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_Jan_04_2010.pdf

January 4, 2010
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: “Planning Time”
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™
This Issue
~Feature: Amazon and Blogger/Blogspot Let You Earn Money and Promote Books by Partnering
~Feature: Publishing on Createspace Vs. Lightning
~Mini - Feature: What Do You Talk About On Your Blog If You Write Fiction?
~Feature: You've Been Interviewed and You Didn't Do What?



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:

Happy New Year!

One of the highlights of the holiday season for me is the Rose Parade. I live less than two miles from the route and have only been twice. But, you see, it is the preparations I love the most. And, I admit it, I'm not much for getting up at the crack of dawn in the - - brrrr! 60 degree - - morning air to high myself off to the parade route.

Even worse are those nuts who stake out their spots the night before and sleep in gutters to the sound of others drinking beer. No, no. I like the flowers. I like seeing which seeds and petals they use for their effects. This year I stopped by the building ground (under the freeway near the school my son attended) to take pictures of what I love.

At first, I shot my pictures through the chain fence. I'd never gone beyond that fence, never knew you could without a pass (yeah, I've been doing this for something like 30 years!). I asked a sweet, gray - haired woman if they needed help. Nope. They were all done. But she offered me a rose, taking care to remove the vicious thorns and warning me (at least twice) to be careful should she have missed some. That's how I know she was sweet.

So I got to thinking this might be an omen for the next year. The little gesture. The kind moment. The small words that bring pleasure to others. I think writers are in a unique position to do this. The written word has staying power. A word that's written gives us time to consider.

So, Happy New Year! And do find my slide show of the shots I took on New Year's Eve on my blog at: http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2009/12/making - of - rose - parade - float - happy - new.html It is also evidence my experimenting with slide show sites. In fact a couple of my efforts show up there. Have fun, but please hurry because I'm going to take the slides down. I can't figure out how to get ride of the music (though I do like the song!) ( - :

Happy Writing, Promoting and Editing in 2010
Carolyn Howard - Johnson

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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 just finished reading your wonderful newsletter and finally added my Amapedia listing which had been on my to - do list. Thanks for the nudge.

I'd also like to share some of my recent success from December (wish I had thought of it earlier). November was equally as busy with television appearances on KTLA and E! Entertainment's THAT Morning Show.

It's been a very exciting time for me with a lot of support from the media. All of the branding done in 2009 to promote my book has clearly paid off. The media is now finding me, and I do not have a publicist. I do all of my own PR.

Here's some recent media that have been open to my book - - in case you want to share it in your next newsletter.
Men's Health - - UK.

Los Angeles Business Journal - - Featured Newsmaker, Marketing Executive Keeps Things Social on Internet
Chicklit Club Book Review, http://www.chicklitclub.com/theperilsofcyberdating.html
Zoosk (PR NewsWIre) http://www.prnewswire.com/news - releases/zoosk - introduces - the - singles - survival - guide - to - holiday - dating - 78678172.html
Ventura County Reporter - - http://www.vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/seek_and_you_shall_find/7448/

Happy holidays and all the best for 2010.


Julie Spira , author, The Perils of Cyber - Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online


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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: To make it easy (and suggest) that people tweet about your blog posts, try www.Twitthis.com . There are other applications that do the same thing. You can tweet about all my blogs by using the little green "Tweet This" widget at the bottom of the post done by www.tweetmeme.com. And it's all automatic. Now the widget is installed on my blog, I don't have to do a thing. It's all up to you.

Editing Tip: OMG, I love this site. Everyone should keep make it a favorite on their e - mail program. http://creativeservices.iu.edu/resources/guide/spelling.shtml Trust me you'll refer to it thousands of times per year if you care at all about style choices, preferred spellings and the like.


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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.)

Subscriber and Former UCLA Student Reports . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . . . . a new success. Jamie Schaffner placed 3rd in the 2009 UCLA Kirkwood Literary Prize for an excerpt of her novel, Get the Girl, the story of a budding lesbian trapped in high school in the 80s who’s suffocating from the persistent Portland rain, the stifling Jewish community and her invasive family. "This work is exemplary...moving through intense desire to a place of compassion, self - understanding and courage....a story that is warmly witty, inspiring and wise." Robert Monroe Ph.D, MFA, Iowa Writer's Workshop, Kirkwood Judge. Read an interview with Jamie and a portion of her winning submission at http://www2.uclaextension.edu/writers/index.phphttp://www2.uclaextension.edu/writers/feature.php?recordID=98 (See more on my next UCLA class by scrolling down to the "Appearances" section in this newsletter.)


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

Feature

Amazon Lets Your Earn Associates Money on Blogger and Blogspot . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This is not only a great new tool but it's a prime example of how even the biggest guys are cooperating and cross promoting. Here's the how - to letter directly from Amazon:

Today we are excited to announce Amazon Associates for Blogger, a direct integration between Amazon Associates and Blogger. This new collaboration enables Bloggers to monetize their content by adding relevant Amazon products to their blog posts without interrupting the blog editing process. Amazon Associates for Blogger is available now available here on Associates Central. (https://affiliate - program.amazon.com/gp/associates/blogger?ie=UTF8&ref_=pe%5F1130%5F13930380)

Amazon Associates who don’t have a Google Blogger account can set up a free Blogger account with their Associates ID and start earning right away.

The new tool allows Bloggers to add links and images to their blog posts in just 2 easy steps:

1. Bloggers highlight the relevant text and the Amazon Product Finder will search Amazon’s millions of products and recommend the ones that are most closely associated with the text
2. Bloggers can then insert a link or image to that product which includes their Associates ID, enabling them to earn up to 15% in referral fees from Amazon
Bloggers will also be able to show dynamic content in their blog sidebar using a new set of integrated Sidebar gadgets, such as gadgets for MP3 clips from the Amazon DRM - free music store, an Amazon Deals gadget, and an Amazon Search box.

Also as part of this new integration, Bloggers who don’t have a free Amazon Associates account can create one directly within Blogger so tell your friends that use Blogger how they can start earning with Amazon Associates today.

Please tell us what you think of our new Amazon Associates for Blogger feature using hashtag ‘#AMZN4BLGR’ on Twitter or contact us via the contact form. We want to hear from you!

Sincerely, The Amazon Associates Program
Note: I am using this new tool for easy and great effect. It is especially useful for my review site, www.thenewbookreview.blogspot.com. If, after you visit to see what's up, you decide to submit, please follow the guidelines in the left column.



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Opportunities

Integrated Online Book Marketing Offer . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . 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 Smiity 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.



Try Your Hand at F R ^ ^ Humor Contest . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
For the past 12 years, the Washington - Centerville Public Library’s Erma Bombeck Writing Contest held in conjunction with the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop http://www.humorwriters.org/ has encouraged thousands of aspiring writers to capture the spirit of one of America’s great humorists in 450 words or less. Learn more at the Library’s own Web site at www.wclibrary.info. The contest opens January 4, 2010, and gives entrants a month to enter their essays the green way, online.
Debe Dockins, Erma Bombeck Writing Contest CoordinatorWashington - Centerville Public Library, ddockins@wcpl.lib.ohs


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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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Carolyn's Quote: You can do it. All it takes is your idea. Your book. Your belief that it's worth getting the word out. Please tweet or put on Facebook if you know writers who need the encouragement.


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Podcasts are a great way to learn (and be refreshed) on everything from craft to poetry to promotion. Find many f r ^ ^ ones on the sites of those who support writers. You'll find a list of my most recent ones at: www.budurl.com/WritersResources You'll need to scroll down, down, down. That's OK. You may scroll through other resources you need, so read as you go. ( - : A new streaming radio broadcast with Felice Gerwitz it coming, too. Scroll down in this newsletter to "Appearances" for more information on that one.
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Tip: If you teach or give presentations using your laptop, why not let your laptop advertise for you. Order what they call a skin (a thin film that attaches to everything from computers to phones) that let your cover, your best endorsement be seen. www.skinit.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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Subscribers Sharing with Subscribers

Liz Cozline Offers Casual Cross - Promotion Group ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This letter is straight from Liz. She welcomes hearing from you:
Hello Everyone,

I talked with a few people about this and actually see some others trying some things to help each other. Just giving gifts to each other.

I am not making up a formal program here but instead going to tell you what I will do for you.

It is my hope that I can help who ever wishes some and that it will be returned but I am not the boss.

I just want to give back and forward.

Some ideas:

1. Anyone having a program or offer that sends it to everyone - - - we could twitter it.

2. If someone has an offer for a specific date with some warning - - - we could mention it in our newsletters.

3. Anyone with an idea please let everyone know what it is.

4. We can think of more ways.

5. We could exchange links on our websites which is very good SEO wise.

This is just a start and I tried to have ways that would be easy and free but still get some exposure for every one.

On twitter alone: If a date was picked for one person and we all did this it would be thousands that saw an offer.

Let me know what you think.

Liz Cosline (songofoneunexpectedlife@gmail.com)
SongofOneUnexpectedLife - S.O.U.L.
http://songofoneunexpectedlife.info
http://twitter.com/lizcosline
Official Guide for selfgrowth.com (team building)


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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: I'm doing this right now! Preplanning my blogs and some tweets for the days I'll be on vacation in February. Most blog services allow you to schedule posts for future dates. Click around on those links on your blog to learn more about the amazing power they offer you. That's what they're there for. And www.Tweetlater.com will let you preplan for Twitter. Any of you have any other ideas?


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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.

Please, please take a class in poetry. Too many poets assume that because experimental is welcomed in the poetry world, they don't need a class, but poetry is like any other genre. You need to know the rules before you break them. If you can't afford one, submit a poem for critique at resources like Winning Writers and The Writer's Journal. Jendi Reiter critiques poems at the former, Esther Leiper critiques them for the latter. Both are regular features of those journals. The Writer's Journal is print. Winning Writers is at www.winningwriters.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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Tip: It's never too late for reviews! We all love reviews, even though they are not necessarily the best path for book promotion any longer. And if your book's been released, it's too late for many of the top review journals, anyway. But that doesn't mean you can't get reviews from small journals and online review sites. My New Book Review lets you recycle old reviews that you love, too. The guidelines are in the left column. www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com


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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

Publishing on Createspace Vs. Lightning
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I belong to a great online group. It Self - Publishing@yahoogroups.com. and is associated with SPAN (www.spannet.org). I love it because real professionals hang out there so most of the advice one reads there can be trusted - - a rare thing online, in my opinion. Especially among writers.

Anyway, I've been following a conversation about the benefits of publishing with Createspace vs. the benefits of publishing with Lightning (sometimes known at LSI). I've added some of my own opinions, too. I thought those of you who are considering publishing on your own - - either a real book or promotional material - - would be interested.

1. Cost to use Lightning Source can soar, especially if revisions are necessary. One publisher spent over $200 with LSI. There is no additional cost for revisions at Createspace. It can be free but if one adds the pro plan (advisable if you plan to buy more than about 30 books) it will be more. One publisher spent $41.15. For my Cherished Pulse: Unconventional Love Poetry chapbook (www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse), I spent zero, I repeat, ZERO, dollars. I only paid for the copies I ordered.

2. Service. Really no comparison. One publisher listed a litany of difficulties with LSI and none with CreateSpace. Having said that, LSI has some access to people by phone if one knows the ropes, none on Createspace. To go one step further, Createspace makes the online process really easy and it's very fast and you can get advice by e - mail and with their help feature. Further, it's so easy you may not need access by phone.

3. Speed: Once you upload your book or pamphlet correctly on Createspace, it can be a matter of hours before a proof copy is ready for you on to order and it will be shipped immediately. The process is much, much longer with LSI. It may take weeks. From the day I ordered my proof copy for She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood (www.budurl.com/MothersChapbook) I don't think I waited more than seven days. Quantity orders were just as fast or faster.

5. Quality: There seems to be some disagreement here but most think the quality of both is excellent. One thought the cream pages from LSI were a little lighter, the cover not quite as heavy. All thought the final product sturdy and well put together.

6. Distribution: This aspect seems to be changing daily on Createspace. But right now Createspace wins with its posting service to Amazon at no additional charge and a limited distribution service for which you'll pay extra. LSI may (or may not) give you access to distribution avenues like Ingram and Biblio, and both of these have pluses and problems of their own.
I personally love, love, love Createspace. I suspect it wouldn't be easy if an author has very limited computer skills but they do make it about as easy as I think it will ever get. They even offer a cover template that puts out a very professional looking cover.

Maggie Ball (http://www.magdalenaball.com), my poetry partner says, "For something small like what we're doing, CS wins hands down. I've tried others too, including Lulu and Cafe Press, but a) couldn't get either Lulu or Cafe press to work for me - - too hard to create a word file that matched, with all of word's idiosyncrasies, and b) no Amazon, which is CS's key differentiator."

new blog: http://magdalenaball.blogspot.com/

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: What do the constant changes on Facebook and Amazon, etc. mean to us writers of nonfiction? It means that if you are writing how - to books (or buying them) that feature lots of online tips with links, you're going to need to consider their shelf life. Eschew paperbacks that are more expensive to update. A good alternative is the e - book format. It can be updated. Or you can avoid specific navigation steps in your print edition. See the new changes expected on Facebook at http://www.switched.com/2009/12/28/facebook - gets - another - facelift - in - other - news - sun - rises - grass/?icid=main|htmlws - main - n|dl6|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.switched.com%2F2009%2F12%2F28%2Ffacebook - gets - another - facelift - in - other - news - sun - rises - grass%2F


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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

Planning Time
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ By Mindy Phillips Lawrence

Okay. Grab a daily planner. Mindy the Motivator is BACK!

You are going to divide your month into sections: One for writing, one for exercise, one for nutrition and one for mental/emotional health. You are doing this because writing affects and relates to the WHOLE PERSON.

Writing: Figure out what you are going to write each month. Make a list and don’t chastise yourself if you have to amend it.

Exercise: Decide what kind of exercises, and for how long, that you intend to do EACH WEEK of each month to keep your body healthy. Only do what you can and don’t try to copy what someone else is doing.

Nutrition: How are you going to feed your human engine and, therefore, your brain? Decide on good things to eat that will keep you healthy and able to continue writing.

Mental/Emotional: Whether you choose to meditate, study a spiritual path, or just follow something beyond yourself, you need to add this to your daily schedule. One spiritual leader made this suggestion: On the first day of the year, meditate on yourself. On the second day of the year, meditate on others. On the third day of the year, meditate on those with which you have had a difficult time (not to criticize, but to ponder ways to let go).

I tend to do self - evaluation in January of each year because my birthday is the 19th. That is my new year’s beginning. You can start at anytime, but January is particularly good to plan a new beginning.

I wish everyone who reads this a healthy, happy, prosperous 2010. It’s going to be a good one.

Mindy Phillips Lawrence

LINKS

*General

Quasitime Online Calendar
http://www.quasitime.com/

Template for 7 - Day Planner (Microsoft)
http://office.microsoft.com/en - us/templates/TC300006341033.aspx

Free digital planning sheets
http://www.digital - women.com/daily - planner/

*Writing

Plan to Write a Good Story
http://www.wikihow.com/Plan - to - Write - a - Good - Story

Six Steps to a Writing Schedule
http://www.writer - on - line.com/content/view/1139/66/

*Exercise

Exercise At Your Desk
http://www.webmd.com/fitness - exercise/features/exercise - at - your - desk

Desk Exercises
http://backandneck.about.com/od/deskexercises/Desk_Exercises.htm

Desktop Yoga
http://www.mydailyyoga.com/yogaindex.html

* Nutrition

Nutrition Goals
http://www.womenfitness.net/nutritional - goals.htm

Nine Noteworthy Nutrition Goals for the New Year
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=1432

Health and Fitness Goals
http://www.healthehuman.com/goals/nutrition - diet - goals.html


* Mental/Emotional

Guided Meditation for Goal Realization
http://www.articlesbase.com/self - improvement - articles/guided - meditation - for - goal - realization - 233099.html

Meditation as a Tool to Reach Any Goal
http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Meditation - As - A - Tool - To - Reach - Any - Goal/856046



~ 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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Tip: Ever sent a file by attachment and gotten a "too large" notice. Try YouSendIt.com. They have a fr ^ ^ version. I find it works better if I notify people that my file is coming to them using the service. That way they aren't as likely to overlook it or assume it is S P @ M.


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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 Tony Eldridge , . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for mentioning that my article was among top guest posts for the year at Marketing for Writers blog. Find it here along with links to other top blogs - - all helpful for writers.http://bit.ly/61yPT0 or http://blog.marketingtipsforauthors.com/2009/12/holiday - wishes - from - marketing - tips - for.html


Thanks to Writer's Digest , . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for including my Sharing with Writers blog on their blog list. http://www.blogcatalog.com/topic/writers%27+digest+%2B+sharing+with+writers/


Thanks to SPAN , . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for featuring photos of my books on the rolling headline on their new Web site. It's a nice service from a group that I've found valuable and service oriented: http://spanconnect.ning.com/photo/photo/listFeatured?xg_source=msg_feat_photo


Thanks to Sylvia McClain . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . for including my events in her Scribal Calendar. www.scribalpress.com/201069Jan.pdf. Subscribers will want her news but they'll also want to submit their own author/event - related news. Contact her at sylmacclain@juno.com.



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

Mini Feature

What Do You Talk About On Your Blog If You Write Fiction? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sure, it's harder to promote fiction on a blog (or about anything else) than nonfiction, but it's not impossible. Here are some ideas. Note that sometimes you have to make your own news.

1. Review other books, preferably ones in the same genre as yours. Ask the author to promote your review post.

2. Use the voice of your protagonist (or villain). Let him or her tell some new stories. Be sure she or he mentions your book during the rant.

3. Let your readers endorse your book. Post pictures of them and your book cover and talk about more than the book. Make it into a feature story of some interesting aspect of their lives.

4. Talk about trends in your genre. How does your book fit into them?

5. Answer reader's questions. Sometimes readers think of characters as real. Offer to expound or flesh out characters, including minor ones. You may end up using what you write as part of a sequel.

6. It seems obvious from the above but you could explore your next novel and let people weigh in with ideas.

7. Feature or link to the blogs of other authors or other review sites. Ask for reviews of your book on those same review sites.

8. Start an award. Contests are old news and often don't work well. But if you give an award once a year for a book in your genre? Well, I'm just starting to think of the possible benefits inherent with this including an opportunity to send out a media release with some real news in it, cross promotion with the winning author or authors . . .

CHJ

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


In the News: Did you ever dream you could just take a picture of something and then let Google identify it and do a search on it? Then Google Goggles is for you. At first glance, it seems perfect for the traveler but Tech Trends in the LA Times says it works better for book titles. They say it does need lots of refining. Still, you should know about this new gadget and be thinking about how you might use it in your promotion.


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


Feature

You've Been Interviewed and You Didn't Do What?
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Here's what you may be missing after your TV or radio interview is over:

~You were too excited to ask the name of the producer (or other person helping with the interview) before the show, and you're too embarrassed to do it now. N - n - n - no. Do it now.

~You didn't ask for a video or audio copy of your interview? You want to critique it and ask for permission to promote with it.

~You didn't put a copy of your interview on your Web site?

~You didn't give your host a copy of your book? What about the camera man or woman. She always gets neglected. She'll remember you (and talk about you to people who should know about you) if you don't forget her!

~You just said thanks and maybe gave people your book, but you did no follow up with a formal thank you note a few days later? You would like to cement your name in their memories, wouldn't you? If not, you would like them to know you really are thankful, right?

~You didn't add all those names to your contact list or Outlook file for future reference, future books?

CHJ

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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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 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, 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. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/show.aspx?userurl=informationinanutshell&year=2010&month=01&day=11&url=publicity - on - a - budget - with - carolyn - howard - johnson. A podcast will be available later: http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com Learn more about Felice Gerwitz at www.InformationInaNutshell.com ,
www.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 10:00 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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 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, of course. Mark August 7, 2010, on your calendar.

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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.)

PARK: Before children, a verb meaning, "to go somewhere and neck." After children, a noun meaning a place with a swing set and slide.



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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