Special December Edition: Sharing with Writers:
From the Desks
Of Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Authors* Coalition Friends
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This is an abbreviated latter to wish you Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Kwanza or just a wonderful Holiday Season! Thanks to all of your subscribers who have made this letter work so well in the last year. Each of you is a gift to me and I hope each issue contains a small gift for you. This is the sharing time of year. We have all become sharers. Information. Support. Even some love going around here.

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Note from Carolyn:
Dear Authors* Coalition Members and Subscribers:

Please nominate *Sharing with Writers* for
Writer*s Digest*s 101 Best Newsletters of 2006. Or our Author*s Coalition Site for Writer*s Digest*s 101 Best Sites. (http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). If you like SWW, Authors* Coalition, or The Frugal Book Promoter, please send comments/nominations to: writersdig@fwpubs.com *101 Sites* in the subject line. It would be a grand holiday gift for me and for other writers who learn about it through this listing! Thanks so much!

We*ll talk again in January!

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

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No part of this newsletter is paid advertising. =====================================

Letters-to-the-Editor:
Editor*s Note: This is in response to a call for information on a distributor that handles Christian books from Janet Elaine Smith, http://janet_elaine_smith0.tripod.com/ :


Just one other note, regarding distribution of Christian books. If an author*s book is already available from Ingram, they have a branch called Spring Arbor (or is it Arbor Spring?) that is strictly for Christian books and is recognized by the CBA. It is the largest Christian distributor there is. It might have to be submitted by the publisher, but a simple request, if the book is already in Ingram*s inventory, is all it takes.

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Tip When we, as authors/publishers, call book stores to solicit for our books, ask for a signing, etc. we should never use their toll-free number! This is bad business practice. They pay for each of those calls. Would you like someone to call you on your toll-free number to solicit you to do something for them? (you get to PAY for the privilege of listening to their sales pitch?) I think not! If they later invite you to use their toll-free number, then it is acceptable. If you are calling to BUY something from a book store, or inquire if they have a title available, then, by all means, use their toll-free number. This from Carol White www.roadtripdream.com

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Opportunities:

Opportunity to Consult on Publishing: A long time acquaintance (I met her at SPAN back from my first days as a novelist) Jacqueline Marcell, consults on the writing/publishing process and on how to obtain celebrity endorsements. The author of the best-selling book, *Elder Rage, or Take My Father… Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents,* she is an expert on endorsements for more than 50 of them from the likes of Hugh Downs and Regis Philbin, propelled her book to bestselling status. ($100 /hr)

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Tracings my chapbook of poetry, (www.finishinglinepress.com) is now available for immediate delivery. As behooves a book of poetry, Finishing Line Press designed it with fine lineny paper, sparkly end-sheets, and a satin ribbon book marker. Give it with a bottle of wine or a rose. Copy and paste http://www.members.aol.com/finishingbooks/index.html, for my publisher*s shopping page.
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Tip: One of the e-groups I get the most from each year is Publishing and Promoting. Give yourself a holiday gift and subscribe! Send an e-mail to:
publishingandpromoting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Sign up for the PubProAuthor newsletter mailing list, too. Go to: 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 Diane J. Newton, list mom at the Yahoo e-group Publishing and Promoting, and all of her chicklets for voting me to one of the winners in her favorite interview contest. Winners are:

Tied for First Place:
DeNita Tuttle and Nikki Leigh

Second Place:
Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Tied at Third Place:
Judith Laura, Lea Schizas, Avie Townsend and Cheryl Wright

Tied at Forth Place:
Hill Kemp, Kristie Leigh Maguire, Lynda S. Burch, Amey Tippet and Amy Kalenchuck

Tied at Fifth Place:
Marilyn Meridith, Nolan Lewis and Brian Joseph.
To those who nominated Authors* Coalition*s site to Writer*s Digest*s *101 Best Sites* for writers (and let me know about it): Kathe Gogolewski, author of a young adult novel called Tato,

Here is this Yahoo Group*s URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/publishingandpromoting/

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Quote:
From Poets & Writers in an article by David Galef debunking myths like *Creative writing can*t be taught.* He says,

*This annoying maxim…is anti-intellectual. Talent is talent, it claims, innate and inborn, and no amount of time spent in a classroom can create it or improve on it. What will help your writing is a bit unclear: the school of life, perhaps, or picking up tips from strangers on the street. But anyone who*s ever consulted a friend with a critical eye knows how much that can aid a flawed manuscript.* His irony is well taken. He goes on to suggest a good creative writing workshop, an MFA, an intense effort to improve the craft.
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A New Serialized Informational on Bookstore Sales from Promoter Extraordinaire, Janet Elaine Smith:


Tip 1: The distribution department at Barnes & Noble makes a definite distinction between *Print-ON-Demand Books* and *Print-IN-Demand Books.*
When a store manager looks into their data base, they see how the book is selling. Even if they say *This is non-returnable,* you can often bypass that if you can convince them that if they look at the sales data, they will see that it is selling quite well, so ordering just one or two copies, they will probably sell quite well. Other people who have purchased them from Barnes & Noble have enjoyed them.*
The trick is to prove to them that your book is IN demand by their customers.

Stay tuned next letter for Tip 2, which will give you a trick to get it to the IN demand status in their database.
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From Janet Elaine Smith, promotion expert and author of some 17 books! http://janetelainesmith.com.
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Reciprocal Links:

Read author interviews, market information, and more in WriterAdvice, www.writeradvice.com. To subscribe or to submit material for consideration, E-mail LGood67334@comcast.net . Put subscribe in the subject box.
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The Y&W newsletter sponsored by Red Engine Press bring authors, bookstores, publishers and reviewers together. Subscribers can write a short article of interest to this group and we*ll try to publish it. To subscribe send an email to nate@redenginepress.com with *Y&W Newsletter* in the subject line.
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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 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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Find support for authors--both emotional and material--at http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com.
Gather at QueenPower.com where women promote, support and encourage women. 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 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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Has writing lost some of its spontaneity? Find fun writing remedies in Milli Thornton*s online writing course at: http://www.fearofwriting.com/creative-writing-course.htm
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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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The AA Independent Press Guide is a f***, database which details over 2,000 literary and genre magazines and publishers. It is hosted on the website of writer and artist, Dee Rimbaud, at http://www.thunderburst.co.uk/
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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, freelance editor, 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 with news, tips and an emphasis on journaling. Subscribe at: http://www.ericaminer.com/newsletter.php
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A Cappela Publishing*s audio book, How to Write Your Own Life Story (or Your Family*s Saga) is also available as a CD set. It is recommended by the American Library Association*s Booklist. Go to www.acappela.com

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Those of you who are Authors* Coalition members, please use the logo available to you. Just ask by sending an e-mail to HoJoNews@aol.com. 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. The Authors' Coalition site is: http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com

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Still Not Sure What to Get the Writer in Your Life? This is the Perfect Solution.

Reviewed by K.L. Nappier, Award-winning author of FULL WOLF MOON:

The authors/instructors who have created *Audio Classes for Writers* have tapped into an intriguing idea whose time has come. Taking advantage of the burgeoning podcast market, they have launched an audio series sure to benefit every writer who listens.
Allyn Evans, Joyce Faulkner, Kathe Gogolewski, Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Marilyn Peake co-chair a call-in program that is a trove of information and real-world anecdotes designed to boost book sales and help writers get their names before the reading public.
Whatever your genre or category; regardless if you write fiction or nonfiction; whether you have a regular gig for a magazine or newspaper or are freelance, you will find topics that are relevant, unique and -most of all- truly useful.

You can find these audio classes at www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/audio.asp. Listen to an excerpt on http://tri-studio.com/kathegogolewskiPODCASTEXCERPT.html .

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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.

To unsubscribe, e-mail me at HoJoNews@aol.com and include *Unsubscribe* in the subject line.

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