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_Dec_28_2009.pdf

December 28, 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: “Recipe for 2010”
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™
This Issue
~Feature: 10 Ways to Sell Books on Amazon
~Feature: Writers Sharing with Writers: Patricia Dischler


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:

I believe most authors think too narrowly when the word "conference" comes up. We think writers' conferences. Conferences where we go onsite to learn craft and marketing and talk to agents. Conferences online, like the one I cosponsor with Lea Schizas that are f r ^ ^ (see Carolyn's Appearances below).

However, a new year is coming and I'd like you to start thinking about conferences in general. In The Frugal Book Promoter (www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo), I talk about examining the themes and other elements of your own book to help you get more publicity for it by exploiting current events related to them. You can exploit conferences the same way.

Almost every industry - - even every sub industry - - has a conference each year. Your job is to find the one that attracts people who would be interested in your book.

It is nearly always true that this process is easier for nonfiction writers but it can be done for any book, even fiction and poetry. It requires analytical skills (like that examining of your own book) and research. A good place to start is by rereading your book, keeping in mind all its elements and how they can be applied to the outside world.

From there go to www.allconferences.com where you'll find conferences and trade shows of all sizes and types located all over the world. Once you've found a match ask yourself how you can put it to work for you. Ask yourself:

1. Could I reach a good number of readers among attendees? If so rent a booth.

2. Could I reach my audience by speaking at that conference? To those with booths? To attendees? Then pitch the conference program director with a query letter and include a video that shows your speaking skills.

3. Could I benefit from taking ads in the conference directories? Would it increase my chances of success if I offered some special benefit?

4. Could I offer to barter some of my lists and exposure (say on blogs) for some kind of return favor from the conference administrators?

5. Could my tax bill benefit from business travel deductions? A conference might fill the bill. Don't forget that if your travel includes research for a future book, those expenses might qualify for a deduction, too.

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

PS: Don't forget to exploit the f r ^ ^ opportunities and resources offered in this newsletter and on my Writer's Digest award - winning blog, www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com


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


Tip: The Federal Trade Commission is expecting bloggers, Web site owners, Tweeters, Facebookers, and even reviewers to disclose if they have taken some kind of remuneration for the plug they are giving someone, some book, or some product. They may have gone too far in expecting that even the f r ^ ^ review copy they receive should be mentioned, but that's the way it is. For now, they seem to be concentrating more on the advertisers but we writers and editors should be cautious. If you think about it, it's only ethical to include some disclaimer. For more clarification or insight visit
www.edrants.com/interview - with - the - ftcs - richard - cleland.


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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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Tip: In conjunction with the article in last week's newsletter on the demise of Kirkus, here is an example of the kinds of review spots that are spring up to take its place. http://newbook - releases.blogspot.com/.


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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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Author Successes
(The author successes segment is here to praise, laud and encourage but the success of one author may give you a resource for another. So, applaud, certainly. But also learn.)

How to Report Your Successes . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Because I have no author successes to report this week, it occurs to me to let you know how to submit them. Keep in mind that I can easily get 400 e - mails in a day and I am one of the few authors with that kind of volume who still answers her own e - mail. Thus, if the subject line seems generic to me, an e - mail might not get opened. All I need is something that says something like Media Release: SWW Subscriber. But I do need something to indicate that I know you. This spot is only available to those who subscribe to this newsletter or my blog. I'm sure you can see that I might get thousands of submissions otherwise. I do want to hear from you. I also want you to get into the habit of personalizing any of your submissions to increase your chances of success.


=================================================== Book Proposal Help: "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
Author Collective Offers Exposure of Titles . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Author Collective is here to help the unknown, little known and soon to be well known self - published author put their writings in the faces of the people who buy in quantity. We also give guidance to writers wanting to publish and print their books. This no cost information saves our members thousands of dollars over the so - called self - publishing houses.

Join us as we brave the chilly (cold) temperatures of Boston, MA this January for the American Library Association Mid - Winter Conference. This is a terrific and affordable way to showcase your book to more than 9,000 staff members from libraries around the country.

Call Michael Williams at (313) 446 - 2262
http://www.facebook.com/l/a0d3a;www.authorCollective.com


Blog Promotion Opportunity ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
J. Aday Kennedy is looking for content for her blog A Writing Playground.
- Do you need your book reviewed?
- Want to be interviewed?
- Want to write a guest post of interest to children and young adult authors or artists?
E mail Aday at author@jadaykennedy.com


Get Your Favorite Christmas Memory Published . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for next year. Everyone has a favorite Christmas memory or story to share. Choice Publishing Group (CPG) is looking for original stories and essays from 250 to 2000 words about Christmas. Each submission will be reviewed and considered based on creativity, originality, concept, and style. Reading will be continuous and submissions will be considered as they arrive. Not all works will be accepted. There is NO Entry or Reading Fee. The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2009.

The Patchwork Path story collection titles are based on quilt blocks and the book covers have quilt and quilter themes. In addition to Christmas Stocking (to be published in the fall of 2010) other titles include Grandma's Choice (November 2008), Dad's Bowtie (June 2009), Friendship Star (November 2009), Treasure Box (2010), and Wedding Bouquet (2010). Additional titles are added each year.

For more information, including complete submission guidelines, visit Patchwork Path: Piecing Together Our Lives online at http://www.PatchworkPath.com .


Subscriber Special for Online Book Marketing for Writers . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . is available until Jan 15 from Author Media Blogs & Book Marketing of Kingdom Expansion. Yes that would be your Kingdom and your expansion!!! at http://author - media - blog - book - marketing.blogspot.com/ . Smitty has put together a special price just for Sharing With Writers Readers, a tiered approach so subscribers could make promoting on a series of up to 100 sites to fit their budgets. Here is his special program:

One Full Year Of Marketing On with the offer available only until January 15.
~25 separate sites normally $150.00 (Special 25 sites for $99.00 )
~50 separate sites normally $250.00 (Special 50 sites for $200.00 )
~75 separate sites normally $350.00 (Special 75 sites for $300.00 )
~100 separate sites normally $500.00 (Special 100 sites for $400.00)

Smitty is also available to design and build blogs and create networks for you. His fees will be by the project and are very reasonable.

Read more about the full program at http://author - media - blog - book - marketing.blogspot.com/2009/11/author - book - promotions.html. You may also email Smitty at kingdomexpansion1@gmail.com for further information, simply mention Sharing with Writters.

Please do the math. For example on the 100 sites, it boils down to $4.00 per site for 365 days of advertisement. That is FRUGAL. ( - :
Read more about the full program at http://author - media - blog - book - marketing.blogspot.com/2009/11/author - book - promotions.html .


Budding Writers and Artists May Contribute . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . to Yvonne Perry's project. They may write a story, create artwork, or make an audio recording that demonstrates a lesson you have learned by reading The Sid Series ~A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children.
The art showcase is NOT a contest! Children will not be judged or rejected for their heart - felt creativity. Instead, every effort will be recognized and everyone's work will be included in an e - book that can be shared with family and friends. Each participant will get a free copy of the e - book comprised of the art and stories created by participating children. See art showcase guidelines at http://ow.ly/M7p7 or http://writersinthesky.com/art - showcase.html.


==================================================== 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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Tip: Are you still using long, long addresses. I tend to do it, too. And there are times when you can't use the shortened ones. Facebook doesn't like them, as an example. But they can be useful and make for cleaner copy. When you use them, you'll be less likely to hear that you've passed along a broken link. My favorite one is budurl.com because you can also learn from their stats how many times your shortened address has been used. And you make them permanent so you can reuse them.


===================================================== 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) and another pair on marketing for the hard - to - market genres like fiction and poetry. Find them all at http://www.justthefaqs.net/podcast.shtml
New! Shamielle Alston's interview on Write Turns Allowed: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/write - turns - allowed/2009/11/16/the - frugal - editor
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Two More Days. Pretend it's a deadline . . .
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. . . and nominate a few helpful Web sites, blogs and newsletters for Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites nods. I would love it if you'd include mine among them but there are many other great ones out there, too. One of my favorites (sort of my holiday gift to YOU) is Tony Eldridge's Marketing Tips For Authors (http://blog.marketingtipsforauthors.com ) offers a mix of practical marketing advice for authors on a shoestring budget from an experienced internet marketer and author. It offers “how - To” posts, guest posts from authors and marketing experts, book reviews, and a weekly link carnival. It also offers a free video subscription where authors can receive “ho - to” video tips on some of the more technical aspects of marketing their books on the net.
Here are the writing categories you can nominate in, just to help you get your thinking cap on:
Agent Blogs
Writing Communities
Publishing Resources
Jobs and Markets
Creativity and Challenges
Genres/Niches
General Resources
Fun for Writers

Send comments and nominations for next year’s list to writersdigest@fwmedia.com with “101 Websites” in the subject line (deadline is Jan. 1, 2010). Learn more at http://writersdigest.com/article/101 - websites - 2009 .
Here are some possible sites/blogs to nominate from the assortment I offer authors and, if you haven't utilized them to benefit your own writing career, consider them a resource for 2010:
Blogs for Writers:
http://www.SharingWithWriters.blogspot.com ,
http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com

The Resources for Writer pages at my Web site:
http://www.HowToDoItFrugally.com (or http://budurl.com/WritersResources )
And please let me know if you do it so I can thank you and mention your title here. It's part of the marketing fun. ( - :


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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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Subscribers Sharing with Writers

Patricia Dischler Shares Great Submission Policy
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Hi Carolyn,

After reading the “Musical Chairs” column by Mindy Phillips Lawrence in your Nov. 1st newsletter, I thought I’d share something I’ve learned as a result of these “musical chairs” at the publishers. I sent my first book proposal six years ago to Redleaf Press, “From Babysitter to Business Owner.” It was rejected with a form letter. Six months later a friend told me they had a new editor and I should resubmit my book because the topic (professionalism in child care) was the topic she was looking for. I did, and a few weeks later got the call that they accepted the book and were so excited to get it! By the time it was published, they had yet again a different senior editor. He loved my book and asked me to write a different one for them, something their customers had been asking for. I spent two months doing research and writing the book proposal then sent it to him. Two days later I got an email saying he was gone and they had a new editor. I called him to see what was happening with the new book, he had no idea. A week later I got a form rejection letter. I called him, upset since the book was their idea, not mine, and I had spent so much time on it. He said he had a new vision for the publisher and was focusing on different topics and I was welcome to take the idea elsewhere. What I learned? Publishers, especially smaller ones like this one was, change visions as quickly as they change editors. So now if a proposal gets rejected, I don’t cross the publisher off my list, I wait until they change editors and I send it in again!
Thanks for all the great information in all of your newsletters!
Patricia Dischler, Author/Speaker, www.patriciadischler.com, pdischler@wildblue.net
Patricia's books: From Babysitter to Business Owner, Because I Loved You, The Patty Cake Kids & The Lost Imagination Cap, 101 Tips & Tricks for Child Care Professionals, Teaching the 3 C's: Creativity, Curiosity & Courtesy
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[NOTE] Thanks to Patricia Dischler for her comments on my Itty Bitty column. I appreciate the example and hope it helps other writers with submitting their work.
~ Mindy Phillips Lawrence


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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: We memoirists, novelists and authors of children's books always dream of having our book turned into a movie. Gene Cartwright is providing a forum that will help us reach that dream - - with or without an agent. That's what the Net was made for. Learn more about BooksForFilm.com at (www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com). Scroll down a tad. The piece is titled Is Your Book Ready for Film.


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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.

Have you thought of publishing a poetry book or chapbook in conjunction with another poet? It's sort of the anthology process diminished. And it works well. Two poets, pooling their talents and their time. Magdalena Ball and I are having lots of fun with a series of chapbooks that celebrate holiday, seasons and the important people in our lives. See a sample of them (two more are on the way) at my profile page on Amazon: www.budurl.com/CarolynsAmazProfile



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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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Tip: Here's a small tip from The Frugal Book Promoter. Don't just use business cards. Make them into mini ads instead. Include your book cover picture, a blurb (endorsement), and any awards you've won. And/or a logline (pitch) similar to what movies use to entice you to come. In other words, make them work for you. And don't forget to give them out. You can even leave a couple in public bathrooms near the vase of flowers.


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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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Feature

Ten Ways to Sell Books on Amazon
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You can use Amazon to improve your ratings and your ratings don't get better until you sell books.

So, telling you how to get better ratings on Amazon is tantamount to telling you how to sell books. Many of you know that I rarely talk sales when I can talk more important things like cross promotion and branding. You may know that I believe if you network well, you won't have to sell anything, ever. Not in the traditional sense.

That is my disclaimer. I'm going to tell you how to let Amazon help you sell more books anyway!

A promotional drop in the bucket can move Amazon ratings drastically! Especially if you keep dripping promotion into the pail. Use the perks that Amazon provides for you (see the list below), and you'll find your book selling. Especially if you don't give up. Just keep dribbling little bits of information into these Amazon tools. It's about frequency and longevity. Here they are. Pick one (or more) and keep at it:

1. Use Listmanias on Amazon and, along with your own book, sprinkle in the titles of your author - friends. Let these authors know you did it. That's a way to make a new promotion friend. There is a chapter in The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't that tells you how to use this free promotional perk along with tips for making Listmanias more effective. It also includes information on other free tools on Amazon.

2. When you read a book by an author you know (or even one you don't) do yourself and them a favor by adding a review to Amazon. It takes but a minute and YOU and your book get exposed too, if you use a promotion - savvy signature. Simply type in a couple of dashes and then add "Reviewed by xxxxx and your book title." Don't link to your own sales page on Amazon, though. Amazon cops don't like that!

3. Tell other people about what you're doing, how your book relates to current events and more by posting on your Amazon plog. Another name for it is AuthorConnect ™, and it's really a blog provided by Amazon. You do have one don't you? Spread the word about your fellow authors' books, too, and then ask them to pass on the word about your plog, complete with URL. This is viral marketing and it works.

4. Flesh out your book's page on Amazon by using Wiki (or Amapedia) to add information on your awards or other publishing you've done.

5. Add to the tags, too. Use keywords from you book. As an example, for This Is the Place, I use Big Love, Mormons, polygamy, Utah, western history, women's fiction, coming - of - age story, New York, Latter Day Saint, and a whole lots more.

6. Ask your friends and professional associates to review your book on Amazon. See that word "ask?" They will be happy to do it. They just need a nudge!

7. If you have a book suited to it, you add pictures to your book's page. Check out my "Promote or Perish" picture on The Frugal Book Promoter page. Here's the URL: http://www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo .

8. Don't avoid Amazon because you're mad at them. Getting caught up in the idea of trying to sell your book only on your own Web site is counterproductive. You may make more per book, but you'll make less over all and your overall promotion will suffer. Read that word "promotion" as "readership." Read it as "exposure." Read it as "credibility." You and your book need to be seen more than you need a couple of extra dollars profit on any given book.

9. Look into the So You'd Like Tos . . . on Amazon. They will allow you to rant or write essays to your hearts content and gather readers as you do it. They work similarly to Listmanias but they're lots more work.

10. Make friends. When someone adds a review to your page, invite them to be an Amazon Friend. Include a thank you in the message. Nose around a bit. You'll find all kinds of ways to let Amazon Friends know about your next book . . . and your next. And keep in mind that when someone is your friend, your book or picture may show up on their profile page. Their friends buy books, too!
CHJ

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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: Give a New Year's gift to fellow writers. Go review their books on BN. com. Add comments to their blogs. Leave notes on their Web site guestbooks. Make a resolution to buy their books for all of your gifts in 2010. Invite them to go to a great networking event. Tell them about your best promotions.


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


An Itty - Bitty Column on Writing

Recipe for 2010
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I was plunking around in my kitchen this morning and decided to bake some banana - nut bread without using any animal - based ingredients. After I harvested what recipes I could find on the Internet, I came up with a good possibility on Isa Chandra Moskowitz’ Post - Punk Kitchen Web site. I’ve been feasting on the results ever since. I made a few substitutions and loved the final product.

Writing is a bit like using a banana - nut bread recipe. You can follow some formula given by another writer to the ounce or you can substitute “ingredients” to make the outcome your own. New writers tend to copy the recipe verbatim. More “seasoned” writers substitute - - first a little, then more and more - - to make what they write bear their own flavor and texture.

Here comes a new year, 2010. What a great time to take the opportunity to experiment with words and methods, the ingredients for a well - baked story or poem. Try something new this year. Branch out. If you write a page a day beginning on January 1, 2010 and continue throughout the year, you will have a 365 - page first draft come December 31, 2010. Stir gently, season to taste and bake at 365 degrees.

LINKS

The Post - Punk Kitchen
http://www.theppk.com/

Seven Formulas for Writing Articles that Get Read
http://emailuniverse.com/ezine - tips/?id=1089

Beyond Formula
http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1180512 - Beyond - formula

Writing Online: Using The Right Formula For Getting Paid
http://www.fastcashfreelance.com/2009/12/writing - online - using - the - right - formula - for - getting - paid/
(The Muslim story is wonderful…and instructive!)

Readability Formulas
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/15672/writing/all_about_readability_formulas__and_why_writers_need_to_use_them.html

Numbers
http://www.creativity - portal.com/articles/barbara - abercrombie/numbers.html


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~ 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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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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Huge Amazon/BloggerTip: Automation, automation! Amazon and Google are working together to make your blogging and monetizing easier. Darren Rowse tells you about it at : http://budurl.com/DarrensBloggerTip Also make a mental note of how these two giants are working together!


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Visit one of my blogs. Experiment a bit with the little green Tweetmeme logo if you haven't used one before. And, please let me know if mine is working for you. I think the one at www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com is working. I used the second offering down on the tweetmeme site and replaced the suggested code with the address of my blog. =====================================================



Thank Yous


Thanks to Wendy Burk , . .
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. . . for my interview at http://askWindy.wordpress.com. Also, check out her book on query letters.


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: We're all using e - mail to promote. Let's know the ramifications! Here's a great post from Tony Eldridge's Marketing Tips for Authors: http://blog.marketingtipsforauthors.com/2009/12/sending - e - mail - understand - how - can - spam.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MarketingTipsForAuthors+%28Marketing+Tips+For+Authors%29 Copy and paste the link to be sure you find this easily!


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Endorsement from a reader: "I just finished self - publishing a juvenile novel, Williwaw Winds, and consider Carolyn Howard - Johnson's book, The Frugal Book Promoter, as one of the most helpful resources in marketing my book. Carolyn not only addresses nearly every aspect of marketing, she includes very detailed instructions in how to pitch your book to a host of sources, how to receive free publicity, and how to make up your media kit. Her instructions and tips are sprinkled throughout with important, helpful websites and samples. I haven't had my copy of her book very long and already it's dog - eared from such frequent use. It's a winner!"

Sally Bair, author of Williwaw Winds at www.sallybair.com =====================================================


Tip: Gene Cartwright, genius behind iFOGOVillage.ning.com has begun a site for your book videos and trailers where they won't get lost among millions. www.booktrailerpark.ning.com . The two sites work with each other to drive traffic.


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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: Patrika Vaughn of Advo House says, start your own cable TV show on your local cable TV company’s public access channel. Air time is free.


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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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Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
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NEW!  Carolyn Howard - Johnson and fellow UCLA Writers' Program Instructor (a UCLA Award - Winning Instructor at that - - yes note the caps!) are planning an amazing intimate conference in Rome for October, 2010. Find details at www.budurl.com/RomanRetreat. Jo Linsell - Feliciano is a writer living in Rome and founder of the online conference PROMO Day will also be offering a seminar. Accommodations are extremely limited.

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 Monday Jan. 11th, 3:30 - 4:30 EST Carolyn and Felice Gerwitz will talk book promotion and, yeah, some other things, too. Call in to listen and ask questions with the chatroom feature: (347) 215 - 9316. A podcast will be available later: http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com
Learn more about Felice Gerwitz at InformationInaNutshell.com
InformationInANutshell.blogspot.com

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 The Muse Online Writers Conference cosponsored by Lea Schizas and Carolyn Howard - Johnson is now taking reservations for the f r ^ ^ event in October of 2010. http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/

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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 5. 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 w th 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 10:00am 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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 Carolyn Howard - Johnson will co - present with Patricia Norins, publisher of Gift Shop magazine, two 1 1/2 hour seminars during the National Stationery Show (www.nationalstationeryshow.com) at the Jacob Javits center in New York. The show runs from May 16 - May 19. Times and dates of the presentations will be announced. They are: Tweaking your Tweets and Other social Media Tips and Creating Your Social Media Campaign: Networking Your Newsletter, Building Your Blogs.

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 Carolyn Howard - Johnson will teach a one - day seminar in book promotion including a planning a thrifty online campaign. The place? UCLA Extension's Writers' Program on campus,

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 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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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.)

PROFESSOR: Someone who talks in someone else's sleep.



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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 http://budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo
The e - book at http://starpublishllc.com/id43.html

The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success
http://budurl.com/TheFrugalEditor

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://budurl.com/MotherChapbook

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