Nov. 25, 2005 Sharing with Writers:
From the Desks
Of Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Friends
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Most recent issues of Sharing with Writers are posted at Fairgo E-Books in full color and with live links http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/fairgoebooks/literary.htm. You will find the *Best of Sharing with Writers* at Apollos Lyre (www.ApollosLyre.com). Sharing with Writers is the official newsletter of Authors* Coalition, an organization of writers who help writers.

Note: In order to cut down on computerese I do not use (or I substitute for) many punctuation marks. They seem to disagree with Yahoo and others. I hope it doesn*t drive you crazy.
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Note from Carolyn:

Dear Authors* Coalition Members and Subscibers:

I am very pleased to tell you some good news but more than that, I think that news encompasses a lesson about the importance of authors staying persistently and positively in contact with the media.

I had been sending media releases to the Pasadena Weekly for many years with no visible result. I am not as good as I'd like to be about contacting editors personally, so I never did. Sometimes even I get a shy streak. Plus, I figured that though I am active in Pasadena, my address is just over the border in Glendale and that, perhaps, I didn't "qualify" as a newsworthy part of that community. (Another mistake, I could have called to check!)

Anyway, this week, quiet determination paid off. I was named one of 14 women to this weekly's list of "San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen." My award was for what they called "literary activism." Those of you familiar with the LA area know that the San Gabriel Valley includes more than a dozen or so cities in West Los Angeles County.

This list includes many exciting women including Rachel Worby, the conductor of the Pasadena POPS Orchestra, Sherry Simpson Dean, Executive Director of the United Nations Association's Pasadena-Foothills chapter and Joy Crisp, Principal Scientist at Jet Propulsion Laboratory among others. You can learn more about all of us at http://pasadenaweekly.com/feature.html.

To learn more about the Pasadena Weekly, edited by Kevin Urich, go to http://PasadenaWeekly.com. Keep in mind that one way to make an editor aware of what you do is to drop them congratulatory notes about their paper or their achievements, to call them occasionally about selected feature ideas (do as I say, not as I do!) and to send letters-to-the-editor.

I hope this story will encourage you to keep up with your PR efforts. What you do cannot
go unnoticed forever.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson
HoJoNews@aol.com
http://carolynhowardjohnson.com
http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com

PS: I've started a new section in this issue. It is on independent bookstores that subscribers recommend as author-friendly rather than as friendly only to traditionally published authors. See the first one today recommended by a member of my Chevy Chase Critique Group, Emily Heebner Young.
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Letters-to-the-Editor

Carolyn, we seem to be on the same wave-length. I’ve spent most of my weekend reading and reviewing STORIES OF STRENGTH, an anthology just published to raise funds for hurricane relief. Read more about it at http://www.storiesofstrength.com/. I hope to get my review into as many online review journals as possible to help spread the word about this terrific book and fundraising endeavor.
Karen DeGroot Carter. author of One Sister's Song,
a lyrical challenge to common assumptions
about love, race, and respect.
http://www.pearlstreetpublishing.com/

I have your book, all ear-marked with the ideas I want to follow up on for marketing for my novel (which is now on Amazon and which I'm selling from my website). Thanks for putting it all in one place
Karen Stephen, author of
http://degreesofobsession.com
http://doctorflamingo-online.com

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Give Your Writing Career a Holiday Gift

Two award-winning marketing books that complement one another make perfect holiday gifts for anyone who writes. Start your Christmas shopping early and save.

This special offer ends Dec. 15. For guaranteed Christmas delivery, please order before then.

BOOK MARKETING FROM A-Z (Infinity Publishing 2005) by Francine Silverman retails regularly $18.95
*The book would be a perfect gift for writer friends..*
Barbara Scott, book reviewer

THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER (Star Publish 2004) by Carolyn Howard-Johnson retails regularly at $17.95
*THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER is truly a remarkable gift to authors and for authors!*
Marilyn Peake, author and reviewer

Buy both books for only $25 at: http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com/holiday.htm
This low price includes free shipping to any place in the continental USA.

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News that Affects Writers:

I found this in the Compulsive Reader Newsletter, http://www.compulsivereader.com, edited by Maggie Ball:

From Reuters: Major book publishers have quietly begun selling directly to customers over the Internet, in a move that could transform the trade by putting them in competition with online retailers like Amazon.com. The publishers, including Simon & Schuster, Random House and Penguin, claim to have limited retail ambitions and are simply trying to use their Websites to help readers. "We can offer features, services and guidance that might be difficult for another retailer to provide," Penguin Group Chairman John Makinson said. "What we're not going to be is competitors to Amazon or any other retailer in this area." For the full story visit: http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?
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Patrika*s Tip:. Why have others read/critique your work? Because every writer has her personal writing tics -- mistakes she makes over and over, which she doesn't see because they're habitual.If you can't afford a professional critique, get a reading partner -- another author who will exchange reviewing of your work for your reviewing hers.
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For more advice on selling your book, see Patrika*s Write Publish & Market Your Book or her online classes about Book Promotion (both available at www.acappela.com). At that site you can also subscribe to her fr** newsletter for writers.
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Opportunities:

Our FIRST AudioClass:

The teleclasses some of my friends and I have been giving away are going audio. Sorry, everyone, but the freebies are gone excepting for a sample class at Double Dragon Press (go to http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.asp?ISBN=DDP00000001QP). Those of us who brought this learning tool to you sold the rights. Writers have to eat, too! (-: See below for details on the freeby and more.


A Do-It-Yourself Guide To Promoting Easy And Cheap!
Double Dragon Audio and www.QueenPower.com present Radio: A Do-It-Yourself Guide To Promoting Easy And Cheap!

Be apprised! Radio show hosts NEED you! You may wish to hire a publicist to place you on the air but consider Marilyn Peake's and Carolyn Howard-Johnson's approach before spending your promotion allowance on what you can do yourself!

TOPIC: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Promoting Easy and Cheap! Guest Speakers are Carolyn Howard-Johnson (www.carolynhowardjohnson.com ), author of The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't, and Marilyn Peake (www.marilynpeake.com ), award-winning author of The Fisherman's Son Trilogy published by Double Dragon Publishing. These two authors have promoted their books ranging from poetry to young adult to self-help, on more than 400 radio and TV programs, nationwide.

Visit Double Dragon Publishing Inc. for more episodes. From: $14.99

This is where to access the new audioclass as MP3 or CDRom: http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/audio.asp. More subjects to come in 2006!

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The 2nd Gotta Write AuthorFest will be held on June 24, 2006 at the Schaumburg Twp. District Library. For a participation form go to: http://www.gottawritenetwork.com/authorfest2006.html. This is a one day free workshop and panel discussion program. All authors are welcome: e-book, self published, big or small press, local or out-of-state. 40 authors attended our first and we're hoping for more! So fill out the form on the AuthorFest 2006 page and e-mail it to Netera@aol.com. Attendees may sell their books, too.

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Tracings has been received by many who have ordered it and, though I have not seen a copy yet myself, recipients are saying it is a lovely presentation with a bow, some unusual end papers, etc. It's not too late to order a book of poetry for hostess gifts at Christmas. What nicer gift than a bottle of wine, a book of poetry and a rose. E-mail me (HoJoNews@aol.com) for directions or go to http://www.members.aol.com/finishingbooks/index.html, for my publisher's shopping page.
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Tip: You're good at weaving a yarn. So when you're using a projector to speak, think of the projector as an opportunity to tell a story. Think in terms of narrative and anecdote. Speaking is all about entertaining so have at it.
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Reciprocal Links:

The Shy Writer: An Introvert*s Guide to Writing Success - Author C. Hope Clark advises you how to *sell your words, not your soul* when you promote your work. Highly acclaimed and loved by many. http://www.theshywriter.com/
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The Reading Tub is a charity that promotes family and children*s literacy. They read every children*s book that is sent to them for a review. They are then donated to community organizations. Go to www.thereadingtub.com.
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Walter Brasch*s America*s Unpatriotic Acts: The Federal Government*s Violation of Constitutional and Civil Rights. ) is a look at the history and effects of the USA Patriot Act upon the erosion of our civil liberties and violations of at least five of the Bill of Rights. It has been endorsed by liberals and conservatives.
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Star Publish offers near self-publish profits on your paperback; it is an alternative to unapproachable publishers. http://starpublish.com.
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Do you dream of becoming a published writer? Or maybe you want to hone your skills? Writer to Writer features tips on writing, marketing, submitting, selling and more. Regular no-fee contests. www.writer2writer.com
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Kathe*s Kollection:
Tips You Can Use

Editor*s Note: Kathe will be contributing tips on a regular basis--many of them gleaned from her reading and the conferences she attends:

On Website Stat Counters
Go to http://tri-studio.com/MediaReleasesSubmit.html
and check out the note below the links. In it there's a link to The Frugal Book Promoter. Since I put this page up, I've been getting about 80 hits a day from writers, all to this page. How do I know? Because I use Stat Counter. With it, I learn how many hits a day each page gets, where those hits come from (including the city, state and country), how many are returning visitors, what pages each visitor goes to, how long they stay, what search words are used if any, the referral links that brought them to my page, and more! It's amazing. And easy to do. Go to http://StatCounter.com for the instructions for you to place the code on your website.
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Kathe Gogolewski, http://www.tri-studio.com/. Blog: http://www.anndurand.blogsforauthors.com/summary.php

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Reach for the Stars Best Frugal Promoter Contest is the contest that keeps giving. You*ll want to grab your free copy full of the winning entries* best promotion ideas when it*s ready in early 2006! And watch for the winners here! http://starpublish.com/Contest.htm.
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Everyone can learn how to make yawn-provoking book fairs into blockbuster tools for exposure by following our. Authors* Coalition booth model plans and progress in my blog at http://redenginepress.com/chjohnson.
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Tip: As an author you will be called on to speak frequently. Speaking is a lot like writing. You need a snappy first sentence. So don't apologize. Don't tell 'em how you picked a topic. Don't thank them (a thank you note is much better anyway!) Please don't start with the weather or it WILL be a dark and stormy night.
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Carolyn*s Appearances:


New Audioclass: Access new audioclasses regularly for your copy in MP3 or CDRom at http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/audio.asp. Experienced authors will share their knowledge in 30 classes subjects from tech, to promotion to the craft of writing. 2006 is going to be a great learning year!
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Palm Springs Lovers unite! Saturday December 3rd is almost upon us. I will share my chapbook of poetry Tracings, and, of course, Frugal at the The Desert Woman*s annual authors* luncheon. This event includes their fifth annual mini-book fair and holiday luncheon. It begins at 11:30 at the Palm Valley Country Club,39205 Palm Valley Drive, Palm Desert, (Off Country Club Drive between Cook & Washington). Make reservations with Cheryl McFadden at (760) 327-3983 or go to http://www.desertwoman.com/clubs.html
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Jump-start Your Credibility and Salability: Publish a Book: is the topic of a workshop I*ll be presenting at the American Board of Hypnotherapy*s 2006 Convention: Newport Beach, CA, Radisson, Monday, Feb. 20, 2006, 3:30 pm. I will also be presenting a seminar on marketing skills on Sunday, Feb. 19th at 9 am. Visit their site at: www.hypnosis.com.
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Sold Out!! Dayton University*s Erma Bombeck Writers* Workshop, March 23-25, 2006. Plan to sign up early for 2007!!! http://www.humorwriters.org/
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Las Vegas Writer*s Conference, Henderson, NV. March 30 to April 2, 2006 is slated for Sam*s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, 5111 Boulder Highway, LV, NV. I will be presenting. To learn more go to www.LasVegasWritersConference.com or contact Gregory Kompes, conference coordinator, at Gregory@kompes.com for more information.

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Reciprocal Links: Many subscribers are in a position to cross-promote. Let me know if you would like to trade some recommendation or promotion for a permanent spot (or as my list grows, semi-permanent) spot in this newsletter. I use only links that benefit writers
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Tip: Have you been speaking a lot lately to promote your book? Are you thinking of jumping into PowerPoint presentations? Wait! Microsoft plans to release a bigger and better version in 2006 including a feature that will run your presentation automatically.
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More Reciprocal Links:

Gather at QueenPower.com where women promote, support and encourage women. Don*t wait till you*re ready, have more time, or are a little older. Start living your best life now! http://www.queenpower.com/
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Sun Signs for Writers: Learn how astrology can benefit (and entertain!) writers with a new Writers* Digest book: http://www.writersigns.info
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Judith Woolcock Colombo: Author of The Fablesinger and Night Crimes: Learn more at: http://odin.prohosting.com/~night01
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Discover love, laughter, romance, and eccentric, meddling neighbors among other things... Discover a novel by Cynthianna Appel and receive your choice of another e-book at no cost. Go to http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna/promo.html today!
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Read Joyce Faulkner*s Celebrity Cafe.com column to learn about anything from aging feet to her favorite books on writing: http://thecelebritycafe.com/features/Columnists/The_Weekly_Shriek/
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Fr** Publicity Resource: Let this site send your media release to book trade professionals including Associated Press, Reuters, Dow Jones, and more! http://press.heliographica.com/
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Milli Thornton is the author of an e-book called Become a Workshop Presenter. Learn more at: http://www.fearofwriting.com/
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Discover a true-life philosophy about making marriages last a lifetime in Choose Love For Life, by Joe and Edwina Roady (http://www.chooseloveforlife.com/.)

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Please forward Sharing with Writers to other writers. Unlike many others, I do not mind if you send only part of it. I do ask that you paste the subscribe information I have provided at the end of this newsletter and credit individual contributors as well.
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Tip: This is the time to be thinking long term for publicity that will fit in with the springtime themes for 2006. Most monthly magazines work six months or more out so if your title has an angle that fits with Dads, Grads, Easter, or Moms, now--at Thanksgiving time--is the right time to send out queries.
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Author-Friendly Bookstores:

This is a new feature: Please send your favorites to me and I will publish one or two per issue to help you build you bookstore list. Here is one from Emily Heebner Young:

Skylight Books
1818 N. Vermont Ave.,
Los Angeles 90027
323-660-1175
skylightbook@earthlink.net
http://www.skylightbooks.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

Skylight Books is a *fiercely independent bookstore in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles (between glamorous Hollywood and glorious Silverlake). You can now use our search engine to research books and to order books from us online (be sure to read our "Frequently Asked Questions" section on the left sidebar). And you can specify whether you want the books sent or to pick up at the store. Our staff loves to read…"
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Tip: View cover art, read book blurbs and excerpts from the exciting list of authors of fiction and nonfiction of PubProAuthors, a Yahoo cooperative. Their newsletter, Book Exclusives, features book news and interviews and is periodically available free of charge. Sign up at http://pubproauthors.bravehost.com/
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Thank Yous:

(Editor*s Note: The thank yous below are full of names and links you can use in a variety ways, from finding publishers for your work to finding sites suitable for promoting your writing and yourself

To Michelle Dunn for listing me as one of her favorite authors at MySpace.com (http://www.myspace.com/michelledunn). She read about MySpace in Entrepreneur magazine, someone they interviewed listed this site as a place to network and advertise your business for free. She has even met people she went to school with as well as other writers. You can use it to upload photos, add your book covers or logos and search for people with the same interests as you.
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To Dawn Colclasure for helping me celebrate my being named to the Pasadadena Weekly's women of San Gabriel Valley list in her Burning the Midnight Oil Book Zine. You can reach her at BurningMidnightOil@mail2world.com. Sign up for a subscription at 59308-subscribe@zinester.com. Her site is http://dmcwriter.tripod.com/
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To Milton Stern, executive director of www.selfpublishernews.com for not only running and interview but also for personally recommending Frugal in his newsletter. His publishing needs may match your promotional needs. Contact him (after checking the site) at editor@selfpublishernews.com.
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Tip: There's a new book out called Presentation S. O. S. by Mark Wiskup. It's perfect for authors who are beginning to speak to promote. One of Wiskup*s suggestions: Don't start out with a joke. A cold audience will almost never laugh.
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News:

From American Book Association's (ABA) Newsletter comeshighlights of the National Book Awards ceremony:

National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters was awarded to Norman Mailer.
The Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community was presented to poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, owner of San Francisco's City Lights Bookstore.
Fiction: Europe Central by William T. Vollmann (Viking)
Nonfiction:The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (Knopf) -- An October 2005 Book Sense Notable
Poetry: Migration: New and Selected Poems by W.S. Merwin (Copper Canyon Press)
Young People's Literature: The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall (Knopf Books for Young Readers)
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Tip: Joanna Mineau, a veteran retail publicist, has started her own firm, Page 1 PR. She is interested in taking on authors as clients. Here is her contact information:
193 Willow Boulevard
Willow Springs, IL 60480
Office: 708-467-0389
Cell: 773-972-2124
Personal Email: jhmineau@comcast.net
Business Email: joanna@page1pr.com
Web: http://www.page1pr.com/
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Authors* Coalition Invites You:

You are already a member of Authors' Coalition. We are now actively searching for new members. Please use the logo available to you. Please spread the word. New members will help AC serve all its members better! Ask your writing friends to join at http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com

Tell them to visit our blog, too, where they'll learn how to put a spark into generally insipid book fair participation by following the plans of others: http://redeneginepress.com/chjohnson .

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Tip: Warren Whitlock, Marketing Results Coach (warren@marketingresultscoach.com) created http://zerocostpromotions.com/ to help writers promote their books and business. They co-op to grow their mailing lists. Learn how to communicate directly with your readers, and how to release books and products without depending on publishers.

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Reciprocal Links You Can Use:

The Complete Writer offers advice on writing, editing, proofreading, publishing and design. Published by Red Engine Press, it offers writing services. A traditional press, it publishes fiction, nonfiction and children*s titles. http://www.redenginepress.com/
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Dr. Bob Rich is a freelance editor. He finds the good things in your book and makes suggestions for improving it. His clients include independent publishers, and a long list of writers. Find him at http://bobswriting.com/editing.html
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The Compulsive Reader reviews books by some of the hottest writers working today. Find author interviews, literary news, criticism, a free e-zine, giveaways, and more. http://www.compulsivereader.com/html.
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Do bookstores owe you money? Michelle Dunn*s books How to Make Money Collecting Money: Starting a Collection Agency and Become the Squeaky Wheel, A Credit and Collections Guide for Everyone will help you get your checks in full and on time. http://www.michelledunn.com/
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Erica Miner, queenpower.com*s Queen of Journaling, has a monthly e-mail newsletter that rocks. News and tips for writers, with an emphasis on journaling will enrich your writing. Subscribe at: http://www.ericaminer.com/newsletter.php
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A Cappela Publishing*s very successful audiobook, How to Write Your Own Life Story (or Your Family*s Saga) is now also available as a CD set. The American Library Association*s Booklist highly recommends it, for both professionals and those who have never before written anything beyond a letter. It takes you step by step through the process, even discussing your publishing options and which is best for you. A great gift for that reluctant parent or favorite aunt or uncle. www.acappela.com

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To receive a copy prologue of the award-winning This is the Place in your e-mail box F#R#E, send an e-mail to. If for no other reason, do it so you can see how well a no-cost autoresponder can work for your promotion campaign.
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Author Successes:

Mary Emma Allen, Vickie Hinze, Karen DeGroot Carter and Others appear in an anthology, Stories of Strength. This book was the brainchild of Jenna Glatzer. Numerous authors participated to raise funds for disaster relief, especially victims of the recent hurricanes. To order go to www.storiesofstrength.com and www.lulu.com/content/17209 . Mary Emma’s web sites are www.maryemmallen.blogspot.com or http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea. Writing for the good of others works for everyone involved! Stories of Strength has already raised $2,000 for hurricane relief. Those of you who would like to read a review about this anthology may find one at http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/11/22/064300.php
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Karl Iglesias, fellow UCLA Writers' Program instructor, has published Writing for Emotional Impact: Advanced Dramatic Techniques to Attract, Engage and Fascinate the Reader from Beginning to End. The back cover says *It's not about plot points. It's not about act structure. It's not about character. It's about emotion!* Published by WingSpan Press. Find it on Amazon.
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Fay A. Klingler whose book Shattered: Six steps from betrayal to recovery, has made her a sought-after seminar speaker. Learn more at www.fayklingler.com.

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Please feel free to pass on this newsletter or portions of it to others but do include this credit: *To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to: HoJoNews@aol.com. It is edited and distributed sporadically by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, http://carolynhowardjohnson.com, as an entity of Authors* Coalition, http://authorscoaltionandredenginepress.com. *
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Feature Article

LEARNING BY DOING: Part 2

Editor's Note: I'm including a series of Chris Meeks's learning experiences sporadically because I believe experienced authors as well as inexperienced ones can learn from the observations of someone who is viewing a process for the first time. Here is his second:

By Christopher Meeks

The last time I wrote, I explained the road to producing my book, The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea. Because most of the stories in the book had already been published in literary journals, a kind of filtering had occurred. These were the best of my stories. I probably have another book’s worth of stories not accepted anywhere and I’m sitting on them--either to rewrite or abandon. A few of them are too similar in theme or outlook, and I consider them stepping-stones to better stories.

Once I selected the stories for Old Man, I hired an editor to give me an objective look at my selection, and then I brought on a graphic designer. I used Lulu Press (www.lulupress.com) for printing-on-demand and distribution. Since getting the first sample copy in October, I realized that what it takes to actually get one’s book out there is quite overwhelming, even with Carolyn’s most helpful book (or perhaps “especially with”).

With Lulu Press, one has a choice of two distribution systems, “Basic” and “Global.” Basic costs a mere $34.95; you get an ISBN number for your book, you’re listed in Books in Print, and you can buy copies of your book and take them into bookstores to sell. You can also give people the web address for Lulu, and they can buy your book there--much like at Amazon.com.

Global costs $149.95. With it, your book goes to Ingram, the biggest wholesaler of books in America, and to Bertrams and Gardners, who are wholesalers in the UK market. Your book automatically shows up at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble Online (www.bk.com). Any bookstore in America and Britain can order your book through Ingrams or Bertrams and Gardners.

However, because Lulu uses a print-on-demand press, it’s not returnable. Bookstores are unlikely to stock it. Thus, I need to get people to buy online through Lulu, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.

Lulu Press has a forum for its clients where fellow author/publishers can query and write each other. Reading entries on global distribution, I discovered many people are impatient. Once they upload their book to Lulu and choose global distribution, they want it available worldwide immediately. It takes at least a month to go through the system. A month, however, is hardly anything if you want to announce your book to the world.

The first thing I did, and what I recommend, is to not choose global distribution right away. Rather, get copies of your book through Lulu to make sure it’s exactly the way you want. If it’s not, you can upload corrected versions until it’s right. Also during this time, get extra copies of your book and send them out to reviewers. Most reviewers, as Carolyn’s book emphasizes in Chapter 23, only consider a book to review three months before its release date.

In view of all this, I’ve focused on three main areas for publicity.

First, I’ve sent my book to reviewers. Twenty years ago, I reviewed books for newspapers in Los Angeles, and I saw then how nearly impossible it was to get reviewed. I could select a book from a closet that held at least 300 soon-to-be-published books. Only eight at best were reviewed each week, and hundreds more arrived each month. Now it’s even harder to get reviewed. Still, Publishers Weekly prides itself on reviewing perhaps forty percent of major books coming out. I sent my book there, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and six other biggies on Carolyn’s list. If I get one review from a biggie, I’ll consider it a victory. Once I get more books printed, I’ll send them to some of the smaller reviewers, too, especially the online ones.

The second big thing I’ve done is to give away books to any and all people I know that might recommend it to others. I sent it to my closest friends who might buy other copies for Christmas. I sent it to other novelists I know who might mention it on their tours or to other influential friends. I sent it to a few editors I’ve met in New York. I gave it to the publicity departments at the four colleges where I teach, as well as my bosses and the colleges where I earned degrees. I’m sending it to a DJ, who might mention it on the air. I’ve sent it to a well-to-do screenwriter I know. I’ve given sixty books away so far, and I’ll probably give away that many more. One never knows where the book will end up. In short, I’ll have spent at least $600 in giveaways. I’ll tell you later if it works.

The third area I’ve focused on is free publicity. When I first thought about telling people about my book, I thought about how AOL keeps the e-mail addresses of everyone who has written me. Until this point, I always thought it was a stupid feature as my address book was full of addresses of people who clearly know me but whose e-mail addresses didn't register in my mind. Most of them were from students who needed help on an assignment in one semester or another. An idea struck me: I could send out my notice via e-mail to these people.

The HOW of this is worth mentioning for those of you who have America Online or who have a similar feature in their e-mail service. I created groups within my address book by cutting the alphabetically arranged list into quarters. When my first batch went out, I received many of the notes back with an error message: address no longer valid. This helped me cut useless addresses from my address book.

On the second batch I sent out, AOL terminated my password and wrote me, saying someone clearly had stolen my password because a large batch of e-mail went out using my password. They did not tell me how large "large" was. I saw I had to cut down the alphabet into smaller batches. Each group now is about 35 people, and I haven’t lost my password again.

I’ve sent messages to these people twice so far and I’ve sold eighteen copies through Lulu. That’s not a lot, but it’s a start, and it’s prepublication. Many people have written me back saying they will buy through Amazon or elsewhere once the book is available.

If you’re interested, I’ll write more about how my book launch goes. And if you’re interested in a prepublication copy of my book, go to www.lulupress.com/white-whisker.

Best,
Christopher Meeks

PS: Since I wrote this article, I mentioned that I sent my book to a few novelists. It turns out one of AOL e-mail addresses went to novelist Carolyn See, who I met once, and she wrote me back that the book looked most interesting and perhaps she'd buy a copy in December. I simply sent her one, and just yesterday, a mere two weeks later, she sent me a note back. I feel there's good Karma out there.


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Essential Book and Record Keeping:

This letter is an occasional and informal way for me to share with my writing and publishing friends and for them to share with each other. Please send me your tips and news and I will try to pass them on for the benefit of others. If you do not care to receive this letter, just let me know but please, please don*t tell me you*ve given up writing or promoting!

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

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To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to: HoJoNews@aol.com. It is edited and distributed sporadically by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, http://carolynhowardjohnson.com, author of THIS IS THE PLACE, HARKENING: A COLLECTION OF STORIES REMEMBERED and THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON*T and is an entity of Authors* Coalition, http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com.

You are encouraged to pass this newsletter on to friends or e-groups. It needn*t be pasted in its complete form, but please credit this newsletter and Authors' Coalition the individual contributors with anything you snip and paste.

Ordering Information for The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won*t:
Order FRUGAL in e-book form for only $9. at: http://starpublish.com/starbooks.htm
Paperback copies may be ordered at Amazon where it is discounted: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-0672916-9668863 and at stores like UCLA, Dayton University and San Diego State University's bookstores.

This is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered and Tracings, a chapbook of poetry, are also available online or may be special ordered from most fine bookstores.

Tracings, a chapbook of poetry, may be ordered at http://finishinglinepress.com
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