April 25, 2008

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
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sharing with Writers is the official newsletter of Authors' Coalition,
http://www.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_Apr_No3Week_2008.doc

In the spirit of the advice I give in the Frugal Editor - - that is to use an extra pair of eyes whenever possible - - this newsletter is voluntarily copyedited by Authors' Coalition member, Mindy Phillips Lawrence ~ mplcreative1@aol.com
www.freewebs.com/mplcreative
~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~: ~ ~:. ~ ~

Note from Carolyn:

Dear Subscribers and Authors' Coalition Members:

You are receiving this letter a tad early because this is the weekend for the big LA Times/UCLA Festival of books. I hope those of you who live in the LA area will come by to see all the authors participating in this booth (#610 and 611). You can find information below under the "Appearances" section of this newsletter.
But the fair is only obliquely related to what I wanted to talk to you about. I want to talk to you about finding whatever you can in the news that relates to your book to help you promote it.

I am always amazed when authors have trouble figuring this out. After all, who knows their own novel or book or short stories or memoir or nonfiction how - to than the author? Still, I hear over and over again how there is never anything in the news that can make a difference for their books. I suspect that's because they think of their books only as genres. Thus, Valentine's Day is the only day they can think of that will help their romance novels. No!

You have to dig deeper.

What is the theme? What is the profession of the protagonist? Is there a dog in your book? What breed is he? Is there a gay character in it? A . . . ahem, weight challenged person? Someone with Alzheimer's? If your book is nonfiction, think of the keywords you'd use for it on Amazon. Look at the contents and dissect each chapter and read trade magazines or other periodicals related to your subject matter.

The last few weeks have been big ones for my novel This is the Place. Everyone seems to be talking about the news of the trial of the YFZ polygamist cult in Texas these days. That news can be worked to get my This is the Place noticed. But here's the thing. I would have missed something if I'd just said, "Aha! Polygamy! Time to get rolling on promoting my book again." No, there are so many other issues. The repression of women (This is the Place is a novel women in the 50s, and yes, women were repressed then). Tolerance (This is the Place is about acceptance of others and it seems that now is a good time to look with compassion on these women and men who - - even though they may have broken laws - - are probably doing so out of ignorance). What about the misunderstandings involved in how this group relates to mainstream Mormonism? What about the issue of how radical religions often suppress freedom of thought and speech?

Each one of those questions might result in the distribution of articles on the subject. Or serve as a talking point for a radio or TV interview.

Each book is different. If you can't examine the fine points of what's in your book in relation to the news, who then? You are the one who can come up with a perspective and act on it (Now! Please! While the news is still fresh!).

Or, if you have a publicist, it is up to you to contact him or her and let him know about the opportunity that has arisen.

Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to read the newspaper every day with your book in mind. I know you can find at least one glorious tie - in to your book in any given week.

Happy promoting! And yes, writing and editing, too!

Carolyn Howard - Johnson
Websites: http://carolynhoward - Johnson.com (literary)
http://HowToDoItFrugally.com (all things about writing)
Authors' Coalition: http://www.AuthorsCoalitionandRedEnginepress.com
For the Frugal Editor, Amazon - direct: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870/
Blogs: http://AuthorsCoalition.blogspot.com, a blog focused on book fairs
http://www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com, a blog on all things publishing
http://www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog focused on YOUR reviews
http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com, a blog focused on editing, formatting and craft
And now blogging on War. Peace. Tolerance. And Our Soldiers at http://www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com.
And now! Squidooing at
http://www.squidoo.com/HowToDoItFrugallyforAuthors
and http://www.squidoo.com/carolynhoward - johnson
PS: This is Book Expo America! season. If you don't know about it, learn as much as you can about how it works. In future issues of Sharing with Writers, I'll be covering some ways you can make tradeshows like this work for you and how they won't work for you as well. In the meantime, if you can possibly visit the one coming up at the Los Angeles Convention Center, do it! This is publishing and learning at its finest.

=======================================================
Please pass this letter on to others. Unlike many, 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."
========================================================

Letter - to - the - Editor

Dear Carolyn:

Here's the reference from the Wall St. Journal to HarperCollins that you were thinking about:
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB120723631543086595 - lMyQjAxMDI4MDA3MzIwMzM2Wj.html

Hope this helps.
Brandon, author Along the Templar Trail: Seven Million Steps for Peace
Visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pJaLpWZWbU. Or explore: http://www.pilgrimstales.com
NOTE: For a better understanding of the publishing industry you’re part of, I strongly recommend that you read this Wall Street Journal article clear through. Thank you for sending the link, Brandon!

===================================================== New members will help Authors' Coalition serve all its members better! Ask your writing friends to join at http://www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com/. Paid members get a favorite review posted, consideration for an interview or review in Yarnspinners and Wordweavers, 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.blogspot.com.
http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
=====================================================

Tip: I believe in writers' conferences. Conferences are a kind of writers' religion for me. I credit the combination of conferences and classes with the fact that my novel, This Is the Place won awards and topped sales records for its publisher the first year it was released. To that end, I just added a new page to my website for writers to use as a resource for finding the right conference. It includes mini recommendations of the conferences I have attended or spoken at, tips on conferences and an article on one of the unexpected benefits of a recent conference I presented at. For future reference, bookmark http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/writers_conferences.htm

=====================================================
My blog, War, Peace, Tolerance and Our Soldiers is where I get to nag and rag to try to make things better for our troops and maybe for the world. It's only been active a few weeks and is gathering an amazing following. I'd love to have you leave a comment. www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com
======================================================

Tip: When you are participating in a fair, pack yourself an emergency kit and don't unpack it when you get home. Keep it at the ready for every signing, every fair, even for speaking events. Include a staple gun for hanging posters, a couple kinds of tape, scissors, a few tacks or pushpins, a roll of thin wire, tweezers or wire clippers, a pen, a small hammer and even a pouch of personal items like a nail file, patch - up polish for your nails, etc.

======================================================
So you got As in English. You know grammar and spelling. That's great but an editor of you it doth not make. An editor knows formatting, front and back matter, indexing, structure, the elements of fiction and on and on. But mostly she'll see your manuscript in a fresh, new light. Learn how to hire a great editor and learn to be a better partner for any author - - awful to superb - - in The Frugal Editor.
===================================================

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 Linda Morelli for including info about my new Reader Views award for The Frugal Editor in her newsletter. She also runs yummy recipes, contests, events. It's the kind of letter that builds loyalty. To subscribe let her know at RomRiter@aol.com.

========================================================
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. So is Yarnspinners and Wordweavers. Contact katieseyes@aol.com.
======================================================

Q&A a la Ann Landers

More on Those Pesky Simultaneous Submission
Question: Thanks, Carolyn, for another letter full of rich information. I have a question about your simultaneous submission of your novel, This is the Place. It seems it was a simultaneous submission of a query, and I had not heard of simultaneous queries being frowned upon (but maybe they are). You sent out twenty - three queries, it sounded like, and three asked to see the full novel. With novels, that's the way to go. If someone asks to see the novel, then I assume he or she figures someone else is looking at it, too, and may read it more quickly.

Good luck at the Festival of Books!
Best,
Chris Meeks, UCLA Writers' Program instructor and author of the Middle - Aged Man and the Sea and other books.

Answer: Chris, thank you for giving me a chance to clarify. You are right that there may be differences between expectations for novels and, say, essays or short stories for journals. However, many of the publishers I submitted to specifically requested no simultaneous submissions in their guidelines. And the people on the panel at the writers' seminar in St. Petersburg that I referred to in the article last week were an assorted group. One was a publisher of books but the rest were all editors of prominent literary journals. They all acknowledged:

1. That requests not to simultaneously submit were unfair to authors and that appeared to be a blanket opinion about submissions in genera.
2. That if a piece was right for them they would accept if it even it were simultaneously submitted against guidelines and
3. That they all knew authors submit simultaneously all the time and that they had a sense of humor about it.

So, yes, I think that simultaneous submissions are the way to go with just about anything if the author sees a specific need for doing so. Those reasons might include not wanting to grow a beard (or die!) before an author ever sees her work in print. As always, I do caution people not only to be courteous but be straightforward about what they are doing. I also caution that every situation is different. Authors differ. Titles differ. Genres differ. Publishers, editors and agents differ.

To answer your query question. Yes, these were query letters but I included the first three chapters of my novel, regardless of what they asked for. Again, this was a time - saving device. All that back and forward - - request and submit stuff - - drives me crazy.

There are times when I would not submit simultaneously when requested not to do so. If my very first choice agent requested no simultaneous submissions, I might honor that just because that particular query/submission was so important to me. If she rejected my generous offer to let her represent me ( - : , I might do mass submissions thereafter.

Freelance nonfiction is another whole bag of rules. Proposals, etc. Maybe we can discuss that another day.

I hope that clarifies.
CHJ

=======================================================
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.
========================================================

Tip: The Publisher’s Bookstore, www.thepublishersbookstore.com, features nearly 100 books about writing, publishing and book marketing, arranged by category to help you quickly find the resources you need. Whether you are just beginning your publishing journey or looking for ways to boost your book sales, you’ll find a wealth of information from experienced authors, publishers, and marketers. Submitted by Dana Lynn Smith of Texana Publishing, www.TexanaPublishing.com.

===================================================
Fun and F r * *: If you purchased the Frugal Book Promoter or the Frugal Editor, 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 a handout from one of my UCLA classes. As a thank you, of course. HoJoNews@aol.com
====================================================

On Poetry

This is a new running feature for the poets among us and those who would like to try writing poetry but feel, well . . . inadequate. Please send in your poetry tips and resources for this section.

If you haven't tried writing poetry because it seems too hard, it has now become easier. Write it as if you were writing prose only denser and more image - laden. Put the line breaks in later. Viola! It's called f r ^ ^ verse. You now have a first poem you can be proud of. You might find you love doing it. You might even take a class!

=====================================================
Don't suffer with book proposals. You can be a pro with and investment of only 20 minutes and 49 cents with my Great First Impression Book Proposal Short.
http://www.amazon.com/Great - First - Impression - Book - Proposal/dp/B000YG6O5U
=====================================================

TIP: Former book acquisitions editor Terry Whalin says "editors and publishers don't read manuscripts. They read book proposals. In Book Proposals That Sell, 21 Secrets to Speed Your Success (www.webmarketingmagic.com/app/?af=615838 ), you learn the inside scoop to achieve your dreams." Of course, he's talking primarily about nonfiction books. Why not add my quickie "The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know To Sell Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less" to your list of purchases. Compare our two methods. Pick and choose what is right to present your book in its best light to agents and publishers.

=======================================================
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! To do that, you are invited to advertise as a site sponsor at www.howtodoitfrugally.com for only $25 to $30 a year. Yep, the frugal way! Click on the Advertising tab at the top of the page or contact me personally at hojonews@aol.com.
=====================================================

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.)

None to report this week. By the way, if you're just sending me a blanket media release about your book, I may not recognize your title (It's new, after all!) and not realize you are a Sharing with Writers subscriber. So, please let me know with just a short paragraph of your publishing successes.

=====================================================
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/eAuthor.php?Name=Carolyn%20Howard - Johnson ) 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
====================================================

TIP: Another book fair tip here. Your booth may be set up on grass and it might be damp from watering, even in summer. Wear warm shoes. Bring a jacket and maybe a sun hat. (What if they set out tables without a canopy?) And a brown paper bag lunch. What if you can't get away from the booth for lunch? Or what if the food is terrible?

======================================================
Endorsement:" I am so happy for you to receive a second award [Reader Views Literary Award] for The Frugal Editor. I bought this book a week ago, and I love it. I can already see the improvement in my work. Thank you. You deserve this award."
Katherine Harms, author
=====================================================

Tip: Book fair tip. Use great signs at your table. Check out the double banner I use. See it in the left column of the home page of the Authors' Coalition site. (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). No, I don't get a cut of the price. It's expensive but I wish I had mine when I was first published. It rolls up for traveling and when it's set up, it draws attention.

=======================================================
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://www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com/AC_Promotional_Videos,%20Logos%20&%20More .
You know you want it on your website! Be sure to link it to the AC site, too! And there is a cross - promotional slide show there that will add movement and color to your site or blog, even if you aren't featured on it. It's all about Karma. ( - :
========================================================

Tip: The best way to make a book fair work for you is to get a speaking slot on the program - - either as a panelist or seminar or workshop leaders. That isn't always possible but you should try. Send a query at least six months out. Find a list of book fairs from the Pacific to the Atlantic at my site, http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/book_fairs,_tradshows.htm

=======================================================
Authors' Coalition: No Hum - Drum Book Fair Promotion Allowed is a blog where you can 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. It's time to sign up for 2008's LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books.
========================================================

TIP: A book fair won't work if you don't work it. Send out invitations. Send out reminders. Send out media releases so your local media knows you'll be there. Invite bookstore book sellers to come look at your book. If they show up, give them one. Think up unique promotions. Check out the Authors' Coalition blog for what we call value - added promotions to make your book fair appearance sizzle: www.authorscoalition.blogspot.com

========================================================Learn more about tips booklets and how to make them work for you. Paulette Ensign was one of the first master promoters I came in contact with. She'll teach you to make promotional booklets work for you with a variety of programs. http://www.kickstartcart.com/app/?af=696843
========================================================

In the News

YouTube? You have another choice.

CNN just launched www.iREport.com that will let you post uncensored material including videos much as YouTube does. Those of you who will be taking advantage of the $99 video offering at the Authors' Coalition booth at the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books this weekend will want to post yours there.

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

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 she sometimes throws in a resource for you.)

In the next couple issues, Elizabeth will explain some rights terms:

FNASR stands for "First North American Serial Rights." When you sell FNASR, you are selling a publication the right to be the "first" in North America to publish the material once. Then, unless you've granted other rights or licenses as well, all copyright to that material reverts back to you. There will be a time limit as to when you might use the material again.
- - - - -
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.

===================================================
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 - - from 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.
==================================================

TIP: Are you using your car to advertise your book. My friend June Casagrande has bumper stickers that use the title of her book "Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies." That only works really well if you have a very clever title. But what about a removable magnet. Look into Authors' Coalition's suggestions at www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com. Look in the left column to see a picture of Joyce Faulkner's car magnet. One year at a book fair, the magnet on the side of her car resulted in a visit to our booth from a TV channel.

========================================================
I use Vista Print for lots of my promotional materials. Be aware that shipping prices may fluctuate, depending on the deal of the moment. Please use this link:
http://www.vistaprint.com/frf?frf=815651421184
======================================================

TIP Worth Repeating: For your reading pleasure ( - :, "Book Fair Blues? 12 Ways to Make Book Booths Better" may be found at www.HowToDoItFrugally.com/free_content.htm.

======================================================
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.
====================================================

Into Words

An Itty - Bitty Column on Writing

There’s an old song called “It’s Too Darned Hot.” I think writers can get that way at times.. We are so “in the zone” working on a story that we forget where we are headed – or gallop out into la - la land. That might be time to draw back a little and view the landscape.

I was writing last night and was hot as I get. When I drew back a little, I realized I’d lost my bearings. Today I took some time to read what I had and to figure out where the story was headed. (No this is NOT over - editing what you’ve written. It’s just a caesura – a pregnant pause).

Now, I know many writers write to a hard and fast outline. I write with a sentence - based, what - if concept that probably won’t work for anyone but me. Still, feel free to give it a try and jettison the whole idea if it doesn’t work for you.

By all means have fun with your story. If you prefer to gallop ahead and jump over that cliff at the end, go right ahead. There might be some cool ideas at the bottom.

I think I’ll stop short of that cliff and see if I can build a bridge.
- - - - -
Mindy Phillips Lawrence www.freewebs.com/mplcreative is publicist and literary agent for Dr. Dan Skelton and representative for the fiction work of Bev Walton - Porter. She is in the process of researching a novel titled Alone is Where We Begin.
===================================================
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, 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
=======================================================

Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching:

 On April 26 & 27, Carolyn Howard - Johnson will sign her new USA Award - winning book the Frugal Editor ( as well as her others) at the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books on the beautiful UCLA Campus in the Authors Coalition booth, #610 and 611.
www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks/

Other authors signing include Barbara Crandall, MD; David H. Jones, Pam Kelly, DanaLee Buhler, Annette Fix, Patti Kokinos, Pam Kelly, Carol Wood, Deborah Amelon and poet Christine Alexanians. Visitors at this booth will receive free books with their purchases and be able to access a special price for Video from TV host, Rey Ybarra.
- - - - -
Carolyn will talk inspiration. Read that "Writing for Fun and Profit" on April 29th at 4 pm ET (1 pm PT). Frank Gasiorowski is the host for "Motivation to Inspire, Inspiration to Empower and Empowerment to Take Action" at
www.BlogTalkRadio.com/PowerTalk or call 1 - 646 - 716 - 9940. Listen to Frank's program every Tuesday at 4pm ET and Thursday at 7 pm EDT with a new expert guest each week.
- - - -
Nancy Mills, founder of Spirited Woman, will be interviewing Carolyn Howard - Johnson in her 2008 Spirited Woman tele - chat series. Sign up now to be part of this exciting series, whether you want to listen to Carolyn or to the likes of Jacqueline Mitchard, author of the Deep End of the Ocean and Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of Pay It Forward. To listen live to Carolyn, circle Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 10 am (PST), 1pm (EST) on your calendar. Find the entire series at: www.thespiritedwoman.com/ spirited_woman_circle. Advance registration needed.
- - - - - -
Carolyn Howard - Johnson will appear on Write On Four Corners with host Connie Gotsch on KSJE FM Public Radio broadcast from San Juan College. Access the program at: www.ksje.com at Wednesday, May 14 at 10:30 am and Friday May 16 at 2:30 pm. That's Mountain Time. Pacific times are 9:30 and 1:30. 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.fourcornerspress.com. You can also now go to MP3 podcasts and Write on 4 Corners to pick up the program after it airs.
- - - - -
 The Catholic Writer’s Guild, www.catholicwritersguild.org, and Canticle Magazine, www.canticlemagazine.com, are pleased to announce the first Catholic Writer’s Conference Online May 2 - 9, 2008. Conducted entirely via Internet, the conference will feature online seminars and chat rooms hosted by editors, agents, published writers, and other media professionals in book and magazine publishing. F r ^ ^ to writers of all levels, advance registration is required. To register go to www.conference.catholicwritersguild.org. At 10 am, Pacific time, on Monday, May 5, Carolyn will present Your First Marketing Offense: Query Letters and Great Editing or Ten Ways to Let an Agent Know You Are an Amateur. Karina Fabian will moderate. Then Carolyn will co - present a seminar with Karina on book promotion at 11 am Pacific Time the same day.
- - - -
Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be guest speaker for Pamela Kelly's UCLA Extension course, "Public Speaking for Professionals" on Monday, May 19th at the Public Affairs Bldg, Room 2238, 7 - 10pm. Those interested in learning the steps to exciting and effective speaking, may enroll by going to www.uclatextension.edu and enrolling for Reg# T7594B. Pam Kelly is the author of Speak with Passion, Speak with Power!, a book on speaking that I strongly recommend for authors who want their books to succeed.
- - - - -
Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be one of the featured winners of the USA Book News' booth at BEA on Friday, May 29, at the nation's premier book event, Book Expo America. She will sign her USA Book News Award - Winning book, The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success in the USA Book News booths, #835 & #837 in the PMA Pavilion at 11 to 11:30 am. Make BEA reservations and get info about the event here: www.bookexpoamerica.com .
- - - - -
Carolyn Howard - Johnson will read from her chapbook of poetry, Tracings, Monday evening, Aug. 11, at 7:30 pm at the Village Bookstore 1049 Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA. Poets Alice Pero and Lois P. Jones sponsor ongoing featured readings called Moonday. Learn more at www.home.earthlink.net/ ~pero/moonday.html.
- - - - -
The f r e ^ Muse Online Writers' Conference, sponsored by Lea Schizas and Carolyn Howard - Johnson, is accepting early registration. Nearly 2,000 attended last year and openings are limited. Learn more about this year's conference, October 13 to 19th, and how you can assure your spot in 2008. We will present an all - new program soon. Carolyn will do a seminar on "Query Letters! Editing them perfectly for a great first impression." Go to: www.freewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference/presentersregistration.htm

To see the growing list of presenters go to: www.freewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference/2007/workshops.htm
- - - - -
 Carolyn Howard - Johnson will speak to the California Writers Club of San Fernando Valley at 1 pm on December 13, 2008. It's at the Encino Community Center, 4939 Balboa Blvd (just north of Ventura Blvd.), Encino, CA 91316. Learn more about the year's programs www.calwriterssfv.com and sign up to join. It's a dynamic group. E - mail is cwcsfv@gmail.com.
______________________________________________________

Opportunity:

The National Association of Baby Boomer Women and Grand Magazine are sponsoring the Favorite Grandparent Memory Essay Contest.

You have 500 words to tell us your favorite grandparent memory. Submit your essay in a Word document as an attachment to contest@nabbw.com with FAVORITE GRANDPARENT MEMORY in the subject line by July 1, 2008. Win $250.00 and F - R - E - E membership or renewal in the NABBW. Plus your story will be published in the Our Voices section at www.boomerwomenspeak.com, and in the September - October issue of GRAND magazine.

Include your name, e - mail address, and short (no more than 75 words) bio at the top of your entry. Men may also submit! (Should a man win, he can keep the $250.00 and give the free membership to www.NABBW.com a boomer woman.)

======================================================
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. Go to www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com. Sign up in the left hand column. Find related resources by scrolling to the bottom of the blog.
====================================================

Wordstuff ™

Something to Make Writers Smile

(Definitions in the next few newsletters are from www.butlerwebs.com/jokes/definitions.htm.You might have some favorite neologisms, metaphors or similes that make you smile. If so, please contribute.)
"FEEDBACK: The inevitable result when the baby doesn't appreciate the strained carrots."

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

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/

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 newsletter, 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/

The second in the How To Do It Frugally series of books, The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success, is available at this link to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870/


The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know About Selling Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less, is available on Amazon as a Short for 49 cents.
http://www.amazon.com/Great - First - Impression - Book - Proposal/dp/B000YG6O5U/