June 8, 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
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Sharing with Writers is the official newsletter of Authors' Coalition,
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_June_No1Week_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
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Note from Carolyn:

Dear Subscribers and Authors' Coalition Members:

I've been telling you the Web is what can make a difference to your promotion campaign. Whether your book is sizzling or dribbling, the Web is where it's at. Now Time magazine confirms it with an article by Michael Scherer and Jay Newton - Small. It's titled "Why Dems Rule the Web" and the deck proclaims, "In this campaign, grass - roots organizing has moved online. How the Democrats got the jump on the GOP - - and what it could mean in November."

Just so you know, I don't care what side of the political fence you're on politically. It's my feeling we should all quit being so polarized and start pulling together in that arena, but certainly there should be no arguments when it comes to marketing.

Anyway, the article cites the main reason the Web is working so well. It's one word, really. It's "Participation."

As campaigns go, individuals have moved from waiting for a pamphlet in their mailbox to explain the issues to voicing their own opinion on the Web. Campaign movers and shakers are also finding the Web invaluable for compiling lists - - all kinds of lists. Lists that include addresses, phone numbers and e - mail addresses. Building lists is one of the first things I talk about in The Frugal Book Promoter. Both list - building and networking on the nets are supposed to be good for raising money, too, but I admit I don't have that one perfected.

What is true for the national campaigns this year has been true for the publishing industry (at least for small publishers) for quite a while and it's only getting more so as we authors branch out into social networking, interactive blogging and begin to utilize videos so we can, "you know, sit down and chat with folks while they sip their Starbucks."

Mmmmm. With all the practice we're getting, maybe we should run for office. Bet any one of my SWW subscribers could help constituents become less polarized and help them to "you know, just get along."

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: I want to remind you that June is my month to write. So, if I don't get back to you as quickly as usual, that's the reason. This newsletter may be shorter and less frequent as well.

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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."
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Letter - to - the - Editor

Hi Carolyn,

Even those of us who aren't publishers/writers/librarians/booksellers found BEA incredibly valuable! Speaking for myself, it is a WONDERFUL opportunity for me to say "thank you" in person to all the authors/publishers/illustrators who send us books to review ... and that we can then donate to at - risk readers. AND connect with new folks, too. It is also a great opportunity to "browse" what the industry thinks kids want to read ... and to pitch for things we really need (like books written at a 4th grade level that will intrigue a high school sophomore or junior, for one).

Another great newsletter!

Terry
Terry Doherty
Executive Director, The Reading Tub, Inc

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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
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TIP: Reviewer Mayra Calvani is using a big blog tour to launch her new book that explores the review process. She interviewed me on the subject and I am sure that it (and her book!) will help you understand the reviews in terms that will help your own book soar. Use this URL:
(http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/06/07/071041.php)
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TIP: Do you remember the green column I ran for several issues awhile ago? The one with ideas for making coloring your writing the color of trees. Here are some resources that will help you recycle your high tech trash.

For cell phone recycling options go to www.recyclewirelessphones.com .

The National Cristina Foundation connects those with computers to give with those who need computers. Go to www.cristina.org. Or recycle yours at your local Staples or other office supply stores. Most charge a fee. (By the way, I'd also be pleased to put those with computers to give together with those in need, especially soldiers. I'll use my www.warpeacetoleranceblog.com to do that. Just let me know at hojonews@aol.com.

To recycle batteries: Stores that sell rechargeable batteries sometimes will accept used ones. Research at www.call2recycle.org.

To recycle printer supplies: Refill them at your local office supply stores or return them in boxes provided by many companies who make cartridges. Collecting used ones for recycling can be a profitable fundraiser for charities, schools and other groups. too.
Americans toss two million tons of unwanted electronics annually.

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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
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You Are Invited

Your Journal, Genealogy and Your Next Book

Patrika Vaughn and I are teaming up to present a free teleseminar to writers who want to tell their own stories, as memoir or as fiction. Thus it is for genealogists, journalists and story tellers everywhere.

The teleseminar titled "How To Write Your Life Story" will be moderated by award - winning speaker and author, Allyn Evans who is also the author of Grab the Queen Power: Live Your Best Life, also a book based on her own experiences.

I'll share my experience of turning my family's genealogy and stories into my award - winning novel This Is the Place and how I used the leftover stories from that effort in a book of creative nonfiction short stories, Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered. I am hoping my experience will not only inform those inclined to publish their stories but who need more information about how that might come to be. I even used family memories in my chapbook of poetry, Tracings. All three books are multiple award - winners. She is also working on a memoir, Here's How I Don't Cook.

Patrika, author of How to Write Your Own Life Story or Your Family's Saga, will talk about how to turn this material into a book, covering:

1) why you should write it
2) how to go about it (even if you've never before written anything but emails)
3) how to make it interesting to others

Writers are invited to listen and come prepared with their questions at noon on July 12th EST. Call 1 - 218 - 936 - 7999. When prompted use this access code: 390175. If asked, participants may need this pin number: 2823.

The teleconference will be available as a podcast afterward at:
• Authors' Coalition, www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress/podcasts_&_radio.htm
• The ACapella Publishing site, www.acapella.com/
• Allyn Evans' site, www.allynevans.com
• On Allyn's Queen Power site, www.queeenpower.com .
• And on Carolyn's Resources for Writers page at www.howtodoitfrugally.com
Those with questions may contact Patrika at .acappub@aol.com. Please put it on your calendar!

The seminar is offered as a service to the writing community through the auspices of Authors' Coalition (www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com) and Vaughn's publishing firm, A Cappela Publishing (www.acapella.com).

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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.
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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 Red Room webmasters and editors for the great page they posted for me. Mostly I loved the banner they created including a motto that was just too cute. Here it is: "Carolyn's work ranges from symbolic and oblique to Chatty Cathy depending on its purpose." If you haven't read any of the "symbolic and oblique," see what you're missing! See the Red Room site at: http://www.redroom.com/publishedwork/frugal - editor - put - your - best - book - forward - avoid - humilation - and - ensure - success - how - do - it
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To Lisa Osborne, radio host and writer, for the article she did on my frugal approach to all things publishing. She contributed it to the Ventura County Star. The article is part of a package she offers that includes her radio show interview and her columns. I've seen the print version of the story and it's wonderful but it is also online here: http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/may/07/author - to - authors - how - to - publish - and - promote - own/ Learn more about what Lisa does for authors at www.lisa.fm or contact her at broadcastedge@aol.com.

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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. So is Yarnspinners and Wordweavers. Contact katieseyes@aol.com.
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In the News: A forum on Amazon is all abuzz about Amazon's new e - book reader, Kindle. Most of the talk is about how many of the expensive little gadgets have sold. The usual paranoia that surrounds secrets permeates this conversation, too. Everyone wonders how many Kindles have sold (because that may affect their e - Books and their Shorts that are offered on Kindle), and many seem to think that Amazon has some ulterior motive about not being forthcoming with those figures. Now the LA Times (Calendar section, Apr. 14, Page E9) brings some clarity. On the basis of customer reviews, they estimate at least 2,000 Kindles have sold and add that supply is not keeping up with demand.

Publishers are reporting double - digit increases in their e - book sales since the Kindle's release. Apparently the buzz has even increased the sales of books for Sony's reader.

Here's my usual SWW lesson that comes from the news. For the author, this issue (publishing on Kindle vs. anything else) is not an either/or situation. When possible you should be making your book available in as many formats as possible: Print, Sony reader, Kindle, and any other way you can think of. Why? Because you as publisher or author or both are in fact retailers. You try to give your customers the book they want (let's hope that's yours!) the way they want it. If your book isn't available as an e - book when they want to pack their books into a reader for their trip to Europe, they may buy a similar book from a competitor in order to do so - - no matter how much they've been wanting to read yours. Marketing. Sales. Promotion. They're always about the customer, not the preferences or prejudices of the vendor.

CHJ

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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 frequently. If you don't see what you need for your blog or newsletter, just ask. HoJoNews@aol.com.
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Turn on the AC – Read a Good Book

By Mindy P. Lawrence

Summer is almost here and the New York Times has come out with its Summer Reading Issue. For those of us who haven’t made it there yet, may I suggest turning on the AC (Authors’ Coalition) this summer and reading some fine books put out by our members.

Here’s a list to get you started:

* For Shrieking Out Loud, Joyce Faulkner
You want to laugh a little? Cry a little? Enjoy finding someone else who can’t decide which way they are headed on a one - way street? That would be Joyce Faulkner. Her book, For Shrieking Out Loud, will have you rolling. A great read for the beach!

* Sun Signs for Writers, Bev Walton - Porter
Use this summer to brush up on how you can use astrology to build characters. This book is interesting, well written and fun.

* The Human Element, Dan Skelton
Bake in the sun with this mind - blowing novel about a high school football player worshipped by a small town and who is all wrong. It’s a graphic, intense read that you won’t forget. For adults only.

* Tracings, Carolyn Howard - Johnson
Poetry to make you think. You don’t want your brain to shrivel on the beach, do you?

*Her Perfect Life, Vicki Hinze
Shot down in Iraq, Captain Katie Slater is a captive for six years. When she returns to Florida, something is wrong but no one will tell her what it is. Hinze is a master of romantic suspense with a heart.
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Mindy Phillips Lawrence, Authors' Coalition member and co - author of The Complete Writer (Red Engine Press). www.redenginepress.com

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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
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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 don't think you're a poet, check your last book or the book you're writing. Check for similes, metaphors and symbols. Check to see if your use the five senses in your writing. As you go, underline or enter what you find into a document. You may find inspiration for a poem there.

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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
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Tip from BEA: Here is a resource for point of purchase or floor - standing display units, header cards, etc.
Montco Packaging, 400 Taylor St. Phoenixville, PA 19460, (610) 935 9545, www.montcopackaging.com.
I use some acrylic displays in the retail stores that feature my books at their point of purchase counter but if an author plans to sell alternatively and/or display their books frequently at trade shows and/or book fairs, buying these cardboard units in quantity (and early on in one's promotion campaign!) would be a good idea.

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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! 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.
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Opportunities

4RV press is accepting manuscripts for next year's production schedule. Guidelines can be found on the Services page of http://4rvpublishingllc.com
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The Decatur (GA) Book Festival, http://www.decaturbookfestival.com, is coming. August 30 - 31 so it's time for interested authors to sign up for signing opportunities. http://www.decaturbookfestival.com. Contact Mary Flad, mary@decaturbookfestival.com, Several SWW members' titles will be featured at the 4RVPublishing booth. They are: Midnight Hours by Vivian Gilbert Zabel; State of Wilderness by Elysabeth Eldering and illustrated by Aidan WillowRaven; Lion in the Living Room by Caelaach (Kelly) McKinna and illustrated by A.R. Stone; Bubba and Giganto: Odds against Us by Lea Schizas; Tockle by Holly Jahangiri and illustrated by Jordan M. Vinyard; Al - the - Gator and Freddy Frog by Doc Gator and illustrated by Randy Zabel; Walking the Earth: Life's Perspectives in Poetry by eight poets including Jacque Graham, Holly Jahangiri, and Vivian Zabel; Hidden Lies and Other Stories by Vivian Gilbert Zabel and Holly Jahangiri.
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From Anne Louise Reinhard to You

Humor Hints

A while back, I wrote that I’m my own best humor target, and I do try to stick to that, but sometimes I’m just too good to be funny. I can search myself for foibles and review my daily activities for mishaps, only to come up empty - handed. So……..what then? Panic sets in, especially on a deadline. I’d like to say that I have a neatly organized file of possible topics, each neatly printed on color - coded note cards, but that would be lying. What I actually have are three or four file folders, one or two of which I might be able to find, each containing – in barely legible handwriting - - various ideas or observations that I have scribbled on post - its, napkins, and meeting agendas. Often, these can be worked into rants, humor columns, or possible book titles. And if not, they at least entertain me for a while, and then I can get back to my deadline - driven panic.

May your keyboard never falter!
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Reach Anne Louise at annelouise@annelouise.net

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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.)

Janet Kay Jensen's novel, Don’t You Marry the Mormon Boys, was awarded the bronze from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year 2008 Contest. The announcement was made at an awards ceremony May 30 at Book Expo America, Los Angeles, CA. Janet reports: “There were chuckles from the audience when they heard the title. Part of it comes from the rhythm of the words when they’re spoken out loud, and it’s usually obvious to most people that it’s a tongue - in - cheek title. It’s taken from an old folksong: "Come girls come and listen to my noise/ Don’t you marry the Mormon boys./If you do your fortune it will be,/Johnnycake and babies is all you’ll see.
Actually, it was a ‘fill - in - the - blank’ song, so people sang ‘Don’t you marry the Texas boys,’ or ‘Don’t you marry the Kansas boys’ . . . whatever fit the occasion. In my case, the occasion was the book title.” Learn more at www. janetjensen.com
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Vivian Gilbert Zabel's mystery suspense thriller Midnight Hours will be released later this month. The web site for the book is http://midnight - hours.weebly.com.
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Sylvia McClain, editor of Scribal News, just published her 50th issue of that calendar. You may submit news of your writing - related presentations to her. She divides the calendar by regions. Here is the link to her 50th edition:
www.scribalpress.com/200850June.pdf

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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
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Tip: Authors interested in self - publishing will want to bookmark www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com/printers.htm for an extensive list of printers, some with other services.
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Mini Brag: Now that the New Generation Indie Book Awards has their award page up, I thought I'd give you the link. http://www.indiebookawards.com/2008_winners_and_finalists.php. The Frugal Editor is on that list in two places, I'm proud to say, but then, ahem! I may have mentioned that before. Part of the winning perk was that they distributed 10,000 catalogs that included the winners at BEA and they are accepting entries for next year.

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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
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On Editing

Answers to All the Excuses in the World: Well, at least answers to the ones I hear most often! ( - :
I've heard about every excuse there is for not hiring an editor. Here are some of the arguments. Is your excuse among them?


I don't need to worry about an editor. My book will be traditionally published.
• You can't rely on the editor provided by your publisher - - any publisher. I've seen even the biggest publisher let boo - boos in books slip through. And many small publishers hire inexperienced typo hunters, not real editors.

I'm hiring an experience editor. I'm letting her do the work. That's what I'm paying her for.
• You can't rely on even the best editor you hire. You need to be a partner with your editor. If you know little or nothing about the process, how can you know what to accept or what to reject? When you're sure you want to break a rule and when you want to consider what he or she is telling you, even if it goes against your pattern or makes you uncomfortable? "Partner" is the key word here. You want to be able to do that even if you're publishing with Harper's and your editor turns out to be a channeled Jacqueline Kennedy. ( - :

I'm just publishing POD for my family.
• No matter how you publish, you need an editor before you go to press. Regardless of how you are publishing or what you call the process. (By the way, many terms used for publishing these days have become almost unintelligible because so many are using them incorrectly. That adds confusion to an already confusing process!) That book "just for your family" will be seen by great, great, great, great grandchildren.

I know I should have an editor but I keep procrastinating . . . Find several other common excuses including what you can do about it at www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com. Leave your favorite excuse in the comments. ( - : That could be fun. Don't forget you book's title and URL.

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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://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. ( - :
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Tip: Here's a way to find a radio host ready to entertain your query to be a guest on his or her show. Listen in on Fran Silverman's radio shows. She is the Radio Host expert at The Radio Host Show with Fran Silverman on Blog Talk Radio. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Francine - Silverman
All Fran's guests are hosts themselves. You are sure to find a host with a show that matches your book's title or your expertise. Here is Fran's schedule for June:

On June 10 at 10 a.m. (ET), Dawn Davenport, host of Creating a Family: Talk about Infertility and Adoption, on http://www.findingyourchild.com and

On June 17, 2008, at 11 a.m. (ET), my guest will be Kathe Gogolewski, co - host of The Mother Daughter Club on http://byforandaboutwomen.com

Call is 646 - 378 - 1865 during the live half - hour segments. The shows are archived about 15 minutes after the broadcast ends. But think! If you call during the show you can connect, offer up something important or ask a pertinent question. You might even judiciously mention your book's title.

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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.
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A Little Rill on Turin's Book Fair Problems
I thought you'd like to see my rill on what is happening to book fairs including the one in Turin Italy. See this month's Back To Literature column at MyShelf.com: http://myshelf.com/backtoliterature/column.htm

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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
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In the News

In its report on Book Expo America the LA Times noted the growing importance of digital books. Simon Schuster announced that it was doubling its existing digital offerings (to 5,000) to take advantage of Kindle.
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Paul Payack, the guru behind Global Language Monitor, a website and language consulting business including one called YourDictionary.com which I use to deliver a vocabulary word a day to my e - mail box, says that there are now nearly 995,000 words in English and that the language is growing so fast that it will hit on million sometime this year. By contrast, Spanish has 275,000 words and French only about 100,000. That's because the French have been very busy keeping their language pure while English appears to relish its mongrel status. Of course, the internet has hurried the process along. For some new words I betcha didn't know, go to my blog at http://thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com/2008/05/our - mongrel - language - adopts - words - so.html.

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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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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:

Excerpt Rights: This means that the purchaser of your work can use excerpts from your work in other instances. One example of this is the use of an excerpt in an educational environment.

Small portions of a work can usually be quoted, with proper attribution, in an article or essay by another author. This is termed "fair use." There are legal guidelines pertaining to what is regarded as "fair use," and these guidelines vary from country to country. If you intend to quote extensively, or would like to quote material whose use may be denied to outside parties, you should always ask permission from the original copyright owner, to avoid legal entanglements.
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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 - - 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.
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Word Update: I've been seeing "p - book" being bandied about as an easy way to say "old - fashioned book" or "book in print on paper" as opposed to "e - books" for books not on paper.

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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. Please use this link:
http://www.vistaprint.com/frf?frf=815651421184
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Tip: Occasionally give something away on your blog. In the Frugal vein, try to make it something that you can provide electronically. Warning: Don't overdo it. You want your blog to be about content, not only f r ^ ^ bies.
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Tip: My interview with Spirited Woman Nancy Mills included a bit of nostalgia. The way journalism used to be before computers, what it was like to be in New York in Christian Dior's time, how Good Housekeeping magazine used to be. Sign up with Nancy now for the CD or podcast of this interview or to hear her interview with fellow Spirited Woman authors including USA Today's Most Influential winner Jacqueline Mitchard, author of the Deep End of the Ocean and Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of Pay It Forward. Go to: www.thespiritedwoman.com/spirited_woman_circle

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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.
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An Itty - Bitty Column on Writing

Writing Without a Net

When I was small, I watched the Flying Wallendas on television doing death - defying walks on a wire perched high above the big top - - without a net. Did they fall? Occasionally. Some didn’t make it but, in spite of loss, they’ve continued performing since their beginning in 1780.

What does this have to do with writing? A lot. We stumble and fall, yet must continue to write, regardless of outcome. What about that blasted net? Writers don’t have one. We can sit in our little cells away from the sun writing our hearts out and not know if anyone will ever want what we are producing. Do we quit? Not on your life. We make take a break (that’s good for the soul) but we don’t fold up our computers and never open them again – not if we are determined as we should be.

So, let me encourage you. Write deeply. Write from the bottom of your heart. Write something you think will grab humanity and do good for it. Write something that YOU like to write…and something you’d like to read.

Here are some links for your encouragement. Forget the net. You don’t need it. If writers have a net at all, it’s each other.

The Flying Wallendas
http://www.wallenda.com/

Encouragement for Writers
http://www.marileebrothers.com/for - writers.html

Encouragement and Motivation, Especially for Writers
http://www.socyberty.com/Lifestyle - Choices/Encouragement - and - Motivation - Especially - for - Writers.90437

For Writers – Sharon Hinck
http://www.sharonhinck.com/for - writers/

Overcoming Doubt about Your Writing – Vicki Hinze
http://groups.msn.com/RomanceWritingTips/articles1.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=604&LastModified=4675471364539669640

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Mindy Phillips Lawrence www.freewebs.com/mplcreative is the author of One Blue Star and co - author of The Complete Writer. She is also the 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.

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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, 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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A Quick BEA Report

My Take on a Changing Industry

Things in publishing are changing so these are the top NEW changes I saw this year, including one (the last one) that probably isn't new but that I hadn't noticed before.

1. BEA generally is not a good place to try to sell a book. Research publishers, yes. But most publishers have stopped sending their editors (at least when the event is on the West coast!). I was told that is because of the cutbacks in publishing, because of the recession and because of the slowdown in the publishing industry. Now one finds in the booths mostly publicity and marketing people. I have a theory that you'll see more editors when this tradeshow is in New York next year because a cross town trip on the subway will fit into strapped publishers' budgets.
Read the other three including what many authors "get wrong" at www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com.
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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching:

(I'm taking the months of June and July off to write. Hope this plan works. ( - :)

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.
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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: For more information click here:
http://www.themuseonlinewritersconference.com
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 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.
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TIP: An SWW subscriber May Lattanzio sends this link to Stephen King's suggestions for being a better writer. This blogger didn't mention one of his best and little known tip, though, one I mention (and credit King for!) in The Frugal Editor. Here is the link to the blog. http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2007/10/08/stephen - kings - top - 7 - tips - for - becoming - a - better - writer/

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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. 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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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.)
"CHICKENS: The only animals you eat before they are born and after they are dead." (This saying is not quite accurate; I can think of a couple other fowl, but you get the idea. ( - : )

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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.

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/