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February 14, 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
~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: “Essays Anyone?”
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™

Special to this Issue
~ How Twitter Can Make You a Better Writer By Chris Hamilton
~Cheryl Answering: YOU Asking: A new monthly feature



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Note from Carolyn


Dear Treasured Subscribers:

My note to you is something that would go just as easily in the Thank You section of this newsletter. It’s just that I wanted to talk to you about networking again, and this seemed the perfect place to do it because I know that some of you read this part of the letter more avidly than others (I can tell from your letters to me! ( - : )

First please note the interview that author and blogger Mayra Calvani posted at http://booktalkcorner.today.com/2009/02/09/author - editor - carolyn - howard - johnson - talks - about - her - books - and - promotion/. You will find good information in it I know. But that is not the point of this editorial. The point is that interview is the result of several serendipitous encounters with Mayra that grew into a relationship in which we network regularly. That Mayra lives in Belgium made me think anew how important Internet networking is. Here are is a quiz that I hope will get you to thinking about your own networking.

~Do you answer your e - mail? Consider answering anything? Even some things that at first smack of S P @ M?

~Do you offer to get others’ names out there: on your blog, on you Web site, in your handouts, etc? Networking doesn’t flow in only one direction. Further, it isn’t always tit for tat.

~Do you hesitate to ask for what you want? That’s what a query letter is. You let your contact know what you need, nicely. Without that question or statement, it isn’t a query letter. It’s a cover letter. Your contact may not have any idea what do with your letter! Same goes for networking. You may occasionally need to let your contact know you’d like to be featured on their Web site.

~When you read this newsletter, do you use the links to go to blogs, make comments and leave a little tidbit about your own title, as well as your URL?

~Do you congratulate people on their successes and then follow up with notes on other topics now and then. Hey! Sharing with Writers subscribers are your fellow writers and you’ve heard this from me before: We’re all in this together.

~Are you working at least one social network? I was surprised to find a follow message from my daughter on Twitter last night. No, she isn’t an author but the girl’s got networking in her genes. (BTW, you can find me at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo. And, yes, I’m giving out good information there, too. A list - - one at a time - - of tweeting agents, reviewers, and publishers.

~Do you belong to a couple of good listservs? There is a list of my favorites on my Web site, www.howtodoitfrugally.com, in the Writers Resources section. Alas, the site is broken again so I’ll give you the page URL in a future letter.

~Are you writing your thank you notes? Use Google Alerts to learn who is talking about you or your books and then, for heaven’s sake, send a thank you. Your mommy wants you to!

So. What do you do to network? Send it along to me. I’ll include it as a tip in this newsletter along with your book title and your Web address. Now that’s networking!

Keep Writing, Promoting and Yes, Editing, Too!
Carolyn Howard - Johnson

PS: Don't forget you can send a f r ^ ^ Valentine chapbook of poetry to your readers, your blog visitors, your Web site visitors and the ones you love. Pick up a copy at http://www.compulsivereader.com/html/images/Cherished Pulse.pdf.

Even if you don’t read this letter until later in the week, it’s better late than never.


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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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Carolyn,

Once again you hit the nail on the head. Pass me the hammer; let me take a whack or two at this too.

I love all these book industry EXPERTS who couldn't write a 'real' book (fiction or nonfiction), but have sold (to writers) thousands of copies of a book about becoming a best selling author. Let me see them write something for the general public and make their claims work! I love PR and MARKETING people who parade their wares for nonfiction and add as an afterthought, "And this works for fiction too!" Yeah, right! Then why don't they have any fiction writers on their list of success stories?

I love writers who tap my knowledge with barely a 'thank you,' and never an offer of reciprocity - - followed with an excuse why they can't purchase my book (could I give them a copy - - please???). Believe me, I'm starting to notice and take names.

TIPS:
1) Spend money wisely. Research the source before you decide this is the best deal for your book. No one stands out in a crowd of cookie - cutter programs. There are no shortcuts to success.

2) Make sure you are giving back to the family of writers as much as you take. I know everyone feels special because they wrote a book, so did a million other people last year. No one owes you a free ride.

3) Show appreciation when someone takes the time to help you. Remember that was time they were not working on their own projects. At the very least buy their book or give then a signed copy of yours.

One the other hand, there are people who share information, experiences and friendship. There are those who are instant lifetime soul mates, friends, and colleagues who have made life richer. They know when each other needs encouragement, reassurance, or an idea or two. They understand what it is like to have a storyline go pear shaped, take off on its own, or stop dead. Overall, being a writer is a good thing and I wouldn't trade it for all the tea in Boston Harbor.
Here's your hammer back. Thanks. I feel better now.

- - - - - Nadine Laman, author of Kathryn's Beach, High Tide, and Storm Surge
www.NadineLamanBooks.com

Note: If you write the hard - to - promote genres of fiction, memoir, or poetry, please let me know what promotion you found effective. If you feel you can share corroborating numbers, please let me know (but please don't inflate - - that just will make other writers in those genres doubt or feel bad about their own efforts). I will pick some of the best ideas for this newsletter so include your name, book title and Web site address.


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Carolyn,

I used some of the tools I have learned from your book on frugal marketing and it resulted in a wonderful full - page article with three pictures and a link to my author website: http://www.post - trib.com/news/neighbors/1411040,suffering.articleprint
The link does not show the three pictures. Here's the online (non - print) version of the link: http://www.post - trib.com/news/neighbors/1411040,suffering.article

I've already had calls from several additional churches asking me to come speak.
Bob Kellemen


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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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In the News: In Time magazine (Feb 9, 2009), Lev Grossman reports on John Updike's death. He notes that Updike wrote almost a book a year for his life, "not just novels but short stories, memoirs, poetry, critical musings on art, architecture and literature." I can't help but think that Updike couldn't have been so prolific (and perhaps so accomplished because he had time to develop his art), if his publisher hadn't given him the kind of marketing budget he deserved. I also wonder how many more Updikes there might be out there - - now and during Updike's lifetime - - if they, too, had publishers who really - - I mean REALLY - - supported them.



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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

Sweet Georgia Richardson Lets Humor Rescue Economic Blues . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . and she sells article doing it. Here's what she says, because I have to let HER humor shine through.
My dear, sweet, FrugalNess...
As an author, I have a success to share. I managed to make it another week in this biz without giving up, packing my bags, and moving to a cave. But that's not the only success.

I also made enough to buy groceries, put gas in my VW (The Silver Bullet), and buy my Boxer, The Dolly Lama, three rawhide bones! Count um! THREE! Which is exactly how many legs my coffee table has since she started chewing on it.

But here's the real success. I fixed two leaks under my kitchen sink by my own little fluffy self. Then, like it couldn't get any better, I suddenly realized I was sitting on an article. And why not? All I did was "Google" leaks, printed out the "how - to's," and the rest is clear sailing, or better yet, a 500 - word article, "Don't let the Recession DRAIN You - - DIYing it."

Economic turndown my foot! Opportunity, I say! I can't wait to see what breaks next. Okay, big fat lie. Enough already.

Georgia Richardson, Queen Jaw Jaw, www.queenjawjaw,com, and blogging at http://allthingsjawjaw.blogspot.com/




Humorist and Poet Wins Military Award . . . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Michael D. "Moon" Mullins, author of "Vietnam in Verse, Poetry for Beer Drinkers,” won the Gold Medal for poetry, 2007, from the Military Writers Society of America. The book is available on line from amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, books - a - million.com and iUniverse.com. It is also available as an audio - book from the author. Contact Michael at: mullins.m.1@comcast.net.
He is a Vietnam Veteran, Delta 3/7, 199th Light Infantry, '68 - '69 and Vice President of the Military Writers Society of America



D. H. Brown Takes Military Writers Honor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for Honor Defended, the adventures of Major Westfall, a denizen of the Pacific Northwest rainforest who has built himself a wilderness compound complete with hot tub, killing fields, good neighbors, and his faithful companion the three - legged Black Dog. Here's the link to the awards at MWSA. http://www.militarywriters.com/Awards2008.htm Learn more about Brown's books at http://www.dhbrownbooks.com




Samanthi and Father Compose Song, Translate and . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . film it. Samanthi wrote the lyrics, her father wrote the music and he and her mom recorded it as a duet. Is that fun or what? “A Shining Light” may be found at http://www.starsafire.starrayz.com/AShiningLight.html or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FErRne9FHMs



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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 Rebecca Bentson . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
. . . for the interview on her blog: http://www.wordsiview.blogspot.com/2009/02/king - vs - meyer.html. She asked about my appearances and I told her about Google’s calendar. I just can’t help myself. Those tips just come out of my mouth. ( - : You can find an example of it on the home page (and several others!) of my Web site, www.howtodoitfrugally.com.



Thank You to Donna McDine and Stories for Children . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . . for featuring my how - to books on their associated sites including . http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org
http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org/4WritersandIllustrators.aspx
http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org/ParentandTeacherResources.aspx
http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org/teachers.aspx
And a mention of this newsletter at: http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org/4WritersandIllustrators.aspx
Children’s writers should go poke around a bit - - not for my ads but for the resources available on these sites and pages.



Thank You to Jewel Sample . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. . . . for her review of The Frugal Editor on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Frugal - Editor - forward - humiliation - Frugally/review/product/0978515870/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending#R13AXYC3V8U3VA . Jewel is the author of Flying Hugs and Kisses. Find her at http://jewelsamples.blogspot.com/



Thank You to David Herrle . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. . . . editor of Subtle Tea, a literary journal, for including a link to my site from his link page. http://subtletea.com/Tealinks.htm BTW, those of you who write more literary work - - poetry, extensive thoughtful reviews, etc. should consider this quarterly literary journal for submissions. Several SWW subscribers have been published there.



Thank You to Mayra Calvani . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. . . . who ran a nice interview including my views on videos, book trailers and more (see my editorial for more info). She says, “[This interview] already made the 'featured blog' today! : - ) “



Thank You to Jeff Keen . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. . . . guru to all in publishing for his recommendation of The Frugal Book Promoter in PubInsider, a magazine you should have. Find the issue at: http://www.pubinsider.com/pubinsidermagazine.html. The mention of my book is in the “Must Reads” Book Section but there is lots of other news in it you’ll want to know. Get this newsletter delivered to your e - mail by putting SUBSCRIBE in the subject line and send the e - mail to usabooknews@earthlink.net.



Thank You to Sam Warren and SD Write Way . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. . . . for including my recent release on the poetry chapbook Magdalena Ball and I collaborated on for Mother’s Day in his newsletter San Diego Write Way. Find it at www.SDWriteWay.org (scroll, the release is in bright yellow!). But also check out Sam’s book publishing services at www.bookwarren.com.


===================================================== 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: Phyllis Zimbler Miller, author of Mrs. Lieutenant, send along this New York Times link on Web sites and web presence for authors.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/books/review/Sullivan - t.html?em

What everyone seems to be missing in many great articles on authors and promotion is that there seems to be few choices. You take promotional matters into your own hands and run the risk that your efforts may not produce the results you want. Or you don’t, and almost assure your book will get read only by your mother. You spend some time giving your book that chance, or you write and don’t promote and hope the next one will do better. But will that one do better? With no promotion or marketing? I wonder where Coke would be with no marketing. Here’s another article on a similar subject: http://www.bksp.org/content/view/148/1/


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


Get F r ^ ^ Writers in the Sky Poetry Chapbook . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
Yvonne Perry says, “Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services has published a special issue of poetry as a token of our appreciation for those who subscribe to our newsletter. We have compiled over 30 pages of poems submitted by our readers and made a very nice e - book that we think you will enjoy. Download the e - book or read it on our Web site at http://writersinthesky.com/WITSchapbook09.pdf
“Also, check out our podcast shows for great information about writing, publishing, and book marketing. http://writersinthesky.com/writing - podcast.html.”



Searching for a Few Great Promoting Authors . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
For cost, participation details, and benefits of a cross - promotional booth at the LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books, 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. She’ll begin to send out promotion training materials soon, so don’t miss out. They are part of the experience! Sorry but all display - only slots are filled. We have only poetry - and short story - reading slots and regular book - signing slots available.



Get a New Link to Your Site and Meet New Editor, Authors . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
From David Herrle, Editor of SubtleTea: Most studious and artistic folks have some type of office, work space, den, lair, corner, closet, hovel or dungeon where they study, compose their art, relax, worry or curl up and weep. These areas are birthplaces, so let's celebrate by kicking out that fourth wall and letting friends and strangers take a long peek into them.

SubtleTea invites you to submit photos of your lairs. (The idea was inspired by poet/novelist Collin Kelley posting a pic of his work space at his blog recently.) Details, such as how many will be shown at a time and when, will be decided later. Meanwhile, send up to four different angles or iterations of your lair, in JPEG or GIF format, no larger that 700 pixels high or 900 wide (going over these limits a bit is OK). Let's throw a bone to all those Peeping Toms and Nosey Nellies out there! The page will succeed if you folks participate. Email: doomsinger@subtletea.com.

I posted some pics of my office (http://www.subtletea.com/yourlairpage.htm) as a test.



Get Exposure for Your Book Without Being There! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. Let your book be seen in a catalog distributed to readers at the Clark County Fair & Rodeo, April 9 - 12, 2009. The opportunity includes display of your book for four days to an estimated 84,000 fair - goers. If you have more than 1 book, that’s OK! The cost of advertising is one, low, flat fee!

What you get:

~Your book(s) on display for 4 days at the Clark County Fair & Rodeo, April 9 - 12, 2009
~A full - page advertisement in the 1000 give - away, interactive digital catalogs
~A full - page advertisement for one - full year on the Association of Local Authors Website

~ADDED BONUS!
Digital catalogs will also be distributed at the LA Times Festival of Book.

Cost: $100 (That’s only 10 cents per catalog. It’s cheaper than giving a bookmark!)
Online Registration Deadline: February 28, 2009

http://www.mcssl.com/SecureCart/ViewCart.aspx?sctoken=8c80a4ee149044ac87ce5939171e0770&mid=67FE6E6B - 55E5 - 4491 - 9FA7 - 50B05B858341&bhcp=1

Or send payment and order form
(http://www.associationoflocalauthors.com/index_files/2009ALARegistration.pdf )

to: Fabulist Flash Publishing, PO Box 570368, Las Vegas, NV 89157

Additional instructions will be given once you’re registered.

To take advantage of this exhibition opportunity visit www.associationoflocalauthors.com



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No part of this newsletter is paid advertising. If you would like to advertise to subscribers, display ads are available at www.howtodoitfrugally.com at less per year than most sites charge for a single month (see the advertising tab at the top of the page).
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Tip: One Sharing with Writers subscribers keeps telling me she doesn’t really understand Twitter, This YouTube video will help her and maybe you, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o Find my page at Twitter at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo


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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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Tip: SWW subscriber Karina Fabian thought author/tweeters might like to know how to find fellow Twitter users you can learn from or who could benefit from your book. You must have a Twitter user name to make it work, but once you’ve done that, you have a head start on making the network useful http://www.whoshouldifollow.com/


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Fun and F r * *: If you purchased the Frugal Book Promoter or the Frugal Editor, I'd love for you to review it on Amazon or BN.com. Make it simple; just tell what part of it you found most valuable. If you do, send me the review link (URL) and I will send you a handout from one of my UCLA classes. As a thank you, of course. HoJoNews@aol.com
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On Poetry
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Poetry Blog
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Magdalena Ball contributed to sometime poetry - focused blog at http://bewritebooks.blogspot.com/2009/01/promoting - poetry - is - it - mugs - game - by.html Drop by to see how it might serve you.
Poetry Promo Tip from John Kremer

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

You can create art out of your words using the following free website:
http://www.wordle.net. Here are two images I created of poems I've
written:

You can read the actual poems at the AllBooksFree.com website:
http://www.allbooksfree.com/waterfall.htm and
http://www.allbooksfree.com/whisper.htm.


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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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Feature


How Twitter Can Make You a Better Writer. . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
By Chris Hamilton
Try writing your message in 140 characters, no matter what it is. Spaces count. If you can't do it, your message stays forever unsent.

That's the concept behind Twitter, www.twitter.com, a micro - blogging social network that allows you to subscribe to - - or follow - - people and let's them follow you. Everything you put out there has to be said in 140 characters or fewer.
Using 140 characters is easy if you're saying "I like your picture," or something simple. But most ideas aren't simple. And if you're like me and you detest IM - speak (I want 2 do smthng 4 U), the pressure is really on. Your idea is like a floundering airplane that needs to shed all unnecessary weight to fly.

Utilize? Use saves three characters. Very? Not likely. If you get rid of that, does it change the meaning of the sentence? If not - - and it usually doesn't - - away that goes.

The best way to write effectively, regardless of your purpose, is to write economically. Every word that doesn't suit your purpose must go away. For me, that translates into a savings of between 16,000 and 20,000 words between the first and second drafts of a novel. Every time you use a big word and a smaller word will do, you're better off with the smaller word. Simpler is better.

Writing to a 140 - character limit and not cheating helps you establish the habit of writing better.

Try Twitter. It's free. It's fun. You get to know cool people. And you'll get better at self editing.

- - - - - Chris Hamilton is the Virtual Group Leader for the Florida Writers Association (http://floridawriters.net) , and has written two unpublished novels featuring private investigator Shane Black. His blogs are www.pub - new.blogspot.com and http://chris - hamilton.blogspot.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/christheauthor .



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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: Here is a site where even a first - time author might find a reviewer for his/her book: http://www/igrin/co/nz/ambro/\BKReviewers/html - - - - - From your Author's Advocate, Patrika Vaughn. www.acappela.com)


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Available: (http://www.tri - studio.com/audiodivas.html) from Audio Divas on many aspects of building a writing career. Here is the page where you'll find the full list of the writer - related ones athttp://www.tri - studio.com/writers.html. Titles include Contest Facts: How to Add “Award - winning” to Your Name, Do It Yourself Indexing: The Way to Sell Your Book to Libraries, Schools and Anyone Else That Buys Nonfiction, Fury and Destruction: How to Use Violence Effectively in Your Writing, and more.
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In the News: For the next three years, Book Expo America will ditch its usual pattern of switching major cities each year. The publishing tradeshow will stay in New York City for that time. Thus it will not be in Washington, D.C. in 2010, and Las Vegas in 2011. I’m sure this will help planners save in many ways and New York is more central for a good part of the publishing industry and that should boost attendance at a time when they are tightening their purse strings. The conference will also be smaller. Not to worry, though. I’m sure it will still be large enough to boggle the minds of first - time attendees. www.bookexpoamerica.com.



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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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Tip: Ever wondered how many libraries carry your book? Head on over to worldcat.org, plug in your book title and viola! A list of libraries that carry your book - - - - - Patrika Vaughn, your Author's Advocate www.acappela.com)


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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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Tip: One of the things I suggest in the Frugal Book Promoter is that writers WRITE down their goals - - or their wishes. You know, all the stuff they see other writers do that they'd like to do. If we don't do that, we may miss entirely that we've achieved something we wanted to. It sneaks up on us, passes us by and we don't get a chance to celebrate. Worse, we won't have the chance to let that success help us grow our self esteem.


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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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Humor Hint ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
By Anne Louise

It’s not that I’m stubborn; I’m just old - fashioned. I prefer actual books with pages, I want my newspaper to land on my porch, and I like to use the occasional semicolon. I have managed to drag myself kicking and screaming into the twenty - first century; I use the internet and I submit articles via email rather than snail mail even though I can’t use the logo on my letterhead that way. But I draw the line - - at least I’m trying to - - on dropping the double - space after a period.

Practically every publication insists that there be only one space after a sentence - - I hate that! The extra space makes a passage so much easier to read. It adds depth and character, and lends a certain charm.

Apparently, it also annoys a lot of editors, which leads to not getting published, and that’s a bad thing. But I’m not giving in easily - - I still write all my stuff with my beloved extra space, and then I do the find/replace command to clean it up for publication. It’s not that I’m stubborn; I just think things should be done the way I’ve always done them.

- - - - - - Anne Louise is a freelance writer. Send your reassurances and understanding ( - : to annelouise@annelouise.net


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The semi - annual AllTips edition is now in the works. Please send me your best tip for writing or promotion AND please let your fellow writers know now is the time to subscribe to Sharing with Writers - - so they don’t miss it. Send an e - mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to hojonews@aol.com.
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Cheryl Answering: YOU Asking

A Publisher Wants What? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(This is a new monthly feature for Sharing with Writers. If you would like to ask Cheryl a question, please send it to cpickett@publishinganswers.com . Put Sharing with Writers Question in the subject line.)

Question:

A publisher says they'll accept my manuscript! Now, they say I need to pay them. Is this how it's supposed to work?

Cheryl Says:

I decided to start my column in Sharing with Writers with this question because it's a common one and, unfortunately, the underlying issue is also a major cause of disappointment for new authors.

Plain and simple, the fact that a company reviews manuscripts for acceptance does not make it a traditional publisher, which is the kind that buys your work and pays you royalties.

If you're asked to pay set up fees, to pay for a certain number of books or any similar combination, you are dealing with a self - publishing company, a subsidy publisher or a partner publisher company. The key point is the fact that you pay them. To complicate matters, some of these kinds of companies try to make you believe they're traditional when nothing is further from the truth.

Both of these options are valid possibilities, but you must have a clear understanding of how each one works in order to decide which is best for you. If you don't, and you sign up for partner publishing when what you want is commercial publishing, it'll likely be a short road to disappointment. However, do your homework thoroughly and you'll be steps ahead of those who made snap decisions.



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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

ESSAYS ANYONE?
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By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

Let’s learn a little about essays today. No, not those staid old things we read in Eighteenth Century anthologies in college or that some English teacher assigned us. Let’s think about the modern essay.

Several well - known modern writers have excelled at essay writing. Among them are Virginia Woolf, George Orwell, E. B. White, James Baldwin, Joan Didion, James McConkey, Cynthia Ozick, Alice Walker, Philip Levine and John Updike. They used the form to say something poignant and to get a point across.

In school we learned essay writing as a strict five - part form that I advocate you learn and then bend as you wish. I’ve given you links to the basics at the end of this article. I’ve also given you links to present - day essayists so you can see what they have to say and how they went about saying it.

So what can you say with an essay? Almost anything. Here are some examples:

PERSONAL ESSAYS
• A significant experience in your life
• An epiphany you had
• What you want to do in the last ten years of your life

PERSUASIVE ESSAYS
• The influence of the Internet, good or bad?
• National health care: for or against?
• Does the war on terrorism have an end?

RESEARCH ESSAYS
• Neil Sedaka, “The Immigrant” and how things have changed
• The influence of Irish music on Bluegrass
• The real history of the Suffragettes

So see? You can go fancy - schmancy with your topics or write an essay about why you like tulips instead of roses on Valentine’s Day. It’s all up to you.


LINKS

ESSAYS – Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essay

GUIDE TO WRITING A BASIC ESSAY
http://members.tripod.com/ ~lklivingston/essay/

DIFFERENT KINDS OF ESSAYS
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/essay.html

“THIS I BELIEVE” - NPR
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4538138

John Updike, “On Not Being a Dove” http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/on - not - being - a - dove - 7529

Alice Walker, “Alice Walker Reflects on Working Toward Peace”
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/architects - of - peace/Walker/essay.html

Joan Didion, “Why I Write” (excerpt)
http://www.idiom.com/ ~rick/html/why_i_write.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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New! Carolyn Howard - Johnson will guest lecture for Eve Caram’s Novel I class at UCLA at on March 11th. Ask Carolyn for more information on UCLA courses, both online and on campus: HoJoNews @ aol.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 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 Book Expo America! but for stationery retailers and will be at Javits Center in Manhattan. She'll also be publishing a new book 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 on 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 PROMO DAY! 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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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.)

"IMPREGNABLE: A woman whose memory of labor is still vivid."


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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