If you would prefer to read this letter in its not - so - glorious full formatted version ( - : copy and paste this URL you’re your browser:

http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/SharingwithWriters_Aug_11_2009.pdf

August 11, 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
~Letters - 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
~On Poetry
~Author Successes
~Mindy Lawrence's Itty Bitty Column, The Business of Writing III
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™
This Issue
~ Feature: Q&A - - On B&N's Purchase Policies
~Subscribers Sharing with Subscribers: How to Save Time on Marketing


Note: You may have better luck with the URLs in this newsletter if you copy and paste. The reason that I leave them long rather than use hyperlinks is because this letter is available in plain text in your e - mail window as well as by .pdf.
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Note from Carolyn

Dear Subscribers:

For the reading public and authors one of the best things about the technology - - specifically the Net and the digital press - - is that it can keep books from the shredding pile. Assuming, of course, that someone - - author or publisher - - continue to promote it.

My novel This Is the Place is still selling. Usually it’s selling used for about $1.50 on Amazon’s New and Used feature. No royalties that way. But what is important to me is that it’s still being read.

But there’s a couple of other models out there. I’ve talked about using your blog to serialize an old novel or one that can’t get published - - maybe a first that is still lying fallow in the bowels of your computer. The idea, of course, is to introduce new readers to your work. Perhaps they will then buy your new novel or recommend your work to others.

That brings me to Chris Anderson. You’ve heard me talk about his Long Tail theory here and on my blog. He has a new book out which I’ve also recommended for writers. It is FR ^ ^: The Future of a Radical Price. He expounds on a general concept I’ve been touting for a long time. That is, to market, you give things away free. I can’t remember who said it but someone did: “Google never met a loss leader it didn’t like.” And no one can argue that Google’s sales model is not successful.

What prodded me to talk about f r ^ ^ again is a headline in the LA Times Calendar sections (Sat, Aug 8 p. D11): “Free titles top chart of Kindle bestsellers.” James Patterson’s latest bestseller isn’t new. It’s four years old. He says, I like the notion of introducing people to one book, while promoting the sales of another.” BTW, this man is a former principle of one of the nation’s largest advertising agencies. By giving away The Angel Experiment on Kindle he also hopes to gain new readers. And his promotion ploy is working! LA Times did an article on it, didn’t they? LOL. His publisher, Hachette, says, “It’s like priming the pump.” Another publisher notes that they are especially interested in giving away books that are first of a series.

The trick here is not to overdo it. If you give away a full book as an e - book or as a serialized book on your blog, don’t repeat the process too soon or at all. That will be a hard temptation to resist - - especially if the promotion works. Remember the department stores and their White Sales? Pretty soon people would wait until January to buy their linens and they would only buy their linens on sale.

The reason I do like this model is that Patterson is offering a book that has mostly run its course. The only danger of doing this with a book that hasn’t been published is that you might not be putting your best work forward. If you should think of doing that, ask yourself first: Does this book need editing or rewriting before putting it before the public? AND would this book work better for me published digitally or self published.

Oh, one other consideration. If you’re going to do it, maybe now is the time. If this catches on, a f r ^ ^ book may have as much competition at zero dollars as a pay - for book at the going rate.

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

PS: Yep, I do like giving things away f r ^ ^. So does MaAnna Stephenson. We have a couple f r ^ ^ podcasts coming up. One on promoting literary work like fiction and poetry and other on general promotion. Find them at http://www.justthefaqs.net/podcast.shtml . And watch for the coming one from MaAnna Just the FAQs featuring Dallas Woodburn, a Sharing with Writers subscriber.


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There is a page of contests on the Resource for Writers page on my Web site: http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/contests.htm Follow the links on that page to other valuable lists on my site, too. =====================================================


Letters to the Editor
[Regarding you letter in last week’s Sharing with Writers], I would hate to not have your newsletter delivered to my inbox! I look forward to each issue and never delete one until it has been completely read. Many times, I forward it to my writer friends because there's so much good information in them. I'll be sure to continue to urge people to sign up to receive Sharing With Writers.

Yvonne Perry
Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services
http://writersinthesky.com
615 - 884 - 1224

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[Last week’s newsletter] was a good newsletter, Carolyn. I've found my own newsletter, the Maplewoods Mirror, simply gets more readers who open more often. My last issue brought the most attention. Then again, I'm not outright selling anything. It's just my work - in - progress as its own art form as I look at life and writing. Some months are more cogent than others.

What I'm seeing (anecdotally) is that my college students are not using e - mail as much as texting. One student said, "You shouldn't send me e - mail. Text me." By the way, I'll NOT be texting students. Part of the deal with school is to look at their e - mail. Successful people still use e - mail, and thus newsletters are still hitting their mark, if you ask me.

Now that I'm on Facebook, I'm seeing that some people are easier to get a hold of that way. My own son rarely looks at his e - mail. He doesn't look at his Facebook, either. The only sure way I can reach him is to text him. (Then again, he moved back home two weeks ago, so knocking on his door now works, too.)

Best,
Chris Meeks, www.chrismeeks.com

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Carolyn

I do not feel that newsletters are dead but I do agree that people have less time than they had in the past. I have several newsletters that I am subscribed to and I admit that I do not read every one verbatim but the information in the newsletters that I do receive has valuable information and I would hate to see them go.

I am anticipating starting a newsletter myself but instead of distributing it, I plan on making it available through my Web site. This way those who want to read what I have to say can at their leisure.

Thanks
Dennis AuBuchon
daubuchon@cinci.rr.com
Web site: www.myqualitywriting.com
Have you signed the business ethics pledge at http://www.business - ethics - pledge.org I have registered as an expert on www.Allexperts.com


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Please pass this letter on to others. Unlike many other newsletter editors, I do not mind if you use only portions of mine 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: Be the Star You Are Cynthia Brian wants to know a source for gold labels to use for "Autographed Copy" stickers. Here's my suggestion: I am supposing you want fancy ones? The Label Factory. I think it's in Anaheim. However, I use the address labels they advertise in the Sunday newspapers. They are tons mmmm, more frugal. I only use one line, all caps and centered. Most companies offer them in gold although it isn't the best quality foil.

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The Green New Media Life Expos (http://www.greennewmedialifeexpo.com/content/green - book - pavilion - featuring - carolyn - howard - johnson?destination=node%2F10 ) offer Green Book Pavilions this fall at expos at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario, CA; Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento; and the Pomona Fairgrounds, Pomona, CA. An author's package for each expo is available to help authors promote themselves and their books. Contact Gerry Fisher at GeFisher39@aol.com or at 702 467 9411. =====================================================


Tip: MaAnna Stephenson says “Tweet in different personas.” She has several including @justtheFAQS but she obviously believes in staying focused.


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Please paste this little blurb - - perhaps with a little endorsement - - in your newsletter or Web site: 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. Ask for a f r ^ ^ classified ad on my Web site in return. Let me know you did it. I will be able to do something similar for you on my Resources for Readers page at www.howtodoitfrugally.com. Let me know you did it. We'll find something I can do for you!
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In the News: Borders will start a new department for YA books. It is for teens and the success of Stephenie Meyer and Sarah Dessen may be what prompted them to begin to market their books that way.


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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. It includes a segment of frugal ways to help our troops and veterans. I'd love to have you leave a comment. www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com
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Q&A a la Ann Landers
About that B&N List Offer

QUESTION:
You know I recommend your newsletter. Regarding the Barnes and Noble guidelines you offered, my publishers both have availability online for books to be ordered.
I don't believe B&N will stock a POD book from a small publisher... Unless you know something I don't. Do tell if you do... please.

~Catherine Bybee, author of KILT WORTHY Coming August 7th 2009 ,The Wilder Rose Press and SOUL MATE Coming August 20th 2009 ~ Red Rose Publishing

ANSWER:
Actually, Catherine, Barnes and Noble can and does order POD - printed books. They often order my Frugal Book Promoter. But it isn't common. And if your publisher has taken care of getting you into B&N's system, then that's good. Many don't because they are operating under the "never" rules that you pretty much just expressed. The thing is, the POD - published book must be returnable and many publishers don't make that an option. That's an important thing for authors to consider when choosing subsidy publishers or self publishing.
To take it one step further, I have known publishers who - - deliberately or not - - mislead authors to think that bookstore chains will never stock books printed on a digital press. Their reasons for doing this could be many, ignorance among them. But also because taking books back can be a bookkeeping nightmare.

I sympathize, but if a publisher tells you that it isn’t their fault, that they can’t do anything about it, and on and on, they are not being wholly truthful with you. You can insist your publisher accept returns. If they won't, and bookstore sales are important to you, check your contract. You may be able to switch publishers. Maybe you can go it entirely on your own or guarantee sales yourself, which doesn’t work nearly as well because big bookstores have bookkeeping nightmares of their own and dealing with individual authors is not easy for them.

=================================================== Book Proposal Help: Phyllis Zimbler Miller and I ran a fun Tweetchat on book proposals. She edited it for easier reading and posted it for those who missed it. There is lots of info in it on shopping your book to agents, too. Remember, you read tweet chats like you follow blogs. From the bottom up. http://budurl.com/bookprotweetchat Another book proposal help is "The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know To Sell Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less" for 49 cents at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YG6O5U/ =====================================================


Opportunities

Nadine Laman Offers Contest for Books - - And a Pah - h - h - ty! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
She says, “There's a big party going on at my blog. Please come. I want to introduce you around to everyone! Invite your friends too. We have lots of prizes and there is no catch. Just dress comfy and bring your friends. Lots of writers are showing up and bringing signed books to give away.”

Check this out: http://nadinelaman.blogspot.com/2009/08/99.html I've already started decorating! Yep, I did the banner myself (but I'm not telling how long it took to figure it out, that would be too embarrassing.) You’ll need to use the pdf version of this newsletter to see the invitation but it’s cute and festive!

[Picture invitation here in the pdf version]

Nadine Laman
NadineLaman@aol.com
www.NadineLamanBooks.com (subscribe to my newsletter)

NEW! http://willingtoseeless.blogspot.com/2009/08/now - real - tss.html

Visit my (really cool) blog: http://nadinelaman.blogspot.com
See my YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwh8DIXKXv8
My fan site! http://www.filedby.com/author/nadine_laman/2238025


===================================================== 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. http://www.budurl.com/TheFrugalEditor
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TwitterTip: It must be contest month! Tony Eldridge is holding a Twitter contest and you could use it as a model. He plans to extend it because of the recent Twitter hack so hop on over and see what’s up: To enter this contest visit

http://marketingtipsforauthors.com/TwitterContest.html

Or go to your Twitter account or open your Twitter account and check out Tony Eldridge’s Twitter In Plain English (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o ) video to help you learn more about this simple service.


===================================================== Recently Yvonne Perry, owner of WritersintheSky Creative Services, and I chatted about editing, everything from em dashes to why what works on the Web but doesn't work for you book's manuscript. Yvonne offers you the f r ^ ^ podcast on her blog: http://ow.ly/hUNM . Other new ones for your Frugal and F r ^ ^ enjoyment include:
~Raleigh Pinskey and I chat about hiring a publicist and the joy of writing: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Raleigh - R - Pinskey
~Cheryl Antier and I talk promotion, memoir, process at
www.blogtalkradio.com/cheryl - antier.
~Irene Watson, Victor R. Volkman's Author Access and I chat on several f r ^ ^ including a new one on writing book proposals just at http://authorsaccess.com/archives/category/carolyn - howard - johnson
~And I read poetry with Lillian Brummet as host at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/AuthorsRead/2009/08/14/Carolyn - Howard - Johnson - She - Wore - Emerald - Then
~Just the FAQs MaAnna Stephenson and I recorded a couple of different podcasts. One on marketing fiction. Find them at http://www.justthefaqs.net/podcast.shtml
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More Opportunities

It’s Not Too Late to Win My Frugal Books - - The Green Way . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . . and e - books, of course, are GREEN. Lillian Brummet, host of Conscious Discussions, says, “Don't miss your chance to win the entire book promotion series written by Carolyn Howard - Johnson in the contest that runs from Aug 11 - 16th at Lillian Brummet's Conscious Discussions. Weekly prize draws are offered through Dave & Lillian Brummet's Conscious Discussions Radio & the Brummet's Conscious Discussions Blog! Contestants e - mail me whenever a new contest is announced. Learn more at: www.blogtalkradio.com/ConsciousDiscussions or at http://ConsciousDiscussions.blogspot.com


My Own Contest ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Because poetry can be so important in our lives if we will but let it, I am running a contest to remind people to slow down a bit and read a poem (or write one). I will select a winner from those who send me an e - mail with TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING in the subject line. The prize is an e - copy of Lillian Brummet's Towards Understanding with a new cover by her husband, Dave, who is often also her writing partner. I'll randomly pick a winner on Sept. 30. The winner will also have an opportunity to publish one of their poems or a short excerpt from their prose in this corner of my newsletter—a piece that fits with the theme "Towards Understanding." Send your entries to HoJoNews@aol.com.


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No part of this newsletter is paid advertising. If you would like to advertise to subscribers, display ads are available at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/advertising.htm at less per year than most sites charge for a single month. Find classified there, too.
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Tip: When I opened one of those joke e - mails that are going around, I got an idea for a chapter in my new memoir. That reminded me to remind you that even junk mail - - junk from your real mailbox or your e - mail box - - can be a source for resources for promotion but even inspiration. This e - mail paralleled Martha Stewart and the bitchy old cartoon woman with a coffee cup and cigarette hanging off her lip. How I love her. She reminds me of my deceased aunt. The bitchy one, not Martha.


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Subscribers who have websites or newsletters of their own may be interested
in the F r ^^ Articles 4 Readers and Writers on my site, http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/free_content.htm 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: Fiction writers can get blog ideas and the basics on blogging at Phyllis Zimbler Miller’s and my new Web site designed to make it easy to find an agent for our new book. Go to www.fictionmarketing.com to download the f r ^ ^ pdf.


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Fun and F r ~ ~: If you purchased the Frugal Book Promoter or the Frugal Editor, I'd love 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 about the writing or the promotion. Please send in your poetry tips and resources for this section.

This week I am including in this poetry corner a review of my chapbook Tracings by subscriber W. Joyce White, author of Sculpting the Heart with Art Therapy eBook, http://www.joycewhitebooks.comhttp://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/joycewhite, I'm doing it because the review includes some poetic language of its own (reviews are all the better for some great language in my opinion) and because I don't want people to forget that though I am certainly your Frugal Book Promoter and Editor, those things alone don't define my writing. Here is the lovely review with thanks to Joyce. You'll also find it at http://www.amazon.com/Tracings - Carolyn - Howard - Johnson/product - reviews/1599240173/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Carolyn Howard - Johnson, is the author of Tracings, a wondrous little poem book of 24 pages. Even though it is little, it is written with a "mighty" big heart. As years go by it is true we are no longer immune from "unbandaged wounds." Her words not mine. As a retailer, writer, poet, and book promoter, she has led a very interesting life and her description of geography is superb. We can almost feel the Nordic rain she speaks of on our skin. Joyce Carol Oates says you discover your best poems while writing your worst prose. Most poets just call this using our "creative license." Carolyn intertwines reality and metaphors expertly using her own creative license. I find myself being pulled into her poem, "Poetry. You and I touch even though we are light years apart." We all perceive each other's art differently. Her words pretty much sum up all our lives..."Tracings. Echoes. Deeds done and undone, transformed existence, loved ones here and gone."

She also wrote, "Who believes the dead don't speak?" Her loved ones are whispering through her poetry as she records what is past. She imagined her medicine cabinet as an arched tombstone with tears rolling down the mirror. " . . . shear my image...a last look at her face in my lenses." No, it is not with our ears we listen to the dead. It is with our senses. Sometimes I get a whiff of my mom's canned blackberries or her favorite perfume. We carry in our hearts only one constant desire, and that is to rewrite our past and bring the dead back to life. Although Carolyn and her readers may be a world apart, like her we cannot, "wash the memory or the present clean or clear." Her words. Five Stars from me!


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Endorsement: I wanted to tell you how your workshops, reading your newsletter, and just chatting with you has been a great help to me. I have a background in marketing from the fashion world and even though it has helped me get my foot in the door, I honestly have to say that after getting to know you, reading your books, and everything else I just said has truly helped me put Stories for Children Magazine on the map. ~ VS Grenier, Founder and Editor - in - Chief Stories for Children Magazine. http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org.
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In the News: Sony has offered a new e - book reader to the world - - this one pocket size and it will cost less than $200. BTW, if anyone is tech enough to prepare a book for Sony Reader and wants to trade me that service for consulting, I'm game. My books are Kindle, but Sony is eluding me. ( - :


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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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Author Successes

Les Plasko, UCLA Instructor and Novelist Publishes . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Slow Lie Detector is, according to his student Jamie Schaffner : "a gorgeous book - - NO wasted words, stunning characters and astounding emotionality."
Jamie also shares, "The release party was held at Equator Books, an independent bookstore in Venice, CA. Les read from Slow Lie Detector amid the hundreds of inspiring writers and artists he surrounds himself with in this large space with industrial ceilings and wall - to - wall blond shelves filled with books. When Les wasn't reading, we listened to a live washboard band, caught up with old friends and met new contacts. It was more than a book launch. It was a celebration of Les Plesko (http://www.slowliedetector.com/) as an artist and a teacher who has given so much to emerging writers over the past two decades.

Purchase the book here:
http://www.equatorbooks.com/index_Publishing.php



Subscriber Raff Ellis Passes on Promo Success . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
He says, Steve Lehto is one of my Internet author friends. How's this for some great publicity? It's a perfect example of finding an angel to tie - in that fits with the subject of your book:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090803/OPINION03/908030315/1383/OPINION0308/Jay+Leno+gets+rare+Chrysler++author+gets+plug+for+book


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Audio divas brings you audios on many aspects of building a writing career: http://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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Tip: Subscriber Amber Polo's blog caught my eye. It is important that we look at our own no - no behavior now and then. So here's "Authors Behaving Badly: Bookseller Tells All":

http://amberpolo.blogspot.com/2009/07/authors - behaving - badly - bookseller - tells.html


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I highly recommend Jozette Aaron's f r ^ ^ DeSilva's News for writers: http://jozette.webs.com/ not just because I write a column for her. =====================================================


Tip: When veteran publicist Raleigh Pinsky was interviewing me on her "Gladitude" talk radio program, she mentioned that if an author is considering a large publicity firm to represent them, to ask specifically which of their many agents will represent them. Then take that person out to lunch. Talk about her personal contacts. See if the two of you are compatible. Raleigh is president of her own smaller company, The Raleigh Group Communications. Reach her company at www.PromoteYourself.com/. Her e - mail is raleigh@promoteyourself.com .


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Yes, I do consult. I tailor my fees to your needs - - everything from coaching to full edits (sorry no partial edits) to hour consultations to help you with your marketing campaign or your path to publishing. http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/consulting.htm
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Social Networking Tip: Avoid gossip. My daughter has a friend who commented unfavorably on a picture she posted of an old high school friend. It was a dreadful experience that embarrassed my daughter as much as the person at which the gossip was directed.


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Thank Yous


Thanks to Melinda Winner
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for posting my call for subscriptions to this newsletter on her site at www.cookingwitharthritis.com
A complete illustrated guide to cooking with arthritis
is available online now !
Available in stores everywhere, September, 29 , 2009!
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978 - 1 - 60799 - 738 - 2


Thanks to Dallas Woodburn ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . . for featuring The Frugal Book Promoter in her newsletter. She has started a publishing company for young readers. I think you'll want to know more about it and subscribe to her newsletter - - especially if you write for young people yourself. Here's the link you'd use: http://writeonbooks.org/newsletter.aspx


Thanks to Lani Brown . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . . for publicizing her own review on my www.thenewbookreview.blogspot.com. It’s at Gather.com at http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977767497 It’s amazing how much promotion leverage we can get out of the small things we’re doing and, by doing so, how we can help all involved. Thank you, Lani!


Thanks to Mary Emma Allen
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. . . for including information on this newsletter and the possible decline of newsletters... She says the last newsletter "got me thinking and I tied it in with one of my blogs, Small Business Boomers, another one I write for b5media. You might want to check out Are Small Business Newsletters on the Decline? http://www.smallbusinessboomers.com/are - small - business - newsletters - on - the - decline/."


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If you're starting your own blog or want to market the one you have or focus it better here’s a f r ^^ chapter from Phyllis Zimbler Miller’s and my coming book. Download it now at http://budurl.com/bloggingchapter. =====================================================


Tip: To increase traffic to your blog, form a blog group. You go comment on theirs, they comment on yours. It's fun and you might learn something new. You're almost sure to forge new contacts.


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I now have a social media page on my Website. I’m including the link for you to see so you can use it as a sample if you don’t have a similar page on your own Web site. And yes, this can work even if you only network on one site. Just use more space giving your visitors an idea of how they will benefit if they join you. http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/new_page_4.htm =====================================================


Subscribers Sharing with Subscribers

Heather Paye Tells You How to Save Hours on Your Marketing ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Book Buzzr is a brand new way to market your book around the internet, and it’s easy! Rather than going to a dozen or more different websites including Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and many others, you can simply log on to BookBuzzr.com create an account upload your book, and advertise the excerpt of your book on each of these sites, with a few simple clicks. Thousands of authors use it both new and well - known, including J.K.Rowling, Stephanie Meyers, and Nora Roberts.

I use it all of the time to advertise on the ever - growing span of websites that it has to offer. I like it best for its simplicity. My favorite feature is the newest – automatically tweet about your excerpt every day, week, or month. Right now, I’m running a contest type of thing trying to get 1,000 people to view my excerpt. There are endless possibilities with Book Buzzr! Another good feature is the page - turning animation. You’ll have to see it to know what I’m talking about.

Before I started using Book Buzzr, I used to schedule an entire day just for marketing, now it only takes about an hour. I use just about every feature that it has to offer, from marketing to becoming a fan of my favorite author, or my favorite novel. I also read what other authors are advertising. It’s a like a little community of authors!


Heather Paye
Student, Author, Dreamer
Portfolio: http://www.writing.com/authors/kittynadem
Fansite: http://www.agiftfromabove.webs.com
Email: the_jewelonsolot@msn.com


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This is an example of one of my Twitters: "FrugalBookPromo New trend? Borders to buy nonreturnable books from HarperStudio in return for a deeper discount." My tweets cover everything from news to more tips and resources, all in 140 characters or less. If you don’t want to Tweet, at least follow me. Make a profile page and invite me at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo. =====================================================


Tip: Great marketing is no more than the golden rule. You do for others as you would have them do for you. Great selling is no more than wanting what is best for your customer/reader. That's why we don't try to sell any single title to everyone. Learn who will benefit from your book and then share your passion.


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The New Book Review is a service of this newsletter. 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

The Business of Writing III: Organizing Passwords and Hosting Information
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By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

How are you at keeping track of your blogs, Web sites and social media tools? Recently, when I discovered I needed to make changes in all theses areas, I realized I hadn’t done a good job of keeping needed information at hand.

Keeping track of your user names, passwords, and information for updating your Web sites is vital.

If you do your own Web site design and maintenance, then you are going to need your account setup information on each account when you used File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to update. Below, I have listed the instructions for a GoDaddy account but look it up for YOUR hosting account server and keep the information handy for when you need it or if you want to switch hosts.

You can track this information several ways. The links below give you ideas on how.

Good luck on keeping your information at hand…and happy writing!

LINKS

Organizing Computer Passwords
http://www.stacksandstacks.com/blog/2008/11/04/clutter - control - organizing - computer - passwords/

FTP Client Information
http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/03/07/how - do - you - store - ftp - login - information - for - your - clients/

Organizing Your Passwords Using a Secure PDF
http://www.planetpdf.com/enterprise/article.asp?ContentID=organizing_your_passwords_usin&gid=6047

Hosting Account Setup Information
https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/ftpinfo.asp



- - - - - - 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/.
Her specialty is helping writers with their media releases. Reach her at mplcreative1@aol.com.

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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
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Lillian Brummet will be my host on BlogTalkRadio’s Authors Read on August 14th at 9 am Pacific time. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/AuthorsRead/2009/08/14/Carolyn - Howard - Johnson - She - Wore - Emerald - Then I’ll be reading a poem from She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood coauthored with Magdalena Ball. I'll read a few poems of mine and at least one of Maggie's. She is most always inspired by quantum mechanics and related subjects. I hope you’ll tune in to see how a copy of this chapbook might fit into the occasions in which you might want to honor a mother in your life. Learn how you can do the same at: http://www.brummet.ca/authors.html

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MaAnna Stephenson has asked me to record a podcast on how - tos for writers to go live on her site on Thursday, August 14 at www.JustTheFAQS.net/podcast.shtml and on iTunes sometime after that. Until then, find other useful podcasts on different aspects of publishing from this prolific marketer at http://www.JustTheFAQs.net/podcast.shtml.

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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will co - sponsor the Green Book Pavilion with The Green New Media Life Expo http://www.greennewmedialifeexpo.com/content/green - book - pavilion - featuring - carolyn - howard - johnson?destination=node%2F109 held at the Ontario Convention Center, Saturday Sept 12 from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday Sept. 13 from 10 am to 5 pm. The expo offers a $290 expo package to help authors promote themselves and their books. It includes
~An onsite Internet radio interview
~A personalized video that the participating authors themselves can use on their own social networks and Web sites
~A Web site presence for the participating authors, including blog presence and pictures, etc on the expo site
~A table where each author can talk up his or her book (and sell it, too!) on the Pavilion itself.
Interested authors may contact Gerry Fisher at GeFisher39@aol.com or at 702 467 9411 or 760 961 2728. Future expos are at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento on Oct 24 & 25, and Pomona Fairgrounds on November 6 and 8.

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Mark October 12 to 18 on your calendar for The Muse Online Writers Conference cosponsored by Lea Schizas and Carolyn Howard - Johnson:

[logo here in the pdf version of this letter]

We are now taking reservations for the conference. More to come on my presentations there at http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/. This year we’ve added pitch sessions: http://www.themuseonlinewritersconference.com/2009workshops.htm

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Carolyn Howard - Johnson will speak 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 have to 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.)
MOSQUITO: An insect that makes you like flies better.

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Essential Book and Record Keeping:

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:
Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/qid=1149015406/sr=2 - 1/
The e - book at http://starpublishllc.com/id43.html

The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success
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, http://www.amazon.com/Great - First - Impression - Book - Proposal/dp/B000YG6O5U/

A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In - Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques http://budurl.com/RetailersGuide

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

She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood, a chapbook of poetry coauthored with Magdalena Ball. http://www.amazon.com/She - Wore - Emerald - Then - Reflections/dp/1438263791/

Tracings, a chapbook of poetry (Finishing Line Press)
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)


Blogs:

http://www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com, a blog on all things publishing
http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com, all things grammatical and ungrammatical
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.
http://www.sizzlingbookfairbooths.blogspot.com, a blog where you can learn to get some mojo behind your own booth by learning from the successes and mistakes of others.

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