If you prefer to read this letter in its not - so - glorious full formatted version ( - : copy and paste this URL into your browser:
http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/SharingwithWriters_Oct_18_2009.pdf

October 18, 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 (except when I'm traveling or on deadline) 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: “That ONE Paper”
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™

This Issue
~Feature: Air Hangar Book Signing, Amber Polo
~Subscribers Sharing with Subscribers: Pros and Cons of a Charity Promotion
~ Subscribers Sharing with Subscribers: Sharing Editor Professional



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:

Contests are funny things. Often they teach us something when we just thought we were having fun! My big editing booboo contest had lots and lots of response and each one of you who wrote to me had an excellent suggestion or found another way to make me blush. Nearly 50 of you responded including many of you who are editors in your own right! Thank you! I picked only one to publish in the Letters - to - the - Editor section of this newsletter. It was the funniest though many of you found my embarrassment a hoot. ( - :

But here's the thing. Not one of you found the gremlin I was so red - in - the - face about! And it was in the very first sentence of the newsletter. And it was one of those things we all know (your vs. you're). So the lesson here is that most of us find the obscure and don't find the obvious. All the more reason why even some of you editing pros may need my The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success (http://budurl.com/TheFrugalEditor).

I entered all of you anyway, an A for expert to you all. Maybe an F in mindreading! Ha! Then I picked one of you by thinking of a number and that was the winner. And an editor won! She is
Laura Kerley of PENCILS - A Proofreading & Copyediting Company™"Improving the written word one letter at a time." Let me help you present your work in the best light possible! Email: pencilsproofreading@yahoo.com Web: www.pencilsproofreading.com

And she wins a copy of my novel This Is the Place. That's another reason to get uncomfortable. That's because this book is my first and, though it was traditionally published (meaning an advance and royalties even though it was pubbed on a digital press), it is full of scrapes, bruises and scabs. My publisher may have assigned me the worst editor in the world and, hey! It was my first. What did I know when she proclaimed it the "cleanest manuscript" she'd ever edited. Pride is a terrible thing!

In fact, that experience was one of the biggest reasons I wrote The Frugal Editor.

So, have we all learned something from this, guys? I hope so. I have. I learned no one is perfect and to be gentler and kinder with editing errors - - whether it is ourselves or someone else (I knew that but needed another boot in the pants about it). And I learned that contests can be lots more useful than most people give them credit for.

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

PS: Laura, please e - mail me with your street address so I can send you This Is the Place.
PPS: Find a couple pictures of me (and my gorgeous old guy!) on our trip to Mexico on my Facebook page. If you do FB, friend me while you're there! ( - : Here are the pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=327938&id=584225789&l=07c6664e4d


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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 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hi Carolyn,

I'm so sorry for your "booboo."

RE: "Today, after I sent out Sharing with Writers, I found a huge booboo in it."

Your only way to atone and the only way to avoid an eternity in the Ninth Ring of the Inferno is to devote the remainder of your life to a leper colony in the remotest Pacific with no email and a vow of silence.

You will have to become the Father Damien of the book world to save your soul.

Or, you could treat us all at In 'N' Out Burger.

Virgil Jose
Author: "The Examined Life"
A murder mystery at
Amazon & bookstores

- - - - -
(I'm running this next letter in case anyone missed my messages in this newsletter and in my books that nothing works well without promotion - - even with a great deal of luck. There is just too much competition out there to expect anything you do to promote your book or writing career to be effective without letting people know it is there - - in fact, without using enticements to get them there! And, to answer Raff's question, just about every item in The Frugal Book Promoter can be used to get people to any given promotion!)

Hi Carolyn,


Hope you had a nice vacation. They go by fast don't they?

I read your latest FeedBlitz [the way many subscribe to my SharingwithWriters blog] about making book trailers and have to say that making them isn't the problem. Driving traffic to them is. It's like making a successful book - writing is only one - third of the job. Getting published and marketing are the other two - thirds.

My book trailer gets great reviews from those who've seen it - all 667 of them. I get disheartened when I look at other clownish videos that have views in the thousands or millions. I'd hate to see aspiring authors think that getting a spiffy video is the problem and once solved, will carry them to success. The heavy lifting is done after a book is written or video produced. You need to tell people how to do that, if you know, that is.

Best,
Raff Ellis


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The Green New Media Life Expos (http://www.greennewmedialifeexpo.com ) 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: Allyn Evans (www.allynevans.com) says this seems like a great opportunity for authors who tweet. ( - : http://www.twooting.com/members/twooting/adminpages/interview_request


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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. 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.
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Asking a favor: The famous Writer's Digest wants your nominations for next year's list of 101 Best Websites for Writers. If you enjoy this newsletter, its associated blogs and Web site, please consider nominating any one or all of the following:
Blogs for Writers:
http://www.SharingWithWriters.blogspot.com
http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com

The Resources for Writer pages at http://www.HowToDoItFrugally.com
To nominate Sharing with Writers; The Frugal, Smart and Tuned - In Editor; or HowToDoItFrugally for 2010, please send your nomination to: writersdig@fwpubs.com with "101 Websites" in the subject line. January 1, 2010 is the deadline.


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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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Tip: You can speak on cruise ships to promote your books. The bookstore will carry your merchandise to sell to passengers. The easiest way to get onboard is to book a cruise at your own expense and then ask for an audition while traveling. There other ways to get booked, such as pitching to cruise line agents or being coached and mentored by Daniel Hall (www.speakerscruisefree.com). My "yes" came from Princess Cruise Lines after working with Daniel Hall! I'm scheduled to set sail on January 17th to the Caribbean. ~ Submitted by Allyn Evans, www.allynevans.com


=================================================== 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://budurl.com/bookproposalreport =====================================================

Opportunities

Indie Awards . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I won this award for the best marketing campaign last year and my The Frugal Editor (www.budurl.com/TheFrugalEditor) was a finalist in the nonfiction category so I know the award is accessible. I also know how much promotion value you can get out of an award! Awards are now open for 2010. Learn more at www.indieexcellence.com/index.html. For more recommended contests go to http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/contests.htm


Small Publishers of North America (SPAN) Offers Deal . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . you can't refuse, a free membership to PR Newswire for a year. You need to be a SPAN member (about $60 or $70) but the release disseminator membership is valued at $195. And SPAN's newsletter (print and online) is excellent. Go to www.spannet.org and please tell them I sent you.


Award Opportunity for Poetry ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
USA Book News now has a poetry category and it may not be too late for you to enter. My poetry writing partner (Magdalena Ball) and I entered and, as you can see when you go to this site, there are quite a few benefits to entering this contest including having your book listed for on the site. The poetry page for entrants is at http://www.usabooknews.com/additionalcategories/poetry.html. BTW, our She Wore Emerald Then was illustrated by photographer (and subscriber to this newsletter) May Lattanzio.


===================================================== 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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Warning: People (even the Wall Street Journal) are saying that e - mail is dead for promotion purposes. Don't you believe it. You've heard the saying "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water?" Well, e - mails may not be as effective as they once were when you are doing mass mailings but for your own private lists they are still wonderful. In other words, you don't do as well as you once might have using e - mail to reach a broader audience, but for people you already know, e - mails can be personal and very effective. I think it's almost always a mistake when the media paints something as all right or all wrong with no middle ground. Middle ground is what the world is mostly made of. ( - :


===================================================== F r ^ ^ Audio Learning: 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: www.blogtalkradio.com/Raleigh - R - Pinskey
Cheryl Antier and I talk promotion, memoir, process at
www.blogtalkradio.com/cheryl - antier.
Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman's at Author Access and I chat on several f r ^ ^ podcasts including a new one on writing book proposals at
authorsaccess.com/archives/146
authorsaccess.com/archives/category/carolyn - howard - johnson
I read poetry with Lillian Brummet as host at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/AuthorsRead/2009/08/14/Carolyn - Howard - Johnson - She - Wore - Emerald - Then and with Kim McMillon as host at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Profile.aspx?userurl=onword&year=2009&month=09 where we talk storing poetry in bras and nude cover pictures.
Just the FAQs MaAnna Stephenson and I recorded a couple of different podcasts. One on marketing fiction (Part II). Find them at http://www.justthefaqs.net/podcast.shtml
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More on the So - What Factor: Another warning on not interpreting everything you read as a negative for your promotion. Example: Recently a study showed that Facebook is by far and away populated by the young. But look at your own friends. They will be comprised of people of whatever age you want to appeal to because you invited them or they found you. Further, Facebook is just SOOOO huge, there are still plenty of any demographic you need for your book out there. You'll never exhaust the possibilities. I wouldn't care if the 90% of Facebook users were nonreaders under the age of five if there were 6,000 over the age of five who might be interested in reading my book. Those would be the ones I'd go after and 6,000? Well, by the time I exhausted that supply, more would have joined up.


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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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Twitter Tip: Want to see how you're doing on Twitter? Be careful! Stats can be misinterpreted but you can try www.twittercounter.com.


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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, www.budurl.com/FreeContent . 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: When you are through reading your newspaper, is it full of holes? If not you may forget ideas that have occurred to you or information you want to include in your next book. When I don’t have scissors, I just tear them out and stow them until I have a minute to file them somewhere in my computer.


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

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.

Winner of the poetry contest and Lillian Brummet's chapbook, Toward Understanding.
The winner of the contest I ran for a copy of Lillian Brummet's chapbook, Toward Understanding is Glynis Smy http://www.glynissmy.com .The winner also was promised that I would publish her poem in this corner. So, congratulations Glynis. I know SWW subscribers will find sweet relief by reading something creative.

Silent Victory
By Glynis Smy
No trumpets sound, there is no rejoicing,
a gentle sigh of relief is the only sound,
it echoes throughout each pounding vein,
the drum roll of victory.

Triumphant victim, silently moves away,
no more challenges with hefty cost,
no valiant steed with hero armed,
just a silent thank you.

No promises then remorse,
just life, moving forward,
no nerve ending nights,
just sleep, with rainbow dreams.

No happy ending, just the ending,
to await the beginning of new hope.

Copyright © GJSmy 2008
- - - - -
Glynis was born in the UK and now live in Southern Cyprus. She has been published in magazines in the UK and Cyprus. She has two poetry books She does cross stitch, makes cards and swims. Learn more at www.glynissmy.com She won a chapbook by Lillian Brummet (Illustrated by her husband Dave) (www.brummet.ca). They are authors of: Purple Snowflake Marketing - How to Make Your Book Stand Out In A Crowd,Trash Talk - Learn how you can impact the planet, Towards Understanding - a collection of 120 poems on society, the environment & overcoming trauma. They are also hosts of Conscious Discussions talk radio show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions and Authors Read radio program: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/authorsread They blog at http://www.consciousdiscussions.blogspot.com.



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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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Twitter Tip: A new Penn State study reported that 20% of all tweets are brand related. If that's so, why not your brand. That is, your author name or book title? It also proves that tweets are far more suited to book promotion than telling people what you ate for breakfast.


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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

Client Ralph Cinque Sends E - mail . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . with "First Place, thanks to you" in the subject line and says, "Carolyn, I took your advice and entered Vinland in several writing competitions. And the results are in already on the first one, Premier Book Awards (http://www.premierbookawards.com/2009%20Winners.htm). Here's the letter I received. Thanks again, Carolyn. Ralph" Below is the award letter:

"Congratulations on your novel, Vinland, being selected by the 2009 Premier Book Awards as the First place winner in the Young Adult category.

The competition was fierce this year, and it was a difficult decision choosing from so many deserving books. However, the judges were unanimous in their selection of Vinland as the winning entry.

You should be justifiably proud to have written such a wonderful, award - winning novel. We are proud to send you the enclosed certificate and the award check in recognition of your achievement.

All of us at Premier Book Awards sincerely hope that your commercial success equals your literary achievement."

Sincerely,
James R. Olson
Premier Book Awards

Ralph's Vinland is a graphic novel about Leif Eriksson and the Vikings who reached America in the year 1000. Blending real history with classic storytelling, Vinland is a rip - roaring tale of high adventure beautifully illustrated by 10 artists from 4 countries. Order it for the young person in your life at www.vinlandsaga.com.


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Audio divas bring you audios on many aspects of building a writing career:
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: Do you receive Sylvia McClain's Scribal News? Are you utilizing it in your promotion? Check it out here at www.scribalpress.com/200960Oct.pdf


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

Subscriber Sharing with Subscribers

Sharing Pros and Cons of a Charity Promotions ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I had a request from a site visitor today that I found intriguing. It won't work for us for our Reading Tub concept for several reasons, but I thought I would share it because there may be authors who can successfully partner with organizations that CAN make it work. I have slightly edited the text to protect the originator. One of the points that I rejected her plan with is that we are a site that protects the author. The partnership she proposed could be viewed as a de facto endorsement. I was a little leery because the original e - mail was a little more direct. Asking someone to do the promotion for you and giving no hint that you have contacts YOU can share to cross - promote bothers me and I was initially put off by it.
My feelings remain mixed, yet, the idea of collaborating in general and taking the time to present the idea gets a gold star. Here is the text (altered) of that e - mail:

I would love the opportunity to donate to help improve [cause]. I would like to start a promotion where if a specific number of books were sold I would donate 10.00. I would count on your organization to publicize this promotion with the media. It would bring in a lot of attention for your cause. I am passionate about [cause] and my book [related to the cause] is an excellent resource for [theme].

- - - - - - - - Shared by Terry Doherty, Executive Director, The Reading Tub, Inc.
We use the monies donated by Goodsearch.com (powered by Yahoo!) to The Reading Tub®
as a means to support literacy.
My answer to Terry: I agree, Terry. It's sad when people forget that basic principle of great PR. In its simplest form it’s "what can I do for you?" Maybe your contact figured the donation would be enough, but promotion partnerships should be a two - way street.


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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://budurl.com/carolynsconsulting
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Tip: When you send information to editors, use the full URL in place of hyperlinks. Yes, hyperlinks are prettier but if the editors want to use the information in a plain text document (like the e - mail version of this newsletter), they'll have to look up the address and they might not have time!


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Thank Yous


Thanks to Dawn Colclasure
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for publishing my first person essay on my positive experience with cancer. Please go by and comment. She is doing a great job of publicizing breast cancer month.
http://palmstopines.blogspot.com/2009/10/special - guest - blog - post - by - carolyn.html



Thanks to Gene Cartwright of iFOGO . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for including my books on his iFOGO Village Author Resources page. Find them here http://ifogovillage.ning.com/group/authorresources . Do you have a resource writers can use? If so, iFOGO. Then join us resource types!


Thanks to Virginia Grenier of Stories for Children . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for using one of my mini rants in her recent newsletter. The Stories for Children Newsletter for Writers is for children's writers or anyone who loves to write. Each monthly newsletter is sent via email as a PDF f r ^^ and contains tips on writing, how other writers started down the road to success through trial and error, success stories on being published, contest, writing markets, and much more. The newsletter was voted one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers 2009 by Writer's Digest To sign up for f r ^ ^ visit:
http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com/SFCNewsletterforWriters.aspx


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


Feature
Air Hangar Book Signing? Creative Example Using Basics ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ By Amber Polo
Instructions:
How to Host a Book Signing in an Airplane Hangar:

1. Send invitations to neighbors and friends
2. Order great bookmarks
3. Order fabulous cake with book cover on top
4. Move airplane out of hangar
5. Clean hangar
6. Borrow tables and chairs
7. Suggest that neighbors might be characters in the fictional book
8. Find friend to handle the money
9. Make a lot of coffee or delegate this job to a character in your book
10. Welcome guests, circulate, drink coffee, and from time to time sign books
11. Have people who have read the book walk around telling everyone how great it was
12. Have a great time!
13. Clean up and put the airplane back

Supplies: plates, forks, and napkins. Juice, apples, almonds for the healthier folk. Hot water and selection of teas. Sugar and cream. Price list showing sales tax and final book price. Cake server. Change.

Best Tip 1: As guests paid for each book, an assistant placed a heart - shaped sticky from Office Max on the book with the name of purchaser or the name of person the book should be dedicated to .This is a huge prevents confusion of what book belongs to whom and how the author should sign the book.

Best Tip 2: Keep prices simple. For Example, my book Flying Free is: $11.95 + $1.02 +$12.97 We rounded that to $13.00.

Romancing Rebecca is $12.99 +$1.08 tax = $14.07, so we made it $14.00.

When you invite the Mayor and Town Council of your town whose only income comes from the sales tax, don't fudge on the taxes. Selling books is a business.
- - - - Submitted by Amber Polo author of Romancing Rebecca (The Wild Rose Press) and Flying Free (Treble Heart Books) http://www.amberpolo.com/


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I now have a social media page on my Website. I’m including the link 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 for you even if you only network on one site. Be sure to give your visitors an idea of how they will benefit if they join you. http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/new_page_4.htm =====================================================


Tip: In the last issue, I had some typo booboos and decided to apologize by making finding them into a contest for my award - winning novel, This Is the Place. You know. Sort of a give - a - way atonement. Reno Lovison (my supreme producer of book trailers) thought it was a great "Hattie's Hatpin" device. I said I didn't know what a "Hattie's Hatpin" is and he researched it for me. You could use one form of this technique or another in lots of different ways. It would be especially good for children's authors. Here is what a "Hattie's Hatpin" is:

“Hattie’s Hatpin” is an old term used to describe the technique of asking your newsletter reader to find a hidden message or out of place word to win a prize. The idea of course is to get the readers to peruse your entire newsletter carefully. According to my Google search I guess it is based on an old magazine trick still being used at (http://www0.dealtime.com/xPR - Reminisce ~RD - 873506). ~ Reno Lovison Marketing, 5250 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640, (773)989 - 1960, reno@renoweb.net, www.renoweb.net


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This is an example of one of my Twitters: "FrugalBookPromo New trend? Borders will 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: Use teasers to drive traffic to your blog: Put the first few paragraphs (or even a sentence) into your newsletter or elsewhere on the Web and then let people click through on a link to get to the tips or other meat of the issue that you've posted on your blog. I've used this technique in this newsletter to try to save a little space and increase the chance that s p @ m filters won't interfere with your issue.


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The New Book Review is a f r ^ ^ 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

That ONE Paper ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

The skeleton comes before the skin and the filing system comes before the sorting of papers. If I didn’t have file categories and folders already devised BEFORE I began organizing, I wouldn’t have the correct corral for papers on RESEARCH or on MARKETING to go.

In theory, this is “elementary, dear Watson.” In reality, it lacks the seeds of perfection.

Proud of my lovely categorical skeleton I’d fashioned in my home office, I began to make nice, neat piles by subject, certain that everything had its place. Then there was that ONE paper. It sort of belonged in one folder and sort of belonged in another. Was it on a rare topic that needed a folder of its own, a folder for that ONE paper alone?

I set it aside.

I continued to weed papers, placing them in the correct folder. Then, it happened again…another paper with no distinct category. It wasn’t connected to the FIRST singular paper I found but, like it, appeared to need its own folder.

I set it aside.

When I was done, there were several papers in a pile of their own. So what did I do with them? I decided I had three choices: (1) put them each in a separate folder, (2) make copies and put one in each topical folder they might fit in correctly or (3) make a cross reference sheet. I made copies.

When you have to deal with that ONE paper, decide which of the three choices above might work for you. Or you can make a fourth choice: the trash can.

Links

Paper Filing
http://ezinearticles.com/?Paper - Filing - - - How - to - Set - Up - a - New - System&id=625599

Setting Up a Paper Filing System
http://www.teach - nology.com/tutorials/teaching/organize/

How to Arrange a Paper Filing System
http://www.wikihow.com/Arrange - a - Paper - Filing - System


~ 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.


===================================================== The Muse Online Writers Conference is cosponsored by Lea Schizas and Carolyn Howard - Johnson. More than 2000 attended in 2009 and early reservations for October of 2010 are strongly recommended. http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/
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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
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 Just the FAQs MaAnna Stephenson and I will be chatting again on her permanent podcast series. Go to http://www.justthefaqs.net/podcast.shtml to learn more. The show will air on Thursday, October 22. This is my second time with MaAnna. We feel we really get tons of information out to writers in these shows - - thus it is worthwhile to do (and listen to!) more than one.
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 Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be a host for one day at the Green Book Pavilion with The Green New Media Life at the convention center in Ontario, CA. http://www.greennewmedialifeexpo.com. I'll be interviewing authors for thieir videos and speaking as well. The expo offers a $290 expo package to help authors promote themselves and their books both onsite and with New Media (meaning video, interview, CD, booth, etc), but they can also take a table (no video extras) for a mere $89.
Interested authors may contact Gerry Fisher at GeFisher39@aol.com or at 702 467 9411 or 760 961 2728. He has other Expos coming up, too.

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 Carolyn Howard–Johnson discusses Mormon life and history and how she melded the two into her gripping book, This is the Place, on the History Czar, aka Paul Bruno, on March 5, 2010, at 9:00 am Pacific at www.alltalkradio.net/historyczar. The History Czar is the Internet’s premier talk radio program covering all areas of history. You'll find the interview at www.alltalkradio.net/historyczar/historyczar030510.mp3 after March 5th. Listen to current History Czar shows at www.alltalkradio.net/historyczar or at the show’s blog at www.historyczar.wordpress.com. Ask to be on Paul's notification list for free podcasts.


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 Carolyn Howard - Johnson offers two seminars at the f r ^ ^ Catholic Writers Conference on Monday March 1. Your Query Letters Perfected: Straight from the Mouths of Literary Agents is at 9 and a casual chat, Twitter: How Writers Can Make It Work for Them is at 10. The conference is online from Feb 26 to March 5 and is open to everyone. http://www.catholicwritersconference.com/index.php


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 Carolyn Howard Johnson, author of A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In - Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with these Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques, will make a guest appearance on Paul Bruno's Career Czar® radio program. We'll talk making retailing work in a down economy and how authors can make their case to retailers to let them boost profits with a book signing on December 17, 2010 at 10:00 am Pacific at www.alltalkradio.net/careerczar. You can also listen at www.alltalkradio./careerczar/career121710.mp3 In the meantime, listen to his other shows at www.alltalkradio.net/careerczar or at the show's blog at www.careerczar.wordpress.com. Ask to be on Paul's notification list for free podcasts.

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New! Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be a featured speaker at the Wisconsin Regional Writers Association Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, in the fall of 2010. Find information on that at www.wrwa.net. This active group invites writers from everywhere to join. Find their blog at wrwaonline.blogspot.com.


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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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Subscriber Sharing with Subscribers

Patricia Dischler Shares Editing Experience . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ She says, "My newest book, Teaching the 3 Cs: Creativity, Curiosity & Courtesy is being released November 1st, I worked with a fantastic copyeditor on this book - - John Vias. (www.johnvias.com). He not only brought a technical excellence to the book, but worked hard to retain my voice and also went above and beyond by doing research to verify the accuracy of some topics and research in the book. For example, the book is filled with activities for parents and teachers on bringing these “3 Cs” into a child’s day, and one of the activities involved working with worms. John spent time researching the habits of worms to verify what motivated a worm to behave in the way described in the experiment! He brought a depth to the technical quality of the book that really brought it to a new level. I highly recommend him to any writer looking for a copyeditor! He is a freelancer that my publisher hired, and I will certainly be suggesting him to future publishers I work with. You can contact him at: john@johnvias.com.
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(Patricia Dischler is the author of several books for early childhood professionals, Teaching the 3 Cs can be found on her website at: www.patriciadischler.com.) She is an author of From Babysitter to Business Owner, Because I Loved You, The Patty Cake Kids & The Lost Imagination Cap, 101 Tips & Tricks for Child Care Professionals and speaker. She is also the recipient of the 2007 WFCCA Governor's Award

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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.)


INDEPENDENT: How we want our children to be as long as they do everything we say.



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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.
www.amazon.com/She - Wore - Emerald - Then - Reflections/dp/1438263791/

Tracings, a chapbook of poetry (Finishing Line Press)
www.budurl.com/CarolynsTracings

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