May 14, 2006: Sharing with Writers:
From the Desks
Of Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Authors' Coalition Friends
~~~:.~~~.:~~~.:~~~:.~~~.:~~~.:~~~:.~~~.If you prefer to see this letter in something other than plain text, please go to:

http://www.authorsden.com/adstorage/1713/Newsletter_May_SecondWeek_2006.doc

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.
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Note from Carolyn:

Dear Authors' Coalition Members and Subscribers:

I'd like to hear about conferences from you.

My many fantastic experiences presenting at conferences (and yesterday for PenUSA's honored fellows) motivated me to try to motivate YOU to attend or present at one or more each year. So, I'd like your input--sort of mini critiques with contact information, URL, and when and where the conferences are held. Don't forget to mention at least one great feature and one feature that you found not as useful and tell us why

BTW, I'm so taken with conferences that I began a new media kit that is targeted directly to conference directors and other speaking engagements. Before I tailored the kit I have for THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T kit and made do. It dawned on me that my national TV commercial (which wouldn't fit that well in my other kits) and some other things I'm doing would work well for conference directors who need presenters who not only know their subjects but present well, too.

So, I keep fine-tuning. Media kits are always a work in progress so keep your thinking camps on, too.

Do you ever wonder just what a thinking cap looks like? I visualize a baseball cap, the crown shaped like a light bulb with "Writer at Work" embroidered on it.

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.
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Letters to the Editor:

Critique of the AC LA Times Fair Booth

I was so impressed with Carolyn Howard- Johnson and the Authors' Coalition booth at the L.A. Times Book Fair. It was very well designed, with actual writers and their published works sitting at a front table ready to speak to any interested parties. The books were displayed on tall book shelves at the back of the booth. They were placed prominently so that one could read the titles from outside the booth. There was also easy access to the back of the booth, so that one could actually touch the books and leaf through them. Carolyn and her colleagues were welcoming and friendly.
Lorraine Barajas Megowan.
A memoir in progress titled Growing Pains (Dolores del Alma)
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Idea for Marketing Group for Published Authors

I am a JADA book author, just adopted by Star Publishing. Glenda Ivey of JADA gave me a copy of (Frugal) - it's great!
I am on the Board of Directors for the Space Coast Writer's Guild and facilitate the Blueprints Marketing Group for published authors. I'm going use "Frugal" for Show and Tell at our next meetings. It is full of good and easy ideas that they put into action right now to enhance sales and networking.
Valerie Allen, Ed.D., vallenbooks@cs.com, Author of "Suffer the Little Children" http://ourworld.cs.com/vallenbooks/myhomepage/writing.html

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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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WRITERS OFTEN-CONFUSE THIS VOCABULARY WORD:

(From YourDictionary.com)

"Epigram: Definition: A short poem or poetic line ending on a witty thought.

Usage: Today's word is not to be confused with 'epigraph,' an inscription on or in an artwork, tomb or edifice.

'Epithet' is another similar word to look out for. An epithet is an adjective or other modifier used to characterize someone. 'Alexander the Great' is a classic example but any short characterization of anyone may be taken for an epithet.

Finally, an 'epitaph' is a comment commemorating a death, usually written on a tomb or tombstone.

Suggested Usage: We suggest you use epigrams the way the masters used them. Samuel Taylor Coleridge once wrote: 'Swans sing before they die —'twere no bad thing/should certain people die before they sing!' Alexander Pope wrote this on a dog collar he sent the king in 1738: 'I am his Highness' dog at Kew; Pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?' Dorothy Parker penned this Spooneristic epigram: 'I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.' Finally, one from the master of masters, Oscar Wilde: 'Wickedness is a myth invented by good people to account for the curious attractiveness of others.' "

If you'd like to sign up for a word-a-day service from Dr. Language, go to: yourDictionary.com

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Planning to rent a booth at a book fair this spring? Follow my blog on Authors' Coalition's LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books booth plans and learn how to make any book fair successful using value-added promotions.

http://redenginepress.com/chjohnson.

Some of the ideas work for book signings, too.
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Opportunity:

The editor of "Writings from the River," a Great Falls College of Technology Publication, extends AC members a special invitation to apply for the Editor's Prize contest.

http://www.msugf.edu/litguild/index.htm

Be sure to click the link for that specific prize and check out subscriptions while you're there.
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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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Reciprocal Links:

Book Exclusives! Find insider news from authors, publishers, agents, editors and others involved in the book biz. Read excerpts, interviews and get in on the latest in promotions, sales and contests. http://pubproauthors.bravehost.com/
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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. 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 to be reviewed. The books 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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Blatant Bragging:

Publishing and a Resource for You
Linda Barnett Johnson has chosen my poem, "Damned if I Do and Damned if I Don't" for publication in this month's Long Story Short journal. My thanks to her and my encouragement to you all to check out this site as a place to publish and as a resource for learning more about writing. Denise Cassino is editor. Find my poem here:

http://www.alongstoryshort.net/poetryMay06.html
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Kathe's Korner:

Provide excerpts from your book on your website. You can use a traditional excerpt on a separate page, or get with the newer technology and use audio bits such as podcasting. A great source on podcasting is Joyce Faulkner at:

http://tri-studio.com/PodcastingJoyceFaulkner.html
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Kathe Gogolewski
http://www.tri-studio.com/
Read my blog: http://www.anndurand.blogsforauthors.com/summary.php

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Please pass this letter on to others. Unlike many others, I do not mind if you use only portions of it as long as you credit the writers and include this subscribe information. "To subscribe to 'Sharing with Writers' send an e-mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with 'subscribe' in the subject line."
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Anniversary:

Erma Bombeck Missed for 10 Years

This year is the 10th anniversary of Erma Bombeck's death. Many of you know that I presented at the last Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop at Dayton University and became re-enamored of her work. In my (very) early days of journalism, when I was learning to lay out a newspaper page and write headlines that did justice to the article, I struggled to do right by Erma's humor and grew to love her columns in the process.

Shortly after that I wrote a humor article for Stereo Magazine. I have no idea if that magazine is still even around. I haven't written humor since then but Erma's life--like a length of pale yellow embroider floss unraveling through the decades--still touches me in unforeseen ways.

Beginning this month, more than 270 public television stations will air the first documentary about Erma. I was able to see it when I was in Dayton. Those of you who would like to pay tribute or get to know her better may want to see if your local public TV station will show "Erma Bombeck: A Legacy of Laughter," visit

http://www.humorwriters.org/Ermadoc.html

Or go to:

http://www.humorwriters.org/EBWW050106.html

to learn more about Erma's life, love, and writing including "The Seven Laws of Comedy Writing." and "Humor Column Markets." You may find that crafting humor can flavor whatever genre you write in.
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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~e report
"How to Obtain Book Reviews."
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Spirited Woman, an inspired woman's community, launches the Spirited Woman Circle, a new monthly phone conversation series with bestselling authors. Learn more at http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/spirited_woman_circle/
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Cynthia Brian, Media Coach, Writer, Author, Speaker, TV/Radio Personality, Spokesperson. www.star-style.com , www.goddessgals.com , and www.starstyleproductions.com
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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 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.
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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 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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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching Gigs:

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://tri-studio.com/AUDIOCLASSESALL.html

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: It's on the DDP website - free download at:

http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.asp?isbn=DDP00000001QP&genre=
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The Muse Online Writing Conference: Lea Schizas, Editor of "The Muse on Writing," and Carolyn are sponsoring a virtual writers' conference on October 9th - 13th 2006 -- very possibly the first. This conference offers writers -- published or not -- who have not been to a conference for whatever reason, to mingle with some of the publishing world's personalities, to pose questions and learn from them, and to partake in many of the F~R~ E~E online workshops we will be hosting.

Bookmark this site

http://www.freewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference/

and come back often to see the newest presenters and workshops. Terry Whalin just accepted our invitation and we already have dozens of others. Carolyn will be presenting on both book promotion and the craft of writing, specifically "Writing Sparkling Dialogue in 10 Easy Steps."

To check on the growing faculty and workshop session, go to:

http://www.freewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference/agenda.htm

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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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Author Promotion Successes:

Cy Tymony, author of "Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things" was invited to do two programs at the International Spy Museum on June 10th in Washington DC. See:

http://www.spymuseum.org/calendar/

His book is sold in their museum store. Once they invited greater participation, he found a website that lists all museums worldwide. This led to the next bookselling success.

He pared that list to about 120 science centers and museums and mailed a sales/promotion packet. I've received direct feedback and ordering notices from a dozen so far. It only cost some time and stamps and now the book will reach new markets that it would not have otherwise.
Learn more about Cy's amazing book at http://www.sneakyuses.com/
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Carol and Phil White: Margie Boule, The Oregonian's famous columnist, made AC member authors the stars of her column just before the travel season begins.

http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/living/114661951131520.xml?oregonian?ylvcmb&coll=7

When I asked Carol how she wrangled this she said, "It is our old friend, networking!!"
Learn more about the Whites at:
www.roadtripdream.com
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Leora Skolkin Smith, author of "Edges" just got a $500 award/stipend from the PEN/Faulkner Foundation's National Writers-in-the-school

http://www.penfaulkner.org/writersinschools.htm

The award/stipend is "Named for William Faulkner, who used his Nobel Prize funds to create an award to support and encourage young writers."

Leora gets to go to Washington D.C. She says, "It cheered me up a great deal. Sometimes it gets hard to keep believing one's work means anything to anybody and there is so much nastiness in this awards process. So I felt good…"
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Directly from Janet Elaine Smith to Your Ears:

My PromoPaks will be re-published by JadaStar Publishing in May, 2006, under the title "PromoPaks: Nearly-free Marketing for Authors"...by the ONE AND ONLY JANET ELAINE SMITH. Yup, that's what Kristie Leigh Maguire dubbed the paks.

"While Carolyn Howard-Johnson is known for being 'frugal,' Janet Elaine Smith is recognized for being 'just plain cheap.' Her guideline of 'If it ain't free, it ain't for me' has become well-known and associated with her marketing tactics for authors, which she shares in the PromoPaks e-book, which will soon be available on Amazon.com. You can't find a better match than Carolyn's 'Frugal Book Promoter' and Janet's 'PromoPaks.' Between them, we just about cover it all."

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Reciprocal Links:

One of my favorite groups for meeting "Publishing and Promoting" peers is moderated by award-winning suspense novelist Diane J. Newton, http://dianejnewton.bravehost.com/
To subscribe go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/publishingandpromoting/ .
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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 awards. They do not accept funding from literary agencies or production companies. References. http://www.successliterary.com / suc-srv@pacbell.net
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HUGS, HOPE, and Peanut Butter: Finding Light Behind Life's Storm Clouds is a book of humorous, inspirational essays illustrated by critically ill children. www.hugsandhope.org/pb.htm
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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 helps 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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Need help with your writing? With getting it published? Contact your Author's Advocate, Patrika Vaughn, at www.acappela.com for whatever help you need.
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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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A Quickie Primer on Plogs

Nope, that's not a type. That's Amazon's new word for reaching the authors who have already purchased your books and others as well. They are already loyal to you so keep in touch with them this way.

I'll let Amazon tell you about it yourself. Click on the tab at the top of Amazon's page that says "Your Name's Store," then click on "My Profile." Then on "Post a message" button which should appear near the top of your page. I'm not sure if you can get to this explanatory link directly, but I can. The one for your profile page on Amazon might be slightly different. Here it is, just in case:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/plog/post/ref=cm_blog_post/002-4692447-2218401
This is a nifty device. You choose the subject. You write something that will interest your readers. Your reader gets to read whatever you choose to present him or her with.

For a sample of my plogs read the first few at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/qid=1147128982/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-4692447-2218401?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

If you haven't received any that's because you haven't signed up or didn't buy "The Frugal Book Promoter" on Amazon. All you need do is scroll down and on the left you'll find a button to click so you'll get future ones delivered to your mailbox.

This is one of Amazon's most brilliant perks for authors. Wanna know why? Because you have no idea who has purchased your book from them online. They do. This will keep you in touch with them. Nice, huh?

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Essential Book and Record Keeping:

This letter is an entity of Authors' Coalition

http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com.

Edited and distributed 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 Your Publisher Won't," it lets authors share with each other.

To submit information for consideration, e-mail me at

HoJoNews@aol.com

If you do not care to receive this letter, unsubscribe at

HoJoNews@aol.com.

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.

Please 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, 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 .

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.