January 21, 2006: Sharing with Writers:
From the Desks
Of Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Authors* Coalition Friends
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Most recent issues of Sharing with Writers are posted with live links at Fairgo E-Books: 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 Subscribers:

We are well on our way to making a book fair (in this case a very special book fair--the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books) a successful endeavor for many of our authors. Those of you who have read THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON*T know that I generally don*t think renting book fair booths the best way for authors to spend their promotion dollars. After many fair experiences, I began to realize that for some carefully selected fairs (like this one where big name authors draw huge crowds) it is worth it but only if the authors plan value-added promotion.

In other words, authors must use a respected fair as way to give their title credibility and must personally promote both their booth and the fair; the same approach perks up what might be an otherwise unsuccessful book signing, too. At any rate, if any of you are planning to do a book fair--spring is book fair season, after all!--you may benefit from checking out the blog that traces what we are doing with this one and how we're doing it. It will be good for training for authors who are new at promotion and will give veterans ideas. It is at http://redenginepress.com/chjohnson. Feel free to add your comments and ideas at the *comment* link. In other words, share your fair experience and fair knowledge here!

You*ll also want to see what we*re doing at your Authors* Coalition site. http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com.

And now for the exciting news. We have a found a way for some of you to participate in some of what we*re doing for the booth. We have a few pages available in the catalog we are doing that will be sent to bookstore buyers (we*re shooting for 500) and some local press. Joyce Faulkner, a member of the AC Board of Directors and our faithful Webmaster and publisher-of-materials, sends this offer along to you:

*…if you want to have an ad in this catalog, here are the prices: A full page ad would be $600, one half pages is $300, and one quarter page is $150 and one eight of a page is $75. These all include cover art, ISBN, a short blurb and your Website address. If you want just a text notice with title, authors* name, ISBN and tend words, that add is $10. Businesses are welcome to purchase ads as well.*

So, if you have questions or want to participate, contact her at katieseyes@aol.com. Please put *Book Fair Catalog* in the subject line.

As you know, postage rates just went up and color printing is expensive. We are pleased to offer these rates to AC members and believe that the catalog will keep the images of AC authors* books in the minds of many of the movers in the book business. Further, high participation will allow us to send the catalog to more bookstores.

Oh, by the way, those who participate in this cross-promotional effort will be encouraged to provide for our mailing list the names and addresses of the book buyers who might be the most likely to be interested in their book (you know, local book buyers, book buyers who have a special interest in their genre, etc.).

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

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No part of this newsletter is paid advertising. At the suggestion of a subscriber who reads every issue of Sharing with Writers, you will find brand new material so noted with a pointing finger.
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Tip Chris Meeks, author of The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea, had the idea to find the e-mail addresses of the top ten reviewers on Amazon.com and ask them if he might send them a copy of his book to review. He couldn*t find e-mail for everyone, so he got ten addresses from the top 20, and in the end, three people wanted to read it.
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Second and Last Notice for Fr** Publicity for Your Book

Your Favorite Review Posted Fr^^! All paid Authors* Coalition members (and that includes, of course, those who will be part of the LA Times Festival of Books booth!) are eligible to have one review of each of his or her books posted on the Authors* Coalition site. Those who are not paid members (in other words, those who were grandfathered in as members) may join up as paid members at the site (http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). This is easy to do. Send Joyce Faulkner (katieseyes@aol.com), one of our AC Board of Directors, an e-mail message with *AC Site Review* in the subject line. Tell her whether you are already paid or whether you will be using Paypal on the site to do that. Attach your one favorite review per book to the e-mail and be sure it includes the book title, the ISBN, a link where it can be purchased, the name of the reviewer and a two line credit for that reviewer and/or that reviewer*s site, journal or newspaper.
A special bonus. This will also qualify your book to be reviewed in Joyce*s Red Engine Press*s e-zine, Yarnspinners and Wordweavers (Y&W). She will put you on a waiting list and contact you one at a time--obviously the earlier you do this the better! And, obviously Authors* Coalition has tons of other services as your disposal.
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Opportunities:

First Annual Flash Fiction Contest Sponsored by WriterAdvice

*WriterAdvice* is searching for flash fiction that grabs, surprises, and mesmerizes readers. If you have a complete story that runs under 750 words, has a strong theme, sharp images, a solid structure, and an unexpected discovery, please submit it to the *WriterAdvice* Flash Fiction Contest. If you don*t have one yet, see what you can create. The best stories will have an immediate and vivid impact.

Visit www.writeradvice.com to learn more about the e-zine.

All entries should be typed and submitted in hard copy, not e-mail. Entries must be postmarked by MARCH 15, 2006. Send them to B. Lynn Goodwin, WriterAdvice, P.O. Box 2665, Danville, CA 94526-4339.
You may enter UP TO THREE stories. Enclose a $10 check for EACH entry made payable to B. Lynn Goodwin. This will help defray the costs of the contest. If no prizes are awarded, checks will be refunded.

Include a separate cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, current e-mail address, and each story title. Please put the story title, but not your name, at the top of each page. Winners will be asked to submit a brief biography as well as an e-mail copy of the story. Names of all winners will be announced in the June – July issue of WriterAdvice, www.writeradvice.com .

PRIZES: Winning stories will be published in *WriterAdvice.* In addition, First Place earns $60, Second Place earns $30, Third Place earns $20, and Fourth Place earns $15. Honorable Mentions will also be published. A list of all winners will be posted in the June – July issue of *WriterAdvice.*

SPECIAL PERK: All entries accompanied by an ---SASE will be returned with brief comments.
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Call for Submission for a New Poet Warrior Project

*Support your troops--that*s the message from the fabulous book SUPPORT OUR TROOPS by Eric Dinyer with a foreword by Carolyn Howard-Johnson. It*s also the message of the Poet Warrior Project, www.poetwarriorproject.com ,which all started in June 2005 with the poem *When Eagles Learn to Fly* by PFC Jamie A.Goldstein, US Army, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, a young man whose maturity, courage and eloquence inspire us all.

*We of the Poet Warrior Project honor the lives, thoughts and souls of our soldiers in the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. We recognize that, while many of the intelligentsia believe the words *soldier* and *poet* are antonyms, poets and warriors have been synonymous since Sun Tzu. From the British World War I poets to the American Revolution to the ancient Greeks, soldiers have chronicled the military life. Our men and women in the armed forces are bearing witness to a life lived to the fullest.

*Have a poem to send? Please send us your poem if you are a member of the US Armed Forces, or have a loved one in the US Armed Forces who has written a poem. Visit
http://poetwarriorproject.com/poetwarriorproject/submissionform.html.*
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Last Call to Be Quoted in a Journal:

Red Engine Press is publishing a Journal (a real one that people write and draw in). Joyce Faulkner, Pat Avery and I (editors) are looking for 100 writing-oriented quotes of 2 lines ( 2 additional lines for accreditation will appear on each page--that would include book title, website address or other mention at the discretion of each winner).

There is no fee--and no royalties--but those chosen for publication can buy as many as they want at 50% off list price to sell as companions with their book, to give away as gifts or to use as promotional items. The idea here is that there will be 99 other authors selling and giving them away and when they do they will be disseminating information about YOU and YOUR book as well as their own. There is no obligation to buy of course. The journal will be listed on Amazon. The deadline is January 31. Send entries (yes, you can send more than one but they must be your own work) to Joyce at katieseyes@aol.com.
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Tip: One of my former UCLA students and a columnist for a newspaper I review movies and theatre for (The Glendale News-Press) is making her humorous, thoughtful and smart rills on grammar available to all at www.GrammarSnobs.com. She also has new book being published by Penguin: *Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies: A Guide to Language for Fun and Spite.* It*s available now for pre-order on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com,

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Valentine Gift Idea: *Tracings* my chapbook of poetry, (www.finishinglinepress.com) is now available on Amazon.com. 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. It*s especially suitable for women--friends, sisters, mothers, lovers. Copy and paste http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1137368318/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-7824821-4156653?n=507846&s=books&v=glance for the exact Amazon page.
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Tip: *Phone it in!* A new/old idea for authors to use in conjunction with book clubs (reading groups) is explained in an article at: http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2006-01-04-book-clubs_x.htm. Thanks to Karen DeGroot Carter,
author of *One Sister*s Song,* a lyrical challenge to common assumptions about love, race, and respect. www.PearlStreetPublishing.com
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Kathe's Korner

Webtip: Choose your domain name well – it should be simple, easy to remember and spell.
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Kathe is the author of *Tato.* Her Website is http://www.tri-studio.com/kathegogolewski.html
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Tip: For clear, concise and error free copy Contact Laura Kerley. She has A Proofreading & Copyediting Company called PENCILS that improves *the written word one letter at a time.* Email: pencilsproofreading@yahoo.com. Phone: 310.357.9140
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Apologies!

Our great humor writer who contributed the article on networking last week did it with wit, compassion and the least annoyance as possible is southern humorist, writer, speaker, and gabologist, Georgia Richardson, or Queen Jaw Jaw. She writes a monthly humor column for The National Association of Baby Boomer Women (NABBW). She*s been published in Woman*s World, Guidepost online, GRAND magazine, and a host of other online and print publications. Her debut book, *A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Throne,* released May *05, consists of every day life experiences with a twist. Her second book, an anthology titled *Pink Jasper- Gems from the Journey,* released Sept *05 was written by Georgia and five other women across the United States, Canada, and England and amazingly, these women have even met. www.queenjawjaw.com.

I didn*t include a tagline on the feature she wrote exclusively for *Sharing with Writers* last week, so I owe her one. (-: Find her http://www.queenjawjaw.com/.
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Patrika*s Marketing Tips:

According to Marcela Smith, Small Press Business Manager at Barnes & Noble, B&N considers it the author*s duty to conduct the promotion, publicity, marketing and advertising. This can be expensive.

But if the author doesn*t do it, it won*t get done and books will be returned. Big publishers are unlikely to expend much promoting a first-time authors book. They expect to make a profit from only three of ten books they publish, so the marketing money is usually focused on books by authors with a proven sales record.

You can get around some of these expenses by offering your book through your own Website, on which you can offer such incentives as free shipping and/or autographed copies.

An author can boost sales by offering free books when the author does a presentation. This works for some titles better than others. Just increase your speaking fee enough to cover the cost of the books. You might even ask the meeting planner to give them as door prizes. Several people walking around with a copy of your book at the event will be great marketing for you and will excite those who didn*t get a free copy to buy one.
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Patrika Vaughn, the world*s leading author*s advocate, helps new voices get into print. See http://www.acappela.com , for full information on her books, critiques, online classes, consulting, book doctoring, etc. (http://www.acappela.com/)

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Tip: This from one of my former UCLA students, Dennis Danziger. Authors -- both poets and writers of fiction and nonfiction -- must learn to perform for readings. Dennis recommends taking classes. Go to:
http://www.frompagetostage.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 Billie A. Williams author of *Bread and Breakfast Murders* for including an Authors* Coalition logo at www.billiewilliams.com and one of mine at www.billiewilliams.com/links.html. Billie revamped her entire Website and learned HTML to do it. BTW, all Authors* Coalition members are welcome to use our logo, just e-mail me at HoJoNews@aol.com.
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To Natalie D*Annibale Bandlow, author of *Parent to Child* (http://www.parenttochild.com/ ) for including the Authors* Coalition logo in her e-mail signature (she very smartly uses an auto-signature).
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To Linda Morelli, author of *Lani*s Challenge* (http://www.lindamorelli.us/pages/884012/ ), for adding the Authors* Coalition logo to her Website.
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To Christopher Meeks, author of *The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea* for linking to my Noble (Not Nobel) prize on his site http://www.chrismeeks.com/, He was one of those named to that honor in January (See the *Back to Literature* column at MyShelf.com.)
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To Parker Owens for his review of *The Frugal Book Promoter* at -
http://www.bloglines.com/blog/ciwstudy and http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/01/20/155332.php
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To Francine Silverman, author of *Book Marketing from A-Z* for partnering with me on a cross-promotional Christmas offer of our two books written to aid authors. We sold out of the books put aside for orders long before the deadline! Learn more about her at http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com/
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Tip: Fair season is upon us. Here is a place where you can get promotional buttons made reasonably: http://www.buttonsonline.com/political/index2.html
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Reciprocal Links:

Francine Silverman, publisher of Book Promotion Newsletter, represents authors by e-mailing Expert Sheets to the media. This low-cost service began in December 2005 and already some clients have been interviewed by major dailies. Contact Fran at franalive@optonline.net for more information. www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
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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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Authors* Coalition is for writers. Find support for authors--both emotional and material--at http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com.
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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. 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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A lovely Valentine gift! Dreams of Grandeur by Amber A. Whitman is available at http://homebody2001-ivil.tripod.com/. A reader says *I*m impressed…a great deal of talent.*

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Authors* Coalition members! Add credibility to your business cards and other promotions by using the logo available to you. Just ask for it 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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Feature Article:

Amazon Best Seller Campaign: An Inside Look

by Milli Thornton

Readers of *Sharing with Writers* may have noticed a new trend out there: authors putting together campaigns that can push their book into the Top 100 Best Seller list at Amazon.com and/or BarnesandNoble.com for a 24 - 48 hour
period.

I*ve undertaken such a campaign for my book, *Fear of Writing: for writers and closet writers.* If you*re at all curious about what such a campaign looks like, you can check mine out at the link below. You*ll also find a good deal for writers--for a purchase of $13.99 you*ll instantly become eligible for over $614 in bonus gifts and prizes for writers. Your purchase will inject more fun and creativity into your life.

Before writing this article, Carolyn and I had a discussion about campaigns of this nature. She wants us all to be aware of certain things. And, in her usual generous manner, she has given me a chance to answer from my perspective.

Carolyn said: Seeking this golden goblet has become big business--almost as big as the one known as the Oprah Appearance How-To Scam. There are people who sell classes to teach authors how to do both and though I don*t necessarily recommend it, there are many of you who may be interested.

Having said that, if you should actually grab for that goblet, please be careful how you use that achievement in your releases, etc. Most of the media is on to this and is wary so don*t attempt to present it as a greater achievement than that of having achieved a promotional coup.

I think this is very sensible advice. But I also wanted
Carolyn and all of you to know my motives. My dreams for this campaign are not centered on getting that kind of goblet. I don*t really care about awards and that kind of prestige (maybe I should care more and go after awards, but it*s just not *me*). I care about my book and my readers. My audience is relatively small so far and the Amazon campaign is a way to get to many potential readers all at once.

If you*re considering doing one of these campaigns for your own book and would like to discuss your ideas, feel free to e-mail me at wordnerd@fearofwriting.com .

I invite you to check out my offer--several of my bonus gifts are available for the first time anywhere. You*ll also recognize someone very familiar on the bonus gift list: Carolyn Howard-Johnson has a brand new download entitled Your Writing, Your Soul.

So check out my 48-Hour Special Offer: http://specialoffer.fearofwriting.com/

Author*s Note: I*d like to thank Carolyn Howard-Johnson for all the warm and enthusiastic support she has given me since we first met. I tell every writer and author I can about her and her book(s), as I*m sure you all do, because you can*t help wanting to love her in return. Every author needs a friend like Carolyn.

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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.