he created with words, and the natural ones that exist before and beyond them.

Read the complete article at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la - oe - morrison - merwin - 20110827,0,3810470.column



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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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Writing Tip: All the beginning writers I edit make this mistake with their first book. They include very active body parts in their work. Here are some original examples from a promising writer who had never been warned against this body parts thing! ( - : You’ll have to put your mind in literal mode to see the humor in them.

“Tommy’s eyes rose from his drink and met hers from across the table.”
“His eyes never left ours.”
“His hazy eyes follow his fingers’ every note.”
“Everyone’s eyes, including the bands’, are glued to Tommy…”
“…her eyes falling on mine…”

“Eyes” are the body parts most authors have doing outlandish things, but it isn’t always eyes. Inspect your manuscript before send it to agents or publishers unless you want them to get a good laugh.


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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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Accessible Contests for Your Book!

Is Your Book Green?
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2011 GREEN BOOK FESTIVAL CALL FOR ENTRIES
The 2011 Green Book Festival has issued the call for entries to its annual competition honoring books that contribute to greater understanding, respect, and positive action on the changing worldwide environment.
The 2011 Green Book Festival considers published, self - published and independent publisher works in the following categories: non - fiction, fiction, children's books, teenage, how - to, audio/spoken word, comics/graphic novels, poetry, science fiction/horror, biography/autobiography, gardening, cookbooks, animals, photography/art, e - books, wild card (anything goes!), scientific, white paper, legal, business, mystery and spiritual.
TO ENTER: Entry forms are available online at http://www.greenbookfestival.com or may be sent to you by emailing GreenBookFestival@sbcglobal.net or calling our office at 323 - 665 - 8080.


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Ta Da! E - books are great tools for promotion
http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book - marketing/ta - da - e - books - are - great - tools - for - promotion/
The Anatomy of a Free (Read that Promotional!) E - Book
http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book - marketing/the - anatomy - of - a - free - read - that - promotional - e - book/
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Q&A a la Ann Landers


A Question for Carolyn
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Q: How do authors take advantage of "book displays" at book fairs and conferences when they only have e - books to offer?
Mindy Phillips Lawrence, author of the upcoming e - book, An Itty Bitty E - book on Writing.

A: They make posters using the fake bookcovers we all provide for our e - books - - the ones that help sell our books when they're pictured on sites like Amazon's Kindle section and Smashwords. They make a little pad of paper (or bookmarks or business cards) with the same bookcover image, a fantastic blurb and a little mini synopsis (sometimes called a pitch or logline) and the URL (web address) where a copy of the book can be purchased or downloaded. These take - away reminders to buy the e - book are displayed next to the poster. There are other variations on this idea. You know the posters they post around campuses (usually advertising rooms for let or tutoring services) with the fringe of tear - off reminders? Something like that would work, too.
CHJ

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In the News: Nordstrom is in a competitive mood. They’ve stopped charging to ship online orders of any amount in order to compete with the big online stores. This is a courtesy you can emulate with books you sell direct (providing you built enough into the retail price originally to accommodate it!). You are making lots more on those orders than on bookstore sales, anyway. Right? Readers will be more likely to order from you if you offer this (and a signature!) and you are likely to still come out a bit ahead.


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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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Tip: Sylvia McClain is a dear. She publishes all kinds of book news including book events in her regional Scribal Calendar. Here is her recent one that gives you the guidelines for how to submit to her: www.scribalpress.com/201189Sept.pdf



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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: Password warning:
~Don’t use simple words even if you add numbers or spell the words backward. Hackers use special software that can crack your code.
~Never use the same password on several accounts, especially on accounts that store your password.
~Don’t use you’re your birthdate, e - mail address or name.
~Don’t share your passwords.
www.scribalpress/201189Sept.pdf
~Don’t log into sensitive accounts when you’re using public Wi Fi.


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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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Q&A a la Ann Landers

So Why Do We Promote To Authors?
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QUESTION:

Carolyn, I can't remember my password for Author's Den. Shucks. I have been a member of IFOGO but never use it. My question - - - - what is the point of marketing myself to other authors?

~Michael D. "Moon" Mullins, award winning author. "Vietnam in Verse, poetry for beer drinkers" is available on line from Amazon & B&N. and B - a - M book stores & available as an audio - book exclusively from the author. Co - author of Kings of the Green Jelly Moon, the book. Please contact me at this e - mail address; mullins.m.1@ comcast.net or via land mail at POB 456 Windfall, In. 46076.Vietnam Veteran, Delta 3/7, 199th Light Infantry, '68 - '69. Vice President of MWSA. Supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project.

ANSWER: I guess the short answer to that is, “other authors read.” The trick is to show every different niche group what they can get from what you do. It's also about career building rather than book sales. You're more than a one - book guy. I know. Several books of poetry and now a novel. Re - read your copy of The Frugal Book Promoter. (www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo). Better yet, get the new edition. It makes some very strong points about this very thing - - career building. Branding, name recognition, etc.
Having said that, authors and poets need to buy more of one another’s books. We’re so busy writing…but we still need to pitch in and support the industry. We also need to better examine just who our target audience is. There are places in The Frugal Book Promoter that tell you how to examine your own work to determine just who these folks are so you can target your efforts in their directions. The main point to those sections is that you need to reread your book. Take a new, fresh look at it. What are the themes? Who are the characters? What about the settings? Those are clues about the kinds of blogs, Web sites, magazines, etc. you direct your publicity efforts to. Even the location of libraries that will be most likely to stock your books.


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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 The Compulsive Reader …. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . .a great little review site for the first review of the second edition of The Frugal Book Promoter! http://www.compulsivereader.com/html/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2871


Thanks to Billie Williams . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . for posting information on my HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers in her newsletter for mystery writers, and mystery fans. You may want to subscribe. Check out www.billiewilliams.com where there is a signup form on every single page of her site.

Thanks to John Kremer . . .
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. . . for using my recent letter to those people who are resources in my new edition of The Frugal Book Promoter for help. Find it at http://askjohnkremer.com/the - frugal - book - promoter - asking - for - help - from - partners/

Thanks to Promotion a la Carte . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
…for recommendations, blogs and more! Go, Aggie!
http://www.promotionalacarteblog.com/2011/08/more - recommendations - for - promotion - a - la - carte - author - promotion/


Thanks to The Las Vegas Examiner . . .
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…for the wonderful review/column by Morgan St. James. It’s a paean to networking. I hope you’ll take the time to read it. http://www.examiner.com/writing - in - las - vegas/writers - tricks - of - the - trade - carolyn - howard - johnson - gives - marketing - advice

Thanks to Joan Stewart . . .
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…for asking me to guest blog for her. I shared Taylor Swift’s promotion secrets with her subscribers and, of course, you can benefit, too! http://publicityhound.net/what - taylor - swift - can - teach - you - about - book - marketing/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter


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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: Learn more about QR Codes and how you can use them to promote you book on my BookBuzzr blog entry at http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book - marketing/qr - codes - the - newest - tool - for - book - marketing/



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Chaz DeSimone has a new f r ^ ^ way to get a great poster for your office or a gift. You subscribe to his free poster offer and newsletter on design (including book cover design) and a different poster will come to your e - mail box about every other week. Each is entirely different, all the highest quality in design and all associated with the ampersand and, by extension, our love of writing. Each also comes with directions for printing, framing, making this into a f r ^ ^ bie that lasts. To subscribe go to: http://forms.aweber.com/form/91/119176491.htm
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Opportunities


Anthology Seeks Travel Stories…
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"Shades of Culture" a women's club is planning to publish a travel anthology. You may submit your stories about, people, places, or culture. Contact Catherine Yesayan for more information: cyesayan@gmail.com. Ph: 818 497 0707.

Be Part of a Book Fair . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Registration is now open for Meet the Authors Book Fair to be held November 19 and 20, 2011 at the Eau Gallie Civic Center in Melbourne, Florida.

Space is limited to 45 authors. If you cannot attend, take advantage of the DISPLAY ONLY option. You’ll find more information and a registration form at www.AuthorsForAuthors.com. Or e - mail Valerie Allen at VAllenWriter@cs.com . Learn more about her at www.ValerieAllenWriter.com.


Fr ^ ^ Writers’ Conference Anyone? . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
As a co - sponsor of the Muse Online Writers’ Conference (and the first one at that!), I’d like to personally invite you to enroll right now! (By the way, when we started it we thought it was probably the very first online writers’ conference, too and it may have been!).

The Muse Online Writers Conference - the only FREE conference of its kind!
Affiliated with the award - winning sites and Writer's Digest Top 101 Writing Sites:
The MuseItUp Club & Apollo's Lyre & MuseItUp Publishing
Registration is now open. We even have pitch sessions. No matter where you live, what you write, at what point you are in your writing career, you'll find a workshop that fits your needs during our weeklong conference.
There are no hidden costs. Our conference is f r ^ ^, but we do ask for donations to help support this site and our cause - to continue offering you FREE workshops each year.
Our sponsored books to the left are a MUST to have in your home library. The Muse On Writing helps you complete a book from start to finish. The Frugal Book Promoter will guide you to promote and market your book. Don't miss out! JOIN US! (http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/).


F r ^ ^ Reviews from Foreword Magazine ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
ForeWord Reviews offered FREE on Zinio!
Same resourceful literary magazine, now available digitally online
ForeWord Reviews, the only book review magazine to feature independent publishers exclusively, is now available online free from Zinio, one of the world’s largest online magazine and newspaper sources! Read more on my http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/2011/09/site - offers - foreword - review - free.html . This resource is for readers but writers are readers, too. Besides, you may need some of the information on Foreword Reviews when it comes time to get review for your book.



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A free book from my marketing friend Dana Lynn Smith:
http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2011/04/free - e - book - from - master - marketer - dana.html =================================================


Scam Alert: Someone sends you a $100 order for your books. They even send you the check before you ship. You think you’re being cautious to make this arrangement. In the meantime they may send you chatty notes to build your trust in who they are. When the check arrives, it’s for $500. You write to them and tell them to send the right amount. They say, it’s OK. Just cash it and send the difference. Do you fall for that? I hope not. The original $500 is bad. They have the $400 you sent them and maybe $100 worth of books, too!

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I know. I am a glutton for punishment and everyone hates me for my zero - tolerance rule on italics. But I was inoculated with it during UCLA’s Writers’ Program classes and I know anyone would be hard put to find a major writers’ program that doesn’t agree with them. So why risk the ire of exacting agents and publishers. Know the guidelines! http://thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com/2010/10/lets - talk - italics - again.html . Learn other publishing - friendly editing ideas in The Frugal Editor, www.budurl.com/TheFrugalEditor. =================================================


An Itty - Bitty Column on Writing

On Food Writing—YUM!
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By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

I was in a writing class years ago with Pamela White, food writer par excellence (http://www.fabjob.com/FoodWriter.asp). In an article she did for www.FreelanceWriting.Com, she listed the ingredients necessary to become a good food writer. Among them are to go to food events and talk to the people there, learn the people who have influence in that genre, always carry business cards with you, read the business news to know when restaurants are born and when they are dying, send out thank yous, be conversant in “food talk” and include your work e - mail and Web site on your business cards, in your articles and in the newspaper .

It also doesn’t hurt to like cooking. I am an on again - off again cook but I like to experiment. I bake bread and like to try different recipes for it. Easy - to - assemble, frugal meals are my specialty. Although I probably won’t be a food writer, I think it’s interesting to observe and learn from those who work in this area.

In the spirit of eating healthy and discussing good food, I’ve included my itty bitty recipe for a truly YUMMY sandwich below. If you haven’t had anything like this, try it, please. It’s very good.

Ingredients:
• Two slices good 12 - grain whole wheat bread
• Two slices Tomato
• One slice of medium - size Onion
• 1/2 small Cucumber, peel removed and sliced into small rounds
• Four thin slices Cheddar Cheese or 1/4 cup Feta
• 6 Black Olives cut in small circles (or more if you are a glutton like me)
• Enough good Garlic Hummus to spread on bread slices (I like Sabra brand that I get at Wal - Mart)

Directions:
1. Toast bread slices lightly.
2. Spread hummus on both slices of bread
3. Add cheese slices, tomatoes, onion, cucumber, and olives to one slice bread.
4. Cover with the second slice of bread and cut whole sandwich into two sections
5. ENJOY!

Links

Interview with Pamela White
http://www.bookhitch.com/archives/102007 - pwhite.aspx

Sabra Hummus
www.sabra.com

On Food Writing
http://ruhlman.com/2009/04/on - food - writing/

Food Blog Alliance
http://foodblogalliance.com/2009/06/better - food - writing - adjectives.php

Top - Five Food Writing Clichés
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/blogs/editor/2009/06/top - 10 - most - annoying - foodwriting - cliches.html

Best Food Writing 2011
http://www.amazon.com/Best - Food - Writing - Holly - Hughes/dp/073821518X

Food Writing is Alive and Well
http://www.eatmedaily.com/2009/10/food - writing - in - magazines - is - alive - and - well/


~ 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. 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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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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Feature

Midwest Book Review: Conversations with People - in - the - Know
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Occasionally I run e - mail conversations I have with people dedicated to helping authors and the publishing industry. Jim Cox has been around so long, knows so much. This is part of an exchange we had recently about some of the newer self - publishing entities.

Jim, what I love about Createspace.com is that authors can do it all themselves, practically free. Even the cover. Magdalena Ball and I have done all our poetry chapbooks using their templates, and they come out very professional. Authors can, of course, also pay for their publishing services. But for free they will:
• Let you create your own cover with their templates, though I hired a great cover designer for second edition of The Frugal Book Promoter, knowing that its sales could sustain the cost.
• Let you upload your book (formatted) as a .pdf. Authors who don't know anything about formatting should learn or get help.
• They upload your book to Amazon at no cost if you want them to.
• Authors never need to fool around with shipping online orders.
• They offer premium distribution systems for about $40. Great for authors who want to target libraries and bookstores.
• Authors can direct their readers to buy paperback or e - copies on their site where the author makes even more money than if purchased through Amazon (though I still direct mine to Amazon because of the benefits and discounts they offer readers). I am the FRUGAL one, after all!
• If the author prices their books right, it is possible to discount for bookstores and other entities like promotions and still make a profit. As an example, Magdalena Ball and I offer substantial discounts on our Blooming Red Christmas chapbook when ordered in quantity so they can be used as Christmas cards and gifts at a competitive price to fine greeting cards.
• Authors can order one or many books.
• They don't gouge on shipping to pad their profits. (I was in retailing for many years and know the difference.)
• They are very quick to address occasional problems with misprints or shipping issues.
I thought this would help with your research! ( - :
It's always fun talking to you.


Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
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NEW! Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be a presenter at marketing wizard D’vorah Lansky’s coming Book Marketing Conference Online. Her presentation on how to win awards and how to use ’em once you’ve got ’em is Oct. 4 at 2 pm Pacific time but the lineup of marketing magic - makers is long and stellar. Learn more at http://bookmarketingconferenceonline.com/coming - soon/ and go like the program for us all at: https://www.facebook.com/BookMarketingMadeEasy Get details on the workshops at http://www.bookmarketingmadeeasy.com/conference/workshop - details/

Carolyn Howard - Johnson will talk with the famous Career Czar Paul Bruno on Friday, September 30, 2011. Tune in then or anytime thereafter at: http://www.careerczar.com/mp3/career093011B.mp3 The subject? Your Soaring Book Sales: How to use F r ^ ^ e - books and QR codes to sell more of what you want to sell!

Carolyn Howard - Johnson will talk and read poetry with Connie Gotsch on her Write On radio program on real, live radio on December 14, 2011, probably at 10:30 am Pacific time or 2:30 Mountain time. Go to www.KSJE.com to confirm the date. If you miss the live program, pick up the
f r ^ ^ podcast at. http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/ksje/.jukebox?action=podcasts. Find the show date and download it to listen at your leisure.

Carolyn Howard - Johnson will talk about book marketing with Connie Gotsch on her Write On radio program on real, live radio on January 4, 2011, probably at 10:30 am Pacific time or 2:30 Mountain Time. Go to www.KSJE.com to confirm the date. If you miss the live program, pick up the f r ^ ^ podcast at. http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/ksje/.jukebox?action=podcasts. Find the show date and download it to listen at your leisure.


Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be a presenter at a Love Boat Writers’ Retreat on a cruise to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas from Feb. 5 to Feb 12, 2012. I’ll be teaching dialogue, point of view and finding your voice. Geraldine Saunders, the author of the novel that the Love Boat series is based on will be keynote speaker and present as well. I’d love to see some of my subscribers there! Learn more at http://loveboatretreat.webs.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
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(Fun with language from The Washington Post and other publications.)

Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.


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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

The HowToDoItFrugally Series for Writers

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,
Paperback: http://budurl.com/BookProposals
E - book: https://www.createspace.com/3468136
For Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042JT1UA


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

The Survive and Thrive Series for Retailers (Authors need to know about retailing, too!)

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
Order in paperback: http://budurl.com/RetailersGuide
For Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004H1TACC
Frugal and Focused Tweeting for Retailers: Tweaking Your Tweets and Other Tips for Integrating Your Social Media
Order in paperback direct from Amazon: http://budurl.com/Tweeting4Retailers
Order for Kindle Reader: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004H4XCCS
Order an e - book from the publisher: http://www.createspace.com/3439623 .

Your Blog, Your Business: A Retailer’s Frugal Guide to Getting Customer Loyalty and Sales—Both In - Store and Online

Sponsored by Gift Shop Magazine
To Order: http://budurl.com/Blogging4Retailers
To Order for Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004H1TACC
Carolyn’s Fiction and Creative Nonfiction

This Is the Place: http://budurl.com/ThisIsthePlace

Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered: http://budurl.com/TrueShortStories

Carolyn’s Poetry

She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood. Coauthored with Magdalena Ball Paperback: www.budurl.com/MotherChapbook
For Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GXB4AW

Cherished Pulse: Unconventional Love Poetry. Coauthored with Magdalena Ball
For Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GXB4AW
In print to be used as a greeting card or booklet: www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse
For Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/imagining - the - future - magdalena - ball/1021152596?ean=2940000904893&itm=4&usri=magdalena+ball
She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood, a chapbook of poetry. Coauthored with Magdalena Ball.
Paperback and Kindle: http://budurl.com/MotherChapbook
For Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/she - wore - emerald - then - magdalena - ball/1020032782?ean=2940000807408&itm=5&usri=magdalena+ball

Imagining the Future: Ruminations on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions. Coauthored with Magdalena Ball
To order as an e - book: https://www.createspace.com/3419505
For Nook:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/imagining - the - future - magdalena - ball/1021152596?ean=2940000904893&itm=4&usri=magdalena+ball
To order as a paperback or for Kindle: www.budurl.com/Imagining

Deeper into the Pond: A Celebration of Femininity, Co - Authored with Magdalena Ball. Artwork by Jacquie Schmall
To order as an e - book: https://www.createspace.com/3608866 To order as a paperback: http://budurl.com/DeeperPond
Tracings, a chapbook of poetry (Finishing Line Press)
http://budurl.com/CarolynsTracings

Contact Information

Website
http://HowToDoItFrugally.com

Blogs:
http://www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com, a blog on all things publishing
http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com, all things grammatical and ungrammatical. On editing, formatting, and craft.
http://www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog focused on YOUR reviews
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. It is no longer active but there are lots of ideas you can use here, just the same.

Tweeting at:
www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo
www.twitter.com/frugalretailing