Sept 14, 2007
Sharing with Writers
A newsletter that is also a community. Share your ideas. Learn from theirs!

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.

To read this letter in plain vanilla text, scroll down. To read this newsletter with a bit more pizzazz (not much, though!) at Authors Den go to:

http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/Sharingwithwriters_Sep_No2Week_2007.doc

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Note from Carolyn:

My fellow AC Members and SWW Subscribers:

This is your last chance to pass a suggestion to subscribe to this newsletter to writing friends before I send out the third annual AllTips edition of Sharing with Writers. Won't you do a writer a favor by posting the suggestion to subscribe on your site, maybe as a favorite tip for authors. (-: Just as good, make it your goal to send out five personal invitations. Figure it is your good deed for the week. To make it easy for you, you can simply copy and paste this into your e-mail window:

"I want you to know about one of my favorite newsletters for writers, Sharing with Writers. The editor publishes a semiannual AllTips edition and it is coming up this month. This special edition is always chock full of ideas for authors -- promotion, tech, and craft. All you need do is send an e-mail with "Subscribe" in the subject line to HoJoNews@aol.com."

I probably don't have to tell you that one of the first rules of publicity is making it as easy as possible for editors or other gatekeepers to use what you send them, in other words make it easy for them to do what you ask. So, see, this request for help is an example of how to do that!

Happy, happy writing and promoting and, yes, EDITING, too.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
HoJoNews@aol.com
Websites: http://carolynhoward-johnson.com and www.HowToDoItFrugally.com
http://authorscoalitionandredenginepess.com
or Amazon-direct for The Frugal Editor: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870/
Blogs: A blog focused on book fairs at
http://redenginepress.com/chjohnson and another blog that is about writing and reading at www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com and
www.thenewbookreview.blogspot.com

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Subscribers who have websites or newsletters of their own may be interested in the Free Articles 4 Readers and Writers on my site, www.howtodoitfrugally.com. I try to add new articles to it each week. If you don't see what you need for your blog, or newsletter, just ask. HoJoNews@aol.com.
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Q&A a la Ann Landers

On Postage Stamp Promotion

Dear Carolyn:
Now I have seen it all! You can load your book cover and have postage stamps sent to you! They are high for the number of stamps you get, but novel. Did I order any? NOT!

http://photo.stamps.com/Store/
Jewel Sample, author Flying Hugs and Kisses, a book and workbook to help children and their families deal with SIDS

CHJ Answers: I've used this as a tip in this newsletter, Jewel, but it bears repeating. I love the idea but, as you say, it's definitely NOT frugal. (-: I can think of a few ways where it might be worth the expense, though. Say you could get a feature article in your local paper because of the novelty of a promotion like this. Better still, the marketing section of The Wall Street Journal. (-: Mmmm?

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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 and ditto for The Fiction Flyer and Betty Dobson's Inkspotter. Membership is reasonable, too.
Tell friends to visit our blog. There they'll learn how to spark generally insipid book fairs by using value-added promotions. www.authorscoalition.blogpsot.com.
http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
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Thank Yous

(There are leads here, just as you'll find in all the most innocent-looking areas of this newsletter. You never know when you'll find a name or a site that will help you network or write better!)

To Judith Colombo, author of Nightcrimes, for the review of The Frugal Book Promoter she published on her blog. Find it at: http://writerchick.blogster.com/frugal_book_promoter.html
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To Mindy Lawrence Phillips for being the first to take advantage of my gift for purchasing The Frugal Editor. And look what she and some of you others did! Got me a 24,000 rating on Amazon. (-: Here's the proof. (It's not doing as well today.)

The Frugal Editor: Put your best book forward to avoid humiliation and ensure success (How to Do It Frugally)
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,863 in Books
Average Customer Review: based on 3 reviews
Publication Date: October 1, 2007

And it's number eight in the editing category! Thank you!!!!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/books/12020/
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To Sassy Brit for posting my media release on an award I won on her oh-so-British Alternative_Read blog. http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com/2007/09/press-release-authorpoet-wins-national.html.Sassy runs a newsletter and chat group, too. Always accessible to her subscribers, you may want to sign up. (-: There is a place to do it is on her blog. Just click or copy and paste the address above.
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**To VS Grenier for posting the release on my recent award on her Squidoo Lens. http://www.squidoo.com/writingforchildrenandteens/. This is a lens all writers for youngsters should see and, maybe, take the time to connect with Virginia. You'll also want to explore Squidoo. Many authors are using it effectively.
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To Frances Lynn, author of Crushed (http://www.franceslynn.org/) for her reviews of The Frugal Editor at Amazon and Amazon.UK.
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To Nadine Laman for including information on all my books in her newsletter. This is a lovely newsletter and she includes lots of writers' works, even their uTube video URLs in her letters. She's one of those editors it's good to get to know. Sign up on her home page or newsletter page: http://nadinelamanbooks.com/newsletter.html

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No part of this newsletter is paid advertising. If you would like to advertise to subscribers, display ads are available at www.howtodoitfrugally.com at less per year than most sites charge for a single month (see the advertising tab at the top of the page). Authors' Coalition www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com is also accepting ads.
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Sharing with Fellow Authors

From a Blogger Who Hit the Big Time!

From Prill Boyle (http://defyinggravitynow.blogspot.com).

My blog was recently given a nod on the front page of the Sunday Style section of the New York Times. People keep asking me if it's worthwhile for authors to do a blog. Truthfully, it depends. To sustain readers' attention, bloggers need to post regularly. It takes time and work, and there is no guarantee that people will read what you write. It makes sense for me because my topic, late blooming, is a hot one. In other words, I continually come across stories through the media and my travels that provide great material for postings. I also secured permission to post my blog on the monthly column I write for the Nat'l Assoc. of Baby Boomer Women (NABBW). I even host blog tours for selected authors (i.e., authors who are either late bloomers themselves or writing about them) and encourage guest-posts. In other words, blogging makes sense for me because I have plenty to say and have found ways to minimize the energy I spend on it. If, after weighing the pros and cons, you decide you want to start a blog, rest assured that it is simple to do. Blogger.com and www.WordPress.org are two sites that can help you get a blog up and running in minutes.

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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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Tip: Poets & Writers will launch Readings/Workshops Presents, a new quarterly e-newsletter geared to organizations and writers who participate in the presentation of readings and workshops. Each issue will contain updates on funding available from P&W, highlights of the programs they support, and advice on presenting literary events. http://www.patronmail.com/pmailweb/PatronSetup?fid=1504

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Time is short! Watch for the third annual All Tips Edition of Sharing with Writers coming this September. Send your favorite tip for inclusion to: HoJoNews@aol.com with "SWW TIP" in the subject line.
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Opportunities

Nautilus Award
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Jewel Sample, author of Flying Hugs and Kisses, sends us this news on the 8th annual Nautilus Book Awards 2008, www.nautilusbookawards.com, will recognize books that promote spiritual growth, conscious living and positive social change. They are now accepting entries in 23 categories Books copyrighted or released between June 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007, in English, are eligible. Final deadline for entering is January 15, 2008.

Winning titles will be exhibited in a 2008 Nautilus Book Awards Showcase at BookExpo America in the Los Angeles Convention Center from May 30 - June 1, 2008. A winner, runner-up, and 5-6 finalists will be named for each category, a special award will be given to the top small press or self-published title, and two overall Grand Prize winners (one adult and one
children's) will be announced. Winning titles will be featured for one year at www.nautilusbookawards.com and thereafter kept in the Nautilus Book Awards archives.
Click here to download a four-page PDF with complete guidelines and entry form: http://www.independentpublisher.com/nautilus/NAUTILUS2008.pdf.
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A Video/Slide Show Opportunity

Some of you are already part of the Authors' Coalition slideshow /video produced by Joyce Faulkner for the LA Times Festival of Books. It was f r ^ ^ to those who participated in our CD program. Here is an opportunity to join in its future.

This slide show will be flashed on two huge screens at the monster (some 100,000 visitors over the period of a week) Veterans show in Branson, MO. (www.branson.com).

Authors' Coalition has partnered with the Military Writers' Society of America to rent a huge theater in the main hall of the exhibit. Major speakers will draw crowds and AC/MWSA will have a booth in the hall. The whole theater belongs to AC. And those screens I mentioned will exclusively carry pictures of the participating authors' book covers, YOUR Books, YOUR contact information.

Obviously the focus is on veterans and writers who also happen to be veterans. But vets read, too. Even an occasional romance, I'll wager. So, if you want to be part of the slideshow/video you may. It travels with Authors' Coalition wherever it goes and with participating members wherever they go. It shows on computer screens and big silver screens.

The cost is $100 and includes the technical aspect of setup, exposure wherever the slideshow/video travels through the year, and a copy for your own use. It's a true cross-promotion. Your book, your blurb, your URL at these events. If you choose to participate, see below. There is no additional fee for those who were part of LA Times Festival of Book pilot program in April except for mailing the CD if you don't have it. You are already part of the program.

Learn more about Branson week at www.bransontourismcenter.com.

To participate send an e-mail to Pat Avery at riverroadpress@yahoo.com. She can invoice you for PayPal or give you an address to send a check. She will then send you details for participation and answer other questions regarding this show.

Please also copy Joyce at katieseyes@aol.com and me at HoJoNews@aol.com. Our deadline is 10/05/07.

Other opportunities for this event are also available. More info to come or watch our blog at www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com or the site, www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com.

Note: There is an additional membership charge of $20 for an Authors' Coalition Silver Membership for those who are not paid members of the organization.
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First Call: The 2008 Eric Hoffer Book Award

This award is for small presses, academic presses, micro press, and self-publishers. If offers a $1.500 grand prize.

Each year, independent publishers release extraordinary books to little or no recognition. The Eric Hoffer Book Award recognizes excellence in publishing. A single registration gives you three! ways to win: By genre, press, and grand prize. (See submission guidelines at www.HofferAward.com .)

Read previous contest coverage and view past winners and press releases at www.HofferAward.com or www.WritersNotes.com.
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Tip: Know what a blog chain is? Yvonne Perry explains the benefits and the how-tos of blog chains at http://ezinearticles.com/?Blog-Chain---A-Great-Networking-Tool&id=674566 . If you decide you want to start a blog chain, you can use this newsletter to do it. Just e-mail me your invitation with "NEWSLETTER" in the subject line. I suggest you specify your preferred category like "Children's Literature" or "Horror" to keep your chain focused.

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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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Author Successes

(If you read about others' successes you'll not only be inspired, you'll glean resources for future successes of your own. You are invited to send me news about your successes. Please use "AUTHOR SUCCESSES" as a subject lines.)

p.m. terrell just published Songbirds are Free (Drake Valley Press), a book inspired by the true story of the Indian capture and captivity of Mary Neely, and her amazing escape and journey home alone across hundreds of miles of war-torn country. Find it discounted on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Songbirds-Are-Free-P-Terrell/dp/0972818650/ .
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Norma J. Sundberg: Cypress Publications (http://cypress-starpublications.com) just released Norma's An Odd Fable. It is a full-color book for children and for adults to read to children, a fairytale full of wisdom.

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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. Make it simple; 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 The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success that is now available for pre-order on Amazon. The excerpt includes some of the sidebars from the book that may help you with some tricky grammar. As a thank you, of course. HoJoNews@aol.com, the Frugal Book
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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching:

& Carolyn will moderate a panel titled "Reach for Your Dream: Prepare for Publication the Professional Way" at the West Hollywood Book Fair on September 30. Circle your calendars. From 1:00-1:45 pm. It's f r ^ ^. Even those who are old hands at publishing will learn something new, I promise!
West Hollywood Park
647 N San Vicente Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Learn more at http://www.westhollywoodbookfair.org/
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& Carolyn will speak at the fourth Annual Pen to Paper Literary Symposium October 6, 2007. The conference, spearheaded by Valerie Coleman will be at the Dayton Urban League at 907 West Fifth Street Dayton, Ohio 45402. It will include tracks for music and screenwriting, in addition to writing and publishing books. It's not too late to register. (www.penofthewriter.com/pentopaper).
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& Carolyn Howard-Johnson will a guest on Calling All Authors Radio Show Tuesday, October 9, 2007 on www.globaltalkradio.com at 5PM Eastern, 4PM Central and 2PM Pacific time. Hosted by Valerie Connelly who plans to discuss my teaching, my books, my marketing including the horrors, successes and plain old chutzpah of a tekky-challenged writer building a website from scratch. For more information contact info@callingallauthors.org.
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& Carolyn Howard-Johnson will speak at the Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word (October 12-14) in Nashville, TN. She will speak on "Realize Your Dream: From Query Letter to Bestseller--Frugally!"
from 2-3pm Saturday, Oct. 13 in room 31 of the Legislative Plaza. And don't you just love the title of the fair? You'll find more information on this fair and others you might participate in at www.howtodoitfrugally.com. Click on the Resources for Writers page and scroll down. For more on this specific fair, go to
http://www.humanitiestennessee.org/festival/current.php
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& The f r ^ ^ Muse Online Writers' Conference, sponsored by Lea Schizas and Carolyn Howard-Johnson, is accepting registration. More than 1,000 attended last year. Learn more about this year's conference, October 8 to 14. .Our program is ready for you to check out at
http://www.freewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference/presentersregistration.htm
To see the final list of presenters go to: http://www.freewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference/2007workshops.htm
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& Carolyn Howard-Johnson will be Valerie Connelly's guest on her Webinar Dec. 5th, 2007. The two will talk book promotion ad infinitum. There will be a printable agenda and follow-along materials prior to the event as well as a downloadable PDF of the Web screen shots and an MP3 recording of the Webinar available to registered attendees. There is a charge. Space is limited. Please register before Dec. 4. For more information or to register contact Valerie at info@callingallauthors.org.
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& Carolyn Howard-Johnson talks to Valerie Connelly's radio audience on "Editing as Branding: Spelling success from queries to your book's manuscript." Circle your calendar on Wednesday December 12th at 8PM Eastern, 7PM Central, 5PM Pacific time. A downloadable MP3 recording of the Webinar will be available to registered attendees after the event. Sign up by Dec. 11th. Space is limited. Contact Valerie at info@callingallauthors.org or Nightengale Press, publisher@nightengalepress.biz

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Sign up to receive a copy of my Sharing with Writers blog in your e-mail box. It is a focused blog on all things related to writing and publishing from scolding Oprah to free speech. Go to www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com. Sign up in the left hand column. Find related resources by scrolling to the bottom of the blog.
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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching for 2008:

Carolyn will speak on Jan 2, 2008, at Ridge Writers, the East Sierra Branch of the California Writers Club founded more than 100 years go by Jack London and friends in the Bay area. The provide f r ^ ^ programs for writers at High Desert Haven in Ridgecrest. Learn more at www.ridgenet.net/~curtdan/ridgewriters.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson will be Valerie Connelly's guest on her Teleseminar March 19th, 2008 at 8PM Eastern, 7PM Central, and 5 PM Pacific Time. The subject is: "It's Your Call: Frugal Book Promotion with Carolyn Howard-Johnson." A downloadable MP3 recording of the Teleseminar is available to registered attendees after the event. Please sign up by March 18th. Space is limited. Let Valerie tell you more about it: info@callingallauthors.org
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson will be sharing with the nation's humor writers again in April 3-5 of 2008 at Dayton University's Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. I'll speak twice at the Kennedy Union on campus. http://www.humorwriters.org/ Registration opens Sept. 10, 2007. Find some of the nation's best speakers here: http://www.humorwriters.org/2008SpeakerBios.html
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Carolyn will teach a new seminar on the UCLA campus on March 22, 2008, room 1323 Public Service Building. It's called The Business of Writing: Carve Your Career with Great Queries and Covers. Here's the class description: "You've written your story, your poem, your book. What now? You've tackled your craft like a professional but when it comes to introducing yourself to the decision makers—the marketing and editing part of your work—you may show a lack of expertise with seemingly innocuous departures from accepted procedures. Like using a cover letter when you need a query. In this one-day seminar, the students will use basics taught in the class to critique drafts of letters they have brought with them. In the process you'll get grammar, punctuation, and even computer editing tricks you may apply to your other writing as well as your queries. You'll receive a handout of the does and don'ts for approaching gatekeepers straight from the mouths of agents who contributed ideas on the subject for the instructor's book on editing and samples of letters that have produced results. Participants will not only walk away with two letters they can be proud to send out, but also have a low-cost plan for using them effectively in a variety of ways." So, are you all planning to come to spend a weekend in the sunshine in LA and make it a business expense? (-:
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson will appear on Write On Four Corners with host Connie Gotsch on KSJE FM Public Radio from San Juan College. Access the broadcast at: www.ksje.com 10:30 am Wed. 2:30 pm Fri. Mountain Time. Click on the website to listen live in your appropriate time zone. Connie is the author of the mystery suspense novel Snap Me a Future as well as host of Roving with the Arts on KSJE and regular contributor to The Four Corners Free Press www.fourcornersfreepress.com

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Carolyn's new blog for the participants in Authors' Coalition-sponsored booth is designed to help all authors learn to make often hum-drum book fair booths into sizzling successes. Visit at www.authorscoalition.blogspot.com. Leave comments, of course.
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TIP: Assessment time! Take my quiz on marketing and editing that Sassy Brit so kindly posted on her blog: http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com/2007/09/article-take-carolyns-marketing-and.html

After you've taken it send me your answers. And I'll send you mine! Of course, you can also find the answers and more in The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success and The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't. (-:

Oh, and leave a comment with your URL at the blog when you get there. You know how I nag you all to do this. You never know when a carefully placed website address might do you some good. It's a win-win!

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A general marketing rule is that a product must be seen seven times before it is purchased. That is just as true for books (because they are products, like it or not!). Let people see that book cover image! So, you are invited to advertise as a site sponsor at www.howtodoitfrugally.com. for a year at the same price many sites frequented by readers and writers charge for a month. Yep, the frugal way! Click on the Advertising tab at the top of the page or contact me personally at hojonews@aol.com.
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In the News:
What's the future of the publishing industry? Are books passé? http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/09/06/technology/06amazon.php. This link was contributed by the genius behind May's Gallery (photography) at http://www.thelensflare.com/u_may.php

========================================================Available: Audios from Audio Divas on many aspects of building a writing career are published by Double Dragon Press. Here is the page where you'll find the full list (http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/glist.php?imprint=AUDIO) including one on "Do It Yourself Indexing." The first audio, "Promoting Easy and Cheap!" is a F R ^ ^ sample you can download. Each comes with a resource guide. Here is an example of a guide for the audio-lesson Your Divas did on "Contests": http://www.derondouglas.com/audiosample/AwardResourceGuideContests.pdf
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TIP: Janet Elaine Smith (www.janetelainesmith.com) suggests her favorite www.newslink.org for finding radio programs likely to spotlight your book.

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Feature

Don't Announce an Announcement

By Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound

My skin crawls every time I see somebody "announcing" something in a press release or a news story.
They act as though the announcement is the news when, in fact, it isn't. The content of the announcement is all anybody cares about. That's why I'd love to ban the words "announce, announced, announcing" and "announcement" from publicity campaigns and news stories.

Then along comes former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, a Republican who has been acting for months like he's running for president. Late last week, his office "announced" that on Thursday of this week, he'll make his official "announcement" that he's running.
Thompson and other big-name politicians might be able to get away with this kind of silly PR, but don't you ever try it.

How many times do you use the A-words when you write press releases?

Guilty? That's what I thought.

It's time to learn how to write releases that people will not only read, but find interesting and respond to. Sign up for my free email tutorial "89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases." It explains how to write press releases not only for journalists, but for the search engines, which can deliver your press release directly to consumers who are searching for the kinds of information you're writing about.

Warning: This is an intensive 12-week course, but please stick with it. By the time you're done, you'll know more about how to write and distribute press releases than most professional PR people. As of today, 6,665 people have signed up for the course.
Don't have 89 days to spare? You can scroll to the bottom of the page and buy the entire course in a handy ebook for only $27.

Sign up now at http://www.PublicityHound.com/pressreleasetips/list.htm and I'll email you your first lesson within 15 minutes.
Bloggers and ezine editors, do your readers a favor and tell them about this. If you really want to get their attention, challenge them to take this press release quiz at my blog at http://tinyurl.com/pwnu7
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Joan Stewart is the PR sage behind www.thepublcityhound.com and The Publicity Hound, its associated newsletter.

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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! You know you want it on your website!
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Opportunities

The Spirited Woman Circle Conversation Series concludes its 2007 season with mega-selling thriller author Gayle Lynds. This popular up close and personal monthly 1-hr. phone conversation series with famous women authors wraps up this season's telechats on October 2 (10-11 am PST). Lynds will talk about the intrigue of mystery writing, what it's like to co-write a book (with Robert Ludlum and others), the joys, the pains, and the realities of being a bestselling suspense novelist, and more. Please note: Excellent MP3 and CD library of past guests are available (Fannie Flagg, Janet Fitch, Carly Phillips) at
http://www.TheSpiritedWoman.com/spirited_woman_circle/
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Nikki Leigh, www.nikkileigh.com, author of fiction, offers some neat f r ^ ^ opportunities:
Visit any or all of these sites and click on "HOW TO SUBMIT" to learn the simple steps to submit information about your books. These are FREE promotional blogs. She doesn't charge for the exposure, but appreciates anyone who wants to spread the word about the blogs :)

First Chapter Blog - Share the First Chapter of Your Book
http://www.startatbeginning.blogspot.com/

Share Details About the Best Friend in Your Book
http://www.mybestfriendsstory.blogspot.com/

Share Your Book Cover and the Story Behind the Cover
http://www.judgebookbycover.blogspot.com/

Tell Us More About the Setting of Your Book
http://www.itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/

Share Details About Your Heroine
http://www.shareyourheroine.blogspot.com/

Share Information About the Hero
ht tp://www.shareyourhero.blogspot.com/

Tell Us About Your Bad Guy or Bad Girl
http://www.badguysandvillains.blogspot.com/

Start With the Facts - For All Non Fiction Books and many Fiction
http://www.startwithfacts.blogspot.com/

From Books to Movies
http://www.frombookstomovies.blogspot.com/

In Detail with Nikki Leigh
http://detailwithnikkileigh.blogspot.com/
Promote Your Book Through Current Events
http://www.inspiredauthor.com/v3/current-events-and-your-book-promotion-0
Submit an example of an article which ties the content of your book with current events.

PS - Nikki reserves the right to refuse to post any submissions - although she says she hasn't needed to turn any away so far. Nikki also offers promotion services at www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
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Antioch University at Los Angeles is introducing a new Certificate in Publishing Arts this December. It focuses on "the theory and practice of publishing, from books to magazines and e-zines." Contact 310-578-1080 ext 606 or go online at www.AntiochLA.edu.
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From John Kremer: "I want to start up a new kind of book publishing company founded on a new distribution model. In addition, it would be an author-centric book publishing company, paying fair royalties, helping authors to build their platforms (rather than requiring a platform ahead of time), providing authors with real long-term marketing of their books, with incredible packaging, substantive editorial, and responsive marketing.
If you can afford to invest $1 million for a minimum of five years, I want to talk to you. I
need five such far-sighted investors to launch this new publishing venture. If interested, email JohnKremer@bookmarket.com or call me
at 505-751-3398."

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Authors' Coalition: No Hum-Drum Book Fair Promotion Allowed is a new blog where you can follow watch how Authors' Coalition members make book fairs successful with cross-promotion, value-added promotions and a good assessment process. Find it at www.authorscoalition.blogspot.com. Leave your best book fair ideas there for others to see under the beige "comments" links.
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Tip: A blog may be used by some writers as a website for beginners. Other places to start include www.webforauthors.com and www.authorsden.com.

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"AC is the current that powers your writing career." http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Authors' Coalition Founder
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Resources
From Elizabeth Lucas-Taylor

(Elizabeth contributes at least one valuable paying resource per SWW issue--either a great place to sell material or find writing craft or promotional idea--and sometimes throws in a resource for you.)

Radio Leads

Phil Harris' Blog Radio Show - topics include spiritual, religious, political, social, environmental, global, economic and basically, "all things that matter" including authors and their books. URL: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pharris

Short Story Radio.com - internet radio station broadcasting original short stories invites writers to submit previously unpublished stories. Chooses a selection of the best to be recorded and broadcast on website. All chosen stories are recorded by professional actors with music added for extra atmosphere. URL: http://www.shortstoryradio.com
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Find Elizabeth at http://www.authorsden.com/elucastaylor or her new blog at http://www.elucas-taylor.blogspot.com/ or at MySpace http://www.myspace.com/elucastaylor
where you will find a writers' community.

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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 any of my books -- the HowToDoItFrugally Series to my chapbook of poetry -- for a place on my Resources for Writers or Resources for Readers pages on www.HowToDoItFrugally.com.
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Editing Tip: From the Frugal Book Promoter: When you write dialogue, you don't need both the tag, "he (or she) asked" and a question mark after the spoken words. Choose one, not both. Learn more little-known secrets like this that mark you as a professional in The Frugal Editor.

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I use Vista Print for lots of my promotional materials. Be aware that shipping prices may fluctuate, depending on the deal of the moment. Even at that, the prices generally are good, the products they offer excellent quality and they do short runs. (I don't advise long runs on promotion material because your needs can change very quickly.) Please use this link:
http://www.vistaprint.com/frf?frf=815651421184
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Web Advice from WebforAuthors.com Expert Marshall Turner

Last week I talked about using counters on your website. The way to really track what is going on with your website is to analyze your web logs. Every web server can keep a log of activity on a site. And it can track a lot of really good information. I will discuss this in the next few weeks.
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Learn more about WebforAuthors.com at http://www.webforauthors.com/ or contact Marshall at mturner@webforauthors.com.


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The New Book Review is a service of this newsletter and Authors' Coalition. It allows authors to get more exposure from their favorite review and reviewers a chance to have more readers see their reviews--with links, of course. Please check the guidelines on the blog site at www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. This has been popular so please allow some time before your review will be posted. ========================================================

E-Tips for E-Promotion

You're missing a bet if you don't link your blog to others with similar subject matter. That becomes very clear when you use analytics to tell you how well your blog is trafficked and where that traffic comes from. So, if you want to link to mine -- one or all, here they are:
www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com
www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com
www.AuthorsCoalition.blogspot.com
And if you want me to link to yours, pick a suitable one and let me know. HoJoNews@aol.com
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This is a regular Sharing with Writers feature by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of USA Book News' Best Professional Book THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T and the soon-to-be released THE FRUGAL EDITOR: PUT YOUR BEST BOOK FORWARD TO AVOID HUMILIATION AND ENSURE SUCCESS. (E-tips for E-promotion was originally a regular feature of SellWritingOnline.com.)

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Endorsement:
"www.HowToDoItFrugally.com , by Carolyn Howard--Johnson [is] a top website for writers . . . I'd say my ROI is over 1,000%. The advice is particularly strong in addressing the new author where they are in learning the publishing/selling process. Very practical. The site is excellent." ~ Hill Kemp, author of Capitol Offense, http://www.capitoloffense.com/, and contributor to Secrets, Fact or Fiction? I, ISBN 0-9737282-5-6 and Secrets, Fact or Fiction? II, ISBN 1-59594-062-6, LOC 2006904627, http://www.secretsfactorfiction.com
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Wordstuff ™

Something to Make Writers Smile
(Every year the Washington Post conducts a neologism contest. These are the winners, one at a time. You might have some favorite neologisms metaphors or similes that make you smile. If so, please contribute.)

"Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly."

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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 How To Do It Frugally Series of books for writers, www.howtodoitfrugally.com.

This is a place to share with others and learn from others.

Though I do attempt to verify information used within this newsletter's pages, Sharing with Writers does not guarantee entities or information. Subscribers should research resources

To submit information articles, tips or other information e-mail Carolyn at HoJoNews@aol.com. Please put "Submission: Sharing with Writers" in the subject line.

If you do not care to receive this letter, send an e-mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with "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 at http://starpublish.com/carolyn_howard-johnson.htm

or paperback at Amazon where it is discounted:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/qid=1149015406/sr=2-1/

Tracings, a chapbook of poetry, published by Finishing Line Press may be ordered at www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1139084827/sr=1-1/