To read this newsletter in PDF (with a bit more pizzazz) go to:

http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/SharingwithWriters_Oct_16_2008.pdf

October 13, 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!

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Contents

Regular Features
~Notes from Carolyn (Editorial)
~Thank Yous (where you also find leads and great resources!)
~Tips Galore! (They're scattered, you'll just have to find them!)
~Opportunities:
~On Poetry
~Author Successes (Also full of resources that have worked for your fellow subscribers)
~Mindy Lawrence's Itty Bitty Column: “What Can I Say?”
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™

Note from Carolyn

Dear Subscribers and Authors' Coalition Members:

Lots of authors put off blogging because they see it as a looming responsibility they won't be able to keep up with. I put it off for a long time.

But your blog needn't be a burden - - or a nag. Many of you know I'm frugal of time as well as my pocketbook. I've long recommended recycling your writing, that is let one piece of writing do the job of several. I use templates and tweak them to make them more personal or make them do different jobs. And, though I knew of the share - the - responsibility technique, I fear it took some great writers and a blog I hadn't heard of to bring a new lesson home this week.

These writers provide a great service and keep their blog at the top of the readership charts by, yep, sharing! It's a delightful blog. The site is known for its author interviews, commentary on the writing life and book giveaways, and it appears on My Space News. Novel Journey has become a must - visit blog that is frequented by publicists, editors, publishers and multi - published authors. It was named Writer's Digest's Top 101 Websites.

Kelly Klepfer, one of the contributors, recently interviewed me for it and it became apparent that these writers not only collaborate, they work ahead and are well - coordinated. And their planning has worked. Their success illustrates my oft - repeated mantra about making things easy on yourself by cross promoting and by recycling. Though their blog isn't exactly cross promoting, the teamwork approach is similar. They have refined a great way to get your promotion campaign in shape with the most benefit for the least dollars and effort spent. Truly a FRUGAL idea. ( - :

Now, all you have to do to get a few more lustrous pearls of wisdom is go to see how much fun Kelly and I had together at http://noveljourney.blogspot.com/2008/10/frugal - and - informative - carolyn - howard.html.

And, I can't resist, though I know I nag about this, too. Leave a comment while you're there. To do the most for you, your comments should include a tip or lead - - some valuable addition to the conversation. It should include enough about you that people who want to know more can find you. You know, like your Website URL as part of your signature OR the address of your own blog where you write on similar subjects.

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."

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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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Tip: If you do your own public relations or have help others with projects you should be providing what I call an inspiration sheet. It is really a statement (or better still a little scrapbook or folder!) that lists the coverage you've received. Estimate how much that exposure would have cost if you'd bought it at going advertising rates. Then compare that amount to the amount you charge for your service or the amount someone else would have charged you for that service. That should inspire you to keep promoting. And keep at it. The differential between the two figures just keeps growing.


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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! ( - :
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Tips . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
. . . from Patrika Vaughn, your author's advocate (www.acappela.com) :
#1 Just want the money but not the exposure? Then think about ghostwriting articles. Google "ghostwriting" and you'll come up with at least three sites that list currently available ghosting jobs.
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#2 A study by the Software Research Lab at Wichita Falls University tells which fonts are perceived as best for conveying certain images. Results show:
Kristen - best for projecting flexibility
Impact - assertiveness
Georgia - practicality
Gigi - creativity
To acquire new fonts for free go to: http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usability/itynews


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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.
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Humor Hint by Anne Louise . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In writing humor, it’s been helpful to have some knowledge of linguistics, so that I know the difference between a verb and a verbal. (You have to feed verbals twice a day) This knowledge helps me construct ‘impactful’ sentences - - and tells me to use those single quotation marks when I make up words.

So, I was starting my joke with: If I have enough coffee, anything is possible. I want to complete the parallel: If I don’t have enough coffee, …. I’m looking for something like, “homicide is possible.” But it seems a little strong; homicide is a pretty serious concept. I still want that idea, though, so I’m going to soften it up a little and use “homicidal”.

And here’s where my linguistics knowledge comes in handy. Since I want a parallel structure, if I use “homicidal” - - which is actually adjectival (these only need to be fed once a day) - - then I’ve got to use a corresponding adjective form in the first sentence. So, I rewrite the opener as: If I have enough coffee, the possibilities for my day are endless. And I close with this: If I don’t have enough coffee, the possibilities are mostly homicidal.

It may not be perfect, yet. But it’s better, and since I haven’t had enough coffee, we should be relieved that so far the only consequences are to the punch lines.

May your keyboard never falter!

- - - - Reach Anne Louise at annelouise@annelouise.net. Read more of her humor at www.annelouise.net.


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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
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Thank Yous

Thank You to Yvonne Perry of Writers in the Sky . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
. . . for including The Frugal Editor on her list of recommended books on her new (and very helpful!) website: http://www.writersinthesky.com/resources.html .


Thank You to Shirley Roe of All Book Reviews . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
for publishing my review of Righting the Mother Tongue as Business Feature of the Month: http://www.allbookreviews.com/Default.aspx?tabid=558.


Thank You to Jozette Aaron . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
. . . for recommending my how - to books at her blog at Inked In. http://inkedin.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=998206%3ABlogPost%3A111058. I should mention that Jozette does a fantastic newsletter for writers. I should also mention that InkedIn.Ning.com is an excellent social networking site for writers.


Thank You to Radio Host and Author Philip F. Harris . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
. . . for listing some of my helps for authors on his new link page at http://www.allthingsthatmatterpress.com/apps/links/


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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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In the News: Amazon just bought AbeBooks.com. Abebooks is an online bookstore. It is in the same business as Amazon is, so why did they need it? Here's my take. As far as I know, no one has mentioned that Amazon needs a Canadian entity so they can bring their Shorts back online and have them available in Canada at the low, low 49 cent price they offer in the US - - no matter how the two countries' dollars slip and slide against one another.


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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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Author Successes

Dr. Dan Skelton’s Verse Published by Fountain City Publishing. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Dr. Dan Skelton, author, actor, poet, play director and professor, released Light and Shadow, his new chapbook of verse, on October 4, 2008. It is published by Fountain City Publishing of De Soto, Missouri. In it, Skelton probes the topics of spirituality, loneliness, unrequited love, sensuality, finality and humor. Skelton is an adjunct professor of theater and English and lives in Conway, Arkansas. Order it at http://fw.members.freewebs.com/MembersB/editPage.jsp?token=f9ff697b9a95f09611cd0397114&pageID=107905989.


HoBo Novelist Roger Storkamp Releases Third in Series . . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . Miss West. While traveling with a former female student a retired country school teacher, realizing her need for intimacy, transcends sexual preference. She reevaluates platonic relationships with a long time female companion and with a man who suggested they run away together forty years earlier. Miss West follows Thelma's Quilt and 'Neath a Crescent Moon. It is available from the author at www.HoboNovel.com or through Amazon.


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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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News: Based on statistics from Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) retail sales of e - books more than quintupled from 2002. That organization has sponsored seminars like "Give the Customers What They Want" and touted the versatility of e - books. That versatility includes books that can be customized as conditions change (and they change so quickly in this digital world!) and mini e - romances for people to gobble up in a lunchtime - length hour, to serialized novels.


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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
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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.

A Poetry Society To Be Proud Of . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Some poetry sites mislead poets. Do not confuse PSA (Poetry Society) with them. PSA is a reputable organization that sponsors contests, national events and generally supports the efforts of poets. Find them at www.poetrysociety.org.


Active Poetry Forum . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Usiku (http://usiku.net/savetheplanet.htm), thought fellow subscribers might be interested in this "active poetry http://www.usiku.net/bookreviews.htm forum on http://shortstory.us.com/ where those who submit receive valuable feedback."


Not Exactly a Scam . . .
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I nearly got caught in what a reliable source says may not be "exactly a scam, but not a publishing credit that would get taken seriously by anyone." It is the Poetry Institute of Canada and they follow the usual pattern. Free contest entry. They notify you that you are a finalist. They ask for money to print your poem and biography in their anthology. They try to sell that anthology to you and as gifts for all your friends.
They ask for your permission to print the poem. The addressed envelope they send for that permission requires a stamp! I didn't give my permission. Ahem. Some days I feel super - dumb, but not that dumb!


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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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News: Bertelsmann AG plans to sell off its book clubs like the giant Book - of - the - Month Club. They cited a decline in sales because more and more customers are shopping online and downloading material digitally. I might add that the trend toward niche publishing must be contributing to that change in the way we buy. We authors should be considering this trend as we make our own publishing plans.


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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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Tip: Are you designing your own book's cover, your own logo or banner, your own website pages? Check out www.typetester.org. There you can view and compare and develop your own fonts. After you've done your design thing, they make HTML code available to you for your own future use.


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Tip: When you have news, don't forget to notify newsletters and websites associated with your high school, college and club groups. And don't think huge awards are the only things that will interest them. My college fraternity magazine, Anchora, recently used news that my Sharing with Writers blog (www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com) was named to Writer's Digest 101 Top Websites both in their slick print mag and online.


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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: I've been traveling. Wish I'd known about www.LogMeln.com which lets you access your own computer from another most anywhere you happened to be. They even offer a free package.


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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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Book Design: Have you noticed that books from big publishers almost never indent the first paragraph of a chapter? Sometimes they'll put the first few words in an all - cap font, too.



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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: So you've released a book. You're ready to write a release about it. Stop! You need more. These days book releases are a dime a dozen. Think how you can present your title in a way that makes it unique and begs an editor to write a story on you or a host to interview you.


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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 2009's LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books with Christine Alexanians, tinooshik@yahoo.com
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Tip: When you write a release, plan for pictures that will give it color and excitement. If you can't include them with the release, at least offer to send them or make it easy for them to be downloaded.


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"AC is the current that powers your writing career." http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
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TIP: When you're writing a media release, think about your audience. Generally you won't be appealing to your end reader. You'll be trying to grab the attention of an editor or producer or host. Who is his audience? What do they want? What is the twist or angle that will set your release apart from the pack?


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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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Opportunities:

Call for Anthology Submissions from Robin Jay . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . I am inviting you to be a co - author in a new, exciting anthology that I am publishing – and you can have it in your hands before the end of the year. “The Power of the Platform” will feature 20 co - authors, including Jack Canfield, Brian Tracy, Les Brown, Dr. Tony Alessandra, Amanda Gore, Marcia Wieder and more!
The premiere edition is subtitled “Speakers on Success,” which provides a broad, general topic for our co - authors. As of this morning, I only have 4 chapters still available. For authors, this is a tremendous opportunity to co - author a book with some of our industry’s greatest names. Plus, I am going to use this book as a marketing tool for the bureau. My unique position as president of the Las Vegas Convention Speakers Bureau enables me to put this book in the hands of all the meeting planners and convention managers in Las Vegas – the #1 meeting and convention capital of the world, as well as with hundreds of MPI Members (Meeting Professionals Int’l.), Las Vegas Hospitality Association members, the Convention Services Association in Las Vegas and more.
There is no simpler, faster or more affordable way to become a published best - selling author than by contributing to an anthology; you simply write a chapter and submit your bio & headshot and VOILA! ~ in about two months, you’ll have an exciting new book in your hands. There is no fee to be in the book; you simply commit to buy a small number of books (500) at a low, wholesale price. It has tremendous markup and will make you money. You can use it to promote your other work, as an outstanding marketing tool or simply to define yourself as an expert in your field. Plus – the added exposure to meeting planners will help your speaking business!

Please contact me for details. I know you’ll appreciate seeing the PRELIMINARY mock up of the cover artwork. Remember – this is just a mock up – although the basic design will be the same. The names will vary as new co - authors sign up. I’m here if you have any questions – and I look forward to hearing from you. Act fast so you, too, can be a part of this exciting new anthology!
Warmest regards,

Robin Jay, President (Robin@LVCSB.com) Las Vegas Convention Speakers Bureau (www.LVCSB.com), 702 - 460 - 1420



Call for Anthology Submissions from Ellen Snortland. . .
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. . . I’m looking for stories and anecdotes for a print anthology that may eventually morph into a play or movie. The stories I’m looking for are those moments that were so stunning that you were left speechless. They are often defining moments and I’m looking for ironic or absurd not tragic or violent. Please have submissions be from 250 - 1000 long and e - mail them to me not later than Oct. 15, 2008. E - mail them to: Ellen@snortland.com.


Call for Anthology Submissions from Courtney Mullin. . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . is submitted by Sharing with Writers subscriber Sue Chehrenegar:
"I am looking for authors that have published a book within the last five years. Books can cover any topic (fiction, sports, biographies, design, fashion, etc.), as long as it is appropriate for the masses (e.g., no controversial topics). If selected, you may be featured during an Authors Week in December at a high - end resort. Please contact: Courtney Mullin, authorsweek@cbprusa.com." Deadline: - October 17



Call for Contest Submissions . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . .include:
1. The Willesden Herald Short Story competition and publication. It is f r ^ ^. Go to www.willesdenherald.com/competition/welcome.php
2. The Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award. www.christianpublishers.net. $35 to enter.



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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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Scam Warning: I recently received a slick flier in the mail. It was advertising publicity/promotion services to authors. It promised "Guarantee at least 20 media placements" in a package that cost $7900. I'm not saying that the package isn't a good one or that this organization is trying to scam authors. I'm just saying that anyone can guarantee you 20 or more placements if the placements are in places that you could easily have gotten for yourself with blogs, talk radio and others. Don't be misled into thinking that "Guaranteed Results," means that your money won't be wasted. Please reread your Frugal Book Promoter copy to see what you can do for yourself before you spend any money.


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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


What Can I Say?
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By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

In Renascence, the manuscript I am representing for Dan Skelton, a young teen druggie and mall rat has her life changed by her grandmother’s religious faith. In this case, the novel deals with Christianity but other beliefs could be highlighted in your work to show how spirituality shapes us as individuals and society. Another client of mine, Bev Sninchak (Bev Walton - Porter), also writes from a spiritual point of view. Although she normally pens paranormal romances or books about astrology, such as Sun Signs for Writers published by Writers’ Digest Books, she still shows her readers how her writing can be used in others ways, as in character development and study.

The trick is balance. Overt usage of any religion or spiritual belief can shut out instead of draw in. As heavily Christian based as RENASCENCE is, Skelton leaves room for differing viewpoints within that faith…leeway. In your faith - based articles, novels and books, it’s always good to show tolerance for other viewpoints.
Carolyn Howard - Johnson’s blog, War Peace Tolerance at http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com/ is a great example of how writing can make a difference in society by retaining balance with what is said. It supports our troops while keeping away from overly zealous political meanderings.

I am a firm believer in writing to help society and to extol the virtues of faith. However, I believe it should be done with balance and tolerance. Here I list some helpful links to point you in the direction of tolerant, faith - based writing.

LINKS

Tolerance.Com
http://www.tolerance.org/index.jsp

Exploring Religious Tolerance through Community - Based Theater
http://www.communityarts.net/readingroom/archivefiles/2005/06/exploring_relig.php

“Tolerance is Found Within”
http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/993292

Jewish Wishes – Peace and Tolerance
http://www.jewwishes.com/?p=92

Gwendolyn Brooks
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0102/p15s01 - bogn.html

- - - - - 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/. Watch for the roll - out of her new poetry chapbook ABOVE AND BELOW at http://thinkingstonepress.blogspot.com/.


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Endorsement:
"www.HowToDoItFrugally.com , by Carolyn Howard - Johnson [is] a top website for writers . . . I'd say my ROI is over 1,000%. The advice is particularly strong in addressing the new author where they are in learning the publishing/selling process. Very practical. The site is excellent."
~ Hill Kemp, author of Capitol Offense, 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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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
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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

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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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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.
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 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.”


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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
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(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.)

"CONFERENCE: The confusion of one man multiplied by the number present."


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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

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