To read this newsletter in PDF (with a bit more pizzazz) go to:
http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/SharingwithWriters_Oct_08_2008.pdf

October 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
Sharing with Writers is the official newsletter of Authors' Coalition,
www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
An organization of writers who help writers.

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. I also tell writers to be patient with other writers when they make editing boo - boos. We're all human, this letter comes out weekly and it's long!

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

Contents

Regular Features
~Notes from Carolyn (Editorial)
~Letters to the Editor (Recommended Publisher)
~Tips Galore! (They're scattered, you'll just have to find them!)
~Opportunities: Blog Support Group
~On Poetry
~Author Successes (Also full of resources that have worked for your fellow subscribers)
~Mindy Lawrence's Itty Bitty Column: “Editorial Calendars and Other Tips for Planning Season”
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™

Special to this Issue
~Q&A: Amazon Owns My What???


Note from Carolyn

Dear Subscribers and Authors' Coalition Members:

Today's letter is about writing and editing but it's also about not being chintzy with yourself. My husband and I just returned from an amazing Transatlantic cruise that - - once across the grand pond of water - - stopped in New York and Fort Lauderdale. It was a long cruise and we elected to get off the ship in New York and fly home immediately.

When we got to New York we pulled into the port in Brooklyn. Across from us was Battery Park and that incomparable skyline (the best of any in the world!). New York was dressed in her best, that rare September morning look. Crisp air. Blue sky. Cool breeze off the East River. The smell of ocean salt. The tinny sounds of a city awaking. NEW YORK, NEW YORK!!! Ahhh.

But our plane left at 11:30 so we had to take a taxi to La Guardia airport. I have always added a day to business trips. I might use that day to visit the Dayton Art Museum after working the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop or spend it exploring Nashville's quaint downtown after the Southern Book Fair. So I know that it works. I guess I just needed a reminder. So New York dressed itself in it's Chanel best so I wouldn't forget again.

Now, I promised you something on editing. During the at sea days on the Atlantic, I did some editing and was reminded that I want to remind you about using caps for emphasis. You know, like the caps I just used for NEW YORK! NEW YORK.

Try not to do it. What you can get away with on the Web is different from what people come to expect in a book. Besides, it's the lazy writer's way to yell or emphasize something. You can do better. Your dialogue can say it's yelling by the word selection. You character can show she is yelling when you give her certain body language. Whomever she is talking to can indicate she is yelling by his reaction to her in either his dialogue or his body language. There are all kinds of ways to achieve what you're after without resorting to caps.

I'm not saying, never - ever - ever use all - caps to achieve something in your writing. I'm just saying, try to do without them. Give your writing skills a workout first. That way you grow as a writer and you'll also be confident that you didn't use all - caps because you didn't know of another way (yes, I think about any other way is better!) to achieve the affect.

And about NEW YORK, NEW YORK! I could have used lots of exclamation points but they're just as bad. I wasn't writing dialogue so I couldn't use my dialogue skills. Sometimes - - rarely - - over - using formatting just seems the only way to let exuberance loose. But there still is a better way. I could have just expressed my enthusiasm. I could have said something like, "I just adore New York! Always have. Always will!"

Here's to New York! Here's to learning hard - won lessons! With a little luck, I won't ever again forget that one day at the Met may be worth more than a day returning e - mail. And then there's that thing about how easy it is to lapse back into the all - caps habit.

Happy promoting! And yes, writing and editing, too!
Carolyn Howard - Johnson

PS: October 13 to 19 is the f r ^ ^ Muse Online Writers' Conference that I cosponsor with the inimitable Lea Schizas. If you've signed up, please don't let the opportunity slip by you. See details below under "Appearances."

=====================================================
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."
=====================================================


Letters to the Editor:

Dear Carolyn:

I published two books with Outskirts Press. Both were novels for young adults. Before publishing with Outskirts, I published with another publisher. My experience with Outskirts Press was much more satisfying and I highly recommend them.

I can't speak for every author, only for myself, but my goal in publishing with Outskirts was to get books in the hands of kids. I had been visiting local schools and reading my manuscripts to classes, so I had a large fan base already waiting for printed copies. I have made money on my books and continue to do so. I have done school visits, library readings, bookstore signings, non - bookstore signings, and even had one of my books used in a local library as a children's book club selection.

The process was very smooth with Outskirts. One of the reasons I like them is because they are very flexible in working with you. I made it clear to them from the start that I would rather sell 1000 books at ten dollars apiece than 500 books at twenty dollars apiece. My goal was to get the books in as many kids' hands as possible and they worked with me on that by letting me set a lower retail price than other publishers allow.

Not only have I sold a lot of books and formed a regional fan base, but I now have a reputable agent interested in representing me based on a new manuscript and the reviews from the books published by Outskirts. One thing I have always done, and I would recommend to anyone planning on publishing, is to have your work professionally edited and critiqued. No one will respect your work if there are a lot of typos and mistakes in it.

I go on a lot of writers' websites and the main complaint they have about on - demand publishing is that it involves a lot of marketing work for the author. But so does traditional publishing! You still have to do the same work. You have to set things up for yourself. But if you take your book into a local library or bookstore and let them read it, and if it's any good, they will agree to let you do a signing.

I read letters from authors who have been traditionally published complaining that they did a signing and no one showed up or they only sold two books. That has never happened to me. I have never sold less than fifteen books at a signing and I usually sell quite a few more than that. I have never had a bookstore, school or library turn me away. I leave them a copy to read and they are so impressed by the story, they are glad to sign me up. They don't care how it was published, only that it is a well - written story.

The publishing process itself was very smooth. Outskirts worked with me all the way and answered any questions I had. I was very happy with the job that was done. The final product (the book) is very high quality and I haven't had
any complaints from anyone who has bought a copy, only compliments.

I don't receive any discounts or rewards for recommending Outskirts Press to other authors. They knew I was happy with my experience and asked if I would because I remember how confused I was when I first started looking into publishing. I researched a lot of other publishers before deciding on Outskirts Press and I'm glad I made the decision I did. I published my first book elsewhere and I was so disappointed in the final product and in the lack of service.

Best wishes for a bright future,
Judy Levering - Duff, Author of The Medallion of Tiben, The Glass Cage and Barnaby Wetzel, Boy Wizard

Note: Outskirts Press is a subsidy publisher and several Sharing with Writers subscribers have mentioned them to me lately.

=====================================================
Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites is now accepting nominations for next year’s list. If you've found Sharing with Writers newsletter or blog or the resources at HowToDoItFrugally.com helpful in the past year, please send your nomination to writersdig@fwpubs.com. Put "101 Websites" in the subject line. Please do it now. Jan 1, 2009, is the deadline and you know how the holidays get! ( - :
=====================================================


Tip: Have a free e - book? Here's a new site where you can get more exposure for it. www.authorarcs.com. As long as we're on the subject, if you have a book that is moldering in a drawer because it hasn't sold, what about utilizing it this way, or serializing it in a blog? Properly promoted, you can build readership and loyalty this way


=====================================================
New members will help Authors' Coalition serve all its members better! Ask your writing friends to join at 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 the Authors' Coalition blog. There they'll learn how to spark generally insipid book fairs by using value - added promotions. www.authorscoalition.blogspot.com.
=====================================================


Q&A a la Ann Landers
Amazon My What?. . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I did not know that Amazon owns the review that you post there?

Does this mean I could not place a review on your site that is already on Amazon unless re - written?

Thanks for your time,
Julie Bonn Heath, Marketing and Public Relations
http://www.juliebonnheath.com

Because I'm not a copyright lawyer, I don't give legal advice. But I've seen a letter direct from Amazon. It explained that by "owning" reviews (and other material people post there), they mean they are protecting themselves, that they may use it as the author posted it or any other way they choose to use it; they don't mean that you can't still utilize your review the way you'd like to.

This rights clause is rather like they have "first rights." but not all rights. Many reviewers do rewrite a tad or a lot in order to re - use reviews. I do that for the reviews I write as an Amazon Vine reviewer. Not because I have to but because Amazon supplies free product for me to review and I figure I owe them something fairly exclusive. But most reviewers are not Vine reviewers and Amazon does not demand I do that. I just do. Sometimes I will also credit Amazon as the original publisher of the review, but not always. And it is not necessary for a writer to do that, only a courtesy.


=====================================================
My blog, War, Peace, Tolerance and Our Soldiers is where I get to nag and rag and try to make things better for our troops and maybe for the world. I'd love to have you leave a comment. www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com
=====================================================


Opportunity: If you write a blog that is literary or for writers, I am putting together a blog support group. It goes like this. You promise to comment when those in our group blog and they comment on yours. This is designed to keep increase traffic to your blogs and keep them from looking as if no one cares. All you need do is send me your blog address and a little pitch for your blog, I'll assemble the addresses and send them out to participants. Then you just comment when they notify you that they have a new post. This works best for bloggers who post at least once a month. BTW, when you comment on others' blogs, you of course leave valuable content but you also get to leave your own website address or blog address.


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


Tip: Did you know that most writers use the term "self - publishing" incorrectly? If you are considering "self - publishing," know how people are defining the term before you start a dialogue. You are truly self - publishing when you do everything on your own. If you get help (from iUniverse or a myriad of similar small publishers) you are subsidy - publishing. Sometimes that is called partner - publishing. There are probably as many combinations of self - subsidy - and partner - publishing as there are firms and presses so do your homework. No one firm or method will be perfect. Yours is to choose the features that best suit your title, your personality and your pocketbook.


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

Tip: The best way to form a critique group - - bar none - - is to take a local class in whatever genre you write in, preferably from an accredited university. Then carefully select those in the class who are the most knowledgeable and whose personalities match yours and invite them to continue the learning experience with you - - only this time at no cost.


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


Tip on Editing: When I was on my cruise, I did some editing. It was a book that had already been edited by the publisher. It's easy to miss quotation marks that curl the wrong way so do a last check on those before submitting your manuscript. And, it appears, that some publishers don't know when or how to make dashes into em dashes. You'll learn how in The Frugal Editor. Use your index.


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

Subscriber May Lattanzio, poet and photographer (her photos will grace my next poetry chapbook co - authored with Magdalena Ball for mothers She Wore Emerald Then) sent me this site for a poetry contest. I think the reading fee ($5) is fair. http://www.wildviolet.net/poetrycontest.html


=====================================================
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: If you've been reading this newsletter, you probably know that getting backlinks to your site is a good thing. You probably also know that getting backlinks from highly trafficked sites is better than getting them from obscure sites. Find out what a site's ranking is by going to www.prchecker.info/check_page_rank.php . Ideally you'll want to search for sites similar to your with a ranking of two or higher.


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


Tip: Listen to Francine Silverman author of two books on talk radio including Talk Radio Wants You is on the radio show Career Czar® October 17, 2008. Get the inside scoop on talk radio and check out her website at www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com! This show is already on the Career Czar's (Paul Bruno) site if you want to listen: www.alltalkradio.net/careerczar/career101708.mp3


=====================================================
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
=====================================================


News: Writer Advice has expanded. It has a whole new section called Journaling for Caregivers. Click on the link next to the Bugle. You'll find information about this topic. Find the most recent edition at, www.writeradvice.com Lynn Good is the editor.

=====================================================
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: Speaking of backlinks, social networking helps you get those for your site. When you build a profile page, you link to your own website and, yes, that counts! So if you've been avoiding social network sites because of the work involved, what's wrong with putting up a profile page and waiting for people to contact you? You achieve both exposure and a good, strong backlink.



=====================================================
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: Now is the time to plan your spring book fair season. Sign up for the Authors' Coalition signing spots at the LA Times/UCLA Festival of books. with Christine Alexanians at chalexwrite@yahoo.com. It's $140 for a signing spot, with a price break for a second spot (it's a two day fair!). The price includes training in promoting a fair, access to value - added promotions for the fair, display of your book in the booth for the full two days, being listed on an Authors' Coalition listmania on Amazon and more.


=====================================================
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 2009's LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books with Christine Alexanians, tinooshik@yahoo.com
=====================================================


Tip: A growing social networking site that is especially useful for writers is www.authornation.com.


=====================================================
"AC is the current that powers your writing career." http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
=====================================================


TIP: A new book for you to consider is Top Self Publishing Firms: How Writers Get Published, Sell More books, and Rise to the Top. It's by Stacie Vander Pol. The chapter on publishing packages is especially helpful.


=====================================================
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: On the Resources for Writers pages of my website is a list of free books (and, yes, books for sale) that will help writers. Find it at www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/inspiration_and_references_for_writers.htm. Normally you can just go to www.howtodoitfrugally.com and click on Resources for Writers tab at the top of the page to find helpful lists galore but the site is on the fritz right now. I'm working on it. ( - :


=====================================================
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: Do you subscribe to at least one periodical for writers? Please support our industry and your career by doing so. Among my favorites are Writer's Digest, Poets & Writers, the Writer's Chronicle, and Writer's Journal (www.writersjournal.com ). I have been writing a column for the latter, which was one of the benefits of subscribing and getting to know a magazine well.


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


An Itty - Bitty Column on Writing


Editorial Calendars and Other Tips for Planning Season
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

When the hot summer days give way to a chill and leaves change from green to brilliant colors, it’s planning season – time to plan your writing work for the upcoming year. Like a garden crop that benefits from mapping out where, when and how much you intend to grow, writing gains from the same “pre - planting” attention. Instead of tomatoes, you are raising an annual crop of words.

First, get a 2009 spiral - bound planner, which contains both weekly and monthly pages. I got mine at Barnes and Noble for $10. You can find them for much less. After you’ve gotten your planner, build these lists to get started with the process.

Pick a day (or part of two or three days) and set that time aside for organizing your writing goals for 2009. If you are working with a literary agent or publisher, part of that schedule will be set for you to meet their deadlines. Meet them and show your professionalism. However, setting your OWN deadlines and meeting them is equally important. It gets you into the rhythm of working at a given time toward a given goal.

Editorial Calendars

Scrounge the web sites of magazines and publishers to find out what topics they intend to cover in 2009. Also, be aware if you write a seasonal article that you should allow a lead time of at least six months as magazines work at least that far ahead.
2009 Holidays and Festivals

Make a list of ALL the holidays in 2009 and keep that six months lead time in mind as you query. List not only major holidays but also state holidays, regional holidays and festivals. There’s always something happening to write about.

2009 Podcasts

Google podcasting sites and find out their broadcast schedules for 2009. Query well ahead to get an interview slot for you and your work.

2009 Interviews

Schedule specific days in your planner to query magazines, e - zines and newspapers. Find out the lead time necessary for each and stick to it as you query.
If you are writing a novel, you will want to use your planner to lay out when you expect to have what part of the process done. Be realistic in your expectation but press on with your work on a scheduled basis.
Below are some links that might come in handy. I wish you the very best as you organize for success in the upcoming literary year.

LINKS
Planning Your Writing: Worksheets
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/writing/planningyourwriting/worksheet.shtml

Planning Your Writing: Fact Sheets
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/writing/planningyourwriting/factsheet.shtml

Shaw Guides for Writing – Lists conferences and workshops for the upcoming year
http://writing.shawguides.com/

About Editorial Calendars (Publicity Hound)
http://www.publicityhound.com/free_publicity/Articles/editorial_calendars.html

Pattern Your Audience with Editorial Calendars
http://www.doshdosh.com/pattern - your - audience - with - editorial - calendars/

- - - - - Mindy Phillips Lawrence www.freewebs.com/mplcreative is the author of One Blue Star and co - author of The Complete Writer. She is also a publicist and literary agent. She is in the process of researching a novel titled Alone is Where We Begin. Blogging at: http://mplcreative.blogspot.com/. Her new poetry chapbook ABOVE AND BELOW is out. Look for it at http://thinkingstonepress.blogspot.com/.

=====================================================
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
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be the featured interview October 10, 2008 on Novel Journey, recently named one of Writer's Digest's top websites for writers. The site is known for its author interviews, commentary on the writing life and book giveaways, and appears on My Space News. Novel Journey has become a must - visit blog that is frequented by publicists, editors, publishers and multi - published authors. The Novel Journey contributors have crafted questions designed to guarantee that each post will offer something valuable to our growing readership.
http://www.noveljourney.blogspot.com/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The f r e ^ Muse Online Writers' Conference, sponsored by Lea Schizas and Carolyn Howard - Johnson, is accepting registrations. Nearly 2,000 attended last year and openings are limited. Learn more about this year's conference, October 13 to 19th. I will present a seminar on "Query Letters! Editing them perfectly for a great first impression." Go to: For more information click here:
http://www.themuseonlinewritersconference.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 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.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be signing a new chapbook of poetry as well as her other books, including the HowToDoItFrugally series of books at the world renowned LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books the last weekend in April, 2009, on the UCLA Campus. To learn more about a signing position for yourself contact Christine Alexanians at chalexwrite@yahoo.com.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 Carolyn Howard - Johnson will appear on the Career Czar,
www.alltalkradio.net\careerczar on January 30, 2009. It is a unique Internet talk radio program focusing on all aspects of the world of careers. We'll be chatting about something dear to the hearts of baby - boomers - - reinventing yourself at retirement. With writing of course. The first segment will be about careers in freelance and journalism. The second segment will be about a career in fiction (novels and short stories). The third segment will be about poetry. The fourth segment will be about nonfiction - - specifically my nonfiction - - on how it's helped my career and that of others and how something similar can work for yours. Check out host Paul Bruno's website and enhance your career by getting connected with The Career Czar.”


=====================================================
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.
It’s hotter than August! ( - :
=====================================================



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.)

"CLASSIC: A book which people praise, but do not read."


~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~
===================================================
~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~

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

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

Although 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.

Ordering Information:
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 or at Amazon where it is discounted:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/qid=1149015406/sr=2 - 1/ Order it as an e - book at http://starpublishllc.com/id43.html

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
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/

This Is the Place,
Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracings,
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/

Contact Information
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: 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

http://www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com War. Peace. Tolerance. And Our Soldiers.

And now! Squidooing at
http://www.squidoo.com/HowToDoItFrugallyforAuthors
and http://www.squidoo.com/carolynhoward - johnson