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January 25, 2009

Sharing with Writers
A newsletter that is also a community. Share your ideas. Learn from theirs! Associated with the multi award - winning series of HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers, www.howtodoitfrugally.com


From the Desks of
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
and Sharing with Writers Subscribers

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, 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
~Note from Carolyn (You’re invited!)
~Letter - to - the - Editor
~Thank Yous (where you also find leads and great resources!)
~Tips and News Galore! (They're scattered, you'll just have to find them!)
~Opportunities
~Author Successes
~On Poetry
~Humor Hint by Anne Louise
~Mindy Lawrence's Itty Bitty Column, “Kids’ Stuff”
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™

Special to this Issue
~Q&A a la Ann Landers: Agents, Agents. Oh, Those Agents
~Q&A a la Ann Landers: Booth Fair, Budgets and What to DO?



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Note from Carolyn

Dear Sharing with Writers Subscribers:

I usually just let people who want to learn more from classes, seminars and conferences pick and choose from the list of appearances at the bottom of this newsletter. For Wednesday, Jan. 28, I’m changing tactics a bit. The meeting of American Business Women Association (ABWA) is in Glendale, CA and is on a subject that will be on the basic side for most readers of this letter. “Publishing for Credibility” is designed to show people with a career how having a book in print can add to their credibility. It will show people how - to weigh the benefits and drawbacks between the many publishing possibilities as well as give marketing possibilities that will highlight that person’s now being, Ta Da!, an author.

The thing is, the meeting includes dinner (about $19) and I don’t want to see the organization pick up the tab for noshows. So, if anyone is interested in being there (and perhaps exploring the benefits of this great national organization!), you may e - mail me at HoJoNews@aol.com. Put ABWA in the subject line. To reserve dinner for you, I need to know (HoJoNews@aol.com) by Sunday evening, latest. And, as always, I’d love to see local subscribers if they think they will benefit.

Happy Writing, Promoting and Editing, too!
Carolyn Howard - Johnson

PS: By the way, if you live on the East Coast, please note the conference where I will be presenting in the fall. (I know so much of what I do is West Coast or Midwest. That is usually a matter of economics for the conferences, not my choice!) It’s on Georgia’ beautiful, historic St. Simon’s Island! See the new listing under appearances below.

PSS: My interview with Career Czar Paul Bruno is recorded and will be posted January 30th to inspire those who always wanted to write (or publish) or whatever the devil else it is they think it is too late to do. See the details in the appearances section below. No charge for this one and it’s available no matter where you live.


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Please note the new Resource for Writers page on Contests at www.HowToDoItFrugally.com. =====================================================


Letters - to - the Editor
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Hi Carolyn,

In the spirit of "we're all in this sinking boat together," I'm referencing your Web site in a paper I'm giving at an arts conference in March. My thesis concerns the literary memoir and how difficult it is to get published these days. I think your work can help aspiring writers.

The best,

Raff Ellis, Author Kisses from a Distance
www.raffellis.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohsvMi - VCjI

Note: Learn more about Raff’s art conference in a future issue of Sharing with Writers.



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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: Here’s a good article on using Twitter for business: http://ethnicomm.com/blog/marketing/using - twitter - for - business - %e2%80%93 - some - ceos - just - aren%e2%80%99t - listening/


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Please paste this little blurb - - perhaps with a little endorsement - - in your newsletter or website: To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send an e - mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to HoJoNews@aol.com or go to www.howtodoitfrugally.com for an auto subscribe box.
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Author Successes


Cheryl Pickett Releases Book on Publishing . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . her book, Publishing Possibilities: 8 Steps to Understanding Your Options & Choosing the Best Path for Your Book It is now ready for purchase at her Web site www.publishinganswers.com!


Gibbons Ruark Poem Chosen by Scribners . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Gibbons Ruark's Staying Blue is a collection of his poems that have appeared in national magazines. One of them will also appear in "Best American Poetry of 2009" to be published by Scribners. Staying Blue is available from Lost Hills Books at www.losthillsbooks.com.


Dallas Woodburn Starts Up Charity - Connected Publisher . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . and she invites you to help her start a publishing company that supports literacy. She says, "Thanks SO MUCH for your support - - it means the world to me!." Contact her at DallasWoodburn@aol.com .


Brian Doe and Philip Harris Issue New Edition . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . of Waking God from Literary Road. Go to Amazon and search "Waking God Book One." Otherwise, you'll end up on a p
age showing the novel to be out of stock. Or go to this link: http://www.amazon.com/Waking - God - Book - Journey - Begins/dp/1934037486/


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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 Mary Emma Allen . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for blogging about the lack of interest in literary genres. I believe strongly in reaching for more enduring things - - at least some of the time - - as writers, as readers, as parents, as a culture. Please leave a comment at Mary Emma's One Book Two Book blog. http://www.onebooktwobook.com/why - are - sci - fi - fantasy - romance - books - more - popular - than - literary - fiction/


Thank You to Phil Harris . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for giving extra exposure to the podcast on editing that Yvonne Perry and I did on his blog. Find it at http://allthingsthatmatterpress.blogspot.com/2009/01/converations - with - editors.html. And leave a comment will you. With your name. With your title. With your Web site or blog link. ( - :


Thank You to Military Writers Society for a Review . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . .of The Frugal Editor. Find it at: http://www.militarywriters.com/reviews/review - TheFrugalBookReviewer.htm



===================================================== So you got As in English. You know grammar and spelling. That's great but an editor of you those skills alone 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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Tip: Author Phil Harris says he’ll be concentrating on Web promotion in 2009 after reading the article from the New York Times I expounded on in last week’s SWW issue. Here is his take on that complete with the link back to the NYT’s article: http://allthingsthatmatterpress.blogspot.com/2009/01/books - unbound.html. If you need me to resend last week’s issue with my rant on it, just request one at hojonews@aol.com. ( - :



===================================================== Recently Yvonne Perry, owner of WritersintheSky Creative Services, and I chatted about editing - - everything from em - dashes to why what works on the Web doesn't work for you book's manuscript. And Yvonne offers to you as a F r ^ ^ podcast on her blog: http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com/2008/12/do - you - have - questions - about - editing.html You'll find other f r ^^ podcasts on writing on her blog, too.
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Opportunities

Writers Conference in Delightful Spot . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
... Subscriber Janet Kay Jensen (author Don't you Marry the Mormon Boys - - www.janetjensen.com) sends us this invitation to a writers conference I'd never heard of with a motto of "Literacy is our purpose. Fulfilling dreams is our goal”:

Scribblers' Retreat Writers' Conference, www.scribblersretreatwritersconference.com at Sea Palms Resort, St. Simons Island, Georgia is a non - profit organization committed to the support and advancement of all writers published and non - published, offering four conferences of specifically chosen genres throughout the year, providing conference attendees a consortium of experienced authors, teachers, editors and others from the publishing world. Visit the Web site for the assorted dates and focuses. They are looking for attendees in most age ranges as well as speakers. They even offer scholarships.
Jeanie Pantelakis is co - director. Reach her at 1 - 800 - 996 - 2904 or cpantelakis@gmail.com


Facebook Writers Group Reaches 500 . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
... SWW subscriber Cheryl Malandrinos takes 500th member spot on Women Writers, Editors, Agents, and Publishers Facebook Group. It was founded in March 2008 by Gloria Oren, who announced the milestone yesterday. Cheryl is a freelancer, copywriter, and aspiring author who blogs at The Book Connection
(http://www.thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/), and is a [Virtual] Tour Organizer at Pump up Your Book Promotion PR.

Gloria created the Women Writers, Editors, Agents, and Publishers group on Facebook to give women in the writing field a place to network, and help each other succeed. The goal of this networking group is to become the largest WOMEN ONLY group in the writing field. Women in the writing related fields can join at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9428207193 or contact: Gloria Oren, gloria.oren @ gmail.com for more information.


Writer’s Digest Contest . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . is holding its annual contest, in case you didn’t already know. It costs and the competition is stiff. But you can’t win if you don’t enter. Go to http://www.writersdigest.com/annual



Summer Literary Semesters Launches . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . its fantastic new programs. I attended - - I think it was 2000 - - and have to tell you it brought me up to speed on writing, promoting, and lots of other niches that were new at the time. It attracts teachers from the best universities and GREAT writers from the literary community. You know my theory about reaching for the best. ( - : This from director Mike:
This is Summer Literary Seminars’ (www.sumlitsem.org) first regular update of 2009.
Item 1:

SLS Contest - - The 2009 Unified SLS Fiction and Poetry Contest information is at www.sumlitsem.org/russia/unifiedcontes/html The deadline has been extended until March 4, 2009. Contest entries can be submitted electronically to sls.contest@gmail.com

Item 2: Today’s focus

We are happy and genuinely excited to announce an addition to the SLS - Lithuania program: SLS - Jewish Lithuania. It is an entirely self - contained, large - scale program within the “general” SLS, directed by one of the world’s leading and most renowned Jewish scholars and writers, Professor Dovid Katz (www.dovidkatz.net).

This is a first - time - ever, unique, in - depth program for English speaking people, writers and non - writers alike, who have a serious interest in the Jewish literature and heritage of the Lithuanian lands (a territory called Líte in Yiddish, Lita in modern Hebrew or English; it encompasses what is today Lithuania, Belarus, Latvia and more). The center of gravity of this literature was for hundreds of years the city called Vílne in Yiddish, known as the "Jerusalem of Lithuania " for its rich rabbinic literary heritage. Staying in today's Vilnius, participants will explore the scant traces of bygone generations and learn of an enormously complex and rich Jewish literature that was created over many centuries in three Jewish languages: Hebrew, Aramaic and Yiddish. They will learn about these cultures "from inside" and come to see to what degree they constituted a separate civilization that thrived for centuries as a peaceful minority.

Item 3: Join SLS

SLS invites interns and volunteer assistants interested in becoming involved with this dynamic, unique international program, as it expands, in the areas of web design, program promotion, and others. Please contact the Programs Coordinator, Mike Spry, at mike@sumlitsem.org, or by calling 1.514.848.2424 x4632.
Finally, SLS would like to hear from teachers of creative writing interested in bringing their students to the SLS programs. Again, please contact the Programs Coordinator, Mike Spry, at mike@sumlitsem.org, or by calling 1.514.848.2424 x4632.



Career Op from New Director of Bombeck Conference ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Matt Dewald passes information for career opportunities to you: the National Society of Newspaper Columnists has opened membership to "freelancers, self - syndicated or independent writers, or writers published on the Internet in any medium as online columnists or in blogs." Maybe that's you, and maybe you're interested.

You can read about them both in this issue of our newsletter.

Keep writing,
Matt Dewald
director, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
erma@udayton.edu •
http://www.humorwriters.org


SWW Subscribers Sends Info On Utah Conference ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Janet Kay Jensen, author of Don't You Marry the Mormon Boys, a First Runner - Up, Best New Writing category of The Eric Hoffer Award for Independent books, says Latter Day Saint (LDS) Writers may be interested in LDStorymakers Writers Conference www.ldstorymakers.com/conference.html on April 24 - 25, 2009 at the Provo Marriott, Provo, Utah. One day registration: $75. Two day registration: $150. National agents and editors will be available for appointments and there’s an early bird discount available through Jan. 31.



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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).
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Tip: * None of us love rejection letters but they can be valuable. Rejection Lessons Anthology by Krista Barrett lets you learn how fellow writers who have traveled the dark and dusty road of rejection have learned to deal with it. Includes actual rejection letters received by writers! This is the second book of the "Inside Writer's Guide" book series.http://www.lulu.com/content/586846


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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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Editing Tip: I keep seeing “may be” and “maybe” confused. “May be” is a verb with a helping verb. “Maybe” is an adverb. Because both are correct in certain instances, it’s easy not to see it when we use it incorrectly.


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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.

Promoting Poetry . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . Treat yourself to learning a poetry form with which you’re unfamiliar and have never before tried. How about a pantoum or sestina? Google them and find a reliable (university) site with an explanation of the form. Have fun!


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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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Q&A a la Ann Landers


Agents, Agents - - Questions About Agents! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Question

I have a client who has pitched her book to several agents and publishers at once. She has received at least a dozen requests to see the full proposal; some asked for the manuscript. An unknown agent (not listed in the AAR website or in the Writers Market) is interested in having her sign an agreement for a 1 - year exclusive to try to place the book with a publisher.
How much time should we give the other agencies to respond? Should we write them to let them know that we have an agent asking for an exclusive? Knowing how difficult it is for an unknown first time writer to get an agent, let alone a publishing contract, I don’t want to lose the agent’s interest while waiting to see if someone better comes along. Any advice?
Please keep me Anonymous to protect my client.

Answer

Yes, if you've done your homework and are pretty certain the agent is on the up and up in spite of the lack of listing, write to the other agents. Tell them you have another offer. Say something like "I hope to hear from you by XXX, for I feel that we are the best fit. But you can well guess that I am also eager to proceed with the publishing process."

A letter like that can only give your client credibility and might spur the others to make a decision in her favor. Remember, good agents know well how to get an auction going among publishers. They will not be offended if you use a similar skill on them. But one must always come from a position of authenticity.
BTW, one year is a long time. You might want to try to negotiate that: Say, "I would feel more comfortable with a six month trial." You might also ask if she has any specific contacts that she feels might be interested and who they might be. That may be pushing it a bit but considering this agent has no apparent credentials, a question like that may be a good precaution.


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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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Editing Tip: I keep seeing “a way” and “away” confused. In fact, I had someone correct my spelling on a blog because they didn’t seem to ascertain the difference between the two. “A way” is a noun. Perhaps a subject or object of a preposition.. “Away” is an adverb. Because both are correct in certain instances, it’s easy not to see it when we use it incorrectly.


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Available: Audios from Audio Divas on many aspects of building a writing career. Here is the page where you'll find the full list at http://tri - studio.com/AUDIOCLASSESALL.html including one on "Do It Yourself Indexing." The first audio.
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Q&A a la Ann Landers

Booth Fair on a Budget

Question from anonymous:

Because I am a new author and have limited funds I wanted to get some idea of the success of authors selling their books. I know you can't tell me how many books I'd sell, but I just wanted a ball park answer. I will not hold you to this. How many books do authors usually bring?...and she offers up information on her genre, subject and title.

Answer

Thank you for your inquiry. As a new author have you read the chapter in my book The Frugal Book Promoter? If not, you may come to a fair with unrealistic expectations. I can’t give you another full chapter, of course, but I thank you for giving me a chance to explain what book fairs do an do not do.

Fairs are not really about book sales at the fair. They are about branding you as an author to begin that trek toward a career in writing. So, you pick a great fair with a great booth that has cross - promotional benefits (one where all the authors are really expected to market the booth). You market like crazy. Use it to get exposure. Use it to get credibility because you're associated with the fair. To get lots of free publicity with the invitations and the media releases, etc that you send out. And, you put your finger on it: You use it to Network with other authors and with the people who come by the booth. And to learn. And, yes, you will sell some books.

I know that is not really what you asked but I feel I must preface with that. Keep in mind that your readers and prospective readers will be impressed that you are signing at the fair. Few have any idea that there is a difference between signing in the booth and being the star of the entire fair.

As your numbers question: I have seen writers sell as few as two books (one that cost $49.95 and the author sent out no invitations or media releases - - though she did get asked to be on a radio show when she was in the booth) - - to those who sell upwards of 40 in an hour and have lines waiting for them to sign.

Here are the influencing factors:

~New books sell better than ones that have been around a long time and that the author has exhausted her personal contacts for sales.
~Generally speaking nonfiction how - to type books sell better than some other kinds.
~Those who market and publicize will sell more books than those who don't. (Don't forget Christine and I provide templates for these promotions - - we don’t just turn you loose and say “Do it”).
~Authors who have developed person - to - person sales skills sell their books better than those who are shy.
~Authors who use a great book fair as one aspect of an ongoing promotion campaign do better than those who just try a book fair, then something else a few months later. The secret is to make it part of an overall branding campaign.
~Authors who sign at book stores in cities or towns where they already have lots of relatives, friends or business contacts sell more books than those who jump into a new pond, though there is a certain value to developing new contacts in new area!

Most of us authors have limited funds. And those that do have a lot of money still should not spend huge amounts on a campaign. There is never a guarantee that any advertising or marketing expense will break you even or make you money and that is true in ALL advertising campaigns. There are just so many variables.

These are all reasons why a coop booth works better than going it on your own (these booths - - unlike some small book fairs - - are very expensive!) and why a booth at a respected and well - attended fair (in a highly - trafficked area) is more effective than most other booth situations. See some of the other benefits of our booth on the www.sizzlingbookfairbooths.blogspot.com.

I hope this isn't more than you wanted to know or is confusing because there is so much. I do urge you to read a good book on book promotion - - mine or someone else's. That will help you pick and choose the best possible promotions for your personality and your pocketbook. And do know that you will have to spend some money, of course, but that you can run a really good campaign on a very small budget.

And last, here is my history and the numbers of books I bring to fairs:

Poetry and short story collections first year, I brought 10. I was lucky to sell three. But I got other poetry readings every times. Places I didn’t know about before the fair.

First release nonfiction how - to: I brough about 40 to 60. Over the years, probably 25 is an average sales number. After the book has been out awhile, I bring 20. And at the point sales can be very erratic.

My novel: First year I sold about 20 and after that anywhere from 2 to 6.

This year I'll be introducing a how - to book in an entirely new area, business/retailing. I am just as curious as you to know how it will do. ( - : And I'm always hoping for one lucky break. A catalog or corporate sale. A teacher who wants to recommend my book for his UCLA class. Something like that.

The more important fact is that because of continued promotion, my writing career is thriving and I don't spend much and I'm really loving it.

Now, here’s the kicker. If you can break even, you’ve figured out a way to advertise f r ^ ^ and get more marketing education (from Christine and me) in the process.

- - - - - - - - For cost, participation details, and benefits of a cross - promotional booth like this, please go to http://www.sizzlingbookfairbooths.blogspot.com You'll also find a picture of booth - doings there. To participate send an e - mail to Christine Alexanians at chalexwrite @ yahoo.com. She will invoice you for PayPal or give you an address to send a check. Please put "LA Times Fair" in the subject line and please let her know whether you would like to sign one or two days so she will know how to bill you. Sorry but all display - only slots are filled. We have only poetry - and short story - reading slots and regular book - signing slots available.



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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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Indexing Tip: Wait until the very last minute (until even the formatting is done) to write or edit the index for your nonfiction (and maybe even fiction) book. Trust me. It will save you tons of time.


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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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Editing Tip: I had a V - 8 moment when I read Sandy Lieurance's article on I vs. Me. You know the kind of thing when you wish you'd written the same article. You'll see what I mean when you go to www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com (for my comments on I and Me in dialogue) and follow through to her letter. Geez. Is she good.


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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: New book for Writer’s Digest espouses what I’ve been saying all along. It’s never too early to start promoting. . .or building a platform. Depending on how you want to word it. This one is called Get Known before the Book Deal by Christina Katz.



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Announcement: I plan to release a booklet with terms and words that writers often get wrong when they edit. I haven't decided whether to use tech terms in it or not, because the length of the booklet is so important. But watch for it. I promise to keep it lower than the cost of most greeting cards. ( - :
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Tip: Your First Novel is another book from Writer’s Digest that I liked. Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb know what they’re talking about.


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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

Kids’ Stuff
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

Writing books for children is a special market, one that determines a child’s love of words early on. It’s also challenging. Do you write books for children to read on their own or to be read to them by an adult? What about vocabulary and length? What about content? What about art?

Kids’ stuff in writing combines the delight of art and the magic of words in combination in order to paint a word - image picture for children. It’s a hard balance.
One of my favorite books for children is Maurice Sendak’s WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. When it first came out in 1963, people questioned the drawings in it, a series of monsters. By 1964, it had won the Caldecott Medal for its original artwork.

Historically known children’s writer - artists such as Kate Greenaway (1846 - 1901), depicted an idyllic life for children in her books using words and soft watercolor artwork. Her famous drawings of little girls caused parents to dress their daughters in the high - waisted dresses and pantaloons of the characters.
Modern children’s writers write about problems that children face as they grow up– - like divorce and moral issues. Children’s writers have to know how far to go in these books and how to present the material to a young audience.

Below, you will find some links that will help you with writing kids’ stuff. Good luck in carrying the love of words to the next generation.

LINKS

WRITING FOR YOUNG READERS, Eugie Foster
http://www.writing - world.com/children/index.shtml

Kate Greenaway
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Greenaway

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, Maurice Sendak
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_the_Wild_Things_Are

Children’s Writing – Writer’s Write
http://www.writerswrite.com/childrens/links.htm

Stone Soup – A magazine for children
http://www.stonesoup.com/

Writing Multicultural Children’s Books
http://www.underdown.org/multicul.htm

Writing for Children
http://www.writing - world.com/links/children.shtml

Kathe Gogolewski – Writer/Book Illustrator
http://www.redenginepress.com/kathe_gogolewski.htm


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



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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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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will conduct a seminar for the second year at the Catholic Writers’ Conference Friday, Feb 6 at 10 am Pacific Time, 1 pm Eastern. She will speak on “Turning Dreadful Adverbs into Nuggets of Gold.” The conference is f r ^ ^ but writers must register by January 15 at http://www.catholicwritersconference.com.
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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be signing a new chapbook of poetry She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood 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 had a lot of fun recording. I’ll tell you more about it in next week’s SWW.

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I usually don't list places I'm published, mostly because they often don't have anything to do with writing. However, Romance Writers of America published my article on writing stand - out query letters in the January 2009 print edition of their magazine, Romance Writers Report. The editor, Kathleen Adey, says you can subscribe by joining RWA at www.rwanational.org.

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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be presenting two seminars at the National Stationery Show, one on Monday, May 18, called"Move Upward in a Down Market with Free Publicity Exposure and Money - Making In - Store Promotions" and the other, "Grow Your Business Online for No $$$," on Tuesday, May 19. This is a huge show a la BEA but for stationery retailers and will be at Javits Center in Manhattan. She'll also be publishing a new for her HowToDoItFrugally series, this time for retailers. Many of the marketing principles are the same, though. ( - :

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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will speak to how editing is one of the most important parts of your book promotion with "Query Letters as Promotion: Let's Make Them Picture Perfect!" at International Conference PROMODAY! on Saturday, May 9. at 9 am Pacific Time. The conference is on Rome, Italy, time so check your time conversion tables carefully to be sure you join the seminars at the right time. http://jolinsdell.tripod.com/promoday/ PROMO DAY! is an all day international online event for people in the writing industry. There are lots of new features for the 2009 event including a workshop chatroom.

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For the first time, Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles and Mystery Writers of America/SoCal are joining forces to present a new venture, the California Crime Writers Conference, to be held June 13 - 14 at the Pasadena Hilton, Pasadena, CA. The conference is titled “Breaking In & Breaking Out: Plotting the Write Course,” and is the next incarnation of the successful No Crime Unpublished conference held biannually by Sisters in Crime/LA. Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be presenting a class on marketing your book online on Saturday June 13. The time is to be announced. The public is welcome. Learn more at http://www.sistersincrimela.com/ccwc.htm
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New! Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be speaking on writing picture perfect query letters at the November session of Scribblers' Retreat Writers' Conference, www.scribblersretreatwritersconference.com at Sea Palms Resort, St. Simons Island, Georgia. Scribblers Retreat Writers’ Conference offers four conferences of specifically chosen genres throughout the year. It is brand new and one of the few chances I will speak on the East Coast in 2009.


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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.)

"ETERNITY: The last two minutes of a football game." In my case, the entire game.


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Essential Book and Record Keeping:

Sharing with Writers is edited and distributed by Carolyn Howard - Johnson,http://carolynhoward - johnson.com. and proofread by Mindy Phillips Lawrence.

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 to friends or e - groups. It needn't be pasted in its complete form, but please credit this newsletter, 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/

To learn more about This Is the Place,
Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracings,and She Wore Emerald Then: .

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)

For the Frugal Editor, Amazon - direct: www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870

Blogs:

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! Tweeting at: www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo and Squidooing at http://www.squidoo.com/HowToDoItFrugallyforAuthors
and http://www.squidoo.com/carolynhoward - johnson