September 22, 2006: Sharing with Writers:

From the Desks
Of Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Authors' Coalition Friends
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"Sharing with Writers" is the official newsletter of Authors' Coalition,

http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com

an organization of writers who help writers.

Sorry, due to a technical problem, this letter is not available at the Authors Den link. Plain generic is all you get. I'll try to have the easier-to-read version back for you next week.

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Note from Carolyn:

Dear Authors' Coalition Members and Subscribers:

When it comes to book promotion, I'm always willing to try something new. Unless its so techie it's over my head. So, that's the answer before you even ask what I'm doing as an honorary member of a group of horror writers! I am sure to learn as much from a chat I'll be doing with them on Sunday night and you might, too.

The chat is sponsored by the International Order of Horror Professionals. It us this Sunday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. Pacific time, 7 p.m. Mountain, 8 p.m. Central and 9 p.m. Eastern Visit the Horror Professionals chat room at:
http://scribequill.com/IOHPchat.html

For questions regarding the chat, e-mail Tenebrous1 at tenebrous1@horrorprofessionals.org

If you have difficulty getting in, send an e-mail to Tenebrous1 at horrorprofessionals@gmail.com or scribequill@adelphia.net

So, come armed with a promotion question or two. Even if you're a poet, you might learn a trick of two from these professionals. After all, Halloween is coming.

Best,

Carolyn Howard-Johnson
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http://carolynhoward-johnson.com
http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
And a blog focused on book fairs at http://redenginepress.com/chjohnson

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No part of this newsletter is paid advertising.
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Letter-to-the-(Editor:

Carolyn:

RE this item in your Sep 17 newsletter:


It all depends on how you look at things! Here's a quotation from "A
Bookselling Tale" in the July 17, 2006 issue of Publishers Weekly.
1. In 2004, 950,000 titles out of the 1.2 million tracked by Nielsen
Bookscan sold fewer than 99 copies.
2. Only 25,000 titles sold more than 5,000 copies.
3. The average book in America sells 500 copies.
4. Only 10 books sold more than a million copies in 2005.


Can ANY intelligent conclusions be drawn about the effects of publicity?
Approx 80% of the 1.5 million tracked sold fewer than 100 copies.
Are they victims of NO publicity or advertising?

Approx 2% sold 5,000 copies. Were those sales the result of massive, medium or modest promotion?

Marketing people used to talk of the "80-20" rule. 20% of the products in an inventory are responsible for 80% of the sales.

With books, if these numbers are correct, 80% of the items are responsible for almost none of the sales.

And these 10 books that sold more than 1 M copies? Were there sales purely the result of publicity? Did Oprah bless them all?

Frankly, my dear, I don't have a clue, but inquiring minds want to know.

People ask me why I never started a 2nd book. Now I know why I never will.
Virgil Jose
http://www.fatcatpress.com/

(Anyone care to respond? I have a theory that might convince Virgil to start the second book!)
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Reciprocal Links:

Carolyn Howard-Johnson will take a limited number of editing jobs each month. These are complete edits and include a tutorial on edits made. Fiction and poetry only. HoJoNews@aol.com with "Edit" in the subject line.
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Sign up for The Web-Savvy Writer e-zine (http://www.websavvywriter.com)
and receive a complimentary copy of the special report "Your Author Website: 21 Content Ideas for Profit and Publicity," written by
Patrice-Anne Rutledge, author of The Web-Savvy Writer: Book Promotion
with a High-Tech Twist (Pacific Ridge Press, 2006)
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Alternative-Read.com's blog is all about your writing and you and you and you. Find it here: http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com/
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Wordpix Solutions offers design, production and book shepherding services for self- published authors. www.wordpix.com/authors
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PENCILS™ - A Proofreading & Copyediting Company
"Improving the written word one letter at a time." Let Laura Kerley help you present your work in the best light possible!
E-mail: pencilsproofreading@yahoo.com Web: http://www.pencilsproofreading.com
Phone: 310.357.9140:
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"Publishing and Promoting" is one of my favorite groups for meeting peers. It 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. 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. 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. Find interviews, literary news, criticism, a no - c^st e-zine, and more. http://www.compulsivereader.com/html.
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Do bookstores owe you money? Michelle Dunn's books 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, edits a newsletter with an emphasis on journaling. Subscribe at: http://www.ericaminer.com/newsletter.php
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Need help with your writing career? From coaching and ghostwriting to publishing and marketing, contact your Author's Advocate, Patrika Vaughn, at http://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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Quark Soup by Magdalena Ball uses the strange anti-matter world of astrophysics and quantum physics to capture the bonds that tie human beings together.
http://www.compulsivereader.com/html/images/quarkindex.htm

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Tip: Don't pay for a list of reviewers. Here is a free one: http://www.midwestbookreview.com/links/othr_rev.htm
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Tip: Having trouble finding what you want at the library? Can't find the article you need on subscription CDs? Struggling to retrieve information from your Excel or Access databases? Use Boolean Logic to reduce the amount of 'search' in research. Learn how with Audio Classes for Writers, Find a Needle in a Haystack, Using Boolean Logic to Support Research for your Writing offered by Allyn Evans, Joyce Faulkner, Marilyn Peake, Kathe Gogolewski and Carolyn Howard-Johnson. You can download and listen on your computer or your iPod or get it on CD. Go to: http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.asp?ISBN=DDP000013QP
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Reciprocal Links:

For snappy marketing tips and the f~r~e~e report "How to Obtain Book Reviews," subscribe to the PR Postcard at
http://www.authorscompanion.com/
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Spirited Woman launches the Spirited Woman Circle, a 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. Contact Fran at franalive@optonline.net for more information. www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
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Read author interviews, market information, and more in Writer Advice, 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 are encouraged to submit short articles of interest. Send an e-mail to nate@redenginepress.com with "Y&W Newsletter" in the subject line.
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Sun Signs for Writers: Astrology can benefit (and entertain!) writers. Here's a new Writers' Digest book: http://www.wdeditors.com/wordpress/fall-2006-titles/sun-signs-for-writers/ )
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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 another e-book at no cost. Go to http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna/promo.htmtoday!
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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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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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Find a f * * *, database which details over 2,000 literary and genre magazines and publishers at Dee Rimbaud's site: 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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Check out Star Publish News as an example of what small publishers can do for their authors. It is at http://starpublishnews

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Author Successes:

The International Order of Horror Professionals has unveiled their new website at www.horrorprofessionals.org

This first organization of its kind for horror professionals (literature, film, music, multimedia and special FX/make-up among others) offers a chat room, message forum, horror links as well as pages describing the organization’s vision for cross-disciplinary networking.

For additional information, contact:
Paul T. Sninchak, Founder, at
info@horrorprofessionals.org
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Reciprocal Links:

New!Freelance Writing Organization - Int'l: Thousands of free writing resources.
http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=3c24af1hojo_in
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For expert and up-to-date advice for writers from writers go to http://www.writeradvice.com. You'll find author interviews, reviews, contests and markets and more. The site, edited by B. Lynn Goodwin, is open to submissions.
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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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The Scribal Press News Calendar. The news calendar of writer's events around the world, no matter where you live. Find it at: http://www.scribalpress.com/thisnthat.htmlStar 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-f e e 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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Opportunities:

Submission: Letters to God

Vicki Craig is writing a book called Letters to God. She invites you, to submit a letter that you did or would write to God asking for help, expressing gratitude or rage or??? for inclusion in her book.

.All letters are welcomed, the shorter the better. Clearly indicate your religious affiliation, if any. Letters are welcomed from followers of formalized, as well as non-formalized religions. Letters are also welcomed from people who have no religious affiliations. Tell us what you believe or do not believe. Let us hear from you before October 21. Go to www.vickicraig.com for more information. Or submit your letter in the body of the email to: letterstoGod4vicki@vickicraig.com.

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Fun and F r * *: If you purchased The Frugal Book Promoter in the past, I'd love for you to review it on Amazon or BN.com, perhaps just tell what part of it you found most valuable. If you do, send me the review link (URL) and I will send you an excerpt from my soon-to-be-released The Frugal Editor that includes some sidebars from the book that will help you with some tricky grammar. As a thank you, of course. HoJoNews@aol.com
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Tip: This is a reminder from a subscriber of the fun we can have using Amazon's fr * *bies for reaching our target audience. Betsy Lee writes,

"The first baby steps from your book! I did it!
I wrote a "So You'd Like to..."
http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R23N301MPGBQGP/104-1842835-0080718"

Her site is http://www.learningbooks.net/ .
Now, everyone go vote! The little oval buttons are in the right hand upper corner. You're going to explore how this works, of course, but you're also doing Betsy a favor by giving her effort a little traffic and favorable input!



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New members will help Authors' Coalition serve all its members better! Ask your writing friends to join at http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com. Paid members get a favorite review posted, consideration for an interview or review in Yarnspinners and Wordweavers. Membership is reasonable, too. We're even planning a speakers' bureau.

Tell friends to visit our blog, too. There they'll learn how to spark generally insipid book fairs by using value-added promotions: http://redenginepress.com/chjohnson .


http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
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Tip: From Virgil Jose, www.fatcatpress.com :
Regarding phishing, etc. Fellow SWW readers can check out this software: http://www.anonymizer.com/. It provides surfing anonymity, anti-phishing, anti-pharming, protection against malicious code, and more. I use it.

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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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Thank Yous:

(Note: Each thank you may be set with a jewel of a resource for you to plumb for your book. Watch for them! Adapt them to your own publishing and promotion needs!)

To Betsy B. Lee, http://www.learningbooks.net/ for putting links to Frugal everywhere. She says, "I have a link to your book on this page of my writers' site.
http://www.geocities.com/labooks.geo/books.html#sell
I have a link to your site on this page of my writers' site.
http://www.geocities.com/labooks.geo/linksWr.html
A link to your book is also on this page of my educators' site.
http://www.learningbooks.net/what.html.

She works with young people. How might you partner with her?
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To Janet Elaine Smith, marketing director and editor of Star Publish who has dubbed me "Daffy" and managed to broadcast the fact to anyone who will listen. Find the whole story at: http://starpublishnews.tripod.com/id6.htm
Do you like the 'tude?
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To Leora Skolkin-Smith http://www.leoraskolkinsmith.com,
author of Edges, for nominating Sharing with Writers for top 100 newsletters with Writer's Digest. She says, "I would like to nominate Carolyn Howard-Johnson's newsletter "Sharing with Writers" to Writer's Digest. It is an invaluable resource for writers like me who are not equipped to understand the complex workings of the market and promotion. Carolyn is indefatigable in her support for her colleagues, providing information intelligently and selectively
that is helpful and information." By the way, I highly recommend Leora's novel to those who enjoy literary novels and novels with Jewish subjects in particular.

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"AC is the current that propels your writing career."
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Authors' Coalition Founder
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Author Successes:

Lillian Cauldwell is featured in the just- released nonfiction book by Rene V. Richards, Online Marketing Success Stories published by Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
The URL for Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc. is http://www.atlantic-pub.com. Their phone number 800-814-1132. Rene is also author of How to Use the Internet to Advertise and Promote and Market Your Business or Web Site with Little or No Money

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Authors' Coalition members! For credibility, use the AC logo on your promotional materials. Ask for it by sending an e-mail to HoJoNews@aol.com or download it with a click from the AC site http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com.
Be sure to link it to the AC site, too!
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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching:


The Muse Online Writing Conference: Lea Schizas, editor of "The Muse on Writing," and Carolyn Howard-Johnson are sponsoring this first annual virtual writers' conference October 9 - 13. This conference lets writers -- published or not -- mingle with some of the publishing world's personalities. Choose from a huge selection of free online workshops.
Bookmark this site

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

Go back often to see the newest presenters and workshops. Subscriber and website guru Terry Whalin will be one of the presenters. 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 -----
Carolyn; June Casagrande, author of "Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies"; and Kerry Madden, author of "Gentle's Holler," will hold a panel discussion at Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101, Saturday, Dec. 2. at 5 pm. on "The Many Paths to Publishing." May all of you in Southern California come, enjoy and publish.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Roger Storkamp will copresent at the Sinclair Lewis Writers' Conference on Saturday, October 14 in Minnesota. Registration information is available at http://www.saukherald.com/ftp/lewis/conference.html and if you would like more details about this exceptional one-day event, e-mail me (HoJoNews@aol.com) or Jim Umhoefer, conference director, at jim@candidperceptions.com
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Carolyn will be speaking on promotion at the AML Writers Conference to be held on the Utah Valley State College campus in Orem, UT, November 4, 2006. Preregister on the AML website at http://www.aml-online.org/events/aml2006wcprereg.html
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Carolyn will judge the national newsletter competition for American Business Women Association. A winner will be selected from regional finalists at the organization's national convention at the Anaheim Hilton International Hotel, Anaheim, CA. on Sept. 28.
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Carolyn will read from her chapbook Tracings, for Delta Gamma fraternity at a meeting to benefit their charity, the Blind Children's Center on Nov. 13, at 7 pm. Contact her if you are interested in attending. HoJoNews@aol.com .
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Paulette Ensign, board member of Publishers and Writers of San Diego, a SPAN and PMA affiliate, has invited Carolyn to speak on Marketing Your Book or Published Product from Unknown to Best-Seller Sat., Jan 27, 2007 in Encinitas, CA. Learn more about the organization and their programs at: http://www.publisherswriters.org/
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Tip: Low-cost banners. The editor of MyShelf.com is flexible; tell her what you want. $15 animation, $10 static Ask to see her samples. http://www.myshelf.com/aboutus/advertise.htm#bannercreating

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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: Subscriber Karen DeGroot Carter,
Author of One Sister's Song,
a lyrical challenge to common assumptions
about love, race, and respect.
www.PearlStreetPublishing.com
says, "I reviewed a new book call POD People: Beating the Print on Demand Stigma on Amazon last night, and included a FRUGAL plug within the review. POD PEOPLE addresses special issues faced by authors with books published through POD, especially promotional challenges. It’s a slim book and offers some terrific advice." Find the review and the book on this Amazon URL: http://www.amazon.com/Pod-People-Beating-demand-Stigma/dp/0978655109/sr=1-1/qid=1158947080/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-3692730-7456014?ie=UTF8&s=books


========================================================If you enjoy "Sharing with Writers" please nominate it for Writer's Digest's 101 Best Newsletters for Writers. We aren't big, we aren't old. So it would take a huge outpouring from subscribers to make a dent. Send an e-mail to writersdig@fwpubs.com with subject line, "101 Best Newsletters for Authors" and let them know what this newsletter does for you!
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Quote to Inspire Those Published Small:

"The golden age of publishing is at an end and small presses are rising up to give us authors visibility. An interesting change that I noticed between my last novel (Everything Burns) and the new one (The Winners Circle)--two national independent reviewers told me that 'the best books are now coming from small presses.' So take heart, our day is coming. Small/independent presses are on the rise. In fact, I've been asked by my publisher to edit the reprint of Eric Hoffer's memoir. The Hoffer estate thought it better to place it with a small press who'd nurture the title and keep it in print regardless of the bottom line. That's very telling.
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Quote from Christopher Klim: Author, Editor, Writing Mentor, Freelance Writer, Newsletter Editor: http://www.christopherklim.com/

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When was the last time you bought a book from an author you know? "Tracings" my new chapbook of poetry 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 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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Metaphors and Similes to Make You Smile:

(Every year English teachers from across the country submit their collections of analogies and metaphors actually found in high school essays. I can't acknowledge the resource but I thought they might not mind if I published them one at a time. I also thought some of you might have some favorites you could contribute.)

Here is one of the teachers' favorites:

"She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up."


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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://carolynhoward-johnson.com .

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, this newsletter lets authors share with each other.

Sharing with Writers does not guarantee entities or information in this newsletter. Subscribers should research resources though I do attempt to verify information used within its pages.

To submit information for consideration in this letter, e-mail Carolyn 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/gp/product/193299310X/qid=1149015406/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-4692447-2218401?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

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