March 29, 2006: Sharing with Writers:
From the Desks
Of Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Authors*
Coalition Friends
~~~:.~~~.:~~~.:~~~:.~~~.:~~~.:~~~:.~~~.
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.
~~~:.~~~.:~~~.:~~~:.~~~.:~~~.:~~~:.~~~.

Note from Carolyn:

Dear Authors* Coalition Members
and Subscribers:

I was going to write a report on the
Erma Bombeck Writers* Conference I
just attended but because one of my
fellow presenters, Terry Whalin,
did it so well in his blog, I thought
I*d just laze back and let you read
his take on it: http://www.thewritinglife.ws/.
I loved that he suggests using conferences
to help you move ahead in your career.

When you go check this out, be sure
to leave a comment. Tell him I sent you!

And put the Erma Bombeck Writers*
Conference directed by Tim Bete on
your calendars for 2008 (yes, it*s every
other year!) The roster of speakers
included a broad array of experts from Terry
to Katherine Sands (literary agent) to
Gordon Kirkland (columnist extraordinaire).
I know it will be just as great next
time around.


Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
****************
http://www.tlt.com/authors/
carolynhowardjohnson.htm
http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com

==============================================

Letters to the Editor:

Occasionally one receives unsolicited
praise and/or help. I found one such
communication in my mailbox when I
returned from speaking at the Erma
Bombeck Writers* Conference. I couldn*t
resist sharing it with you all. It*s from
humorist Georgia Richardson.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson*s advice in
Frugal is like having your own private
tutor, writing coach, PR person,
English teacher, salesman of the year,
marketing agent and, once you*ve
talked to her, cheerleader, all
rolled into one. They ought to bottle
her energy and sell it. I*ll take
ten bottles. Uh ... Make that twenty.

Georgia Richardson ---
Queen Jaw Jaw, Author of
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way
to the Throne, www.queenjawjaw.com

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Opportunities:

Here*s an opportunity to play with
the biggest kid on the block--Google.
This is information from them on their Book Search Program:
*Simply sign up for the Google Book Search
program at http://books.google.com/
partner/signon. Once you have completed
the online application, our team of
specialists will review your eligibility.
If eligible, you will receive an email from us
within a few days with information about
your account, including instructions for
ending your materials to Google. We*ll
also ask that you read and agree to
the Google Book Search Terms and Conditions. https://books.google.com/partner/terms?hl=en_US .*

Here is Google*s explanation of their program.
Now go Google and noodle around on the site
to learn more.

Google*s Book Search Program, https://books.google.com/partner/?hl=en_US ,
is *a web-based project that lets
book publishers of all sizes include
their book content in Google*s search
results. Publishers send us their books
and we digitally scan them and add their
content to our search results -- all for
free. We*ve also announced partnerships
with some well-known libraries, so
your Google search results should
start showing you more and more books
from these collections as well. To
learn more about that project, please
visit the Library Project Page at: http://books.google.com/googlebooks/
library.html page. *

Here*s one more link that may help you: http://books.google.com/support/
partner/bin/index.py?fulldump=1&hl=en_US /
_______________________________________________
More Opportunities:

Your favorite review for your book
may be posted on the Authors* Coalition
site with your paid Authors* Coalition
membership. Go tohttp://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com/
become_a_member1.htm to join and then
send your review and particulars (including that you have permission to re-publish it) to Joyce Faulkner at katieseyes@aol.com.
-----
Your f r ^^ e-book may be posted at the
Authors* Coalition site. It should benefit
authors in some way. Send it for
consideration to Joyce Faulkner, our AC site
guru, at katieseyes@aol.com . Check out
the great selection already there for you
to download and learn from: http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.
com/free_ebooks.htm .

______________________________________

A Writers* Journal for You:
You May Know Someone Who*s Quoted.
Many subscribers are!

ATTENTION WRITERS & THOSE WHO LOVE WRITERS!
Includes quotes from writers and book
promoters in all stages of their careers
-- from novice to seasoned professional.

Example quotes:
*There is only one rule in writing --
remember whose story it is and get out of
the way.* ~ Jackie Cornwell

*Be accurate with facts…When you write
a book, you are committing history.*
~ Dan Poynter

*We are told to write what we know.
Does that mean if we write about murder
we must kill for originality?*
~ Jerry Pat Bolton, Writer, Poet and Ne*r-Do-Well

These journals are perfect for quick note-
taking and sketching. Use as a diary or a travelogue. Use as gifts. Use for
fund raisers. Pre-Orders for Authors*
Coalition members and *Sharing with Writers* subscribers now available. Special bulk
prices also available (thinking C
hristmas early?) To order go to:
http://www.redenginepress.com/buy_tcw_journal.htm


___________________________

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/
-----
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.
-----
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.
-----
Star Publish offers near self-publish
profits on your paperback; it is an alternative
to unapproachable publishers.
http://starpublish.com.
------
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
-----
Authors* Coalition is for writers. 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/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please pass this letter on to others.
Unlike many others, I do not mind if
you use only portions of this letter
as long as you credit the writers
and include this subscribe
information. *To subscribe to *Sharing
with Writers* send an e-mail to
**************** with *subscribe*
n the subject line.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kathe*s Korner:

Mistakes That Web Site Owners Make:

1. They create a website with flash!
Ouch! The eyes! A recent study by top
Internet marketers discovered that
having a Web site with flash actually
decreases the response from people by 370%.
2. They give the prospect too many
choices! Too much information appears
confusing. Confused people don*t buy.
3. They use too many graphics. You
have about 7 seconds to grab their
attention, and loading time for lots
of graphics can easily eat that up.
------
Kathe Gogolewski
http://www.tri-studio.com/
Read my blog: http://www.anndurand.blogsforauthors.com/summary.php
_____________________________

Carolyn*s Appearances:

Order CD*s of Dayton University*s
Erma Bombeck Writers* Workshop presentations,
including mine on Savvy Promotion--
It*s Never Too Late to Hone Your
Promotion Skills.
http://www.humorwriters.org/
---------
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.
-------
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 line-up of guests
including some of our subscribers go to: http://museitupclub.tripod.com/id6.html .
------
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
------
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/
-----
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 receive a free copy of the program*s
*Writers* Program Quarterly,* contact
Marcus Hennessey at writers@uclaextension.edu
or (310) 825-9415.
-----
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) Web site:
http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/
imprintlist.asp?imprint=PODRADIO

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TIP: One of my favorite sites for
learning more about publishing in all its
diversity is Terry Whalin*s site,
Right-Writing.com. Right-Writing.com
is in the top 1% of the 56.1 million Web
sites: http://www.right-writing.com/.
Terry is a popular speaker at conferences.
You will want to see him speak if you get
a chance.
_______________________________

Author News:

Connie Gotsch received so many prizes
from the New Mexico Press Women*s 2006
Communication Contest it is hard to list them all.

She won first place in the Special
Articles Reviews category and Second
Place in the Features--Non-Daily Paper
Category. She took a Second Place for
Special Articles, Arts and Entertainment,
for the Four Corners Free Press.
She took first place for a Prepared
Radio Report for KSJE FM in Farmington,
New Mexico, and a Third Place for a
Radio Interview for Black History Month
with jazz and ragtime pianist, Hoyle Osborne.

Besides writing for radio and newspapers,
Gotsch has written two award-winning novels,
*A Mouth Full of Shell,* and *Snap Me a Future,* published by dlsijpress.com.
-----
Walter Brasch, author, professor of
journalism, award-winning columnist and
gadfly friend of the first order has
just published another book,
*Unacceptable: The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina.* It examines the Katrina failures but especially WHY the federal response was
inefficient. It may be ordered from www.walterbrasch.com.
-----
Lisa Barker*s book *Just Because Your
Kids Drive You Insane...Doesn*t Mean
You Are a Bad Parent!* is full of
humor. Learn more at http://www.jellymom.com/Books/JustBecause.php.
-----
Joyce Faulkner*s collection of dark
fiction, *Losing Patience*, took *Notable*
in the 2006 Writer*s Notes Book Awards.
*Losing Patience* was Red Engine Press*
first publication. Find more info about
this contest at:
http://hopepubs.home.comcast.net/writers.html
-----
Evelyn Hall is featured on the cover
of Star Journal (http://starjournalaccess.tripod.com/ ).
Evelyn is the author of:
Enter Eve*s Musing Moments,
Enter Eve*s Poetic Paradise,
Dontay*s Alphabet Book of Color,
Dontay*s Poetry Playground and
Dontay*s Dog.
Coming Soon: Dontay*s 1st Cousin.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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
-----
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
-------
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.
-----
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/
-----
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
-----
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
-----
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.*
________________________________

Tip: Here is a book that will
help you *Win! Poetry Contests.*
The author, Esther M. Leiper, has
judged as well as entered contests
and knows of what she speaks. Order
it at www.writersjournal.com or
fax a credit card order to 603 586 7185.

______________________________

Feature:

One author (Dr. Bob Rich) is keeping
one of his books alive. Here*s his story:

To many people, a book is a rectangular
thing made up of paper with black
squiggles on it. Of course, it wasn*t
always like that. When Gutenberg
produced the first printed Bible,
it was treated with contempt.
A REAL book was made of parchment,
meticulously written and illuminated
by hand, and unique.

We are in the middle of a
similar transition, one I am taking
advantage of.

There is a new form for books, one
that allows all sorts of new ways
of presenting the contents. In principle,
you could have theme music, as with a
movie. You could have a short book
that leads you to more information
than a library full of encyclopedias.
You could have historical fiction
that raises your interest about a
time and place--and allows you to l
earn about the period, its customs,
people and events almost instantly.

I am talking about electronic books.
You may have gathered that I am
enthusiastic about them.
Until now, one of my 13 books
was out of print. I have reissued it
as an electronic book that
if far more than the paper version was.

The book is *Woodworking For Idiots Like Me.*
It is a series of amusing stories,
that teaches woodcraft as well. T
his combination made it difficult to
find a publisher initially, but the
lucky one made lots out of it: the
book sold tens of thousands of
copies over a 5-year period.
It is now back, at half the price
(because costs of production are
less for an electronic book),
and it uses the logic of the internet
to be far, far easier to use.
Have a look at it at
http://mudsmith.net/woodcont.html.

________________________________

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*.
------
Spirited Woman, an inspired woman*s
empowerment community, launches the
Spirited Woman Circle, a new monthly 1-hr.
phone conversation series with bestselling
authors. Learn more at http://
www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/spirited_woman_circle/
-----
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
-----
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.
-----
The Y&W newsletter sponsored by
Red Engine Press brings 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.
-----
Sun Signs for Writers: Learn how astrology
can benefit (and entertain!) writers
with a new Writers* Digest book: http://www.writersigns.info
-------
Judith Woolcock Colombo: Author of
The Fablesinger and Night Crimes:
Learn more at: http://odin.prohosting.com/~night01
------
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!
------
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/
------
Fr * * Publicity Resource: Let this
site send your media release to book trade professionals including Associated Press,
Reuters, and more!
http://press.heliographica.com/
------
Has writing lost its spontaneity? Find remediesin Milli Thornton*s online writing course at: http://www.fearofwriting.com/
creative-writing-course.htm
-----
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/.)
------
The AA Independent Press Guide is
a f * * *, database which details
over 2,000 literary and genre
magazines and publishers. Find
it on the Web site of writer and
artist, Dee Rimbaud, at
http://www.thunderburst.co.uk/
----
The Complete Writer offers advice
on writing, editing, proofreading,
publishing and design. Published by
Red Engine Press, a traditional press. http://www.redenginepress.com/

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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, where they*ll
learn how to spark generally insipid
book fairs by using value-added promotions: http://redeneginepress.com/chjohnson .
http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Essential Book and Record Keeping:
This letter lets 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, Authors* Coalition
and the individual contributors with
anything you snip and paste.

Order *The Frugal Book Promoter:
How to Do What Your Publisher Won*t:*
at stores like UCLA 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 .

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

Carolyn*s novel and book of creative
nonfiction may be ordered at Amazon.com.