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http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/SharingwithWriters_Nov52011.pdf

November 5, 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 (You may find them in a couple places.)
~On Poetry
~Author Successes
~Mindy Lawrence's Itty Bitty Column: “Journey from the Center to the Page”
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™

This Issue
~Feature: Write for Your Audience Vs Writing for Yourself
~Feature: Amazon Bullies Author/Reviewers by Irene Watson
~Feature: To Pseudonym or Not to Pseudonym
Join me
For more writers’ resources on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/FrugalBkProm
Join me for resources and more personal fun on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/carolynhowardjohnson


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:

How many e - mail newsletters do you subscribe to? Do you put one out yourself? I think they’re very important! I recommended having one in the first edition of The Frugal Book Promoter and I continue to do so in the 2nd edition (with new ideas for making them successful, of course!). And I’m not the only one who thinks newsletters are a good idea.

Noelle Skodzinski, editorial director of Book Business magazine thinks so, too. But she touts them for publishers. She says the best example of a good publisher newsletter is HarperCollins’ Author Tracker. You may want to subscribe to see what they’re doing that you can adapt to your letter and find new, great reading while you’re there.

Harper’s letter lets readers track their favorite authors. It lets them know when the author will be doing an event in their area. When their next book is being released. When it is being made into a film. But, hey! We authors can do that for ourselves!

She also suggests cross promoting other books with similarities. Themes. Genres. Historical periods. The list could be endless. So, I’m thinking why couldn’t authors do the same thing? They could partner with other authors to announce one another’s books. And if those authors write in the same genre so much the better. They aren’t competitors. They’re comrades. A reader who reads horror, as an example, probably reads more than one horror book a year. So why not promote your book and one written by a horror - writing friend?

By the way, I also think authors should read more than one book on marketing. Each book we read offers new inspiration, new ideas, new approaches or techniques for old ideas.

Noelle says that to convince yourself that this is effective, “Think of Amazon’s ‘others who ordered [this book] also ordered [this other book]’” feature.

She also suggests embedding video in the e - mail. That gives readers a personal connection to the author!

She suggests some of the same things I do in the second edition of The Frugal Book Promoter. How can you get subscribers to your letter to sign up for something? What can you give them free? What about a quote of the day or week? How about using QR (quick response) codes I’ve been talking about for the last few issues of this newsletter? Look on the back of the new Frugal Book Promoter to see one, or check the index for one I used inside the book.

Noelle reminds us, “Books have power. Authors have power. That power can be used to benefit the reader—who craves more content that will impact their lives…”

Oh, while we’re at it. You have in your power to share newsletters with valuable information with others. Your newsletter readers have the power to do the same. Have you asked them to share? I’m asking now. Send the link for this newsletter with a personal recommendation and invitation to subscribe. http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/SharingwithWriters_Nov5_2011.pdf
All they need do is send me an e - mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line and I’ll do it for them!
See how easy that is? See how important a newsletter can be?

Happy Writing, Editing and Promoting
Carolyn


PS: Speaking of reading two books on marketing and of the beauties of cross promotion and networking, I ran a guest post by D’vorah Lansky on my blog. She wrote a book on marketing, too. Find the blog post on improving your author blog at http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2011/10/your - author - blog - hub - of - your - online.html. And consider this. If you order both her book and mine on Amazon you may avoid paying shipping on them. Read them both. Give one to a fellow author as a gift. ( - :

PPS: Blooming Red, my Christmas chapbook (with Magdalena Ball) is now an award - winner (Military Writers Society of America). That means that you can now send an award - winning chapbook of poetry to your friends as a holiday card or as a mini gift. It is the perfect card size and we offer a considerable discount from its $6.95 paperback price for orders of 25 or more. Learn more about the special at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/more_on_blooming_red.htm

PPPS: If you are a detail person, you probably noticed the date on this newsletter is ahead of itself. That’s because I am planning a trip up Pacific Coast highway to see my grandson on his first birthday and am not sure when I’ll be back. Thus, better early than late, no?

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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:

I've been reading The Frugal Book Promoter and gathering its pearls. You've packed so much great information into it. I was already a fan of the earlier version, and now I'm armed with a wealth of new ideas for promoting Before It's Too Late, which has been out for almost a year.

I just signed on to write a new book, and I'm storing gems from your book to use when it comes out.

Warmest wishes,

Treacy Colbert, Medical Writer/Editor
Coauthor, Before It's Too Late: What Parents Need to Know About Teen Pregnancy and STD Prevention
trcelement@aol.com



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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: That I advocate thank yous could not really be considered a tip after so many years of my….mmmm…nagging about it. No. This tip is about a wonderful card I received. It was accompanied by four yummy brownies from D’vorah Lansky, marketer extraordinaire, after presenting for her at her third annual Book Marketing Conference Online. It included a card complete with her conference logo on it. The logo included pictures of all her presenters. The card was produced by www.sendoutcards.com/cardsyouremember. In this case, not only “cards you remember” but also cards you tell others about. The brownies were from CookieTree Bakeries in Salt Lake City, Utah. And those brownies were even packed cleverly with curly packing material—bright red. Real cards and real gifts especially count for something in these days of easy e - mail.

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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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In the News: The English, it appears, are getting as fussy about importing dreaded Americanisms into their language as the French. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine - 14201796. And don’t just click for the fun of it. There are some gems in here that will help Americans avoid undesirable (probably) Americanisms, too! ( - :


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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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Feature

To Pseudonym or Not to Pseudonym
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Nora Roberts, the author of more than 150 romance novels, was asked why she writes romantic suspense novels under a pen name. Here is her answer:

"It's marketing."

She says because she writes quickly that makes it difficult for her publisher to publish all of her work with an appropriate amount of time between each of them. So she writes works which are “edgier” than her romance novels under the pseudonym J. D. Robb. She says. "Putting it under a pseudonym helps brand it for the reader."

Writers will find information on the concept of branding in the second edition of The Frugal Book Promoter (www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo) including some of the reasons why you shouldn’t use a pen name. You will, of course, have to weigh the pros and cons, but keep in mind that Ms. Roberts has a powerhouse publisher and its marketing department to help her navigate the difficulties inherent in using a pseudonym. If you are considering using a pen name, here's what you should know:

1. It is very hard to keep a pen name secret. Everyone knows who Kristie Leigh Maguire is, as an example, but most know that it is a pen name. If people didn't know before that Robb was Nora Roberts' pen name, most of them will know that Time magazine let the cat out of the bag. They also revealed (big time) that Nora Roberts is also a pen name!

2. It is very hard to promote a book in person when you use a pen name—especially if you choose an opposite - sex pen name. In fact, promotion of all kinds can become touchy if you use a pen name because you are intent upon keeping your real identity a secret.

3. Using a pen name isn't necessarily an effective barrier against law suits.

Read more about Roberts in Time magazine's "10 Questions" feature, page 6 of the Dec. 10, 2007, issue.
CHJ

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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

Kristie Leigh Maguire Changes Genres...
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Award - winning author Kristie Leigh Maguire recently added her novel, Second Chances: Love Lost, Love Found (Western Romance), to All Romance Ebooks' lineup of titles. Kristie says, "Within 15 minutes of pressing the 'publish button' on Second Chances at ARE, I had 3 sales of the book. I have had remarkable success with Second Chances. It is my bestselling book at Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Smashwords and it looks like it is off to a good start at ARE."
Second Chances is a departure from Kristie's normal style of writing hot and spicy romance books. Second Chances is on the sweeter side of things and more character driven than her previous romance books. It seems that Kristie's loyal fans have embraced her change of pace.

Second Chances is available in paperback from Star Publish LLC.

Visit Kristie Leigh Maguire at http://kristieleighmaguire.com. Follow her on Twitter @KLMaguire. Join her Facebook Author Page at http://www.facebook.com/KristieLeighMaguire.


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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). The perfect giftlet for nonfiction writers. Find it at http://budurl.com/BookProposals =================================================


In the News: Facebook and Google+ are trying to battle bullying by baring the use of pseudonyms from their networks but that is proving difficult because many pseudonyms are legitimate—like who would know Lady Gaga by anything other than Lady Gaga. Ditto for authors. They have made exceptions so if your pseudonym gets targeted, fight for your rights. Reported by Time Magazine, October 10th edition.


================================================= 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: If you’d like to keep your e - mail signature rotating with pertinent and entertaining information, let www.wisestamp.com feed your tweets from Twitter directly to them.


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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! =================================================


Tech Tip: Eventually (when you build a Web site or do any number of other things) you’ll make life much easier on yourself if you name your files without any spaces. In other words—use underline, dashes or no spaces at all. It also helps to stick to a format. Always cap your words or never cap them. Most techies prefer the never, never rule.


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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: Dan Poynter asks “Will e - books become works in progress?” in his newsletter. I’ve long suggested that one of the major positives of e - books is how they can be updated quickly as needed. This, of course, is especially useful for nonfiction books dealing with fast - moving subjects of politics, tech, etc. But Poynter suggests this flexibility can be used if one finds errors in an already - edited copy that still contains booboos. Hey, that can happen to anyone! Any author. Any publisher. Now making corrections is easier.


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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.

Publishing Poetry Chapbooks . . .
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Magdalena Ball and I love the f r ^ ^ path that www.Createspace.com offers for creating professional chapbooks. We use their cover templates to create the covers—both front and back. It can cost nothing except the cost of individual paperback copies sent to us. Or you can choose a premium distribution channel for a higher rate—but either way, they put your book on Amazon for you. All automatically. Here is an example of the cover (you must be reading this in its pdf iteration to see the image).
The cover art is by Jacquie Schmall but the graphics are by Createspace and Maggie’s choices of font and color. Find Deeper into the Pond at www.budurl.com/DeeperPond


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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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Editing Tip: Writing in third person past tense does not mean an author can’t get inside the heads of his or her characters. In fact, it may be even more important when using third person that an author take pains to get inside the heads of her characters. Just remember that if you have the point of view (POV) right, the author will know opinions expressed, ideas come up with etc. are in the head of the person/character doing the observing. You won’t have to tell the reader that’s what the character is thinking. Nor will you have to use italics to let them know.


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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 believe that a how - to article or blog (or newsletter) should give as least a few practical ways to use whatever is being discussed. A recent newsletter suggest this link for learning how to pair your media release with Facebook and Twitter: http://smedio.com/2010/10/25/how - to - use - twitter - and - facebook - for - press - release/ Trouble is, when we’re done reading, we still don’t know the process for getting a release seen. I have saved dozens of twitter tips and resources in an unedited whitepaper. It even includes on app that you can use to let your media release be seen. E - mail me with F R ^^ Twitter Tips in the subject line and I’ll send it to you.

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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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Feature

Write for Your Audience Vs Writing for Yourself ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I just read an article/editorial from Jeff Rivers, the founder of http://www.HowToWriteaQueryLetter.com in Dan Poynter’s newsletter. It was titled “What I Learned from Janet Evanovich: Write for your Audience.”
It is hard to argue with experts like Jeff and Janet. But I do disagree - or at least mostly disagree. Certainly authors like Evanovich and James Patterson have done very well for themselves and for their readers by “Writing for Your Audience.” I do a bit of acting and learned that new actors should learn to give to the director not what he or she wants, but to give of themselves—to give what they feel is best to give. But life has thrown me mixed messages. When I was a retailer, I certainly learned that one couldn’t “buy for oneself” when it came to selecting merchandise for my store. When I did, I very often brought whatever I bought home because my customers wouldn’t buy it.

But back to writing!

That same balanced note is a good one for writers to follow, too. They must keep their audience in mind. As an example, they must trust their audience to be readers. They, after all, have been reading their whole lives. So we authors don’t want to insult them.
And certainly authors of nonfiction books should do some research before writing the same book someone else has written. There are probably many other aspects of “Write for your Audience” that I haven’t covered here.

Still, there is another side of the coin and here it is:

When you write for yourself, your audience will follow. Do not mistake this for advice that writers go off willy - nilly with no training in craft, no awareness of rules (which we may then choose to break). But we must love what we do to be successful. Find your voice and your passion. Keep at it. Market it. And your audience will find you.

I’m an eternal optimist. I believe we can balance the two philosophies. But I also see some real danger for the author who denies his or her dream and considers only what he figures someone else wants of him.
CHJ

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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 or the new edition of The Frugal Book Promoter, www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo .
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Writing Tip: When you’re writing dialogue, remember that the gestures of a character can reflect his or her state of mind. And they can replace a “he said/she said” type dialogue tag.


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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: Join Mayra Calvani's mailing list at www.MayraCalvani.com and receive her free e - book, Reviewers Talk About Their Craft and the first lesson from her Slippery Art of Book Reviewing Workshop!


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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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Feature


Amazon Removes More Reviews: Targets Individual Reviewers and Sites Causing Authors to Become Victims
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By Irene Watson

Amazon did it again! They removed Reader Views' reviews saying "We found your reviews to be in violation of our guidelines and have removed them. Because of these violations, we’ve removed your reviewing privileges from your account." (See previous editorial for backstory.)

Wow! That was a shocker considering Sarah Hobbs, the person that reinstated us the last time, assured me this wouldn't happen again. She also approved the way the info on our website was worded. Nothing had changed since then. I emailed her immediately and attempted to phone her on many occasions but she wouldn't answer. It's obvious she has caller - id and wasn't about to be confronted on this.

After a week of attempts to contact her and leaving voice messages, I sent an email to Amazon. I explained I worked with Sarah Hobbs and tweaked our site according to her standards and approval. I got an email back saying "... we won’t be able to comment further on this matter." Huh? So, I sent an email directly to Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, explaining that one of his staff reinstated/approved our reviews and this is what I got back:

I'm Elizabeth King of Amazon.com's Executive Customer Relations team. Jeff Bezos received your e - mail and asked me to respond on his behalf.

I’ve thoroughly read through your concern and previous correspondence with us. While I know you’re disappointed with this decision, I’d like to confirm the information you received from our Communities team is correct.

As mentioned, we found your reviews to be in violation of our guidelines and have removed them from our site.

Again, no accountability as to what guidelines we violated. And, it's highly unlikely that Jeff Bezos actually received the email from me. This same email, only using different team members' names, has been sent to others that have attempted to contact him. I emailed back, again explaining that Sarah Hobbs had approved us. No response.

I know that in the past two weeks at least six review sites that have been removed with no explanation or further communication. One was Rebecca's Reads, but they did get one response back saying:

As mentioned in our last message, we took this action because your reviews were found to be in violation of our guidelines and participation agreement.

The customer account you used is related to an account that was previously banned.

Wow! Now they are removing "related" reviewers. When asked for clarity as to whom they are "related," Amazon never did respond to Rebecca's Reads. There is nothing in the guidelines or terms of service to indicate related people can't post reviews.

But there is more. An author told me:

TEN of my reviews have now disappeared!!! The latest two were posted [on two different books] by my second cousin in OH who read my books. She has no connection whatsoever to any review sites!

Wow! Maybe Amazon is now has a team that checks to see if the reviewers are "related."

I've heard from other authors over the past few weeks telling me reviews have disappeared off their book listing, not only those posted by review sites but by individuals. I found the same on my own personal books; some (not all) individual readers' (many I don't know and some don't review for a site except their own blogs) reviews have been removed. I didn't get a response from Amazon when I questioned as to why they were removed.

What to do now? I really don't know. It seems like Amazon/Bezos has his own agenda. It seems like the guidelines only apply to specific reviewers and certainly not to those on their top reviewers list. The number one reviewer violates the guidelines but is able to stay in number one place. Also, the #7 reviewer says:

7. In addition, I will almost always make time to read and review books for those who are willing to generously contribute to Habitat for Humanity. Please contact me for details. (Several authors told me that the generous donation has to be of at least $600.)

When I asked Sarah Hobbs if it's possible to do the same she said "Charitable donations would not be allowed. [As form of compensation.]" I referenced the guideline the reviewer had on his profile page and she responded "I appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We have reached out to this reviewer and will take action as necessary." The action Amazon took is having him remove the blurb from his guidelines but they didn't ban him from posting reviews. According to authors that have asked him for reviews received an email saying they have to make the contribution before being considered.

Fair? No, of course not. Victimized by a huge corporation with bullies running it? Yes, of course.

If you've been a victim of having your review/s removed (whether you are an author, publisher, or publicist) I encourage you to write to Amazon.com and protest. I also encourage you to ask them to reinstate Reader Views' or any other removed site's account and upload the posted reviews. If you feel your sales went down because the reviews were removed, then tell Mr. Bezos that. If you feel victimized, tell him that. Maybe, just maybe, if enough of us inundate their email boxes someone at Amazon will take this to heart and not just send back a form email signed by a person with no - last - name. Maybe, just maybe, your voice will be heard.

Here is a list of email addresses that you could write to:

1. jeff@amazon.com (Jeff Bezos)
He is the CEO of Amazon.
2. community - help@amazon.com
This is the main customer service email address.
3. community - help@amazon.com
subject line - Please direct to the Legal Department
4. shobbs@amazon.com (Sarah Hobbs)
She is the person that approved Reader Views site and reinstated us.
5. community - help@amazon.com
subject line: Attn: Aric R.
His name appears most on form emails saying the reviewers are banned.

~Irene Watson is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, where avid readers can find reviews of recently published books as well as read interviews with authors. Her team also provides author publicity and a variety of other services specific to writing and publishing 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 Terry Whalin…. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . .for tweeting this Sharing with Writers newsletter to his many followers
https://twitter.com/#!/terrywhalin/status/123218131098402816 You’ll want to check out all the services he provides for writers.

Thanks to Brigitte Thompson . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . for posting on her Writers in Business blog information on what the new edition of The Frugal Book Promoter will give writers that the old one didn’t. http://writersinbusiness.blogspot.com/2011/10/revised - frugal - book - promoter - carolyn.html We all know writers often don’t have the best business heads. Go by her blog and check it out!

Thanks to Norm Goldman . . .
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. . . for his review of the second edition of The Frugal Book Promoter on his Book Pleasures review site. http://goo.gl/qtAok If you don’t know about this review site, you’ll want to check it out.

Thanks to C. Hope Clark . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
…for using the new edition of my Frugal Book Promoter as a prize for her contest and for publishing one of my articles in her newsletter. Learn more about the contests she runs and the information she gives writers on important information like grants and other funds for writers. www.hopeclark.blogspot.com


Thanks to Michel N. Marcus . . .
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…for including a review of the new edition of the Frugal Book Promoter on his must - read Book Making blog:
http://bookmakingblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/book - about - book - marketing - is - now - bigger.html


Thanks to Phyllis Zimbler Miller . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
…for her little review of my little Great Little Last - Minute Editing Tips for Writers (www.budurl.com/WordtrippersPB ). After she added it (she didn’t buy the book at that time), this booklet jumped to Amazon’s bestseller list in its category. I can’t be positive but over and over again I see how a new review on Amazon (even after one has more than 100) can nudge Amazon’s algorithms. Phyllis, author of Lt. Commander Mollie Sanders, says “this little book is a must - have for writers who take seriously their word usage.”

Thanks to MaryAnne Hahn and Write Success . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
…for the review of the new edition of The Frugal Book Promoter on her Web site, http://writesuccess.com/2011/10/new - edition - of - multi - award - winning - marketing - book - for - writers/ While you’re there, subscribe to her newsletter. I’ve been reading it for years.


Thanks to Dan Poynter . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
…for including the second edition of The Frugal Book Promoter in his library list of recommended books for writers. It seems to be a short but essential list, so I am especially honored! http://parapromotion.com/library/


Thanks to Nancy Famolari . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
…for her review of the second edition of The Frugal Book Promoter on her Author Spotlight blog:
http://nancyfamolari.blogspot.com/2011/10/smorgasbord - of - options - for - promoting.html#comment - form



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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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Twitter Tip: If you use Twitter to really follow people (many don’t), you will find www.manageflitter.com useful for ridding your account of those who aren’t following you back and those who might be spamming you with direct messages.


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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 This one is his tribute to Steve Jobs.
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Opportunities


New Wordsmith Mag Offers Opportunities
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The Wordsmith Journal is a new magazine geared to reach Christian readers, retailers, and music fans as well as libraries and other outlets for the Christian writer and musician.

TWJ has already secured interviews with big house published authors including Kelly Hancock - Worthy Publishing, Deborah Raney - Simon & Schuster, Debby Mayne - Abingdon, and authors from Zondervan. Also, W. Terry Whalin will be writing a monthly column for authors, The Proactive Author, Selling Books Reaching Readers.

As an author I know the million dollar question is and continues to be: "How do I reach readers?” Like many, I've taken ads in publications (online & print) with no guarantee it will reach our target audience. I also know how expensive this can be!

The Wordsmith Journal is one answer to this dilemma.
The overall mission of The Wordsmith Journal is to build relationships between authors and readers, with the prayer those relationships overflow in fellowship among readers over good books.

In addition to the Journal, we created a monthly pdf catalog that we use to maximize authors’ and musicians’ exposure along with the magazine W e - mailing them to our database of over 7000 retailers, libraries and readers monthly.

How does that breakdown? An author who advertises with The Wordsmith Journal receives in excess of 7000 impressions (impressions are measured by people who have access to seeing or hearing about a product) through the catalog alone. Think about it - a $75.00 ad being viewed by 7000 potential readers and book buyers (not to mention the music fans who will be visiting the site). That’s less than $.01 per person, guaranteeing you massive exposure for a minimal investment!

The first online edition of The Wordsmith Journal launched October 1, 2011 and the print edition of The Wordsmith Journal, is scheduled to release in Fall 2012.

Visit the website at: http://thewordsmithjournal.com or e - mail me for ad pricing!
~Pamela S Thibodeaux
Ad Sales Representative
The Wordsmith Journal
http://thewordsmithjournal.com


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


In the News: Book Business magazine reports that in 1990 Bowker reported the number of new books with ISBNs was 25,000. In 2007 it was 275,000. By 2010, it was 3 million. Unfortunately some of the 3 million are now “books” created by content farms. They scan through public domain Web sites for content that may or may not be valuable, give their collection a title and call them books. It’s a constant battle for online bookstores—those that sell both paperback and e - books and for readers. And for authors who don’t want to support them!


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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

Journey from the Center to the Page
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By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

A while back, I read The Journey from the Center to the Page: Yoga Philosophies and Practices as Muse for Authentic Writing by Jeff Davis. The 2004 version fascinated me and made me think of writing differently. An updated version of the same book came out in 2008 and I just got a copy of it, graciously sent to me by the author. This newer version has several updates and much better photos of the yoga exercises he suggests you use to drive your writing intentions.

Davis is a certified yoga instructor who has studied with Sri TKV Desikachar in India. He is also a writing instructor par excellence and runs a small farm with his family in upstate New York. The combination of his writing and yoga training make him a dynamic teacher for students in both disciplines.

The four preparations he proposes we make in order to write authentically are intention, time, perseverance, and concentration. For intention, he says, “To begin each writing session, I’ve rephrased the question ‘Why write?’ to ‘What am I writing for?’” He says that his response to this question each morning becomes part of his purpose for writing that day. Davis defines intention this way. “An intention is not a goal…An intention is a conscious gesture to align your mind, heart, imagination and body with whatever act you are about to begin. You attach yourself to a goal’s outcomes and assess your success accordingly. You let go of an intention’s outcome and let go of notions of success altogether.” And that’s the creative difference. You learn to let go.

Davis writes about finding time to write. He tells the story of a man who knew he’d be killed by the Nazis any day. When his wife had his body exhumed from a mass grave, she found a notebook in his pocket where he had somehow found time and motivation to write poems. How he got the pen no one knew, but his desire to write was so deep that, even in the shadow of his own death, he found a way to do it. Davis uses this as an illustration of the fact that we can’t wait to write. We can’t wait until our children are grown, or until we retire, because life is too short. The time is now. He gives many ways to retrain our minds to develop a time and a ritual that allows us to carve the time to write out of our busy days. He gives a formula of 3 - 60 - 15: Write 3 days per week for 60 minutes each day for 15 days. Start with that for a beginning and stick to it. After this becomes comfortable, expand it.

One suggestion Davis makes in his book I have taken to heart. He makes the case that we should use ritual in our writing lives. For instance, either light a candle or light a stick of incense to signal the beginning of your writing time. Bow to your computer or laptop, not because you are worshipping it but because you are acknowledging your partnership with it for creative work. Davis also bows to his photo of the elephant - like Ganesh he has by his computer, although he is not a Hindu. Whatever you do, establish a setting to use that says, “I am ready to write. This is the time. This is the place.” Since reading this, I’ve been much more conscious of having my writing “altar” ready to go with all the tools I need handy and the ritual in mind that puts me in the zone for creating.

The yoga poses Davis uses in the book are very basic. They direct you to the set your intention for the day. You will find them in the “Take a Breath’ section at the end of most chapters in the book. Not only do they help writers set their daily intentions, they also help us with the lack of flexibility we can develop when sitting in a chair for hours in the same position.

If this book intrigues you as it did me, you can find it at Amazon http://amzn.to/pIxHEE. It’s a great way to rethink your writing life and learn to be more productive.

LINKS


Jeff Davis
http://www.centertopage.com/


Jeffrey Davis – New Site
http://www.trackingwonder.com/

Retreat
http://www.sivanandabahamas.org/course.php?course_id=3109

~ 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 putting together an e - book and paperback based on her Itty - Bitty Column for Sharing with Writers. 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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I talked about Your Soaring Book Sales: How to use F r ^ ^ e - books and QR codes to sell more of what you want to sell! with the famous Career Czar Paul and his nutty sidekicks Coach Christine and Millian. Tune in at http://www.careerczar.com/mp3/career093011B.mp3 =================================================


In the News: Penguin had 157 New York Times bestsellers in the first half of 2011. It’s the industry leader in most hardcover fiction bestsellers.


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I have a series of retail books that authors could benefit from. The reason? Authors are retailers, too. They must sell their books. But A Retailer’s Guide to In - Store Promotion will be especially valuable because it will give authors insight on how to convince retail outlets that a partnership (like a book signing, workshop or seminar) with them will benefit their bottom line. Find this book at www.budurl.com/RetailersGuide or more about the whole series at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/retailers_books.htm
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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
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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.


Cancelled! Carolyn Howard - Johnson Love Boat Writers’ Retreat has been cancelled.


Next Year! As a co - sponsor of the Muse Online Writers’ Conference (and the first one at that!), I’d like you to put a tickler file on you calendar to register for the 2012 weeklong event in October. I can’t tell you how many of mysubscribers have been disappointed that they can avail themselves of this f r ^ ^ conference (every year!) because they miss the deadline. August would be a good time to let your digital calendar remind you to enroll at http://themuseonlinewritersconference.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.)

Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.



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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