March 13, 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 (http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com) 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:

Because I am writing my syllabus for my summer semester class for UCLA Extension*s Writers* Program and because this newsletter is called *Sharing with Writers,* I hope that some of you will share your ideas for tweaking your final draft or preparing manuscripts for a professional appearance--especially any techniques you have developed for using the features of your computer programs to help with your final editing process.

I will pass the ideas I use in the class on in this newsletter, credited of course, so please include the name of your book and your Weblink. I may not have time to answer each of you separately (if you overwhelm me with responses--which I hope you will) but I will let you know if I plan to use the idea.

Thanks--in advance--for your interest and help!

Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
HoJoNews@aol.com
http://www.tlt.com/authors/carolynhowardjohnson.htm
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: Here*s an inexpensive promo idea for you computer savvy folks from Marcus Hennessey: Periodically Slickdeals.net posts codes to get free photo prints from Shutterfly.com and other digital printshops. Although the prints are meant for photographs, there*s no reason why you can*t use them to print out anything you like! I just used forty free 4x6 prints to make postcards for *Caster*s Blog,* available as a f r ^ ^ e-book at www.castersblog.com. The only cost was $3 for shipping
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Letters to the Editor:

*I wanted to thank you again for your inspiration and the aha! moment I felt when you talked about *thinking in images.* Your encouragement when we talked after your speech, and our e-mail exchanges, were greatly appreciated. I can now proudly say I am a published poet.*

Michele Graf, soon to have her poetry published in The Desert Woman, http://thedesertwoman.com. The poetry page is edited by Dessa Reed.
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*Have you seen my sister*s book, *A Gallery without Walls: Selling Art in Alternative Venues?* It does for art what *Frugal* does for books (http://www.danielakart.com/ ) Oh, and I told a professor about *The Frugal Book Promoter.* He has a wonderful book about China. Very timely, but it hasn*t been selling. He was dismayed because his publisher does nothing for him. (Can you believe it, a publisher failing an author?) I said, *Have I got a book for you!* He was quite thrilled and ordered it from Amazon on the spot.*

Laura Peters
Co-author of *Pilgrim Girl: Diary and Recipes of her First Year in the New World*
Available at Amazon.com, in both e-book and paperback. http://www.PilgrimGirl.com
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*I learned about your book *The Frugal Book Promoter* from The Muse it Up Club (I*m in the moderator of the Muse Macabre group). I just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful ideas. I*ve sent press releases out and already (less then 48 hours later) had responses. Also, the publisher is new and within 5 hours of her launching the site, I already had book orders! Thanks again Carolyn, the book has become an important part of my ever growing collection.

Christina Barber, http://www.Christinabarber.net
Author of the paranormal thriller novel *Greystone**
Editor of the *After Twilight* Column for the Muse Marquee

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Passing On Interesting Figures:

This from Chris Meeks who recently attended a convention with his press, LuLu (read more about his experience below). Chris is the author of *The Middle Aged Man and the Sea.*

*Sitting in the Lulu booth, I learned a few more things about the POD world. Lulu prints 1,200 new titles per week. That*s over 62,000 titles per year. Only about 2,000 of those authors go for ISBN numbers and global distribution (i.e. being set up at Ingram for Amazon.com and the like). I read in an article a few weeks ago that over 200,000 new book titles with ISBN numbers were introduced in America last year. About 25,000 of those were POD books. The average POD title sells no more than 50 copies. The Lulu people said there aren*t many titles that sell more than 100 copies, but I see that most people don*t aim for the mainstream.*
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Opportunities:

A Summer Writing Retreat to Feed the Writers* Soul: This retreat will be held August 12-18th at a great rural convention center in Florida (right on the water): canoes and fishing) with canoes, fishing, cabins with swimming pools and hot tubs.
Patrika Vaughn will speak. about writing and the group will critique each participant*s works. She*ll also conduct one-on-one sessions with each participant. Participants will greet each writing day with yogic-type movements.
To learn more see www.acappela.com/summer-retreat
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Free E-books for You:
Check out the free e-books at the Authors* Coalition site. More have been added since last week (http://authorscoalition.redenginepress.com/free_ebooks.htm). You are invited to submit yours to be included. E-book submission must be on a subject that will help other writers promote, write or improve their computer skills. Submissions are juried and there is no pay. Submit to Joyce Faulkner, author of *In the Shadow of Suribachi* at katieseyes@aol.com.
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A New Radio Show:
Book Marketing with Fran will be devoted to book marketing is debuting on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 on Achieve Radio, noon to 1 p.m., MST. Host Francine Silverman will talk with authors, publishers and publicists for a unique perspective on book promotion.

To access, go to http://www.achieveradio.com and click *Click to Listen* at top of page. Should you miss the show, click *Shows & Hosts* on the left and scroll down to Fran*s show and click, *More-Click Here* for the archives.

Patricia Fry, president of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists, and Writers Network) and author of 24 books, will be Fran*s first guest. Patricia*s latest book is *The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book* (Matilija Press 2006).

Fran is author of *Book Marketing from A-Z* and editor/publisher of Book Promotion Newsletter, http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
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An Opportunity to Pass it Forward: Nominate one of your author friends to the special Web award being given by www.MyShelf.com. What a lovely way to share. Go to http://www.myshelf.com/webawards.htm
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Tip: Another f r ^ ^ e-book offering is *Cooking by the Book,* edited by Kristie Leigh Maguire (http://kristieleighmaguire.com) with contribution from some 26 authors from several countries. This e-book inspired the chapter in *The Frugal Book Promoter* on using e-books to promote. The contributors -- including several Authors* Coalition members -- offer it to you at no c^st as an example of how e-books that appeal to a broad spectrum of the reading public can be used to promote books. It is also an example of cross-promotion at its best. To download your f r ^^ copy go to the Authors* Coalition site*s f r ^^ e-book page, http://authorscoalition.redenginepress.com/free_ebooks.htm or to see how I incorporated it on my site go to http://www.tlt.com/authors/carolynhowardjohnson.htm

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When was the last time you bought a book from an author you know? *Tracings* my new chapbook of poetry, (www.finishinglinepress.com), is available for that honor at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1141623936/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-4692447-2218401?s=books&v=glance&n=283155 but any book mentioned in any one of your *Sharing with Writers* newsletters would also be a nice gesture. If all of us directed more of our reading to newer authors who write in genres we love or genres we need to stretch into, we would do ourselves and the publishing industry a great favor.
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Tip: Here is a place to learn more about promotion from The Spirited Woman Circle. Frances Halpern, KCLU*s *BEYOND WORDS* NPR Radio Host who has interviewed 100*s of authors from Ray Bradbury to Sue Grafton,.will talk about how she went from radio guest to popular host, what makes an author interesting, the best way to get on a radio show, how to promote yourself, and more. Tune in on April 4 at 10 am at
http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/spirited_woman_circle/

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Tip: A new fr^ ^ e-book is available at the Authors* Coalition site*s new free e-book page. It is by Dorothy Thompson and her The Writersville Gang and is called *A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Getting Published: The Trials and Tribulations of Trying to Get That Foot in the Door.* We can all relate to that! But we*ll also learn a lot about avoiding the problems these authors have experienced. Go to: http://authorscoalition.redenginepress.com/free_ebooks.htm
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I Wish I Had Pictures:

A cartoon by Bunny Hoest and John Reiner in this week*s parade shows a teacher speaking to her students. She says, *On your next creative writing assignment, try not to be so creative with the spelling.*

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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. 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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Please feel free to pass this letter on to others. Unlike many others, I do not mind if you pass on only portions of it as long as you credit the writers and give subscribe information as well. To subscribe send an e-mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with *subscribe* in the subject line.
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Tip: On the Authors* Coalition*s free e-book page, http://authorscoalition.redenginepress.com/free_ebooks.htm Carolyn Howard-Johnson, the author of USA Book News* Best Professional Book 2004, *The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won*t,* and Kristie Leigh Maguire, multi-published author and owner of Star Publish (http://starpublish.com ), named 13 authors as the winners of their *Reach for the Stars! Best Frugal Promoter Contest 2005;* this is the e-book full of their ideas (yes, some of them members of Authors* Coalition!). It also includes an entire chapter excerpted from *The Frugal Book Promoter.*

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Patrika Is Here:

Promote globally. Don*t think in terms of a single sale for your book! Book rights can also be sold as the basis for one episode in a dramatic or informative series. Reruns pay about 20% of the fee for the original show. With the proliferation of cable channels there are many opportunities to sell TV rights to books on all subjects, from history to gardening or from cookbooks to music. See www.acappela.com/books.htm and www.acappela.com/classes/bookpromotion.htm.
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Subscribe to Patrika Vaughn*s monthly newsletter for writers at http://www.acappela.com/; Scroll to the bottom of the opening page.

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Carolyn*s Appearances:

Sold Out!! Dayton University*s Erma Bombeck Writers* Workshop, March 23-25, 2006. Plan to sign up early for 2008--it*s held every other year. And stay tuned! CDs of the seminars will be available. 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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MuseItUpClub has invited me to act as a sounding board for their members from April 2 to April 8th as part of their e-group format. It*s free to join and a fun way learn without carving out a chunk of time from your schedule; you may even decide to stay on as part of the group. With Lea Schizas as host, we can talk about anything from poetry to promotion. The group is tightly controlled so e-mail Lea at
museitupeditor@yahoo.ca; and use my name. She will send you an invitation to join. To see what the group is all about visit http://museitupclub.tripod.com/ and to see their amazing line-up of guests including some of our subscribers go to: http://museitupclub.tripod.com/id6.html .
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PENUSA has asked me to teach a class for the Emerging Voices Program they sponsor for writers in underserved Los Angeles area communities in May. If you are interested in joining PEN or contributing to this program, contact Carolyn at HoJoNews@aol.com for a referral or go to www.penusa.com
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Los Angeles Times/UCLA Festival of Books is April 29 and 30th. If you are in the area visit Authors* Coalition authors, enter our drawing, snag yourself a goody bag and peruse the books displayed there. We are in a prime spot at Booth #610 at this fr^e fair. Learn more about what our booth authors are doing at http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com. The fair*s official site is: http://www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks/
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UCLA Class: Carolyn is teaching a one-day class at UCLA on Saturday, August 5th (summer quarter). Circle it on your calendar! Enroll to learn all you need to know about preparing a professional manuscript for submission to agents, publishers or to ready it for alternative presses. To enroll or to received a free copy of the program*s *Writers* Program Quarterly,* contact Marcus Hennessey at writers@uclaextension.edu or (310) 825-9415.
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Audio Classes: Authors* Coalition members, Allyn Evans, Joyce Faulkner, Kathe Gogolewski, Marilyn Peake and I, have produced audio classes covering subjects like writing skills, book promotion, and technology for writers. Access new audio classes regularly in MP3 or CDRom at http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/audio.asp.
Learn more about the instructors and find a list of the coming classes at our Authors* Coalition site at http://authorscoalition.redenginepress.com/ddp_teleclasses.htm.

To get a fr ^ ^ sample class called *Radio: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Promoting Easy and Cheap!* go to the Double Dragon Publishing (DDP) Website:
http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/imprintlist.asp?imprint=PODRADIO

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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: This tip in from subscriber and marvelous UCLA Newsletter editor, Marcus Hennessey:
*If you*re looking for a top-notch copy editor to whip your manuscript into shape, check out Will DeRooy. Will has copy edited my first two books (*Caster*s Blog: A Geek Love Story* and *The Oblivion Society*), and I have been extremely happy with his work. He is experienced, punctual, and easy to work with, and he knows his stuff. Never again will you use *effect* when you mean *affect.* His rates are very affordable, but he would be worth the cost at double the price. Learn more at http://www.willderooy.com
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NEWS:

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has launched a program to combat the trend revealed by their study that indicated significantly fewer people read serious literature now than in years past. The new program is called The Big Read. It is jointly sponsored with Arts Midwest and began in February. Patterned after the One Book program developed in 1998 by the Washington Center for the Book in Seattle, ten cities have signed on for the launch. They are Little Rock, AR; Miami, FL; Fresno, CA; Huntsville, AL; Buffalo, NY; Minneapolis MN; Boise, ID; Brookings and Sioux Falls, SD; and Topeka, KA. They will partner with local arts organizations. How might you and your book fit into this program--especially those of you located in or about these towns?
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Author Successes:

Marcus Hennessey*s *Caster*s Blog: A Geek Love Story* is now available!

In February 2004, Marcus Hennessey began keeping a fake blog under the name *Ray Caster.* Caster quickly made many online friends, none of whom knew that he was a fictional character. Through the course of one year, Caster*s life got more and more elaborate and peculiar, and he took all of his unwitting friends along for the ride.

The entire hoax is now available as a novel entitled *Caster*s Blog: A Geek Love Story.* Buy the book, or download it as a free e-book at http://www.castersblog.com
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Mary Jean Kelso*s latest young adult mystery, *Goodbye is Forever* was released by Wings E-press, Inc (www.wings-press.com) . It is set West Nevada and surrounding historical sites. Available in e-book and paperback, it tells the story of a teenage girl who goes to Virginia City to visit an aunt and ends up endangering her own life to save a stranger*s
For information visit http://hometown.aol.com/mjkel/myhomepage/index.html or www.wings-press.com.
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Top Ten Reads for MyShelf.com: Reviewers at MyShelf.com are asked to name their top ten reads from the previous year. Check out all the reviewers* selections at http://myshelf.com/toptenreads.html Here are mine:
1. Pilgrim Girl - Jule Selbo and Laura Peters
(Children)
2. S.A.H.M. I Am - Christine Hohlbaum
3. 365 Tips for Writers - Dawn Colclasure
4. Fear of Writing - Milli Thornton
5. Snap Me a Future - Connie Gotsch (e-book)
6. The Return of the Golden Age - Marilyn Peake
7. In the Beginning...There Were No Diapers - Tim
Bete
8. Grab the Queen Power - Allyn Evans
9. Ordinary Miracles - Sir Rupert A. L. Perrin, MD
with Kristin J. Johnson
10. Hattie, Get A Haircut! - Jenna Glatzer
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Tip: The most amazing thank you letter I ever read was one to Brenda Weeaks of MyShelf.com from Connie Gotsch, author of *Snap Me a Future* (www.authorsden.com/conniegotsch). Her novel was chosen as a top ten read for the site and she not only thanked the editor but also complimented the reviewer and--get this--pasted her media release into the post with an offer for the editor to use it at will and/or to adapt it to her needs. Now, that is making it as easy as possible for someone else to help publicize one*s book as well as a great way to build good will with an editor.

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Follow my blog on Authors* Coalition*s UCLA Festival of Books booth plans and learn how to make any book fair successful using value-added promotions. http://redenginepress.com/chjohnson.
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Reciprocal Links:

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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Success Literary Services offers complete book manuscript services. They were honored with twelve top awards for their work. They are not associated with, nor do they accept funding from literary agencies or production companies. Est. 1984. References. http://www.successliterary.com / suc-srv@pacbell.net
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The Compulsive Reader reviews books by some of the hottest writers working today. Find interviews, literary news, criticism, a no - cost e-zine, g I v e a w a y s, and more. http://www.compulsivereader.com/html.
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Do bookstores owe you money? Michelle Dunn*s books including 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 with 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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Dreams of Grandeur, a book of poetry 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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Feature:

Convention Report: The AWP Convention
By Chris Meeks, author of *The Middle Aged Man and the Sea*

I just returned from the AWP Convention, and here*s my short report.

I first should set the scene. The Association of Writers and Writing Programs (www.awpwriter.org) meets in one giant convention each year, roughly 4000 writers and instructors in one spot, all thirsty for meeting friends, listening to ideas and perceptions in the many panels, stumbling into great poems or stories in readings, and eying many literary journals, books, and other writers. This is my third AWP convention, the first one was in Kansas City, Missouri, about six years ago. The gathering has grown since then, requiring more rooms for panels and perhaps less room for spontaneous meetings.

The AWP is open to any writer for $59 in yearly dues ($37 for registered students). The convention is another $159 ($40 for students), plus your travel and hotels costs.

My first conference was utterly fun as I ran into pockets of people reading in the hotel bar, lobby, or some unexpected nook. It was Bohemia. I sat in on one small reading with people who I learned had been published in Nimrod. Later they asked me to read.

That first convention, actually, was one of the best shots of Rapidgrow I*ve had as a writer. I met a number of editors of literary journals, and while most tables had printed submission guidelines to hand out, in a few places, I could hear what kinds of stories they really liked. My submissions later were addressed to the editors, and I could make it personal, having met them. As in most careers, it*s about who you know—and it*s not unreasonable. After all, we all want to work with people we like.

This year the convention was in Austin, Texas, best known for its lively music and arts scene and the home of the University of Texas. It*s also the state capital and not as flat as most of the state. In fact, flying in, I could see farms, thick stands of trees, and a few rivers. My rental car took me into a clogged freeway as I crept toward downtown. Over the next three days, I*d learn that that freeway was choked much of the time. It*s not unlike Los Angeles where I*m from, but the distances are shorter.

The conference is really built into four parts. Much of each day is filled with panels, 75-minute gatherings on an eclectic range of subjects. The Guide-to-the-Conference book weighed perhaps two pounds and it was stuffed with events starting on Wednesday night and ending early Sunday. You scan for titles that might look interesting, such as *The Formlessness of Form in Fiction* or *Why Do People Hate Experimental Fiction?* One panel on teaching and writing with humor caught my eye, but five minutes of a woman dourly reading from a paper in a monotone made me flee into the afternoon.

Another part of the conference is the 5 p.m. cash bars that spring up in rooms around the hotel, hosted by one university or publication and another. You get $3 drinks, chips and hot Cheez Whiz, and vegetable platters made up of mostly yellow peppers. Right after the cash bars come the major readings. I caught Walter Mosley*s keynote address on Thursday night. He passionately spoke about how his father wanted him to work in a prison for a dependable living, but Mosley attended an AWP Convention in 1989 and became convinced he should become a writer—and he has with such incredible books as Devil in the Blue Dress. His speech was short and invigorating, reminding the audience it*s not the money and number of copies that should drive us, but the writing itself. He says he*s written a short story, his best ever, and no one will publish it. He*s proud of that.

Another major component of the convention is making new friends or hooking up with friends you didn*t know who were there. The best place to find these people is the main hotel bar. This year we were at the Hilton. On Friday, avoiding the sponsored cash bars, I met writer Jessica Inclan (www.jessicabarksdaleinclan.com), author of the fabulous Her Daughter*s Eyes, at the Hilton watering hole, and she seemed to know many people. Soon I was running into people I knew—five, specifically—whom I didn*t expect to meet there. This serendipity, which always seems to happen at the conference, is the gravy part of the event.

The last main component is the Book Exhibition. Imagine an area the size of three skating rinks, lined with rows and rows of tables, each staffed by two or more people, selling mainly literary journals and literary books with titles most people have never heard of. If you*re a struggling short story writer or poet, you*ll certainly know of The Paris Review, Agni, Tin House, and a few others. The convention shows you other possibilities such as Meridian, Gulf Coast, and Carve Magazine. I*m always stunned that little university journals, most of which have a circulation of 500 to 1000 copies, pay for and staff a table for three solid days, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. One of my favorite parts of the Book Exhibition was meeting Reb Livingston at her No Tell Motel table. Wearing a pink tee shirt and grinning like a barker at a State Fair, she*s passionate about her project. Here*s a woman who has become her own micropublisher, finding poems and publishing them online (at www.notellmotel.org), and she prints the best of them into book form using the print-on-demand publisher, Lulu Press (www.lulu.com).

Another component for a small handful of people who want to teach (especially young people willing to move) is to go to the tables at the Book Exhibition and scope out the many colleges and universities that have creative writing programs. The exhibition is a great place to meet the chairs of departments and talk about yourself. These programs, by the way, are particularly interested in people with published books. A degree alone, even one of the new Ph.D. degrees in creative writing, may not do it for you. You need to publish.

I spent much of my time at the convention at the Book Exhibition, speaking with editors, meeting new people, and mentioning when I could my new book, The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea (www.chrismeeks.com). I*m not sure if this convention will have any ripples or it was merely a way to have a good steak at a fabulous Austin restaurant, Moonshine. There*s something about a good steak.

You might consider next year*s exhibition, which will be in Atlanta.
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Reciprocal Links:

Need a promotional breakthrough?
Subscribe to the PR Diva Queen*s
Author*s Companion PR Postcard at
http://www.authorscompanion.com/
for snappy marketing tips and a f~r~e report
*How to Obtain Book Reviews*.
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Spirited Woman Circle features a new monthly 1-hr. phone conversation series with bestselling authors. On March 7th at 10 a.m. PST, featuring Janet Fitch of *White Oleander* fame, and her new book, *Paint It Black.* Learn more at http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/spirited_woman_circle/
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Francine Silverman, publisher of Book Promotion Newsletter, serves authors by e-mailing Expert Sheets to the media. This low-cost service has proven results. 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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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, and more! http://press.heliographica.com/
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Has writing lost its spontaneity? Find 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. Find it 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. 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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Success Literary Services offers complete book manuscript services. They were honored with twelve top awards for their work. They are not associated with, nor do they accept funding from literary agencies or production companies. Est. 1984. References. http://www.successliterary.com / suc-srv@pacbell.net
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The Compulsive Reader reviews books by some of the hottest writers working today. Find interviews, literary news, criticism, a no - cost e-zine, g I v e a w a y s, and more. http://www.compulsivereader.com/html.
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Do bookstores owe you money? Michelle Dunn*s books including 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 with 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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Dreams of Grandeur, a book of poetry 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 spark generally insipid book fairs by using value-added promotions: http://redeneginepress.com/chjohnson .
http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
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Feature:

Hope*s Rill: How Patience Pays

Reprinted from FundsforWriters - Ranked one of Writer*s Digest*s 101 Best Websites for Writers 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

I once self-published a book. Six years ago I published that book thinking how cool it was to have a book in my hand. Today I do not reference the book anywhere. Why? Because I should not have published it.
I jumped too soon.

Writers email me daily begging for grants or ideas on how to get a book on the shelf at Borders or Barnes & Noble. My advice to them is slow down.

You don*t eat chicken until it*s done, or you pay for your impatience. Gross comparison, but the parallel is right on. Your book should be a culmination of much thought, ample research, and a ridiculous amount of editing, not a desire to be published.

The book wasn*t ready. I wasn*t ready. Looking back, I had an intense desire to publish my thoughts. However, I don*t think those thoughts were that mature.

Answer these questions to see if you seriously are ready to self-publish:

1. What makes this book scream to be published? Not ask, not speak, not coerce or entice, but SCREAM.
2. What do you offer that no one else does? If you write a book on writing, what do you have to say that no one else has said? If you write on parenting, what will change the way a parent raises his/her child?
3. How long will this book be readable, or how soon will it be outdated?
4. Will someone buy this book or wait for it to come to the library? Like movies...a theatre attention-grabber or a let*s-wait-for-it-on-DVD movie?
5. Who is your competition? Is their work better than yours? Remember, readers viciously compare writers against each other.
6. If a reader could afford only one book in a year, why should he/she buy yours?
While these aren*t all the questions to ask, they are a good barometer to use in forming your decision. Don*t feel as if you*re a lesser writer by waiting. Actually, the bigger writer knows to wait until the writing is fermented to bring out its best taste.
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Begin to learn more about this many faceted author by going to http://fundsforwriters.com

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Essential Book and Record Keeping:
This letter is a means for authors to share with each other. . It is edited and distributed sporadically by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, http://www.tlt.com/authors/carolynhowardjohnson.htm , author of *This is the Place,* *Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered,* *Tracings,* and *The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What You*re your Publisher Won*t* and is an entity of Authors* Coalition, http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com.

To submit information for consideration, e-mail me at HoJoNews@aol.com

If you do not care to receive this letter, unsubscribe by sending e-mail me at HoJoNews@aol.com and include *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 .

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 and the individual contributors with anything you snip and paste.

Ordering Information for *The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won*t:*
at stores like UCLA, Dayton University and San Diego State University*s bookstores. Order it as an e-book or paperback at Amazon where it is discounted: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-0672916-9668863 and

Tracings, a chapbook of poetry, may be ordered at http://finishinglinepress.com and at,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1139084827/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-7824821-4156653?s=books&v=glance&n=283155