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June 1, 2012

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 booboos. We're all human. This letter comes out weekly (except when I'm traveling or on deadline) and it's long!
This newsletter is powered by AuthorsDen.com.
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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’ll find them in several places.)
~Accessible Contests
~On Poetry
~Author Successes
~Mindy Lawrence's Itty Bitty Column: Stretching out our Writing Problems
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™

This Issue
~Repost of the Frugal Book Promoter Excerpt from past
issue: Tradeshows Like BEA May Not Be What You Think
~Repost: Q&A: Are These Book Fairs a Scam?
~Q&A: So Why Do We Need Two Facebook Pages Again?

Join me
For more writers’ resources on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/FrugalBkProm
For resources and more personal fun on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/carolynhowardjohnson
For special help for fiction writers:
www.fictionmarketing.com
For writers’ resources of all kinds:
www.HowToDoItFrugally.com


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 in a .pdf format.

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Note from Carolyn

Dear Subscribers:

I like my little letter to you each issue to be positive. Rhonda Byrne, author of The Secret, says that Mother Theresa, upon being asked if she would support an anti - war rally said something like, “When you have a PRO - peace rally, let me know.” She probably sensed that energy affects the world and that we gather around us energy similar to what we give out. Byrne made the underlying theory Mother Theresa was espousing a popular theory recently, and in spite of my doubts, the more I learned about particle physics and quantum mechanics the more truth I found in much of what I’d originally thought of as hocus pocus. And, I was glad to change my mind. It seems that a positive attitude has always worked in my life.

Make that usually rather than always. I recently received an anonymously posted e - mail that invaded my comfort zone. I’m reprinting it under Letters to the Editor in this issue of SharingwithWriters, even though I decry anything anonymous. Anonymity may offer some value in feeling safe enough to say things one might not otherwise say, but that same insulation often encourages people to offer help in destructive ways. When I first started using the Web, the word “flaming” was used quite frequently. It seems that term is being used less frequently and that people have come to view the Web as a place where decency, sharing and critiquing in a positive way, and the use of etiquette—all those good things that hold the threads of culture together—have been and can be marginalized.

Anyway, those of you who have actually read The Frugal Book Promoter rather than using it as a reference when important events are at hand know that I recommend:

1. Using reviews to build our writing careers. But I am careful to suggest that when critiquing someone else’s work, one tries to do it in a way that will help them write or publish better in the future and—if one is tempted to slash and burn—to avoid writing that review at all. We never know what spirit or what talent we might end up destroying.

2. Being accepting of others’ typos, grammar errors, etc. We are sure to make mistakes ourselves at some point in our careers. Much better to offer help when needed in a constructive way. Flower in Bambi, said “Don’t say anything unless you can say something nice…” or something similar. I don’t think that’s as important as learning how to correct or suggest with love.

3. Sending thank you notes. In a word, it’s about being grateful for others’ help and for our own successes, which are always influenced by the good will of others.

After I received this note, I thought maybe I should have included this bit of advice. When you are really ticked off, it’s fine to let off steam. We’re writers and human. Writing is great therapy. But I’m not the only one who thinks we shouldn’t send venemous letter. Sleep on it. Rewrite it if you think there is something of value someone might learn something from. If not, burn it. Send it in bright red cinders to heaven where it can do no harm.

It is in that light (and with the hope that the whole incident allows us to think about the results of our actions) that I am including a letter from a very testy reader of this SharingwithWriters newsletter. I could go point for point to defend myself, but the truth is, he had something to offer both you and me. So, I think it’s best to let you decide.

Joy, Happy Writing, Editing, and Promoting
Carolyn


PS: I’ve also reprinted the two segments of my last issue that seemed to arouse such ire so you can better understand what this is all about. Also, please note in the Appearances section of this letter that I will be at the IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association) at BEA—the very organization that the letter writer seemed so eager to defend - - (not walking the aisles handing out fliers)—and that, too, was in the newsletter. I have coded these with triple tildes ( ~ ~ ~) so you’ll know which ones they are.

PPS: I contacted the company that sponsors the New York Book Fair with an offer that they clarify or defend themselves and that I would print their response in this newsletter. So far, I have received no answer. If I do, I’ll include it in a later issue.

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Letters - to - the - Editor:

This is a letter I received after I sent out my last newsletter. I am reprinting it because the writer, though he may have an agenda, has some very good points and clarifies some points for you. Please do know before you start that whatever I said about BEA that he took offense to was not intended to denigrate BEA and that I still am not quite sure, other than the title in the subject line, what he hated. The title, “BEA May Not Be What You Think” alluded to the fact that many think they sell books there as you would in a book fair, which is alluded to in the first sentence of the article (though it probably could have been clearer). I’m also leaving that article in the newsletter so you can read it again. I have always been a supporter of BEA. I’ve attended five times since 2001, and have signed as an official signer at the back of the hall, out of a booth sponsored by an award organization, with SPAN (Small Publishers of North America) and this year with the Independent Book Publishers of America’s (IBPA) booth. The piece was an excerpt from my book and the full chapter included much, much more than was in the little introduction to the section on tradeshows. I also may sign this year out of the BPSC booth (Book Publicists of Southern California). Both of these organizations offer wonderful ways to sign at BEA without renting a booth of your own—frugally. Never fear, I won’t be giving up on the frugal mantra.

Dear Ms. Howard - Johnson:

I subscribe to your e - mail "newsletter" under a different name and e - mail address. This e - mail address is merely a dummy one that I use to catch spam in. I am using this e - mail address in order to be anonymous.

I think that if you are going to send your “newsletter” out as a supposed expert on garnering publicity in the book publishing industry while gearing it to neophytes and self - published authors, then you owe it to the misinformed to correct yourself when you make an ass out of yourself. I believe you’ve done this on two counts in your newest “newsletter.”

In it, you wrote “Tradeshows Like BEA May Not Be What You Think” but you only wrote about things like renting a exhibit stand and you left out the very important need of attending the panels that happen all during the conference that inform us of the latest news and trends in the publishing industry. I have to tell you that you’ve really pissed me off by leaving this out and I think it’s a disservice to your subscribers that they read a bunch of half - truths about what’s probably the largest opportunity for them to learn the business all year. Let’s not forget that the day before BEA starts, there will be a “uPublishU” day held in association with the IBPA and that an early - bird ticket to it only costs $99, and it includes admission to the last day of BEA as well.

I think what you wrote is terribly one - sided and that it essentially misinforms the people who, are subscribing to your supposed newsletter in the hopes of getting valid information. I also think I have every right to be pissed off about that!

On top of that, you had the extreme audacity to write “PPPS: I’ll be signing at Book Expo America in New York this year. If you’ll be there, let me know. We’ll figure something out, maybe even plan a little get - together.” What kind of “signing” will you be doing without a stand? Exchanging cell phone numbers with someone via e - mail and then hoping that by having a cup of coffee with them that they’ll hopefully purchase one of your books?

If you don’t think that your “newsletter’s” readers should attend BEA, then what the hell are you doing attending it yourself and then suggesting to others that they meet you there? And for what seems to be a non - existent “signing.” After all, your name isn’t listed in BEA’s on - line directory of exhibitors. There’s a line that I believe you’ve crossed over and while I try not to let things like this bother me, when combined with the second item I just can’t stand by and let you think that nobody’s really noticing.

The second item concerns what you wrote about The New York Book Festival. You wrote: “I don’t think The New York Book Festival is a scam because book fairs attract readers and help us meet and relate to readers.”

Did you know that in fact “The New York Book Festival” isn’t a book fair at all? Go to their website and try to find out for yourself where the “book fair” or “book festival” actually is. Guess what? There isn’t actually a book fair or a book festival.

The New York Book Festival” is just a scam that’s run by a small handful of cheeky bastards. It is not a book fair at all, it’s actually an “awards ceremony” held at a hotel. And while their website has a couple of outdoor photos on its homepage to make it seem like it’s a book fair, if you just dig a little deeper and click on what’s available, you’ll see a bunch of photos taken in the hotel where the scam is held.

Oh, and what a scam it is because almost all of their “winners” are books that were published by the three major publishers who donated the most money to the event. Nearly no other publishers or writers win anything at all, they just lose their entry fee.

There’s no park, or tents with stakes set in green grass, or book stalls, or booksellers for that matter. If you look carefully, you’ll notice that there’s no location given for the “2012 Book Festival” which, by the way, has already happened at a Manhattan hotel. It was held on the last day of the Book Publishing Conference & Expo that was held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, a few months ago, however, the “New York Book Festival” was held at a different hotel. Does that sound like a scam to you or would you like to stand by your statement: “I don’t think The New York Book Festival is a scam because book fairs attract readers and help us meet and relate to readers.”

I think I have every right to call you out on your insipid “newsletter” that first discourages people from attending BEA, when at the same time, you yourself are attending it. And, then you encourage people to look into “The New York Book Festival.”

While I don’t believe you’re intentionally trying to screw anyone over, and I don’t think you’re making a dime from the supposed New York Book Festival, I do believe that you look a lot like you’re pretending to be an expert by making these major gaffs. I also believe that you’re trying to impress newcomers to self - publishing with your supposed knowledge so that you will be rewarded with sales of your “how - to” books on marketing and publishing, and who knows what other money you possibly make as a consultant?

As I stated earlier, this e - mail address is an alias and I subscribe to your “newsletter” from a different one. I must tell you that I get quite pissed off when I see full - page ads in Poets & Writers and other publications that are geared toward the novice, from rip - off companies like iUniverse and their ilk. They take advantage of newcomers by not informing them that the ISBN’s used, and hence, the ownership of the books put out, are then partially owned by those publishing companies when the authors, being newcomers, think that they’ve just self - published.

On second thought, given the poor quality of the information you provided in your supposed newsletter, I’m wondering if this is actually news to you? It very well could be.

Let me just say that you have every right to be as disgusted with this e - mail, as I’ve been sickened from reading your “newsletter.” While I’m a self - published author who chooses to remain anonymous, and you have every right to reply back to me at this e - mail address and say awful and vile things about how shocked and saddened you were to have read this.

But I want you to understand that I believe that if you, or anyone for that matter, is going to purport themselves to be an expert, then you’ve got to accept responsibility for the drivel you put out.

Rest assured that I do not hold a personal grudge or any personal agenda against you. Put another way, but bluntly, if you don’t continue to write stupid shit then I’ll have no reason to write again.

May I suggest that in the future you cut the length of your supposed “newsletter” by only including items that you yourself have fact - checked?

And please, instead of sending your “newsletter” out in text, which looks unprofessional, would you kindly cut the “frugal” bit for a moment and either do your e - mails in HTML or subscribe to a professional service like Mail Chimp or Constant Contact that will do it for you?

Good grief!

Sincerely,

Steven



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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: There are a myriad of books and products for sale online. What can you say or show about your book to make it stand out? Start marketing out of the box.A company could offer one of your books as a free gift to prospects that will listen to their sales presentation. For instance, insurance salespeople could give away a how - to book on taxes to everyone who listens to their pitches ~ Submitted by Patrika Vaughn, your Author's Advocate, at www.acappela.com)


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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 LA Times reports that certain entrepreneur partners are betting that books are here to stay by opening (yes, opening!) a new bookstore called Pop Hop Books and Print. Its grand opening at 5002 York Blvd, Los Angeles, was only a couple of weeks ago. You will, of course, want to put owners of this store, Sarah Balcomb and Robey Clark on your bookstore contact list (remember? I talk about how to assemble contact lists of your own in The Frugal Book Promoter—and tell you why your own lists are more effective than anything you can buy!).


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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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Editing Tip: The word peruse has been misused to mean “glanced at quickly” so often that it is often misunderstood when we use it the way it was originally intended: Miriam - Webster says it means “to read attentively” and does not give a second choice for it. By the way, you’ll find other little gems like this in my booklet, Great Little Last - Minute Editing Tips for Writers: The Ultimate Frugal Booklet for Avoiding Word Trippers and Crafting Gatekeeper - Perfect Copy (www.budurl.com/WordtrippersPB).


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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 or send me a guest post. www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com
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Author Successes

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.”


Author Sets Slide Presentation Example
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Linda Ballou has created powerful slide presentations to bring her books alive for audiences. She is an adventure travel writer and the author of Wai - nani - A New Voice from Old Hawai’i. Her travel collection Lost Angel Walkabout is filled with chills, spills, giggles, and squeaks. Wai - nani takes you to a place you can’t get to any other way. For more information about Linda and her media offerings go to the link below http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/MediaOfferings.html


Joy Smith Selects a New Publisher
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Joy V. Smith has recently signed a contract with Melange Books for her frontier novel, Detour Trail. Detour Trail is scheduled for release in early 2013.
Joy did a search for book publishers specializing in westerns; there aren't a lot out there, but she carefully checked out publishers' backgrounds. When she googled Melange Books, she came across an interview with Nancy Shumacher of Melange Books - - and other publishers - - on WOW: http://www.wow - womenonwriting.com/46 - FC - E - PublishersOnE - Publishing.html and was favorably impressed. During her background search, she also came across Melange authors' posts who were promoting their books, and there seemed to be quite a few. Here's the link to the Melange Books website: http://www.melange - books.com/about.html

Joy submitted a bio and blurb (requested) and filled out a cover art questionnaire—a thorough questionnaire that sent her to her book notebook for answers. Joy said, "I am impressed and pleased to have made this choice.” Learn more about her at http://pagadan.livejournal.com/.


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It's book fair and trade show season: Here are a bakers' dozen of ideas to make BEA (Book Expo America) and other book shows easier and more productive: http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2007/03/bakers - dozen - work - bea - frugal - way.html Please leave comments with ideas of your own - - and links to your book's sales page.
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Accessible Contests for You to Build Your Platform

Screenplay Competition
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Hi Carolyn, a friend thought you'd be interested in upcoming screenplay contest deadlines for the screenplay festival! This contest guarantees that all submissions get full feedback from the industry. Winners get their script read using professional actors at the monthly screenplay festival. The festival will help you take your career to the next step, obtain an agent and get feelers from producers in the industry on your writings. See the full details by clicking the links below. Study the past winners, then submit your feature, short, TV or genre scripts of sci - fi, horror, comic book etc... (VOTED #1 contest in the world today)
SUBMIT your FEATURE or SHORT SCREENPLAY - http://www.wildsound.ca/screenplaycontest.html
SUBMIT your TV PILOT or SPEC SCREENPLAY - http://www.wildsound.ca/tvscreenplaycontest.html
SUBMIT just your FIRST SCENE of your script and get feedback - http://www.wildsound.ca/firstscenescreenplaycontest.html
AND, if you have a short film, check out this FEEDBACK Film Festival featuring the top shorts from around the world:
http://www.wildsound.ca/submityourfilm.html

Either way, good luck with everything - and keep writing!
Thanks
Carrie Anderson
WILDsound
www.wildsound.ca



SharingwithWriters Subscriber Contest Finalist
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Writing friend p.m. terell included this notice in her recent newsletter. She’s doing things right. Entering. Letting her readers know of her successes! Sharing resources with other writers. She says:

I am really excited about the news that came from Los Angeles this morning. JPX Media Group announced the winners and finalists in the 2012 International Book Awards (IBA), http://internationalbookawards.com/ Over 300 winners and finalists were announced in more than 100 categories covering print, e - books, and audio books from thousands of entries submitted around the world.

And I am thrilled to report that Vicki's Key was named as one of only six finalists in the Mystery/Suspense category.

Vicki's Key is the beginning of the Black Swamp Mysteries series set in the real town of Lumberton, North Carolina. Vicki Boyd leaves the CIA to start a new life in Lumberton assisting an elderly woman. But when she arrives, she finds Laurel Maguire has suffered a stroke and is confined to her third floor bedroom and her charming nephew Dylan has arrived to care for her.

Vicki quickly falls in love with Dylan Maguire. But the house begins to come alive with dark secrets, and when the CIA arrives to pull Vicki back in for one more mission, she finds her past and her future are about to collide - - in murder.



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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 ($2.99) or paperback booklet (Only $6.95). The perfect giftlet for nonfiction writers. Find it at http://budurl.com/BookProposals =================================================


Tip: In The Frugal Editor (www.budurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), I say that those extra spaces you have between sentences in your copy are as undesirable as fluff balls under your bed. I know it’s hard for those of us who learned to type back in the dark ages to change, but rarely do editors want to see those double spaces anymore. Disclaimer here: My daughter is writing her dissertation. In academia, they still like double spaces between sentences. And another tip: In The Frugal Editor (www.budurl.com/TheFrugalEditor). I give you blow - by - blow instructions for getting your Word program to rid your copy of double spaces if you just can’t train your thumbs from punching that space key twice.


================================================= Social networking is one of the best ways to make valuable contacts 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: Author Nancy O’Neill thought the widget that looks like a Ferris wheel I use on my blogs to show off my books is “cool.” So I thought I’d share with you in case you don’t know about them. They're offered by Amazon. You can get them in carousel shapes, too. Now, here's the coolest part. When people click on one of those books and actually buy one, the author (or whoever made the widget) gets a little referral money - - very little (but it adds up). You must become an Amazon Affiliate to do that. There is no charge for it. See my Ferris wheel at www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com.


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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: Doug Canfield, marketing and sales director at Seattle’s Mountaineer Books, says, “Unlike reviewers who focus on new books [he’s probably referring to newspapers and journal reviewers—not bloggers who review], feature editors, those employed by newspapers and magazines primarily are only interested in what’s hot right now…” meaning they’re more interested in the topic and how it fits with trends than the release date.


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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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Excerpt

~ ~ ~Tradeshows Like BEA May Not Be What You Think
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Excerpt from The Frugal Book Promoter: The chapter this is taken from includes more on signing there, how to get a signing spot via the back door, that tradeshows aren’t just publishing tradeshows and how to find the ones that may benefit your book, etc.

Authors don’t sell books at tradeshows like Book Expo America. We give them away. We’re selling only in the sense that we’re promoting them to the people who come to tradeshows, people who will help us sell them, people like publishers, editors, librarians, and bookstore buyers.

Many tradeshows will not let booth participants sell merchandise directly at the tradeshow. Tradeshows are about marketing, though customers may place orders with vendors for future delivery. It’s safe to say that tradeshows exist for every industry. In general, they are huge, very busy, creative places. They’re also confusing and can be very expensive to participate in.

It confuses many writers that these shows often call themselves book fairs. To keep our terms straight, we’ll speak of book fairs as those where readers (and yes, others!) come for a fun day of book - browsing and maybe some buying.

Probably the most famous tradeshows in the world of publishing are Book Expo America, London, and Frankfurt. Library organizations hold regional tradeshows for easy access by librarians. To help you see the difference between tradeshows and book fairs, two of the most famous book fairs in the U. S. are the one founded by Laura Bush in Washington DC and the one sponsored by the LA Times in Los Angeles.

Authors dream of being part of tradeshows but often don’t get to participate because booths are expensive, travel is expensive and access is closed to individual authors and they don’t know how to get around those restrictions.

Services have sprung up to fill the void. Some organizations offer to put your book on display in their booths at these publishing - industry shows for a more reasonable cost than renting a booth on your own. Booths can easily run over $1500 and these services usually cost $200 to $500. But your book will get lost among dozens, if not hundreds that they “feature.”

The sponsors of these booths often claim to have great success selling the foreign rights to books or pitching self - published books to large publishers. If authors can’t be on the premises to show, talk about, and sign their own books, the money spent for these services will almost certainly be wasted. The fee is paid up front, so the caretakers of the booth will not be invested in the success of the books on display. The sales person in the booth will never have read the book or met the author. There is usually no way to hold the organization accountable for lack of a success they didn’t really promise to begin with.

If you are considering a service like this, ask if they are willing to provide their service and get paid only if they produce results. When I say “results” I don’t mean a list of publishers who have “shown an interest.” The lists I was given were either not detailed enough for me to reach the “interested party” or were generic lists given to all their clients. Many of these services do their best, I’m sure. I just think that you can probably spend your money more effectively.

If you can afford to be in these booths in person, here are the advantages:

 Bookstore buyers, acquisition librarians, and the media do attend tradeshows and you might generate interest for your book with some of them.
 Tradeshows can be great learning and networking experiences. Publishers, distributors, warehousers, book - oriented media, foreign rights agents, and publicists will be there. And they expect to be pitched! Most tradeshows even include great education programs taught by the best in the industry.
 If you’re there on a press pass (and you may be able to get one if you are a bona fide reviewer or writer on matters of publishing for any branch of the media), you will have access to the press room where you can stock their shelves with your media kits and pick up others kits, too.
 You may someday be a presenter or panelist at one of these shows. If you are an expert on some aspect of publishing and have some speaking credentials, put your expert query letter skills to good use and see what happens.


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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 to HoJoNews@aol.com.


Georgia Jones and I Talk Poetry Promotion
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…on her WriteOn podcast this week. I hope you’ll drop by for inspiration and some practical ideas, too. Please scroll down to my appearances section in this newsletter to learn more about how to tune in on May 28th.


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Endorsement: “I started on FRUGAL and I went, ‘Whoa....damn good book!’ It is
so PROFESSIONAL!” ~ Dorothy Thompson, editor of The Writers Life
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Quote: If you presume to love something, you must love the process of it much more than you love the finished product. ~ John Irving in Time magazine.


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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: Longtime subscriber Gene Cartwright sent this tip: PixApple is now free to everyone on the planet (http://pixapple.com). I’m going to try it for easy picture editing. If you have any tips for using it effectively. Send them along.


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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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Tip: New Tactic. I'm liking all Facebook pages that are recommended to me and including a thank you on their wall along with a link to the fan page my poetry partner Magdalena Ball and I have put together. We want to collect in one place anyone who would be interested in the poetry/recipe book our agent is shopping. You could do the something similar. Seems only fair, especially if your page has a remote connection to the person who made the original request. ( - : Our page is www.facebook.com/PersephonesJuicyJewels. Hope you’ll drop by and “like.”


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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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Tip: Twitter friend Todd Click has books on writing screenplays: Thanks! Here are my bestselling screenwriting books: http://amzn.to/HOANyj. I always say learning from books is a frugal way to go!


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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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Q&A a la Ann Landers

~ ~ ~Are These Fairs a Scam? (Reprint)
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QUESTION:

Hi,

Is the New York Book festival a scam for authors? I have read some reviews that say it is. Is it Legit?
Thanks,
Anonymous (though signed in the e - mail she sent)

ANSWER:

Sorry about the delay in answering. I was on vacation. I don’t think The New York Book Festival is a scam because book fairs attract readers and help us meet and relate to readers. But I've been dissatisfied with the contests they run. One of my poetry chapbooks was awarded an honorable mention. I think the entry was $79. When I won, I got nothing but a notice and not a personal one at that. In fairness, they don't promise any monetary award for any but the top winners. But I was even expected to pay for a copy of an award certificate and they really missed a promotional bet by not sending out at least a handful of award labels to put on the cover of the book. I didn’t buy any of the marketing aids they offered under the circumstances. And I chose not to send out a media release about the honor. I, of course, will not be entering the contests associated with any of their fairs again and probably wouldn't take a booth with them either, though I'd want to attend one of the fairs and see what attendance is like. There are several fairs worldwide, all run by the same company and they have some well - respected names associated with them. I can only tell you what my personal experience has been with them.


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I need editing questions and tips for my The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned - In Editor blog, www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com. Articles, too! With ample credits provided. HoJoNews@aol.com.
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Opportunities

Big Tool for Reaching the Right People on Twitter
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Contributed by Jean Lauzier, author of Six Pack of Murder

I've never done this before so I hope you'll be patient and lend me your ear...or eyes actually. : - )

Not long ago I was introduced to a Twitter management program and it only took about 5 minutes to fall head over heels for it.

This program allows me to target Twitter users who would be most likely to be interested in my books. For example, mystery readers or fans of Janet Evanovich. Then, you set it to automatically follow these users. The program follows, unfollows and does follow backs automatically so you don't have to spend all day on Twitter. You can also set up an automatic, custom, "thanks for following me" message to be sent to each new follower along with scheduling tweets to go throughout the day.

For example, there are over 300 users on Twitter with Book Reviewer in their profile. These would be great people to follow, connect with, and possibly have review your book. And with Tweetadder, these people are easy to find and follow.

Because I like this program so much, I became an affiliate. And while I earn a small commission on each sale, I'd recommend this to everyone even if I didn't. And, actually did, before I became an affiliate.

Here's a handy link that is coded to me. http://www.tweetadder.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=16170

Thanks bunches for your support and patience
Jean Lauzier
www.jeanlauzier.com



Nancy O’Neil Sponsors Contest for Children ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Guess What is on Grandpa’s Farm?” is a new children’s picture book by Nancy O’Neill with artwork done by children. It hit the market on April 30, 2012. This first book, “Guess What is on Grandpa’s Farm?” features illustrations by a teen in New Delhi, India, two from Hawaii, and several other children from coast to coast in the United States. She is already planning a contest for her next book.

Each book is written in four - line rhyming clues with colorful illustrations that lead young children on a fun guessing game and learning experience. The illustrations for each are drawn by kids ages 5 - 17 whose artwork is selected through a worldwide art contest.

The book is available on Amazon and other online retailers. Signed copies are also available at www.guesswhatbooks.com. And guess what else you’ll find there? Photos and bios of the thirteen talented young illustrators as well as Submission Guidelines for the Kids Art Contest for the second book in the series, “Guess What is at the North Pole?”
Part of the proceeds from the books will be donated to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, California.

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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

These are, indeed, thank yous but it occurs to me that many Sharing with Writers readers are not using them as resources. Often the blogs, newsletters, Web sites, and other entities mentioned are perfect vehicles for exposing your books to new readers. It is up to you to click or copy and paste to see which might be suitable—and for inspiration on how to make what you do a match for them.


Thanks to Joy Smith... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for using my tip on e - mail attachments from this newsletter as a blog post: http://pagadan.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/e - mail - attachment - warning - for - writers/#comment - 195. An additional note. Don’t be taken in by SPAM e - mails that explicitly ask you to “See the attachment.” They may carry viruses.

Thanks to Yvonne Wu... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
…who provides virtual events, PR, professional Web sites, viral campaigns and more to authors for recommending my consulting services and The Frugal Book Promoter on her two Web sites, http://theyppublishing.com/about - 2/resources/ and
http://womenconnectonline.com/childrens - games/. Reach her at http://theyppublishing.com.


Thanks to Barbara Dauria... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
…who says, “Bought your book - was blown away! Excellent specific detail for a novice.” She’ll include it in her Director of Services for authors (Indie Authors and Publishers).

Thanks to Shirley Corder... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ …for giving me a chance to share my positive experience (yes there is such a thing!) with cancer with other cancer survivors and other authors, too! Her site is full of lovely inspiration for those who have been touched by cancer. http://riseandsoar.com/ViewArticle.asp?407


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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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In the News: KDP Select - enrolled authors continue to benefit from the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. During the month of April authors earned $2.48 each time their books were borrowed. This is a bigger cut than many publishers give their authors when they sell a book, much less when they lend it!


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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 fr^^ 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 and see images go to: http://forms.aweber.com/form/91/119176491.htm
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Opportunities


Don’t Stop Promoting Now! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Trailer to the Stars helps authors who are passionate, authors who realize that being an author is more than just writing an amazing book. They also know an author must be savvy enough to get involved and be a driving force in the promotion of that book. Your book is your dream, your soul and countless late nights that turned into early mornings. But you kept on going. That's passion.

Don't stop now! Give your book every opportunity to become a best seller. A Trailer to the Stars book video trailer will give you the ability to reach out to countless readers you will never reach in any other way. Our book trailers do make a difference in your book sales.

Find out about our fantastic May pricing!
trailertothestars@gmail.com

This is the time to make the move you've been thinking about for so long. Let's talk. Together we will create the book trailer of your dreams . . . and make a true difference in your sales.

You can book your trailer for anytime in 2012.


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Aggie Villaneuva is a resource you need to know. So, go to my article on how to format your book for Kindle in just a few easy steps and while you're there, poke around for Aggie’s assortment of marketing aids including her app service. http://www.promotionalacarteblog.com/2012/02/kindle - formatting - made - easy - by - carolyn - howard - johnson/
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Tip: IBPA’s magazine Independent says that Library Journal continues to be a “stalwart” for fairness. They continue to run “a good many reviews and consider all books for review, regardless of publisher size, without charging a fee. You can find more leads for review in the Writers’ Resources section of my Web site, www.howtodoitfrugally.com/reviewers.htm


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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

Stretching Out Our Writing Problems
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By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

Many years ago, I wrote a scathing book review of a book I just couldn’t stomach. After all these years, I’ll never forget the problems it caused and the lessons I learned. The author turned around and threatened legal action and, to my editor’s credit, she stood by me and published both the book review and the e - mail I received from the writer. The writer continued to send notes to me and I stopped answering her. The entire situation could have been avoided if I had done one of two things: (1) Found something of merit in the book to review or (2) sent the book back stating that, in all honesty, I was unable to review it.

I’ve learned to do something different now when I am reviewing and writing. I streeeeetch out first. I try to think about the writer, the time he or she has put into the work and I try to be constructive about what I say.

I ran into another book recently that I was to review and couldn’t be positive about. I set it aside, did some stretching, realized the writer came from a different world from me. He was using that very negative world as a backdrop for his story. I reread his book and pulled a number of positives from it. It was actually a very constructive story. The book review I had written beforehand became an excellent lesson on how not to berate someone’s work. I came up with something much better to say about this book than the one before.

Now I stretch before I edit this newsletter. I stretch before I write something of my own (including this post) and I stretch when I have to work out any problem that comes up. It circulates air to my system and makes me think better. I also learn more.

I use one book as a model for book reviewing because I think it’s such a good model. That’s The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing by Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards. Nope. I’ve never met either author and I don’t have money invested in them. I was just lucky to get this book to review when it first came out. And WOW! It’s such a good resource for reviewers.

So stretch, think, read, and THEN review and write. It will keep you from remembering your mistakes ten years later.


LINKS

The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing
http://mayracalvani.com/nonfiction/


How to Write a Book Review, Bill Asenjo
http://www.writing - world.com/freelance/asenjo.shtml


Stress Relief
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_relief_meditation_yoga_relaxation.htm


Writers’ Rights
http://www.ashleyperez.com/blog/item/241 - writers - rights - an - open - letter - on - how - to - review - books - safely


Reviewers
http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com/reviewers.htm


~ 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, an editor 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 talk about what QR codes are and how you can use them to promote your writing on my SharingwithWriters blog at http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2011/07/cracking - qr - code - for - iphones.html
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Tip: Book marketer John Kremer keeps a special list of his top contacts. He calls it the “Kremer 100.” An approach like this keeps authors focused on their most desirable and receptive contacts but isn’t so limited that it keeps the author from stretching his or her marketing a bit. It does not replace an author’s ever - growing list of bookstores, librarians, publishers, and on and on. I’ve heard of some authors who stay in personal contact with their focused lists for birthdays—even with postcards when they travel.


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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 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
New!  Calling all poets, and, really anyone interested in awards and contests to promote a writing career! A free podcast of one of the Write On interviews with the publisher at LadybugBooks is now live. Please join us. A direct link to Write On page is: www.ladybuglive.com/writeon.htm Click on my name with the little sound insignia by it.

New!  I’ve been invited as a guest of The Publishing Insiders. Hosted by Penny C. Sansevieri and cohost Paula Krapf, this program focuses on strategies for marketing your book, hot new releases, latest publishing trends, and the secrets of New York publishing. It’s very frugal (meaning f r ^ ^). On Tuesday, May 29, at 4 pm (Pacific Time), I’ll be talking about: just that—frugality. We’re calling it: No Money Out of Pocket: Shooting Your Book to Stardom with Carolyn Howard - Johnson’s Favorite Frugal Book Promotion Ideas. Call in to listen at 347 - 838 - 9287. The Publishing Insiders can be found at:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thepublishinginsiders/2012/05/29/no - money - out - of - pocket - shooting - your - book - to - stardom

Our topic comes with a disclaimer. There are times when we writers must know the difference between cheap and frugal. You use the best of the freebies and also know when to bite the bullet and spend a little for services you can’t do yourself or haven’t the time to do yourself.


Final Notice! Going to BEA (Book Expo America)? June 7 at 10 to 10:30 a.m. I’ll be signing the second edition of my Frugal Book Promoter at the IBPA (International Book Publishers Association) booth on the floor of this giant publishing industry trade show. Those of you who review (or are willing to review), and those of you who would like to mention the book on your blog, etc, please drop by and get your f r ^ ^ signed copy! From 10:30 to 11 a.m. on the same day, Lance Johnson will be signing proof copies of his What Foreigners Need To Know About America A to Z (a book I edited). I’d love to have you come introduce yourself to him and see his book, too! We’ll be in the Main Hall at Javits Center, booth #3044.
Updated! Those of you who live in Southern California will want to mark Tuesday, June 19, 7 pm to 9 pm, to hear me speak on Summertime Book Promotion for Author’s Corner a division of a women's entrepreneurial group out in the San Fernando Valley called Made in the Valley. It’s at the Valley Economic Development Center (VEDC), 5121 Van Nuys Blvd. (3rd floor conference room), Van Nuys, CA 91404. Park on the street or under the building, not at Burger King. They tow! Yes, it is a free event. Networking starts at 6:30 pm.


 July 8th, 6PM Eastern, 3 pm Pacific with The Funky Writer, aka Rob Batista. He’s been doing this for a while. This is my second appearance with him and it will be fun the second time around. If you’re interested in querying him, find him at thefunkywriter@yahoo.com. More information to come.


 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 my subscribers have been disappointed that they can’t 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/.


 I will be speaking on several panels at the Book ‘Em Book Fair in North Carolina in Feb of 2013. Go to http://www.bookemnc.org/ for opportunities for your book and watch for more on my appearances there in this newsletter. It is headed by mystery writer p.m. terrell and the purpose of The Book 'Em Foundation and this event is to raise public awareness of the link between high crime rates and high illiteracy rates. Proceeds from the Book 'Em North Carolina book fairs go directly to increasing literacy in Robeson County, North Carolina, and to reducing crime in the area.
New Info  Make plans for the 2013 Catholic Writers’ Conference now. I know many are disappointed when they can’t sign up for my chat after the registration deadline and if they knew what else they’d missed, they’d really be sad. So mark it on your calendar—maybe to register in December of 2012. The Conference is March 4 - 15, with chats March 4 - 10 and forums March 8 - 15. I’ll be conducting a couple of chats on Secrets of Pinterest for Authors and One on To Italicize or Not to Italicize and Other Professional Editing Secrets. http://www.catholicwritersconference.com/


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Sign up to receive a copy of my Sharing with Writers blog in your e - mail box. It is a focused blog on all things related to writing and publishing. Go to www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com. Sign up in the left - hand column. Find related resources by scrolling to the bottom of the blog.
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Wordstuff ™

Something to Make Writers Smile
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(Fun with language from The Washington Post and other publications.)

OVERSTUFFED RECLINER: Mom's nickname for Dad.



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Essential Book and Record Keeping:

This is the 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

Websites
http://HowToDoItFrugally.com
For special help for fiction writers
http://www.fictionmarketing.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