June 11, 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!
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~
~.: ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~
~.: ~ ~ ~
Note from Carolyn
Dear Subscribers:
How about literature for Father’s Day instead of ties or dinner?
We know ties are a cliché and in a few years, Dad won’t remember one Father’s Day dinner from another. Let’s face it, not all literature is created equal, thus some books are just as fleeting, though most would be a step up from a gift certificate and certainly would help support the industry that we believe important for the future.
I’m proposing—selfishly—poetry. Frugally!
First, you may have never given your father, grandfather, or a favorite father figure in your life a book of poetry. Thus, it will be memorable.
A small book of poetry will also be flattering. He will appreciate being treated tenderly. In fact, present a small chapbook with a single rose or gladiolus spray. Who says that only women want romance and tenderness in their lives!
Some of the readers of this newsletter could easily write a poem—even if they don’t think poetry is their forte. Print it out on some linen - like paper and present it with any other gift you may be giving.
You might choose to tuck it inside the cover of the chapbook Imagining the
Future: Ruminations on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions that Magdalena Ball and I wrote for our Celebration Series of chapbooks. Our idea for this series is to have small books written for those who prefer something a little more literary than the typical greeting card, but still accessible for those who didn’t study literature in school. And at an affordable price with cover art (and sometimes interior art) chosen from among our circles of talented writing and artist friends.
Most of our booklets are $6.95. We now have one for mothers (She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood, www.budurl.com/MotherChapbook), one that says love (Cherished Pulse: Unconventional Love Poetry,
www.budulr.com/CherishedPulse) and one for men and fathers (Imagining the Future, www.budurl.com/Imagining). We’re working on one for Christmas (not the holidays, but Christmas). It will be called Blooming Red.
Think of your poetry presentation to Dad as a Father’s Day card; it costs little more than a really nice one. Or think of it as a tuck - in gift or a tie - on as part of the wrap. Any poetry book you choose can be made more personal if you tie a little grosgrain or satin ribbon inside the crease of the book to be used as a bookmark.
And don’t forget the hug.
Here is a sample poem from Imagining the Future
(www.budurl.com/Imagining):
Long Before They Shut the Napster Down
my father collected blursounds
get out of town
downloaded into the night soft jazzy
lights, sweet pink smoke
the smell of Jack Daniel's hot
satin doll
to real applause, nothing canned
found in the night a voice
like a staccato bass Wes Bowen
at KSL croons ella and shearing
at midnight to benefit a crowd
of one, alone at the wheel
make believe
marimbas, smooth
lullaby of birdland
sweet humanbaby - whine of clarinets
and a moon
no electronic nothing
humthrum of base, brushswish metal on cymbals
tell you what it's all about
lucky to get it before they shut the music down
smokey joe's
dispenser of joy, free of charge
cut me a rose
Great Reading, Book Promoting and Editing to You!
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
==================================================
Wordstuff ™
Something to Make Writers Smile
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(Fun with language from The Washington and other publications.)
Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.
~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*
~* ~* ~* ~
=================================================
~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*
~* ~* ~* ~
=================================================
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
Visit Carolyn HowardJohnson at:
http://www.authorsden.com/carolynhowardjohnson
______________________________________________________
Click here to unsubscribe:
http://www.authorsden.com/unnews.asp?r=gotschc@sanjuancollege.edu&a=1713
Powered by AuthorsDen
http://www.authorsden.com
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available at Amazon.com and from me right here.
And now out! Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net and amazon.com, and through your local book store. Winner 2010 Mom’s Choice Award Finalist 2009 New Mexico Book Awards.
Showing posts with label Carolyn Howard Johnson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carolyn Howard Johnson. Show all posts
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Carolyn Howard-Johnson Teaching Class
Award-Winning Author to Teach UCLA Class for Writers
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, the multi award-winning author of more than a dozen books, will teach a one-day seminar on book marketing for writers at UCLA Extension Writers’ Program this summer quarter.
The world-renowned program offers writers classes--from the craft of writing to promoting one’s writing--at several different venues and online. Howard-Johnson’s seminar, Creating a Promotion Package for Your Fiction or Nonfiction Book, will be taught Sat. Aug. 7 on the UCLA campus. The class is based on the content of her book The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won’t, winner of USA Book News Award for business books and the Irwin award, given by Book Publicists of Southern California for marketing campaigns.
The author has been and instructor for the Writers' Program since 2004. She has served as a publicist for all her own books (including her poetry chapbooks--the most difficult of all genres to promote), been a fashion publicist in New York City, done the marketing for her own chain of retail stores, and has worked in the publishing industry for Good Housekeeping Magazine and a variety of newspapers and trade publications.
Howard-Johnson was named Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by the 43rd and 44th District of the California Legislature. Her fiction, nonfiction and poems have appeared in national magazines, anthologies and review journals. One of her poems recently won the Franklin Christoph prize. She speaks on Utah's culture, tolerance and other subjects and has appeared on TV and hundreds of radio stations nationwide.
For more information on UCLA’s Writers’ Program or to request their quarterly extension catalog, call (310) 825-9415. Sign up online at www.uclaextension.edu. The registration number for the English 735.1 class is 76941.
Howard-Johnson may be reached at (HoJoNews@aol.com). Information is also available at http://carolynhoward-johnson.com and http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com .
###
(Photos, book cover art and a full media kit are available electronically or by post upon request.)
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available at Amazon.com and from me right here.
And now out! Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net and amazon.com, and through your local book store. Winner 2010 Mom’s Choice Award Finalist 2009 New Mexico Book Awards.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, the multi award-winning author of more than a dozen books, will teach a one-day seminar on book marketing for writers at UCLA Extension Writers’ Program this summer quarter.
The world-renowned program offers writers classes--from the craft of writing to promoting one’s writing--at several different venues and online. Howard-Johnson’s seminar, Creating a Promotion Package for Your Fiction or Nonfiction Book, will be taught Sat. Aug. 7 on the UCLA campus. The class is based on the content of her book The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won’t, winner of USA Book News Award for business books and the Irwin award, given by Book Publicists of Southern California for marketing campaigns.
The author has been and instructor for the Writers' Program since 2004. She has served as a publicist for all her own books (including her poetry chapbooks--the most difficult of all genres to promote), been a fashion publicist in New York City, done the marketing for her own chain of retail stores, and has worked in the publishing industry for Good Housekeeping Magazine and a variety of newspapers and trade publications.
Howard-Johnson was named Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by the 43rd and 44th District of the California Legislature. Her fiction, nonfiction and poems have appeared in national magazines, anthologies and review journals. One of her poems recently won the Franklin Christoph prize. She speaks on Utah's culture, tolerance and other subjects and has appeared on TV and hundreds of radio stations nationwide.
For more information on UCLA’s Writers’ Program or to request their quarterly extension catalog, call (310) 825-9415. Sign up online at www.uclaextension.edu. The registration number for the English 735.1 class is 76941.
Howard-Johnson may be reached at (HoJoNews@aol.com). Information is also available at http://carolynhoward-johnson.com and http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com .
###
(Photos, book cover art and a full media kit are available electronically or by post upon request.)
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available at Amazon.com and from me right here.
And now out! Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net and amazon.com, and through your local book store. Winner 2010 Mom’s Choice Award Finalist 2009 New Mexico Book Awards.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Carolyn Howard Johnson News letter
May 8, 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 (YIPPEE! - mpl). 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!
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~
~.: ~ ~ ~
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: Making Your Book Available for iPAD
~On Poetry
~Author Successes
~Mindy Lawrence's Itty Bitty Column, “On Being A Frugalismo: Self
Promotion II—To Market, To Market”
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™
~Ideas for Cleaner Copy, Part II from Patrika Vaughn
This Issue
~Feature: On Language: Hieroglyphics Anyone?
~Making Your Book Available on iPad from Jane Dickey
~Information from Amazon: Passive Income for Your Kindle E - Book
~Feature: How To Use Zazzle.Com To Promote Your Writing
~Feature: Review for iPAD Used As a Reader Is Positive! What Does That
Mean for You?
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.
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~
~.: ~ ~ ~
Note from Carolyn
Dear Subscribers:
I tutor accent reduction and American culture on Wednesday mornings and
last week I explained the concept of marketing to my Korean student who
has a beauty salon. It occurred to me that it isn’t only immigrants who
might benefit from a refresher course on marketing. It’s been a while
since we got down to marketing basics for authors in this newsletter. Sort
of a Marketing 101 plan. One that will inspire you to market. Inspire you
to be proud of the marketing you do.
It’s always amazing to me that in a country of capitalists (many of them
pretty rabid capitalists) that so many of us feel uncomfortable with words
like “marketing,” “promotion,” “publicity,” and even “advertising.” If you
don’t believe me, look at the furor over Twitter’s plans to earn some
money by accepting advertising.
So here is some reassurance for you. The best marketing is not selfish. It
never has been. It’s caring. It’s understanding your customer or audience
and giving them what they want.
The best marketing is careful and detailed.
The best marketing is personal.
Let’s look at one of the best marketing machines in the world. Apple. They
don’t even do focus groups. They know their customer so well they can tell
the customer what she wants before the customer knows she wants it. The
new iPad is an example of that.
Detail? Look at their products. That’s detail. Inside and out. Efficient.
Gorgeous to look at. Look at Steve Jobs. He even dresses to the image of
his company. Casual - - 501 jeans, a black turtleneck and a sort of
stubbly computer - hacker kind of half - bearded face. Smart, too. His
little squarish glasses. Warm - - those eyes full of delight for what he
does.
Personal? There is no hesitation at Apple or from Jobs to exploit his
charisma. But we’re also aware that this is a company of other people.
Similar - - we assume - - to Jobs. We sometimes get to peer into the
campus where they work. We are aware that they are treated well. Our
feelings about the company (even if we don’t own an Apple or Mac or any of
the other gadgets) is warm and appreciative because it feels familiar.
As authors or publishers, we can do all of that. In fact, it may be
easier. We are starting with a warm, fuzzy product that everyone loves,
books. It’s a lot easier to think in terms of an audience for cozy
mysteries or poetry than it is for a hunk of wires and metal. It’s a lot
easier to think in terms of some books than it is others! Still, there is
an audience for every book. If you haven’t figured out what yours is, you’
d better read it again donning your marketing - magic beanie first. There
are some things to look for as you read in the “Know Your Angles” section
of Chapter 15 of The Frugal Book Promoter (www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo).
So go for it! I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. If you can’t be
proud to promote (market) your book, how can you expect anyone else to
pass on the good word for you?
Happy Writing, Promoting and Editing
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
PS: Father’s Day is coming. Why not a real poetry chapbook for the about
the same price as a greeting card? It is part of Magdalena Ball’s and my
Celebration Series, this one for father’s and men.
www.budurl.com/Imagining. Thanks to Kristin Johnson and Kim MacMillon,
poets both, for their reviews.
PPS: The twice - a - year AllTips edition of Sharing with Writers is
coming. Please tell your writing friends about it. Give them a little
nudge to subscribe so they get started with a bang. I’ll sign them up.
Just have them put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line of an e - mail and send
it to me at hojonews @ AOL.com
PPPS: Only four more places at our Roman Retreat in October. The
inexpensive room on the lower level is taken, but the fees are still very
reasonable for Rome. We’re sharing the cost of the gorgeous townhouse
right near the Trevi fountain. Please, if you’ve been considering it, look
again on my blog at http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2010/02/roman -
retreat - e - books - and - yes - promotion.html or just go directly to
www.budurl.com/RomanRetreat. If you’re thinking, think harder!
===================================================== Two highly
recommended e - books for maximizing your Twitter account from Tony
Eldridge are written especially for authors:
Twitter E - Book:
http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=150314&AdID=482099
Twitter E - Mail Course:
http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=150314&AdID=482103 and an
interactive e - book on running a Twitter contest:
http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=150314&AdID=482099
=====================================================
Letter to the Editor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Dear Carolyn:
I swear lady, every time I open The Frugal Book Promoter I find another
gem. I had a book signing today - - my first in ages (did a couple at
library talks etc but nothing major). This was a solo with a pet supply
store and an animal shelter {grin} outside the box thinking ala HOJO as
you would recommend. Anyway, I was so scared but I opened your book
yesterday got several hints and some backbone about being enthusiastic and
happy - people love happy - and it was a success.
I use so many of your ideas always, it's like talking to a friend when I
read your books. Thank you from the bottom of my scared silly heart! Oh I
sold 14 books of the one I was pushing and 2 copies of two others in 4
hours...Can't beat that with a stick.
Hugz, Billie
Billie A Williams is the author of the mystery Money Isn’t Everything
=====================================================
Needing something more meaningful for the celebrations in your life?
Something that stays within your budget? Imagining the Future: Ruminations
on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions for Father’s Day
(www.budurl.com/Imagining) ($6.95). Cherished Pulse
(www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse) ($6.95) for someone you love. She Wore
Emerald Then (www.budurl.com/MotherChapbook) ($12.95), for mothers and
other women. It’s the Celebration Series of poetry from Magdalena Ball and
me.
=====================================================
Know the Signs of Scam E - mail:
http://daol.aol.com/articles/how - to - spot - a - phishing -
scam/?icid=main|htmlws - main -
n|dl5|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fdaol.aol.com%2Farticles%2Fhow - to - spot - a -
phishing - scam%2F
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Feature
On Language: Hieroglyphics Anyone? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Do you send a daily barrage of gratitude that you write in English (or
some other familiar modern language) out into the universe every morning
before you sit down at your computer?
My friend Aggie Villaneuva who offers the rewritten word course
(http://www.aggiev.org/therewrittenword/ ) and I were talking about
petroglyphs and hieroglyphics the other day and it occurred to me I had
never talked to my subscribers about the hieroglyphics I know (and used to
know a whole lot better!)
We don’t know how lucky we are that we can just read our language. No one
can stands before a wall of Egyptian hieroglyphics and read them except in
the movies. And I’m not sure that even the Egyptian scribes could do that
unless it was their own work. That because:
~ Hieroglyphics have no punctuation as we know it.
~They have no rule of how to run their text, up, down, right left.
~Any character can be a single sound, a word or a syllable. The reader
must figure out which.
~We've never heard the language so we can only guess from the rhyming
poetry that is extant. At least the ancient Egyptians didn’t have that
problem.
~Further, like any language, the Egyptian language changed over the
hundreds - - nay thousands - - of years that it was being spoken and
inscribed on walls and inked onto papyrus.
~Then there was the distance between the upper and lower kingdoms. Just
like American English differs from region to region, North to South, so
did hieroglyphics. Only more so because of the lack of instant
communication.
So you can see, “reading” hieroglyphics is almost like decoding. Though
the cartouches (the little royal ovals like the ones you see some people
who have traveled to Egypt wear) and a few other things are regular.
Still, I got pretty good at it. And you can imagine the size of the
textbook with several thousand years of a language in it! Back in the
1980s it cost about $150. As proud as I am of the achievement, please don’
t ask me to stand in front of a wall and “read.” Or decode. Instead just
be thankful that the only time you were asked to decode or translate
English (if you ever were) was when you studied Chaucer from the original
in high school. Hey, that was a cinch compared to playing with
hieroglyphics!
CHJ
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
New Series
Ideas for Cleaner Copy, Part II ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Patrika Vaughn will submit short entries for the benefit of her fellow
Sharing with Writers subscribers until she runs out of stodgy, wordy or
otherwise unattractive constructions. The numbering in each installment
takes up where the last column left off. You don’t want to miss any! ( - :
By eliminating stodgy phrases from your letters, e - mails, and even
fiction writing, you can make everything you write significantly better.
Cont'd from last issue:
4. "Kindly" - "Please” works better than this old fashioned word.
5. "I have forwarded..." "I am forwarding" - In e - mail, "forwarding"
does have a specific meaning: the sending of materials from someone other
than the writer to the reader. In other cases (e.g., I am forwarding my
business card to you), just use "send."
6. "Above - captioned" (also: "above referenced,") - - Any of these
phrases tells the reader to stop reading, roll his eyes back to the RE
line, find the information, and then return to the letter to continue
reading. Wouldn’t it be easier to just summarize the salient information
in the letter itself? In other words, if the "above - mentioned claim"
refers to "Smith vs. Jones," why not write, "In the Smith vs. Jones
claim..." Sometime the "above" will refer to a claim number. If so, just
put the claim number in the letter itself. The trick in writing is to keep
the reader reading with as few distractions as possible
7. "Please do not hesitate to contact me." - I’ll refrain from writing,
"If I had a dollar for every time I see this phrase used...." because then
I’d be using a cliché to criticize a cliché! The prevalent "please do not
hesitate" was a light, bright phrase when it was coined almost a half -
century ago, but now, like most clichés, it pays a price for its
popularity. When you use a cliché, you subtly send a message to your
reader that you think in clichés. So, innocuous as this phrase may sound,
it does portray its writer as blandly impersonal. Use: "please call me,"
~ polite without the cliché connection.
8. "Please note that..." Again, here’s a phrase that may seem innocent but
it has, for me, a rather stodgy tone ("Now, pay attention!") I’d omit the
phrase.
- - - - -
Patrika Vaughn, your Author's Advocate, helps new voices achieve
publication. She will work with you from the time you say, "I've got a
great idea for a book!" through successful publication and marketing.
Whether you are a professional building authority for your practice, a
fiction or non - fiction writer, she can help... .even ghostwrite it for
you! www.acapela.com
=====================================================
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
=====================================================
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.)
Karen Buley’s Nurse Anthology Debuts ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Nurses on the Run ~Why They Come, Why They Stay, is an anthology of
nurses' stories edited by Karen Buley. It is now available at
http://www.nursesontherunbook.com . The book is a collection of stories
from twenty - five nurses, and a final chapter, "We Must Speak Up," which
addresses the nursing shortage and offers suggestions about what each of
us can do to help alleviate it. Ten percent of proceeds will be donated to
nurse educator scholarships.
Longtime Subscriber Erica Miner Publishes . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . her new
suspense novel, Murder In The Pit, the story of a young violinist at the
Metropolitan Opera who inadvertently puts her life on the line when she
investigates the murder of her mentor, a famous opera conductor. The book
is available online at Barnes and Nobel:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Murder - in - the - Pit/Erica -
Miner/e/9781606191101/.
Learn more about Erica at
http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=hgfixndab.0.z9pkycdab.t8tg7qbab.1371&ts=S0470&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ericaminer.com
Gina Holmes Publishes New Novel . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Tyndale Publishers has published Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes
(www.ginaholmes.com). It was ten years in the making. The author says, “It
is the story of my heart.” She blogs at www.noveljourney.blogspot.com.
Billie A. Williams Publishes Mystery . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . called Money Isn't Everything, a Mary March Mystery, It isn’t love,
it isn’t security, and it doesn’t buy loyalty. It can be a tool . . . or a
murder weapon. Within minutes security had the box of dead rats, Dolly and
Ebony had their walking papers; Edith thought the abuse was now all
cleared up. Mary wondered what Jayde might do next. Until they were all
locked up there would be no peace for anyone at Idle - A - While Nursing
Home. E - ISBN: 978 - 1 - 59705 - 443 - 2. POD - ISBN:978 - 1 - 59705 -
592 - 5
p. m. terrell’s New Book Wins Prize . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
River Passage by p.m. terrell recently won Best Fiction and Drama for 2010
in the Bengal Book Awards. The Nashville Metropolitan Government Archives
has determined that River Passage is so historically accurate they have
entered Ms. Terrell's original manuscript into the Archives for future
researchers and historians.
River Passage is based on the true story of the Donelson journey that left
Virginia bound for Fort Nashborough (now Nashville, TN) in the fall of
1779. Their goal was to bring businessmen and community leaders westward
to expand America. Terrell's ancestors, the Neely family, were on that
expedition. The trip was expected to take four weeks. Instead, more than
four months after they left, a ragtag group of survivors limped into Fort
Nashborough with a harrowing tale. Their river journey had taken them
through hostile Indian Territory at the height of the Chickamauga Indian
War. They also faced frostbite, near starvation, disease, deadly
apids - - and a mutiny. The Indians attacked them over hundreds of miles,
capturing some of the settlers, killing or wounding others, and leaving a
few to tell the tale.
For more information about the journey, visit
http://maryneely.com/journey.htm and for more information about the
author, visit www.pmterrell.com. The book is available to order at either
site, at amazon (http://www.amazon.com/River - Passage - p - m -
terrell/dp/097281860X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273066029&sr=1 - 1),
other online stores and fine book stores.
Terrell is also the author of the historical suspense Songbirds are Free
acclaimed suspense/thrillers Exit 22, Ricochet, Kickback, and The China
Conspiracy and four nonfiction how - to books on using computers.
=================================================== 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
Making Your Book Available for iPAD ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jane Dickey, one of the forces behind iFOGO tells you about a new way for
you to participate in the iFOGO program:
Over the past year, many of you have indicated that while you understand
the many features and benefits of the Premium Membership on iFOGO.com, you
want the option of placing your book(s) in our Village Bookstore only.
We heard you.
For a limited number of days, we are waiving our Premium Membership and
Recurring fee requirements:
See The Village Bookstore and the all important FAQ for details.
The end of this offer will not be announced in advance.
Special adjustments for those with recurring Village Bookstore placements.
Jane Austen Dickey
Visit iFOGO Book Store at:
http://ifogovillage.ning.com/groups/group/show?id=3253619%3AGroup%3A9106&xg_source=msg_mes_group
Learn how to list your book at
http://ifogovillage.ning.com/page/bookstore - faq .
Submissions for Women Over 60 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Associated with Mills College (a Women’s College) in California, Persimmon
Tree may be just the journal for many Sharing with Writers subscribers to
submit to: http://www.persimmontree.org/submissions.php. Thank you to May
Lattanzio, long time subscriber, for suggesting this.
Your Book on Display: Query Letter Contest ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Write On! Query Contest -
"Books"
In the continuing effort to help writers jump - start their careers, Debra
Eckerling of Write On! Online (http://www.writeononline.com) is pleased to
announce the 2nd Annual Write On! Online Query Contest. The winner in each
category - Fiction and Non - Fiction - will have their query letter
read by Los Angeles - based literary agent Betsy Amster. They will also
receive a gift certificate from iScript.
Email your 1 - page query to Debra@WriteOnOnline.com by Monday, May 31.
Winners will be announced on Monday, June 7, on Write On! Online, and in
the June Write On! Newsletter.
For details, prizes, and full submission guidelines, go to:
http://writeononline.com/2010/05/01/write - on - online - query -
contest - books/
==================================================== Social networking is
one of the best ways to make valuable contact and build a list of readers.
The most supportive and interactive one I know with an associated site for
displaying fiction to the movie industry is iFOFO. Subscribe at
http://www.ifogo.com/buy/order_chj.html
=====================================================
Tip: The Resources page at Just the FAQs from MaAnna Stephenson is filled
to the brim with fr ^ ^ downloads, including two new e - books, What
Every Site Owner Should Know, which you're welcome to contribute advice
and tips to, and What You Need to Know About Hosting. Plus, you'll find
lots of links for fr ^ ^ articles and tutorials. Feel fr ^ ^ to share
them with your viewers and clients. It's at
http://www.justthefaqs.net/resources
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Quote: "I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning, and
took out a comma. In the afternoon I put it back again." - - - Oscar
Wilde
My quote inspired by Oscar: “To serial comma, or not to serial comma. That
is the question.”
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Some Fun: Who doesn’t love Peanuts?! Yesterday Charlie says to Lucy: “My
life is like a coloring book! Each day I have a new page with new pictures
to color . . . “
Lucy observes, “Being very careful, of course, to stay inside the lines .
. “
Charlie thinks . . . then says, “My life is like a messy coloring book . .
“
Did you ever feel that way?
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Feature
How To Use Zazzle.Com To Promote Your Writing for from Author Valerie
Melville: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I use my own Zazzle shop to promote my own art and writing and you can
too.
Zazzle.com is a publish - on - demand personal product company that allows
you to personalize items for your promotional or gift needs. They sell
shirts, postcards and more. You can brand yourself and your books in ways
that used to be only available to a few bestsellers. It's free to place
your products up unless you choose to do embroidered items.
Here is how you can use Zazzle to promote your own books:
1. With your publishers permission you can put book title on items. I am
designing official shirts for one of my gothic and sci - fi novels. You
can have your book titles put on everything from shirts, skateboards,
stickers, business cards, Christmas ornaments, and more.
2. The shirts and bags with your book cover art on them become walking
billboards at book fairs.
3. Design your own business cards.
http://www.zazzle.com/writer_buissness_card_business_card -
240831145078711762
4. Make your own postcards and product or find an artist you like and
request something more customized.
http://www.zazzle.com/i_write_fantasy_postcard - 239910137037407977
5. Make small book signing favors for signings such as stickers. I created
these as writer promos but you can make your own.
http://www.zazzle.com/i_m_published_stickers - 217922439142592657
6. Give products like posters promoting your book as prizes.
You can also write articles that promote your store (the one with your
signature products in it) as well as your writing.
- - - - -
Valerie is a published author and artist. You’ll find her artwork at
Zazzle, too. http://www.zazzle.com/abundancelovetrip
=====================================================
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
=====================================================
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.
The Academy of American Poets has a simple address much like another
poetry site with an unsavory reputation. Don’t let the confusion keep you
from participating in their contests, even from joining their
organization. They are at 584 Broadway, Ste 604, New York, NY 10012 and
www.poets.org. Reach them at academy@poets.org. Their contests are less
expensive if you’re a member.
=====================================================
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 Gr
enier, Founder and Editor - in - Chief Stories for Children Magazine.
http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org.
=====================================================
Tip: Are you earning passive income with the Amazon gadget available now
in your Blogspot/Blogger gadgets. Using it can make it easy for your
subscribers and visitors to buy the products you mention, but the little
Amazon credits you’ll earn can be fun, too. I just bought an oriental rug
(small! ( - ; ) with some of my earnings. See how I do it at
www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com.
=====================================================
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 $35 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.
=====================================================
Quote: “We don’t judge. We do what the customer really wants.” ~A
marketing principle straight from the mouth of J.T. Wang, CEO of Taiwanese
PC maker Acer Group (who zoomed from fifth in the global PC market in 2005
to number two, ahead of Dell, trailing only Hewlett Packard).
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Information from Amazon
Passive Income for Your Kindle Book
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This is the note Amazon sent to its Associates. If your book is on Kindle,
you’ll want to get in on it. Lots of my books are on it including my
poetry chapbook (with Magdalena Ball), Cherished Pulse
(www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse.) You can see how just being there is good
advertising to a targeted audience (readers and economically sound readers
who can afford tech gadgets and travel!)
Dear Amazon Associate:
We’re sending this note to announce a couple of changes to the Associates
Program that relate to Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C?ref_=pe_1130_14157380 . Kindle is the
#1 bestselling, most - gifted, and most wished - for product at
Amazon.com. Please read on for further details.
Earn Advertising Fees on Kindle Books
Amazon is excited to announce that effective May 1, 2010, you can earn
advertising fees on Kindle books
http://www.amazon.com/b?node=1286228011&ie=UTF8&ref_=pe_1130_14157380.
With over 500,000 books, including 105 of 112 New York Times® Best
Sellers, Kindle books represent another great way to earn money
advertising Amazon products. Advertising fees range from 4 to 8.5%.
Kindle Device Advertising Fee Rates Have Changed
Also effective May 1, 2010, Kindle devices have a new advertising fee.
Kindle devices will be included in the “General Products” category and are
eligible for 4 to 8.5% in advertising fees depending on the number of
qualifying products you refer. Kindle newspapers, magazines, blogs, and
other subscriptions will also be included in the "General Products"
category. See the Operating Agreement
https://affiliate -
program.amazon.com/gp/associates/agreement?ref_=pe_1130_14157380
for more information.
New Kindle Landing Page: Build Links to Kindle & Make Money
We’d like to invite you to browse through our new Kindle page
(https://affiliate - program.amazon.com/kindle?ref_=pe_1130_14157380 ) in
Associates Central which gives you an overview of all the tools you’ll
need to easily build links and earn money on everything Kindle related,
all in one place!
There are several simple ways to earn advertising fees on Kindle, and now
Kindle books:
• Link directly to the Kindle detail page using the following link format,
replacing “YOUR_ID_HERE - 20” with your Associates ID:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C?tag=YOUR_ID_HERE - 20
• Link directly to the Kindle books page using the following link format,
replacing “YOUR_ID_HERE - 20” with your Associates ID:
http://www.amazon.com/b?node=1286228011&tag=YOUR_ID_HERE - 20
• Display Kindle banners – New Rotating Kindle banners
(https://affiliate - program.amazon.com/gp/associates/network/build -
links/banner/get -
html.html?category=kindlerotating&ref_=pe_1130_14157380 ) are available in
various sizes
• Visit product links (https://affiliate -
program.amazon.com/gp/associates/network/build -
links/individual/main.html?ref_=pe_1130_14157380) and select “Kindle
Store” from the drop down menu
In addition to earning advertising fees on Kindle devices and Kindle
books, Associates can also earn advertising fees on qualifying sales of
Kindle accessories and magazine, newspaper, & blog subscriptions.
We want to thank you for your continued participation in the Amazon
Associates Program, and invite you to start or continue advertising Kindle
devices and Kindle books. Stay connected by following us on Twitter and
finding us on Facebook. If you have any questions or feedback on this
announcement or the Associates Program, please contact us via the contact
form (https://affiliate - program.amazon.com/gp/associates/contact ).
Sincerely,
The Amazon Associates Program
=====================================================
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
“On Being A Frugalismo: Self Promotion II—To Market, To Market.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
By Mindy Phillips Lawrence
I have a bone chilling, provocative assignment for you: Pick three living
authors that you truly love and go to school on the way they sell their
wares. Look at their Web sites, read their blurbs, see who interviewed
them and read the interviews. If they’ve been on the radio or TV, see if
you can get that program and hear what they said and how they said it.
Do you think you would have read their works if they hadn’t marketed them?
No. And unless you only want your dear mother to read YOUR book, you’d
better learn to blast your own bugle.
If you followed the information in the last Itty Bitty on “Self -
Promotion I – Databasing,” you should have a nice little list of local and
regional contacts in your file now. If not, go back and re - read the last
issue and catch up. It’s important!
By the next newsletter, please list your three favorite living writers,
make a list of what they have done to promote themselves. Of course, they
will have publicists, but you are learning how to do this job for
yourself. Learn from the pros.
You can see information on three writers I like in the link section below.
Happy Research!
Mindy
=
LINKS
Thich Nhat Hanh: “SAVOR”
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/A - Conversation - with - Thich - Nhat -
Hanh - About - Savor
Norris Church Mailer: “A Ticket to the Circus”
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400067947
Mary Oliver: “Evidence”
http://www.beaconbroadside.com/broadside/2010/04/mary - oliver -
performance - note - for - many - miles - cd.html
~ 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.
=====================================================
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
=====================================================
Feature
Review for iPAD Used As a Reader Is Positive! What Does That Mean for You?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reviews for the iPad, like the one on the front page of the LA Times
Calendar section this week universally praise, laud, and acclaim the iPad
as a reader. Most have a few good things to say about Kindle, too. But,
generally, reviewers seem to love, love, love! iPad and seem willing to
forego the features on Kindle they deem better for the color, book - like
feel and design of the Pad.
What does that mean for us writers? Well, in addition to my raving on and
on that a smart author in any genre should get their books available as
e - books as soon as possible, getting your book available on iPAD will
get you in on the ground floor of a new, VERY popular toy. You can use
Smashwords.com or iFOGOvillage.ning.com to do that.
=====================================================
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 L. Diane Wolf . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for recommending The Frugal Book Promoter on her Spunk - on - a -
Stick blog: http://circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/tales -
from - bookshelf.html . She runs lots of posts on writing and promoting,
and on cats, too! ( - :
Thanks to Kim MacMillon . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . .for having me on her BlogTalkRadio program, Writers’ Sanctuary:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onword. You may want to talk to her about a
feature spot, too. Her Facebook page spotlights her featured authors and
she sends out event invitations - - a nice job overall! See one here:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=116539038360007&ref=ts
A nicer woman you’ll never meet, nor a more avid supporter of poets. Learn
more about Kim at http://kimmcmillon.wordpress.com/
Thanks to Debra Eckerling
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . .for her great interview (loaded with ideas for writers) at
http://writeononline.com/2010/04/23/author - qa - carolyn - howard -
johnson - the - frugal - book - series/
Thanks to Laura Hinds . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for the love behind the lovely award she gave my Frugal, Smart, and
Tuned - In Editor blog (www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com). Learn more
about all Laura does including the reviews she does for MyShelf.com at
http://www.laurahinds.com
Thanks to J. R. Turner, Editor of . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . Wisconsin Regional Writers’ Journal (WRWA) for including allowing me
to continue writing a regular E - Scene column for that journal. It gets
stocked in Wisconsin libraries and goes out to members all over the
nation. They are also looking for submissions. Send your ideas to J.R. at
jnl001@wrwa.net or call 715 712 0745.
Thanks to Freya of BookBuzzr . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for publishing my article on book promotion killers:
http://twt.tl/EVzyprz . There’s a freebie there for you, too.
===================================================== 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: Did you know that when you click on the little thumbs up - like link
on a Facebook post, you are automatically becoming a “fan” on that person’
s fan page? Now you don’t need to “become a fan.” It’s automatic even if
you think you’re just “liking” something. Maybe they read my mini rant in
this newsletter a few weeks ago decrying the term “fan” and the redundancy
of “fan pages.” If you’d like to re - read that article called “Friend or
Fan? Sorry I’ll Take Friend Any Old Day,” go to:
http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2010/03/friend - or - fan - sorry -
fb - ill - take - friend.html .
=====================================================
Unsolicited endorsement from Chaz DeSimone, book cover designer
extraordinaire (www.chazdesimone.com): “Carolyn, this book is amazingly
comprehensive, understandable, and is using up all my highlighter ink.
Heidi (one of his clients): Start reading! It'll get you excited about
promoting, and getting your promotion all ready ahead of time.
=====================================================
Tip: I was glad to see book marketing guru Penny Sansevieri agrees with me
that it’s a big mistake to measure your marketing and promotion success by
the number of books you sell. She uses the formula exposure = awareness =
sales. Even if you sell zero books you can get lots of exposure mileage
out of any promotion you do if you publicize it.
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Twitter Tip: Back up your Twitter account and records with TweetTake.com.
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Author, editor and writing coach Bev Walton ~Porter hosts Elemental
Musings, a podcast specifically for writers, readers and creatives. Join
her on Friday, May 14th, at 6 PM Pacific Time as she welcomes award -
winning author of the HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers,
Carolyn Howard - Johnson. Guests may post questions in the chat room or
call in on the guest line at (646) 595 - 4704 and listen at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/elementalmusings.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Carolyn Howard - Johnson and fellow UCLA Writers' Program Instructor, Eve
LaSalle Caram (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 Linsdell, a writer
living in Rome and founder of the online conference PROMO Day, will also
be offering a seminar. Accommodations are extremely limited.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Update! Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be interviewed by The Compulsive
Reader's online radio program hosted by Magdalena Ball at 4:30pm (Pacific
Time) May 9. The program features author interviews, book chats, literary
discussions, readings and more. It's an audio haven for book lovers! The
show with Carolyn will be an open discussion (with an interesting twist
about a new approach to popularizing poetry). It’s about poetry, poetics,
and the art of the chapbook.
Listeners will be invited to call and share their perspectives or ask
their questions. Poetry will be read, discussed, and pondered, and we'll
be previewing our up and coming chapbook for the masculine apparitions in
our lives. Poets are asked to call in with a few memorable lines from
their own poetry about holidays. To set a reminder for the show or to
listen in, visit:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/compulsivereader/2010/04/11/poetry -
chatter - with - carolyn - howard - johnson
To call in on the day of the show, just visit the site and click on the
"click to call" buttons (there is no charge because it uses voiceover
Internet protocol technology - - that means it uses your PC for the voice
communication), or you can dial in without a computer on: (646) 716 -
7734. Don't miss it!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Muse Online Writers Conference cosponsored by Lea Schizas and Carolyn
Howard - Johnson is now taking reservations for the f r ^ ^ event
beginning October 11 of 2010. http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/
To avoid a small late registration fee, please register before Aug. 15.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I am working with Freya at BookBuzzr as a regular blogger for their blog
on marketing. The first, “Ten Marketing Excuses That Can Kill Your Book
and Career,” will be posted on May 5th at
http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book - marketing/10 - marketing - excuses -
that - can - kill - your - book - and - career/. The thing is, there is so
much to benefit authors at Bookbuzzr.com including their fantastic page -
turning widgets for your book (all f r ^ ^!) that you’ll want to use this
occasion to zip on over and explore.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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. She’ll sign her retail
books at 2 pm Sunday, May 16.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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. Sign up online at www.uclaextension.edu
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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. At 10:00 am Pacific
at www.alltalkradio.net/careerczar, we'll talk about 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. 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.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be a featured speaker at the Wisconsin
Regional Writers Association Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, with “How
To Do It Frugally: Free Exposure for Your Book and Your Bod.” A breakout
session will be “"Become Your Own PR Person, Frugally: How to Write a
Killer Media Release and Produce a Great Media Kit." The dates are
September 25 - 26, 2010. Find information on that at www.wrwa.net. This
active group invites writers from everywhere to join.
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Wordstuff ™
Something to Make Writers Smile
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(The Washington Post's Style Invitational also asked readers to take any
word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one
letter, and supply a new definition. You might have some favorite
neologisms, metaphors or similes that make you smile. If so, please
contribute to this newsletter.)
Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*
~* ~* ~* ~
=================================================
~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*
~* ~* ~* ~
=================================================
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
Visit Carolyn HowardJohnson at:
http://www.authorsden.com/carolynhowardjohnson
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!
And now out! Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net and amazon.com, and through your local book store. Winner 2010 Mom’s Choice Award Finalist 2009 New Mexico Book Awards
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 (YIPPEE! - mpl). 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!
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~
~.: ~ ~ ~
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: Making Your Book Available for iPAD
~On Poetry
~Author Successes
~Mindy Lawrence's Itty Bitty Column, “On Being A Frugalismo: Self
Promotion II—To Market, To Market”
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™
~Ideas for Cleaner Copy, Part II from Patrika Vaughn
This Issue
~Feature: On Language: Hieroglyphics Anyone?
~Making Your Book Available on iPad from Jane Dickey
~Information from Amazon: Passive Income for Your Kindle E - Book
~Feature: How To Use Zazzle.Com To Promote Your Writing
~Feature: Review for iPAD Used As a Reader Is Positive! What Does That
Mean for You?
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.
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~
~.: ~ ~ ~
Note from Carolyn
Dear Subscribers:
I tutor accent reduction and American culture on Wednesday mornings and
last week I explained the concept of marketing to my Korean student who
has a beauty salon. It occurred to me that it isn’t only immigrants who
might benefit from a refresher course on marketing. It’s been a while
since we got down to marketing basics for authors in this newsletter. Sort
of a Marketing 101 plan. One that will inspire you to market. Inspire you
to be proud of the marketing you do.
It’s always amazing to me that in a country of capitalists (many of them
pretty rabid capitalists) that so many of us feel uncomfortable with words
like “marketing,” “promotion,” “publicity,” and even “advertising.” If you
don’t believe me, look at the furor over Twitter’s plans to earn some
money by accepting advertising.
So here is some reassurance for you. The best marketing is not selfish. It
never has been. It’s caring. It’s understanding your customer or audience
and giving them what they want.
The best marketing is careful and detailed.
The best marketing is personal.
Let’s look at one of the best marketing machines in the world. Apple. They
don’t even do focus groups. They know their customer so well they can tell
the customer what she wants before the customer knows she wants it. The
new iPad is an example of that.
Detail? Look at their products. That’s detail. Inside and out. Efficient.
Gorgeous to look at. Look at Steve Jobs. He even dresses to the image of
his company. Casual - - 501 jeans, a black turtleneck and a sort of
stubbly computer - hacker kind of half - bearded face. Smart, too. His
little squarish glasses. Warm - - those eyes full of delight for what he
does.
Personal? There is no hesitation at Apple or from Jobs to exploit his
charisma. But we’re also aware that this is a company of other people.
Similar - - we assume - - to Jobs. We sometimes get to peer into the
campus where they work. We are aware that they are treated well. Our
feelings about the company (even if we don’t own an Apple or Mac or any of
the other gadgets) is warm and appreciative because it feels familiar.
As authors or publishers, we can do all of that. In fact, it may be
easier. We are starting with a warm, fuzzy product that everyone loves,
books. It’s a lot easier to think in terms of an audience for cozy
mysteries or poetry than it is for a hunk of wires and metal. It’s a lot
easier to think in terms of some books than it is others! Still, there is
an audience for every book. If you haven’t figured out what yours is, you’
d better read it again donning your marketing - magic beanie first. There
are some things to look for as you read in the “Know Your Angles” section
of Chapter 15 of The Frugal Book Promoter (www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo).
So go for it! I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. If you can’t be
proud to promote (market) your book, how can you expect anyone else to
pass on the good word for you?
Happy Writing, Promoting and Editing
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
PS: Father’s Day is coming. Why not a real poetry chapbook for the about
the same price as a greeting card? It is part of Magdalena Ball’s and my
Celebration Series, this one for father’s and men.
www.budurl.com/Imagining. Thanks to Kristin Johnson and Kim MacMillon,
poets both, for their reviews.
PPS: The twice - a - year AllTips edition of Sharing with Writers is
coming. Please tell your writing friends about it. Give them a little
nudge to subscribe so they get started with a bang. I’ll sign them up.
Just have them put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line of an e - mail and send
it to me at hojonews @ AOL.com
PPPS: Only four more places at our Roman Retreat in October. The
inexpensive room on the lower level is taken, but the fees are still very
reasonable for Rome. We’re sharing the cost of the gorgeous townhouse
right near the Trevi fountain. Please, if you’ve been considering it, look
again on my blog at http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2010/02/roman -
retreat - e - books - and - yes - promotion.html or just go directly to
www.budurl.com/RomanRetreat. If you’re thinking, think harder!
===================================================== Two highly
recommended e - books for maximizing your Twitter account from Tony
Eldridge are written especially for authors:
Twitter E - Book:
http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=150314&AdID=482099
Twitter E - Mail Course:
http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=150314&AdID=482103 and an
interactive e - book on running a Twitter contest:
http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=150314&AdID=482099
=====================================================
Letter to the Editor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Dear Carolyn:
I swear lady, every time I open The Frugal Book Promoter I find another
gem. I had a book signing today - - my first in ages (did a couple at
library talks etc but nothing major). This was a solo with a pet supply
store and an animal shelter {grin} outside the box thinking ala HOJO as
you would recommend. Anyway, I was so scared but I opened your book
yesterday got several hints and some backbone about being enthusiastic and
happy - people love happy - and it was a success.
I use so many of your ideas always, it's like talking to a friend when I
read your books. Thank you from the bottom of my scared silly heart! Oh I
sold 14 books of the one I was pushing and 2 copies of two others in 4
hours...Can't beat that with a stick.
Hugz, Billie
Billie A Williams is the author of the mystery Money Isn’t Everything
=====================================================
Needing something more meaningful for the celebrations in your life?
Something that stays within your budget? Imagining the Future: Ruminations
on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions for Father’s Day
(www.budurl.com/Imagining) ($6.95). Cherished Pulse
(www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse) ($6.95) for someone you love. She Wore
Emerald Then (www.budurl.com/MotherChapbook) ($12.95), for mothers and
other women. It’s the Celebration Series of poetry from Magdalena Ball and
me.
=====================================================
Know the Signs of Scam E - mail:
http://daol.aol.com/articles/how - to - spot - a - phishing -
scam/?icid=main|htmlws - main -
n|dl5|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fdaol.aol.com%2Farticles%2Fhow - to - spot - a -
phishing - scam%2F
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Feature
On Language: Hieroglyphics Anyone? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Do you send a daily barrage of gratitude that you write in English (or
some other familiar modern language) out into the universe every morning
before you sit down at your computer?
My friend Aggie Villaneuva who offers the rewritten word course
(http://www.aggiev.org/therewrittenword/ ) and I were talking about
petroglyphs and hieroglyphics the other day and it occurred to me I had
never talked to my subscribers about the hieroglyphics I know (and used to
know a whole lot better!)
We don’t know how lucky we are that we can just read our language. No one
can stands before a wall of Egyptian hieroglyphics and read them except in
the movies. And I’m not sure that even the Egyptian scribes could do that
unless it was their own work. That because:
~ Hieroglyphics have no punctuation as we know it.
~They have no rule of how to run their text, up, down, right left.
~Any character can be a single sound, a word or a syllable. The reader
must figure out which.
~We've never heard the language so we can only guess from the rhyming
poetry that is extant. At least the ancient Egyptians didn’t have that
problem.
~Further, like any language, the Egyptian language changed over the
hundreds - - nay thousands - - of years that it was being spoken and
inscribed on walls and inked onto papyrus.
~Then there was the distance between the upper and lower kingdoms. Just
like American English differs from region to region, North to South, so
did hieroglyphics. Only more so because of the lack of instant
communication.
So you can see, “reading” hieroglyphics is almost like decoding. Though
the cartouches (the little royal ovals like the ones you see some people
who have traveled to Egypt wear) and a few other things are regular.
Still, I got pretty good at it. And you can imagine the size of the
textbook with several thousand years of a language in it! Back in the
1980s it cost about $150. As proud as I am of the achievement, please don’
t ask me to stand in front of a wall and “read.” Or decode. Instead just
be thankful that the only time you were asked to decode or translate
English (if you ever were) was when you studied Chaucer from the original
in high school. Hey, that was a cinch compared to playing with
hieroglyphics!
CHJ
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
New Series
Ideas for Cleaner Copy, Part II ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Patrika Vaughn will submit short entries for the benefit of her fellow
Sharing with Writers subscribers until she runs out of stodgy, wordy or
otherwise unattractive constructions. The numbering in each installment
takes up where the last column left off. You don’t want to miss any! ( - :
By eliminating stodgy phrases from your letters, e - mails, and even
fiction writing, you can make everything you write significantly better.
Cont'd from last issue:
4. "Kindly" - "Please” works better than this old fashioned word.
5. "I have forwarded..." "I am forwarding" - In e - mail, "forwarding"
does have a specific meaning: the sending of materials from someone other
than the writer to the reader. In other cases (e.g., I am forwarding my
business card to you), just use "send."
6. "Above - captioned" (also: "above referenced,") - - Any of these
phrases tells the reader to stop reading, roll his eyes back to the RE
line, find the information, and then return to the letter to continue
reading. Wouldn’t it be easier to just summarize the salient information
in the letter itself? In other words, if the "above - mentioned claim"
refers to "Smith vs. Jones," why not write, "In the Smith vs. Jones
claim..." Sometime the "above" will refer to a claim number. If so, just
put the claim number in the letter itself. The trick in writing is to keep
the reader reading with as few distractions as possible
7. "Please do not hesitate to contact me." - I’ll refrain from writing,
"If I had a dollar for every time I see this phrase used...." because then
I’d be using a cliché to criticize a cliché! The prevalent "please do not
hesitate" was a light, bright phrase when it was coined almost a half -
century ago, but now, like most clichés, it pays a price for its
popularity. When you use a cliché, you subtly send a message to your
reader that you think in clichés. So, innocuous as this phrase may sound,
it does portray its writer as blandly impersonal. Use: "please call me,"
~ polite without the cliché connection.
8. "Please note that..." Again, here’s a phrase that may seem innocent but
it has, for me, a rather stodgy tone ("Now, pay attention!") I’d omit the
phrase.
- - - - -
Patrika Vaughn, your Author's Advocate, helps new voices achieve
publication. She will work with you from the time you say, "I've got a
great idea for a book!" through successful publication and marketing.
Whether you are a professional building authority for your practice, a
fiction or non - fiction writer, she can help... .even ghostwrite it for
you! www.acapela.com
=====================================================
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
=====================================================
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.)
Karen Buley’s Nurse Anthology Debuts ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Nurses on the Run ~Why They Come, Why They Stay, is an anthology of
nurses' stories edited by Karen Buley. It is now available at
http://www.nursesontherunbook.com . The book is a collection of stories
from twenty - five nurses, and a final chapter, "We Must Speak Up," which
addresses the nursing shortage and offers suggestions about what each of
us can do to help alleviate it. Ten percent of proceeds will be donated to
nurse educator scholarships.
Longtime Subscriber Erica Miner Publishes . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . her new
suspense novel, Murder In The Pit, the story of a young violinist at the
Metropolitan Opera who inadvertently puts her life on the line when she
investigates the murder of her mentor, a famous opera conductor. The book
is available online at Barnes and Nobel:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Murder - in - the - Pit/Erica -
Miner/e/9781606191101/.
Learn more about Erica at
http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=hgfixndab.0.z9pkycdab.t8tg7qbab.1371&ts=S0470&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ericaminer.com
Gina Holmes Publishes New Novel . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Tyndale Publishers has published Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes
(www.ginaholmes.com). It was ten years in the making. The author says, “It
is the story of my heart.” She blogs at www.noveljourney.blogspot.com.
Billie A. Williams Publishes Mystery . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . called Money Isn't Everything, a Mary March Mystery, It isn’t love,
it isn’t security, and it doesn’t buy loyalty. It can be a tool . . . or a
murder weapon. Within minutes security had the box of dead rats, Dolly and
Ebony had their walking papers; Edith thought the abuse was now all
cleared up. Mary wondered what Jayde might do next. Until they were all
locked up there would be no peace for anyone at Idle - A - While Nursing
Home. E - ISBN: 978 - 1 - 59705 - 443 - 2. POD - ISBN:978 - 1 - 59705 -
592 - 5
p. m. terrell’s New Book Wins Prize . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
River Passage by p.m. terrell recently won Best Fiction and Drama for 2010
in the Bengal Book Awards. The Nashville Metropolitan Government Archives
has determined that River Passage is so historically accurate they have
entered Ms. Terrell's original manuscript into the Archives for future
researchers and historians.
River Passage is based on the true story of the Donelson journey that left
Virginia bound for Fort Nashborough (now Nashville, TN) in the fall of
1779. Their goal was to bring businessmen and community leaders westward
to expand America. Terrell's ancestors, the Neely family, were on that
expedition. The trip was expected to take four weeks. Instead, more than
four months after they left, a ragtag group of survivors limped into Fort
Nashborough with a harrowing tale. Their river journey had taken them
through hostile Indian Territory at the height of the Chickamauga Indian
War. They also faced frostbite, near starvation, disease, deadly
apids - - and a mutiny. The Indians attacked them over hundreds of miles,
capturing some of the settlers, killing or wounding others, and leaving a
few to tell the tale.
For more information about the journey, visit
http://maryneely.com/journey.htm and for more information about the
author, visit www.pmterrell.com. The book is available to order at either
site, at amazon (http://www.amazon.com/River - Passage - p - m -
terrell/dp/097281860X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273066029&sr=1 - 1),
other online stores and fine book stores.
Terrell is also the author of the historical suspense Songbirds are Free
acclaimed suspense/thrillers Exit 22, Ricochet, Kickback, and The China
Conspiracy and four nonfiction how - to books on using computers.
=================================================== 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
Making Your Book Available for iPAD ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jane Dickey, one of the forces behind iFOGO tells you about a new way for
you to participate in the iFOGO program:
Over the past year, many of you have indicated that while you understand
the many features and benefits of the Premium Membership on iFOGO.com, you
want the option of placing your book(s) in our Village Bookstore only.
We heard you.
For a limited number of days, we are waiving our Premium Membership and
Recurring fee requirements:
See The Village Bookstore and the all important FAQ for details.
The end of this offer will not be announced in advance.
Special adjustments for those with recurring Village Bookstore placements.
Jane Austen Dickey
Visit iFOGO Book Store at:
http://ifogovillage.ning.com/groups/group/show?id=3253619%3AGroup%3A9106&xg_source=msg_mes_group
Learn how to list your book at
http://ifogovillage.ning.com/page/bookstore - faq .
Submissions for Women Over 60 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Associated with Mills College (a Women’s College) in California, Persimmon
Tree may be just the journal for many Sharing with Writers subscribers to
submit to: http://www.persimmontree.org/submissions.php. Thank you to May
Lattanzio, long time subscriber, for suggesting this.
Your Book on Display: Query Letter Contest ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Write On! Query Contest -
"Books"
In the continuing effort to help writers jump - start their careers, Debra
Eckerling of Write On! Online (http://www.writeononline.com) is pleased to
announce the 2nd Annual Write On! Online Query Contest. The winner in each
category - Fiction and Non - Fiction - will have their query letter
read by Los Angeles - based literary agent Betsy Amster. They will also
receive a gift certificate from iScript.
Email your 1 - page query to Debra@WriteOnOnline.com by Monday, May 31.
Winners will be announced on Monday, June 7, on Write On! Online, and in
the June Write On! Newsletter.
For details, prizes, and full submission guidelines, go to:
http://writeononline.com/2010/05/01/write - on - online - query -
contest - books/
==================================================== Social networking is
one of the best ways to make valuable contact and build a list of readers.
The most supportive and interactive one I know with an associated site for
displaying fiction to the movie industry is iFOFO. Subscribe at
http://www.ifogo.com/buy/order_chj.html
=====================================================
Tip: The Resources page at Just the FAQs from MaAnna Stephenson is filled
to the brim with fr ^ ^ downloads, including two new e - books, What
Every Site Owner Should Know, which you're welcome to contribute advice
and tips to, and What You Need to Know About Hosting. Plus, you'll find
lots of links for fr ^ ^ articles and tutorials. Feel fr ^ ^ to share
them with your viewers and clients. It's at
http://www.justthefaqs.net/resources
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Quote: "I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning, and
took out a comma. In the afternoon I put it back again." - - - Oscar
Wilde
My quote inspired by Oscar: “To serial comma, or not to serial comma. That
is the question.”
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Some Fun: Who doesn’t love Peanuts?! Yesterday Charlie says to Lucy: “My
life is like a coloring book! Each day I have a new page with new pictures
to color . . . “
Lucy observes, “Being very careful, of course, to stay inside the lines .
. “
Charlie thinks . . . then says, “My life is like a messy coloring book . .
“
Did you ever feel that way?
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Feature
How To Use Zazzle.Com To Promote Your Writing for from Author Valerie
Melville: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I use my own Zazzle shop to promote my own art and writing and you can
too.
Zazzle.com is a publish - on - demand personal product company that allows
you to personalize items for your promotional or gift needs. They sell
shirts, postcards and more. You can brand yourself and your books in ways
that used to be only available to a few bestsellers. It's free to place
your products up unless you choose to do embroidered items.
Here is how you can use Zazzle to promote your own books:
1. With your publishers permission you can put book title on items. I am
designing official shirts for one of my gothic and sci - fi novels. You
can have your book titles put on everything from shirts, skateboards,
stickers, business cards, Christmas ornaments, and more.
2. The shirts and bags with your book cover art on them become walking
billboards at book fairs.
3. Design your own business cards.
http://www.zazzle.com/writer_buissness_card_business_card -
240831145078711762
4. Make your own postcards and product or find an artist you like and
request something more customized.
http://www.zazzle.com/i_write_fantasy_postcard - 239910137037407977
5. Make small book signing favors for signings such as stickers. I created
these as writer promos but you can make your own.
http://www.zazzle.com/i_m_published_stickers - 217922439142592657
6. Give products like posters promoting your book as prizes.
You can also write articles that promote your store (the one with your
signature products in it) as well as your writing.
- - - - -
Valerie is a published author and artist. You’ll find her artwork at
Zazzle, too. http://www.zazzle.com/abundancelovetrip
=====================================================
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
=====================================================
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.
The Academy of American Poets has a simple address much like another
poetry site with an unsavory reputation. Don’t let the confusion keep you
from participating in their contests, even from joining their
organization. They are at 584 Broadway, Ste 604, New York, NY 10012 and
www.poets.org. Reach them at academy@poets.org. Their contests are less
expensive if you’re a member.
=====================================================
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 Gr
enier, Founder and Editor - in - Chief Stories for Children Magazine.
http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org.
=====================================================
Tip: Are you earning passive income with the Amazon gadget available now
in your Blogspot/Blogger gadgets. Using it can make it easy for your
subscribers and visitors to buy the products you mention, but the little
Amazon credits you’ll earn can be fun, too. I just bought an oriental rug
(small! ( - ; ) with some of my earnings. See how I do it at
www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com.
=====================================================
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 $35 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.
=====================================================
Quote: “We don’t judge. We do what the customer really wants.” ~A
marketing principle straight from the mouth of J.T. Wang, CEO of Taiwanese
PC maker Acer Group (who zoomed from fifth in the global PC market in 2005
to number two, ahead of Dell, trailing only Hewlett Packard).
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Information from Amazon
Passive Income for Your Kindle Book
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This is the note Amazon sent to its Associates. If your book is on Kindle,
you’ll want to get in on it. Lots of my books are on it including my
poetry chapbook (with Magdalena Ball), Cherished Pulse
(www.budurl.com/CherishedPulse.) You can see how just being there is good
advertising to a targeted audience (readers and economically sound readers
who can afford tech gadgets and travel!)
Dear Amazon Associate:
We’re sending this note to announce a couple of changes to the Associates
Program that relate to Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C?ref_=pe_1130_14157380 . Kindle is the
#1 bestselling, most - gifted, and most wished - for product at
Amazon.com. Please read on for further details.
Earn Advertising Fees on Kindle Books
Amazon is excited to announce that effective May 1, 2010, you can earn
advertising fees on Kindle books
http://www.amazon.com/b?node=1286228011&ie=UTF8&ref_=pe_1130_14157380.
With over 500,000 books, including 105 of 112 New York Times® Best
Sellers, Kindle books represent another great way to earn money
advertising Amazon products. Advertising fees range from 4 to 8.5%.
Kindle Device Advertising Fee Rates Have Changed
Also effective May 1, 2010, Kindle devices have a new advertising fee.
Kindle devices will be included in the “General Products” category and are
eligible for 4 to 8.5% in advertising fees depending on the number of
qualifying products you refer. Kindle newspapers, magazines, blogs, and
other subscriptions will also be included in the "General Products"
category. See the Operating Agreement
https://affiliate -
program.amazon.com/gp/associates/agreement?ref_=pe_1130_14157380
for more information.
New Kindle Landing Page: Build Links to Kindle & Make Money
We’d like to invite you to browse through our new Kindle page
(https://affiliate - program.amazon.com/kindle?ref_=pe_1130_14157380 ) in
Associates Central which gives you an overview of all the tools you’ll
need to easily build links and earn money on everything Kindle related,
all in one place!
There are several simple ways to earn advertising fees on Kindle, and now
Kindle books:
• Link directly to the Kindle detail page using the following link format,
replacing “YOUR_ID_HERE - 20” with your Associates ID:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C?tag=YOUR_ID_HERE - 20
• Link directly to the Kindle books page using the following link format,
replacing “YOUR_ID_HERE - 20” with your Associates ID:
http://www.amazon.com/b?node=1286228011&tag=YOUR_ID_HERE - 20
• Display Kindle banners – New Rotating Kindle banners
(https://affiliate - program.amazon.com/gp/associates/network/build -
links/banner/get -
html.html?category=kindlerotating&ref_=pe_1130_14157380 ) are available in
various sizes
• Visit product links (https://affiliate -
program.amazon.com/gp/associates/network/build -
links/individual/main.html?ref_=pe_1130_14157380) and select “Kindle
Store” from the drop down menu
In addition to earning advertising fees on Kindle devices and Kindle
books, Associates can also earn advertising fees on qualifying sales of
Kindle accessories and magazine, newspaper, & blog subscriptions.
We want to thank you for your continued participation in the Amazon
Associates Program, and invite you to start or continue advertising Kindle
devices and Kindle books. Stay connected by following us on Twitter and
finding us on Facebook. If you have any questions or feedback on this
announcement or the Associates Program, please contact us via the contact
form (https://affiliate - program.amazon.com/gp/associates/contact ).
Sincerely,
The Amazon Associates Program
=====================================================
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
“On Being A Frugalismo: Self Promotion II—To Market, To Market.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
By Mindy Phillips Lawrence
I have a bone chilling, provocative assignment for you: Pick three living
authors that you truly love and go to school on the way they sell their
wares. Look at their Web sites, read their blurbs, see who interviewed
them and read the interviews. If they’ve been on the radio or TV, see if
you can get that program and hear what they said and how they said it.
Do you think you would have read their works if they hadn’t marketed them?
No. And unless you only want your dear mother to read YOUR book, you’d
better learn to blast your own bugle.
If you followed the information in the last Itty Bitty on “Self -
Promotion I – Databasing,” you should have a nice little list of local and
regional contacts in your file now. If not, go back and re - read the last
issue and catch up. It’s important!
By the next newsletter, please list your three favorite living writers,
make a list of what they have done to promote themselves. Of course, they
will have publicists, but you are learning how to do this job for
yourself. Learn from the pros.
You can see information on three writers I like in the link section below.
Happy Research!
Mindy
=
LINKS
Thich Nhat Hanh: “SAVOR”
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/A - Conversation - with - Thich - Nhat -
Hanh - About - Savor
Norris Church Mailer: “A Ticket to the Circus”
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400067947
Mary Oliver: “Evidence”
http://www.beaconbroadside.com/broadside/2010/04/mary - oliver -
performance - note - for - many - miles - cd.html
~ 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.
=====================================================
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
=====================================================
Feature
Review for iPAD Used As a Reader Is Positive! What Does That Mean for You?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reviews for the iPad, like the one on the front page of the LA Times
Calendar section this week universally praise, laud, and acclaim the iPad
as a reader. Most have a few good things to say about Kindle, too. But,
generally, reviewers seem to love, love, love! iPad and seem willing to
forego the features on Kindle they deem better for the color, book - like
feel and design of the Pad.
What does that mean for us writers? Well, in addition to my raving on and
on that a smart author in any genre should get their books available as
e - books as soon as possible, getting your book available on iPAD will
get you in on the ground floor of a new, VERY popular toy. You can use
Smashwords.com or iFOGOvillage.ning.com to do that.
=====================================================
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 L. Diane Wolf . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for recommending The Frugal Book Promoter on her Spunk - on - a -
Stick blog: http://circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/2010/04/tales -
from - bookshelf.html . She runs lots of posts on writing and promoting,
and on cats, too! ( - :
Thanks to Kim MacMillon . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . .for having me on her BlogTalkRadio program, Writers’ Sanctuary:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onword. You may want to talk to her about a
feature spot, too. Her Facebook page spotlights her featured authors and
she sends out event invitations - - a nice job overall! See one here:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=116539038360007&ref=ts
A nicer woman you’ll never meet, nor a more avid supporter of poets. Learn
more about Kim at http://kimmcmillon.wordpress.com/
Thanks to Debra Eckerling
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . .for her great interview (loaded with ideas for writers) at
http://writeononline.com/2010/04/23/author - qa - carolyn - howard -
johnson - the - frugal - book - series/
Thanks to Laura Hinds . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for the love behind the lovely award she gave my Frugal, Smart, and
Tuned - In Editor blog (www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com). Learn more
about all Laura does including the reviews she does for MyShelf.com at
http://www.laurahinds.com
Thanks to J. R. Turner, Editor of . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . Wisconsin Regional Writers’ Journal (WRWA) for including allowing me
to continue writing a regular E - Scene column for that journal. It gets
stocked in Wisconsin libraries and goes out to members all over the
nation. They are also looking for submissions. Send your ideas to J.R. at
jnl001@wrwa.net or call 715 712 0745.
Thanks to Freya of BookBuzzr . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
. . . for publishing my article on book promotion killers:
http://twt.tl/EVzyprz . There’s a freebie there for you, too.
===================================================== 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: Did you know that when you click on the little thumbs up - like link
on a Facebook post, you are automatically becoming a “fan” on that person’
s fan page? Now you don’t need to “become a fan.” It’s automatic even if
you think you’re just “liking” something. Maybe they read my mini rant in
this newsletter a few weeks ago decrying the term “fan” and the redundancy
of “fan pages.” If you’d like to re - read that article called “Friend or
Fan? Sorry I’ll Take Friend Any Old Day,” go to:
http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com/2010/03/friend - or - fan - sorry -
fb - ill - take - friend.html .
=====================================================
Unsolicited endorsement from Chaz DeSimone, book cover designer
extraordinaire (www.chazdesimone.com): “Carolyn, this book is amazingly
comprehensive, understandable, and is using up all my highlighter ink.
Heidi (one of his clients): Start reading! It'll get you excited about
promoting, and getting your promotion all ready ahead of time.
=====================================================
Tip: I was glad to see book marketing guru Penny Sansevieri agrees with me
that it’s a big mistake to measure your marketing and promotion success by
the number of books you sell. She uses the formula exposure = awareness =
sales. Even if you sell zero books you can get lots of exposure mileage
out of any promotion you do if you publicize it.
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Twitter Tip: Back up your Twitter account and records with TweetTake.com.
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Author, editor and writing coach Bev Walton ~Porter hosts Elemental
Musings, a podcast specifically for writers, readers and creatives. Join
her on Friday, May 14th, at 6 PM Pacific Time as she welcomes award -
winning author of the HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers,
Carolyn Howard - Johnson. Guests may post questions in the chat room or
call in on the guest line at (646) 595 - 4704 and listen at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/elementalmusings.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Carolyn Howard - Johnson and fellow UCLA Writers' Program Instructor, Eve
LaSalle Caram (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 Linsdell, a writer
living in Rome and founder of the online conference PROMO Day, will also
be offering a seminar. Accommodations are extremely limited.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Update! Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be interviewed by The Compulsive
Reader's online radio program hosted by Magdalena Ball at 4:30pm (Pacific
Time) May 9. The program features author interviews, book chats, literary
discussions, readings and more. It's an audio haven for book lovers! The
show with Carolyn will be an open discussion (with an interesting twist
about a new approach to popularizing poetry). It’s about poetry, poetics,
and the art of the chapbook.
Listeners will be invited to call and share their perspectives or ask
their questions. Poetry will be read, discussed, and pondered, and we'll
be previewing our up and coming chapbook for the masculine apparitions in
our lives. Poets are asked to call in with a few memorable lines from
their own poetry about holidays. To set a reminder for the show or to
listen in, visit:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/compulsivereader/2010/04/11/poetry -
chatter - with - carolyn - howard - johnson
To call in on the day of the show, just visit the site and click on the
"click to call" buttons (there is no charge because it uses voiceover
Internet protocol technology - - that means it uses your PC for the voice
communication), or you can dial in without a computer on: (646) 716 -
7734. Don't miss it!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Muse Online Writers Conference cosponsored by Lea Schizas and Carolyn
Howard - Johnson is now taking reservations for the f r ^ ^ event
beginning October 11 of 2010. http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/
To avoid a small late registration fee, please register before Aug. 15.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I am working with Freya at BookBuzzr as a regular blogger for their blog
on marketing. The first, “Ten Marketing Excuses That Can Kill Your Book
and Career,” will be posted on May 5th at
http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book - marketing/10 - marketing - excuses -
that - can - kill - your - book - and - career/. The thing is, there is so
much to benefit authors at Bookbuzzr.com including their fantastic page -
turning widgets for your book (all f r ^ ^!) that you’ll want to use this
occasion to zip on over and explore.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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. She’ll sign her retail
books at 2 pm Sunday, May 16.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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. Sign up online at www.uclaextension.edu
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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. At 10:00 am Pacific
at www.alltalkradio.net/careerczar, we'll talk about 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. 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.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be a featured speaker at the Wisconsin
Regional Writers Association Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, with “How
To Do It Frugally: Free Exposure for Your Book and Your Bod.” A breakout
session will be “"Become Your Own PR Person, Frugally: How to Write a
Killer Media Release and Produce a Great Media Kit." The dates are
September 25 - 26, 2010. Find information on that at www.wrwa.net. This
active group invites writers from everywhere to join.
=====================================================
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.
=====================================================
Wordstuff ™
Something to Make Writers Smile
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(The Washington Post's Style Invitational also asked readers to take any
word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one
letter, and supply a new definition. You might have some favorite
neologisms, metaphors or similes that make you smile. If so, please
contribute to this newsletter.)
Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*
~* ~* ~* ~
=================================================
~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*
~* ~* ~* ~
=================================================
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
Visit Carolyn HowardJohnson at:
http://www.authorsden.com/carolynhowardjohnson
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!
And now out! Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net and amazon.com, and through your local book store. Winner 2010 Mom’s Choice Award Finalist 2009 New Mexico Book Awards
Monday, March 29, 2010
Carolyn Howard Johnson does it Again
World Wide Web—Judges of the poetry contest sponsored by Franklin-Christoph honored UCLA Extension Writers’ Program instructor Carolyn Howard-Johnson with their first place cash prize on March 17.
Franklin-Christoph is an American company since 1901 and has been making fine writing instruments beautiful enough to inspire poets since 2001. A few years ago they decided to begin supporting the fine arts, in particular poetry writing via a free-to-enter contest, offering $2500 in cash and prizes. They say, “Many of our clients over the years use our products for creative writing of various sorts, so we thought it a natural fit, and a nice extension of our organization beyond commerce.”
The poem selected for the top honor is “Endangered Species.” It was inspired when the poet visited the Long Beach Aquarium. She came to face-to-face with a delicate sea dragon camouflaged in its habitat by the gently wafting kelp in its tank. Howard-Johnson’s poetry has appeared in literary journals like the Mochila Review, Banyan Review, Pear Noir and Front Range. One of her poems won a reader award at The Pedestal Magazine
Howard-Johnson has studied at UCLA with Suzanne Lummis, editor of Speechless the Magazine (http://www.speechlessthemagazine.org/) where her chapbook Tracings, winner of Military Writers Society of America’s Award of Excellence and published by Finishing Line Press, was featured in 2005.
The poet's literary novel, This Is the Place, has won eight awards. Her book of creative nonfiction has won three. She is developing a new Celebration Series of poetry chapbooks with Magdalena Ball. Among them are She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood; Cherished Pulse: Unconventional Love Poetry; and Imagining the Future: Ruminations on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions. She also consults and is the author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers (www.howtodoitfrugally.com).
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com Belle’s Star (tween novel age 9-12) Artemesia Publishers apbooks.net
Franklin-Christoph is an American company since 1901 and has been making fine writing instruments beautiful enough to inspire poets since 2001. A few years ago they decided to begin supporting the fine arts, in particular poetry writing via a free-to-enter contest, offering $2500 in cash and prizes. They say, “Many of our clients over the years use our products for creative writing of various sorts, so we thought it a natural fit, and a nice extension of our organization beyond commerce.”
The poem selected for the top honor is “Endangered Species.” It was inspired when the poet visited the Long Beach Aquarium. She came to face-to-face with a delicate sea dragon camouflaged in its habitat by the gently wafting kelp in its tank. Howard-Johnson’s poetry has appeared in literary journals like the Mochila Review, Banyan Review, Pear Noir and Front Range. One of her poems won a reader award at The Pedestal Magazine
Howard-Johnson has studied at UCLA with Suzanne Lummis, editor of Speechless the Magazine (http://www.speechlessthemagazine.org/) where her chapbook Tracings, winner of Military Writers Society of America’s Award of Excellence and published by Finishing Line Press, was featured in 2005.
The poet's literary novel, This Is the Place, has won eight awards. Her book of creative nonfiction has won three. She is developing a new Celebration Series of poetry chapbooks with Magdalena Ball. Among them are She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood; Cherished Pulse: Unconventional Love Poetry; and Imagining the Future: Ruminations on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions. She also consults and is the author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers (www.howtodoitfrugally.com).
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com Belle’s Star (tween novel age 9-12) Artemesia Publishers apbooks.net
Monday, March 8, 2010
Write On 4 Corners Author Carolyn Howard-Johnson's Busy as Usual
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Howard-Johnsonn
Manzanita Features Author's Poetry
Los Angeles, CA--Editors of the literary journal Manzanita, Poetry and Prose of the Mother Lode and Sierra announce that it will include the poetry of UCLA Extension Writers’ Program instructor Carolyn Howard-Johnson in its sixth issue to be released in April.
The journal is an affiliate of Calavaras Arts Council. It is a printed literary collection of poetry, prose, art and photography of the Mother Lode and Sierra regions of California and features work that appeals to the sensibilities of readers in that area from writers and artists across the U.S. It is edited by Monika Rose and poetry editor is Julia Holzer.
The poem selected is "Sacred Lessons from the Sierra Madre" and features impressions from the poet’s travels in the Sierras in Mexico. Howard-Johnson’s poetry has appeared in literary journals like the Mochila Review, Banyan Review, Pear Noir and Poetic Voices. One of her poems won a reader award at The Pedestal Magazine.
Howard-Johnson has studied at UCLA with Suzanne Lummis, editor of Speechless the Magazine (http://www.speechlessthemagazine.org/) where her chapbook Tracings, winner of Military Writers Society of America’s Award of Excellence and published by Finishing Line Press, was featured in 2005.
The poet's literary novel, This Is the Place, has won eight awards. Her book of creative nonfiction has won three. She is developing a new Celebration Series of poetry chapbooks with Magdalena Ball. Among them are She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood and Cherished Pulse: Unconventional Love Poetry. She also advocates with authors as the author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers (www.howtodoitfrugally.com).
Learn more about the Manzanita and how to order a copy at: http://www.manzanitacalifornia.org/. The new volume will be released the end of April.
Learn more about Carolyn Howard-Johnson at http://carolynhoward-johnson.com.
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!
And now out! Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net and amazon.com, and through your local book store. Winner 2010 Mom’s Choice Award Finalist 2009 New Mexico Book Awards
Contact: Carolyn Howard-Johnsonn
Manzanita Features Author's Poetry
Los Angeles, CA--Editors of the literary journal Manzanita, Poetry and Prose of the Mother Lode and Sierra announce that it will include the poetry of UCLA Extension Writers’ Program instructor Carolyn Howard-Johnson in its sixth issue to be released in April.
The journal is an affiliate of Calavaras Arts Council. It is a printed literary collection of poetry, prose, art and photography of the Mother Lode and Sierra regions of California and features work that appeals to the sensibilities of readers in that area from writers and artists across the U.S. It is edited by Monika Rose and poetry editor is Julia Holzer.
The poem selected is "Sacred Lessons from the Sierra Madre" and features impressions from the poet’s travels in the Sierras in Mexico. Howard-Johnson’s poetry has appeared in literary journals like the Mochila Review, Banyan Review, Pear Noir and Poetic Voices. One of her poems won a reader award at The Pedestal Magazine.
Howard-Johnson has studied at UCLA with Suzanne Lummis, editor of Speechless the Magazine (http://www.speechlessthemagazine.org/) where her chapbook Tracings, winner of Military Writers Society of America’s Award of Excellence and published by Finishing Line Press, was featured in 2005.
The poet's literary novel, This Is the Place, has won eight awards. Her book of creative nonfiction has won three. She is developing a new Celebration Series of poetry chapbooks with Magdalena Ball. Among them are She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood and Cherished Pulse: Unconventional Love Poetry. She also advocates with authors as the author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers (www.howtodoitfrugally.com).
Learn more about the Manzanita and how to order a copy at: http://www.manzanitacalifornia.org/. The new volume will be released the end of April.
Learn more about Carolyn Howard-Johnson at http://carolynhoward-johnson.com.
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!
And now out! Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net and amazon.com, and through your local book store. Winner 2010 Mom’s Choice Award Finalist 2009 New Mexico Book Awards
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
New Mexico Book CoOp
February Meeting
Our next meeting will be Friday, February 26 at 12 noon at the Golden Corral in Albuquerque. Our guest will be John Hoffsis from Treasure House in Old Town Albuquerque. He will talk about what kinds of books and events he likes for his book store. Please join us for this informative program.
ABQ School Libraries Display
If you signed up to participate in the display for librarians at the ABQ Public Schools remember that you need to get the display copy and the 75 fliers to us no later than February 26. You can bring them to the Co-op lunch meeting (see above).
All spaces for the display are sold out!
NM Library Association Info Bags
If you signed up to have your fliers at the NM Library Assn meeting in Ruidoso you must get your fliers to Sabra at the February 26 or March 19 book coop lunches or MAIL TO: Sabra Steinsiek, 3523 Santa Teresa NW, Albuquerque NM 87120
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Upcoming Calendar
February 26- Coop lunch - John Hofsis, Treasure House Books
March 10 - ABQ Public School Library Display
March 19- Coop lunch - Book covers
April 7-9 - NM Library Assn meeting (must sign up by March 19)
April 23- Coop lunch - Ask Anything About Publishing
May 28- Coop lunch - Author Tips for Success
June 4-5 - 6th Annual Chama Book Fair
June 25- Coop lunch - Pitch Your Book
Calling all Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and West Texas Publishers, Book Designers, and Authors!
The NM Book Association has announced the First Annual “Southwest Book Design & Production Awards for Excellence. This new contest will recognize creativity and quality of book design, and production. Books must be published, designed or produced in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah or West Texas. Go to New Mexico Book Association (NMBA) website for more information and to download the brochure. www.nmbook.org
Stickers for Winners and Finalists
Stickers are available for anyone who is a winner or a finalist in the 2009 New Mexico Book Awards. You can order stickers (they come in rolls of 100 and cost $23 each which includes tax and shipping) on the website by CLICKING HERE.
2010 Book Awards Entries Underway!
The 2010 New Mexico Book Awards entry information and guidelines are available HERE -- The early deadline for entries is May1.
6th Annual Chama Book Fair
The 6th annual book fair in Chama will be on June 4 and 5 and will feature award-winning and best-selling author David Morrell. Sign-ups are going fast so don't delay. There are only about 30 slots available for the workshop and the book fair. CLICK HERE to get the registration form.
Voices of New Mexico Extended!
The entry deadline for the Voice of New Mexico anthology has been extended to March 30. Get your work published in this special Centennial project. CLICK HERE for information.
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!
And now out! Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net and amazon.com, and through your local book store. Winner 2010 Mom’s Choice Award Finalist 2009 New Mexico Book Awards
Our next meeting will be Friday, February 26 at 12 noon at the Golden Corral in Albuquerque. Our guest will be John Hoffsis from Treasure House in Old Town Albuquerque. He will talk about what kinds of books and events he likes for his book store. Please join us for this informative program.
ABQ School Libraries Display
If you signed up to participate in the display for librarians at the ABQ Public Schools remember that you need to get the display copy and the 75 fliers to us no later than February 26. You can bring them to the Co-op lunch meeting (see above).
All spaces for the display are sold out!
NM Library Association Info Bags
If you signed up to have your fliers at the NM Library Assn meeting in Ruidoso you must get your fliers to Sabra at the February 26 or March 19 book coop lunches or MAIL TO: Sabra Steinsiek, 3523 Santa Teresa NW, Albuquerque NM 87120
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Upcoming Calendar
February 26- Coop lunch - John Hofsis, Treasure House Books
March 10 - ABQ Public School Library Display
March 19- Coop lunch - Book covers
April 7-9 - NM Library Assn meeting (must sign up by March 19)
April 23- Coop lunch - Ask Anything About Publishing
May 28- Coop lunch - Author Tips for Success
June 4-5 - 6th Annual Chama Book Fair
June 25- Coop lunch - Pitch Your Book
Calling all Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and West Texas Publishers, Book Designers, and Authors!
The NM Book Association has announced the First Annual “Southwest Book Design & Production Awards for Excellence. This new contest will recognize creativity and quality of book design, and production. Books must be published, designed or produced in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah or West Texas. Go to New Mexico Book Association (NMBA) website for more information and to download the brochure. www.nmbook.org
Stickers for Winners and Finalists
Stickers are available for anyone who is a winner or a finalist in the 2009 New Mexico Book Awards. You can order stickers (they come in rolls of 100 and cost $23 each which includes tax and shipping) on the website by CLICKING HERE.
2010 Book Awards Entries Underway!
The 2010 New Mexico Book Awards entry information and guidelines are available HERE -- The early deadline for entries is May1.
6th Annual Chama Book Fair
The 6th annual book fair in Chama will be on June 4 and 5 and will feature award-winning and best-selling author David Morrell. Sign-ups are going fast so don't delay. There are only about 30 slots available for the workshop and the book fair. CLICK HERE to get the registration form.
Voices of New Mexico Extended!
The entry deadline for the Voice of New Mexico anthology has been extended to March 30. Get your work published in this special Centennial project. CLICK HERE for information.
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!
And now out! Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net and amazon.com, and through your local book store. Winner 2010 Mom’s Choice Award Finalist 2009 New Mexico Book Awards
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Carolyn Howard Johnson Sharing with Writers
August 6, 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
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~
~.: ~ ~ ~
Note from Carolyn
Dear Subscribers:
This is a special one item issue. I wanted you to be able to take advantage of a special program offered by my friend Gene Cartright, founder of iFOGO.com, a social network for writers, about writers while it is available.
This is a chance to get in early to support other writers and - - in so doing - - carve a presence that counts for your career and your book. I especially like that the Premium Membership includes one's books on the moving banner that Gene offers all members to install on their sites, blogs, etc.
So here it is:
Insane, Outrageous & Outstanding!
Say the folk at iFOGO.com.
You may call them nuts; your eyes may even pop from their sockets but theyre doing it anyway.
iFOGO.com (http://ifogo.com) Is Practically Giving Away Money, and Offering A Money - Earning Opportunity to serious authors.
Here are they details iFOGO is presenting:
"First, thank you iFOGO.com Premium Authors: John Kremer (http://www.ifogo.com/BRZ_AG/members/jkremer.html),
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
(http://www.ifogo.com/BRZ_AG/members/chjohnson.html ), Dan Poynter ( http://www.ifogo.com/BRZ_AG/members/dpoynter.html ), and an endorsing comment from Michael Mullins - - poet and veteran, recognizing iFOGO.com as one of the 'best book promo sites on the Internet.'"
How many of your books are in your closet, garage, office, storage unit?
You spent thousands getting them published. How much for targeted promotion that lasts year - round?
If You Haven't Taken Time to Really See iFOGO.com (http://ifogo.com)? Take a Few Minutes or More!
Now For the Outrageous.
For 24 Hours, iFOGO Will Offer Stunning Discounts For Premium Membership:
Begins at 12:01 A.M. MST, August 6, 2009
The Arithmetic:
$79.00 (http://www.ifogo.com/buy/order.html)
- 50.00
______
$25.00/yr This is no error. And there are No Setup Fees, Ever!
6.8 cents/day
Discount Above Expires in 24 Hours or less. Begins at 12:01 A.M., MST, August 6, 2009 Afterwards, subscriptions increase each 24 Hours as follows:
$39.00 - Save $40.00
$49.00 - Save $30.00
$59.00 - Save - $20.00
See What You Are Being Provided
These are Features you can link to on Your web site, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Linkedin, Other Social networking sites.
But There is More! You Can Make Money OUR CASH REFERRAL PROGRAM (begins after final discount period) When You become a PREMIUM MEMBER ( http://ifogo.com/P/pmsp.html) and an iFOGO Village Member (Free - http://ifogovillage.ning.com), you become completely eligible to:
EARN REFERRAL DOLLARS:
$25 per Premium Member Referral (at regular membership rate) The funds are deposited directly into your Paypal Account.
(Easy to obtain - https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi - bin/webscr?cmd=p/req/index - outside&nav=2.2.0) All we need is your email address.
But Even This Is Not All!
EARN Your REFE R RAL F E E FOR LIFE.
(as long as you and the referred member maintain membership at your signup
rate)
And There is More!
These Are Not Tri al Of fers; They Are Perm anent Mem bership rates. They do not increase after some Int roduc tory Period.
What More Can We Offer?
Just more features to come, with no add - on cost for existing Pre mium Mem bers.
We say thanks to all those who have helped us grow so dramatically, and look forward to helping you realize your dreams.
If you are already a member of a Ning Network, register at iFOGO Village (http://ifogovillage.ning.com, using your current Ning I.D. At iFOGO Village, we have simplified and minimized our Profile Questions to only four (4). Signup is quick and painless.
So, signup now. Save money, Earn Money, Reach Readers.
_________________
Note:
The Special Pre mium membership Dis co unt Page is only available via This Link (http://ifogo.com/P/pmsp.html.)
The Di s counts will expire and decrease in savings after each succeeding
24 Hours.
* Discounted memberships include one new title per year. A BookScene Page Feature (http://www.ifogo.com/members/BookSetting/catch_scene.html)
is included with non - dis co unted Pre mi um Memberships only.
Your Pre mi un Dis count/Re fer ral Ea rning Link is:
http://ifogo.com/P/pmsp.html Begins at 12:01 A.M. MST, August 6, 2009
See complete web page: http://ifogo.com/P/discountblog.html
Happy Writing, Promoting and Editing, too.
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
=================================================
Essential Book and Record Keeping:
This is a place to share with others and learn from others.
Although I do attempt to verify information used within this newsletter's pages, Sharing with Writers does not guarantee entities or information.
Subscribers should research resources.
To submit information articles, tips or other information, e - mail Carolyn at HoJoNews@aol.com. Please put "Submission: Sharing with Writers"
in the subject line.
If you do not care to receive this newsletter, send an e - mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with "Unsubscribe” in the subject line, but please, please don't tell me you've given up writing or promoting!
To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send an e - mail with "Subscribe" in the subject line to:: HoJoNews@aol.com.
Please pass this newsletter to friends or e - groups. It needn't be pasted in its complete form, but please credit this newsletter, and the individual contributors with anything you snip and paste.
Ordering Information:
Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't
www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/qid=1149015406/sr=2 - 1/ The e - book at http://starpublishllc.com/id43.html
The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870
The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know About Selling Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less, http://www.amazon.com/Great - First - Impression - Book - Proposal/dp/B000YG6O5U/
A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In - Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques http://budurl.com/RetailersGuide
To learn more about This Is the Place,
Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracings, and She Wore Emerald Then: www.carolynhoward - johnson.com.
She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood, a chapbook of poetry coauthored with Magdalena Ball. http://www.amazon.com/She - Wore - Emerald - Then - Reflections/dp/1438263791/
Tracings, a chapbook of poetry (Finishing Line Press)
www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1139084827/sr=1 - 1/
Contact Information
Websites:
http://carolynhoward - Johnson.com (literary) http://HowToDoItFrugally.com (all things about writing)
Blogs:
http://www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com, a blog on all things publishing http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com, all things grammatical and ungrammatical http://www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog focused on YOUR reviews http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com, a blog focused on editing, formatting and craft http://www.WarPeaceTolerance.blogspot.com War. Peace. Tolerance. And Our Soldiers.
http://www.sizzlingbookfairbooths.blogspot.com, a blog where you can learn to get some mojo behind your own booth by learning from the successes and mistakes of others.
Tweeting at:
www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo
www.twitter.com/frugalretailing
Squidooing at
http://www.squidoo.com/HowToDoItFrugallyforAuthors
http://www.squidoo.com/carolynhoward - johnson
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!
Coming in 2009, Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net
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
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~
~.: ~ ~ ~
Note from Carolyn
Dear Subscribers:
This is a special one item issue. I wanted you to be able to take advantage of a special program offered by my friend Gene Cartright, founder of iFOGO.com, a social network for writers, about writers while it is available.
This is a chance to get in early to support other writers and - - in so doing - - carve a presence that counts for your career and your book. I especially like that the Premium Membership includes one's books on the moving banner that Gene offers all members to install on their sites, blogs, etc.
So here it is:
Insane, Outrageous & Outstanding!
Say the folk at iFOGO.com.
You may call them nuts; your eyes may even pop from their sockets but theyre doing it anyway.
iFOGO.com (http://ifogo.com) Is Practically Giving Away Money, and Offering A Money - Earning Opportunity to serious authors.
Here are they details iFOGO is presenting:
"First, thank you iFOGO.com Premium Authors: John Kremer (http://www.ifogo.com/BRZ_AG/members/jkremer.html),
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
(http://www.ifogo.com/BRZ_AG/members/chjohnson.html ), Dan Poynter ( http://www.ifogo.com/BRZ_AG/members/dpoynter.html ), and an endorsing comment from Michael Mullins - - poet and veteran, recognizing iFOGO.com as one of the 'best book promo sites on the Internet.'"
How many of your books are in your closet, garage, office, storage unit?
You spent thousands getting them published. How much for targeted promotion that lasts year - round?
If You Haven't Taken Time to Really See iFOGO.com (http://ifogo.com)? Take a Few Minutes or More!
Now For the Outrageous.
For 24 Hours, iFOGO Will Offer Stunning Discounts For Premium Membership:
Begins at 12:01 A.M. MST, August 6, 2009
The Arithmetic:
$79.00 (http://www.ifogo.com/buy/order.html)
- 50.00
______
$25.00/yr This is no error. And there are No Setup Fees, Ever!
6.8 cents/day
Discount Above Expires in 24 Hours or less. Begins at 12:01 A.M., MST, August 6, 2009 Afterwards, subscriptions increase each 24 Hours as follows:
$39.00 - Save $40.00
$49.00 - Save $30.00
$59.00 - Save - $20.00
See What You Are Being Provided
These are Features you can link to on Your web site, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Linkedin, Other Social networking sites.
But There is More! You Can Make Money OUR CASH REFERRAL PROGRAM (begins after final discount period) When You become a PREMIUM MEMBER ( http://ifogo.com/P/pmsp.html) and an iFOGO Village Member (Free - http://ifogovillage.ning.com), you become completely eligible to:
EARN REFERRAL DOLLARS:
$25 per Premium Member Referral (at regular membership rate) The funds are deposited directly into your Paypal Account.
(Easy to obtain - https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi - bin/webscr?cmd=p/req/index - outside&nav=2.2.0) All we need is your email address.
But Even This Is Not All!
EARN Your REFE R RAL F E E FOR LIFE.
(as long as you and the referred member maintain membership at your signup
rate)
And There is More!
These Are Not Tri al Of fers; They Are Perm anent Mem bership rates. They do not increase after some Int roduc tory Period.
What More Can We Offer?
Just more features to come, with no add - on cost for existing Pre mium Mem bers.
We say thanks to all those who have helped us grow so dramatically, and look forward to helping you realize your dreams.
If you are already a member of a Ning Network, register at iFOGO Village (http://ifogovillage.ning.com, using your current Ning I.D. At iFOGO Village, we have simplified and minimized our Profile Questions to only four (4). Signup is quick and painless.
So, signup now. Save money, Earn Money, Reach Readers.
_________________
Note:
The Special Pre mium membership Dis co unt Page is only available via This Link (http://ifogo.com/P/pmsp.html.)
The Di s counts will expire and decrease in savings after each succeeding
24 Hours.
* Discounted memberships include one new title per year. A BookScene Page Feature (http://www.ifogo.com/members/BookSetting/catch_scene.html)
is included with non - dis co unted Pre mi um Memberships only.
Your Pre mi un Dis count/Re fer ral Ea rning Link is:
http://ifogo.com/P/pmsp.html Begins at 12:01 A.M. MST, August 6, 2009
See complete web page: http://ifogo.com/P/discountblog.html
Happy Writing, Promoting and Editing, too.
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
=================================================
Essential Book and Record Keeping:
This is a place to share with others and learn from others.
Although I do attempt to verify information used within this newsletter's pages, Sharing with Writers does not guarantee entities or information.
Subscribers should research resources.
To submit information articles, tips or other information, e - mail Carolyn at HoJoNews@aol.com. Please put "Submission: Sharing with Writers"
in the subject line.
If you do not care to receive this newsletter, send an e - mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with "Unsubscribe” in the subject line, but please, please don't tell me you've given up writing or promoting!
To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send an e - mail with "Subscribe" in the subject line to:: HoJoNews@aol.com.
Please pass this newsletter to friends or e - groups. It needn't be pasted in its complete form, but please credit this newsletter, and the individual contributors with anything you snip and paste.
Ordering Information:
Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't
www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/qid=1149015406/sr=2 - 1/ The e - book at http://starpublishllc.com/id43.html
The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870
The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know About Selling Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less, http://www.amazon.com/Great - First - Impression - Book - Proposal/dp/B000YG6O5U/
A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In - Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques http://budurl.com/RetailersGuide
To learn more about This Is the Place,
Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracings, and She Wore Emerald Then: www.carolynhoward - johnson.com.
She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood, a chapbook of poetry coauthored with Magdalena Ball. http://www.amazon.com/She - Wore - Emerald - Then - Reflections/dp/1438263791/
Tracings, a chapbook of poetry (Finishing Line Press)
www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1139084827/sr=1 - 1/
Contact Information
Websites:
http://carolynhoward - Johnson.com (literary) http://HowToDoItFrugally.com (all things about writing)
Blogs:
http://www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com, a blog on all things publishing http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com, all things grammatical and ungrammatical http://www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog focused on YOUR reviews http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com, a blog focused on editing, formatting and craft http://www.WarPeaceTolerance.blogspot.com War. Peace. Tolerance. And Our Soldiers.
http://www.sizzlingbookfairbooths.blogspot.com, a blog where you can learn to get some mojo behind your own booth by learning from the successes and mistakes of others.
Tweeting at:
www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo
www.twitter.com/frugalretailing
Squidooing at
http://www.squidoo.com/HowToDoItFrugallyforAuthors
http://www.squidoo.com/carolynhoward - johnson
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!
Coming in 2009, Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Carolyn Howard Johnson and MaAnna Stephenson
MaAnna Stephenson will interview author advocate Carolyn Howard-Johnson on her series of Just the FAQs podcasts on Thursday, August 14. The interview will be available at www.JustTheFAQS.net/podcast.shtml and on iTunes sometime after that.
Stephenson is an author in her own right. Two decades of technical writing, web design and marketing for countless private clients and community groups led her to produce this nstructional series titled Just the FAQs, the ultimate user-friendly guides to the technical aspects of internet marketing and promotions. Her book is The Sage Age: Blending Science with Intuitive Wisdom, which was featured in Publishers Weekly shortly after its debut.
The FAQs Podcasts feature informative interviews with industry professionals in the business of writing, marketing, and the creation of online media who will help writers create a top-notch product and help them reach their target audience.
The two writers will do what both do best, that is give their listeners lots of tips and ideas based on their professional experience and practical approaches based on practical experience promoting their own books.
Howard-Johnson instructs at UCLA Extension's world renown Writers' Program. Her first novel, This Is the Place, won eight awards. Her second book, Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, creative nonfiction, won three. She is also an award-winning poet. Her how-to book for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't is recommended reading for her classes, was named USA Book News' "Best Professional Book" and is an Irwin Award winner. Her second book in the How To Do It Frugally series is The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. It, too, is a USA Book News award-winner as well as the winner of the Reader View's Literary Award.
She is the recipient of both the California Legislature's Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment Award and the Glendale American Business Women's Association's Woman of the Year award. Her community's Character and Ethics Committee honored her for promoting tolerance with her writing. She was also named to Pasadena Weekly's list of 14 "San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen." She is a popular speaker and actor.
Learn more about Howard-Johnson at www.HowToDoItFrugally.com and Stephenson at www.JustTheFAQS.net
####
Support materials are available on request.
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!
Coming in 2009, Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net
Stephenson is an author in her own right. Two decades of technical writing, web design and marketing for countless private clients and community groups led her to produce this nstructional series titled Just the FAQs, the ultimate user-friendly guides to the technical aspects of internet marketing and promotions. Her book is The Sage Age: Blending Science with Intuitive Wisdom, which was featured in Publishers Weekly shortly after its debut.
The FAQs Podcasts feature informative interviews with industry professionals in the business of writing, marketing, and the creation of online media who will help writers create a top-notch product and help them reach their target audience.
The two writers will do what both do best, that is give their listeners lots of tips and ideas based on their professional experience and practical approaches based on practical experience promoting their own books.
Howard-Johnson instructs at UCLA Extension's world renown Writers' Program. Her first novel, This Is the Place, won eight awards. Her second book, Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, creative nonfiction, won three. She is also an award-winning poet. Her how-to book for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't is recommended reading for her classes, was named USA Book News' "Best Professional Book" and is an Irwin Award winner. Her second book in the How To Do It Frugally series is The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. It, too, is a USA Book News award-winner as well as the winner of the Reader View's Literary Award.
She is the recipient of both the California Legislature's Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment Award and the Glendale American Business Women's Association's Woman of the Year award. Her community's Character and Ethics Committee honored her for promoting tolerance with her writing. She was also named to Pasadena Weekly's list of 14 "San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen." She is a popular speaker and actor.
Learn more about Howard-Johnson at www.HowToDoItFrugally.com and Stephenson at www.JustTheFAQS.net
####
Support materials are available on request.
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!
Coming in 2009, Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net
Monday, June 8, 2009
Carolyn Howard Johnson Poem in Literary Journal Dash
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Howard-Johnson
E-mail: HoJoNews@aol.com
New Literary Journal Features Novelist's Poetry
Editors of the new literary journal Dash chose Carolyn Howard-Johnson's poem "Long Before They Closed the Napster Down" for their just-published spring edition. The new book is sponsored by the Creative Writing Club and the Department of English, Comparative Literature and Linguistics at California State University, Fullerton.
Howard-Johnson says, "My pleasure at being published by this journal doubled because the poem is based on memories of my father, an avid and thoroughly addicted smoker who loved jazz. His time was a different time and this poem evokes those times, the music of his time . . . and him. That it was chosen for a journal like this--one with a yourthful edge--renews my faith that there is not so much difference between generations after all."
The journal is dedicated to "publish poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, criticism, art, and hybrids that push the boundaries of short, open-ended expression."
Howard-Johnson's poem poetry has appeared in literary journals like the Mochila Review, Banyan Review, the new Pear Noir, and Poetic Voices. One of her poems won a reader award at The Pedestal Magazine.
Howard-Johnson studied at UCLA with Suzanne Lummis, editor of Speechless the Magazine http://www.speechlessthemagazine.org/ where her chapbook Tracings (Finishing Line Press), winner of Military Writers Society of America’s Award of Excellence was featured in 2005.
The poet's literary novel, This Is the Place, has won eight awards. Her book of creative nonfiction has won three. Her newest chapbook She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1438263791/), was coauthored by Magdalena Ball and proudly self published in the tradition of poets for centuries. She is also an authors’ advocate and author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers (www.howtodoitfrugally.com).
Learn more about the Dash Literary Journal at www.dashliteraryjournal.com.
Learn more about Carolyn Howard-Johnson's creative work at http://carolynhoward-johnson.com.
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!
Coming in 2009, Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net
Contact: Carolyn Howard-Johnson
E-mail: HoJoNews@aol.com
New Literary Journal Features Novelist's Poetry
Editors of the new literary journal Dash chose Carolyn Howard-Johnson's poem "Long Before They Closed the Napster Down" for their just-published spring edition. The new book is sponsored by the Creative Writing Club and the Department of English, Comparative Literature and Linguistics at California State University, Fullerton.
Howard-Johnson says, "My pleasure at being published by this journal doubled because the poem is based on memories of my father, an avid and thoroughly addicted smoker who loved jazz. His time was a different time and this poem evokes those times, the music of his time . . . and him. That it was chosen for a journal like this--one with a yourthful edge--renews my faith that there is not so much difference between generations after all."
The journal is dedicated to "publish poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, criticism, art, and hybrids that push the boundaries of short, open-ended expression."
Howard-Johnson's poem poetry has appeared in literary journals like the Mochila Review, Banyan Review, the new Pear Noir, and Poetic Voices. One of her poems won a reader award at The Pedestal Magazine.
Howard-Johnson studied at UCLA with Suzanne Lummis, editor of Speechless the Magazine http://www.speechlessthemagazine.org/ where her chapbook Tracings (Finishing Line Press), winner of Military Writers Society of America’s Award of Excellence was featured in 2005.
The poet's literary novel, This Is the Place, has won eight awards. Her book of creative nonfiction has won three. Her newest chapbook She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1438263791/), was coauthored by Magdalena Ball and proudly self published in the tradition of poets for centuries. She is also an authors’ advocate and author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers (www.howtodoitfrugally.com).
Learn more about the Dash Literary Journal at www.dashliteraryjournal.com.
Learn more about Carolyn Howard-Johnson's creative work at http://carolynhoward-johnson.com.
Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.com
Always in Print ‘Cuz They’re Print on Demand!
Coming in 2009, Belle’s Star,’ a youth novel from Artemesia Press at http://www.apbooks.net
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Carolyn Howard Johnson News letter
Spring, 2009
Sharing with Writers
A newsletter that is also a community. Share your ideas. Learn from
theirs! Associated with the multi award - winning series of
HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers, www.howtodoitfrugally.com
From the Desks of
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
and Sharing with Writers Subscribers
In the spirit of the advice I give in the Frugal Editor - - that is to
use an extra pair of eyes whenever possible - - this newsletter is
voluntarily copyedited by, Mindy Phillips Lawrence ~ mplcreative1@aol.com
~ www.freewebs.com/mplcreative. I also tell writers to be patient with
other writers when they make editing boo - boos. We're all human, this
letter comes out weekly and it's long!
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~
~.: ~ ~ ~
Contents
This is an all tips edition except for:
~Note from Carolyn (Amazon being good to authors?)
~Letter to the Editor
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~
~.: ~ ~ ~
Note from Carolyn
Dear Sharing with Writers Subscribers:
This is your AllTips edition. And I am cranky this morning. That’s not the
best way to start your semi annual edition of Sharing with Writers
newsletter, I know. But it comes with a very important tip so you or your
publisher or your press won’t rile up the editors/reviewers/authors/ you
send your books to.
I am reprinting the note I just fired off to a press. You’ll see what I
mean:
Dear Publisher:
I received a copy of a book XX yesterday. Lovely cover. Good title. But no
note, no review copy label. No business card. No cover letter. Nothing.
What to do with it? Endorsement? Review? A mention in my newsletter (is
the author a subscriber)? There wasn’t even an e - mail or Web site
address for the author. That means I have to research my mail before I
begin to schedule my week’s work.
Sorry to be grumpy, but this is one of the reasons that reviewers get a
bad name and why authors get called “snooty” because we don’t answer our
mail. We (authors, editors, freelance writers) often wear many hats - -
and we also have very short memories!
I'm only mentioning this so that you might fix your system. Perhaps you
could include a little postcard in your mailings? It could include author
contact information and/or mentions the purpose for which it is being
sent. Some publishers/presses put a label on the inside cover. I'm fine
with that but some, like Midwest Review, ask that you not "deface" their
copies in any way. There is no one "right way" but there is a wrong way.
And that's to leave your contact without essential information.
Sincerely,
CHJ
I might mention that I often get beautiful post cards for new releases and
they don’t include an e - mail address. I can’t help if these authors
prefer ticking editors off or wasting their own money. And readers? Mmmm.
Don’t they deserve to contact you with fan mail or questions? MUST you
force them to go to your Web site to contact you? I know that there are
authors on the Web who actually advise that authors send people to their
Web site's home page and hope that that person will spend a looooong time
nosing around. This may be one of stupidest pieces of advice for authors
being circulated. Your job as your own publicist (even if you have hired
one) is to make things as easy as possible on your readers, editors,
agents and others. Give them what they need to work quickly. They will be
indebted. If you don't, they may drop you . . . or at least not ask come
back for more mistreatment.
I realize that, as authors, we often don’t have control over what our
publisher or the press that may send out our copies, so that leads me to
another tip:
I remember agent Michael Larsen mentioning this at one of the first writer
’s conferences I attended. He said, "Follow up!" If, a couple of days
after I received something in the mail I didn’t know what to do with, it
would be a help if the author asked if I got the review copy (or whatever
it was!), not a hindrance.
We authors are in business, after all. And good business communication is
essential for good business! We hear all the time that agents and
publishers and editors don’t like to be hounded. Well, no. They don’t. But
they do like to be helped.
By the way, I didn't mention plain old manners in the letter I sent. (I
guess I wasn't in such a bad mood after all!) I mean, what would it have
hurt to include a thank you? But you all know I am a mother who insisted
my kids write their thank yous and, that I nagged my readers to send their
thank yous inThe Frugal Book Promoter
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/).
You also see a regular thank you column in this newsletter. It’s about
thank yous, but it’s also about resources for my readers. I always try to
include a link or information in those thank yous that will give authors
access to another place to promote. So what can you do with a
mother/editor/author/freelancer like that? Smile and take her advice?
AAhhhh! Glad I got that off my chest. I feel better already
Happy Writing, Promoting and Editing, too!
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
PS: No Sharing with Writers will be coming to you next week. I'll be in
New York launching 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. I'll be on the tradeshow floor of the
National Stationery Show at Javits Center. Then I'm going to meet my
gorgeous brilliant granddaughters for a Broadway show, lunch at the Tavern
On the Green and anything else their little hearts desire.
PPS: I had so many people contribute Tips there will be some carryover in
the next issue of Sharing with Writers.
=====================================================
Please note the new Resource for Writers page on Contests at
www.HowToDoItFrugally.com.
=====================================================
Letters to the Editor
Carolyn - -
I'm back from three days of writers' panels in Chicago, Programs. Each
year, Association of Writers and Writing (AWP) (holds a conference at a
different city in the country. Last year was in New York City where John
Irving was the keynote speaker. This year was in Chicago with graphic
novelist Art Spiegelman as the keynote speaker. (You can learn more about
the Conference and AWP itself by going to
http://www.awpwriter.org/conference/index.php).
One thing I was reminded of at a panel on promotion was "In your media
release headline, don't use your name or your book's title. If people
don't know you, it's not going to grab. It's probably something you've
said often, but it's easy to forget, especially after my first press
release on my book simply announced my name and book's title and the
publication date.
Thus, I went back to PR Web and wrote a new release with the headline,
Kidneys Fail and Moon Brightens for Rising Writer in March. You can see
the release here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb2086424.htm.
Perhaps the second time is the charm.
I hope this finds you well.
Best, Christopher Meeks, author of a new novel, "The Brightest Moon of the
Century", http://www.redroom.com/author/christopher - meeks
=====================================================
Please pass this letter on to others. Unlike many, I do not mind if you
use only portions of it as long as you credit the writers and include this
subscribe information: "To subscribe to 'Sharing with Writers' send an e -
mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with 'Subscribe' in the subject line."
=====================================================
Tip: You need to be familiar with BISAC even if you're not self
publishing. You and only you know best what your book contains and,
therefore, how it is best categorized. If you're self publishing, you'll
need to decide the category for the copyright page yourself. If not, you
need to double check your publisher's decision to see if he - - through
an incorrect decision - - sent your book to a shelf in the library or
bookstore where it will never be found. So, go to www.bisac.org and follow
the links through to BISAC Committees and then to BISAC Subject Headings.
=====================================================
Please paste this little blurb - - perhaps with a little endorsement - -
in your newsletter or website: "To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send
an e - mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to HoJoNews@aol.com or go
to www.howtodoitfrugally.com for an auto subscribe box."
=====================================================
Tip: See how one author offers free chapters to promote her novel - - in
a free REAL chapbook: Get yours as a sample at:
http://www.nadinelamanbooks.com/
=====================================================
My blog, War, Peace, Tolerance and Our Soldiers is where I get to nag and
rag and try to make things better for our troops and maybe for the world.
I'd love to have you leave a comment. www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com
=====================================================
Tip: Read the book Your First Novel even if you're working on your second.
It's by Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb (one is a novelist, the other an
agen!), published by Writer's Digest. I reviewed it and you can find that
review at
http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/free_content.htm That's
my F r ^ ^ article page. Scroll down to the Reviews for Writers section.
And feel free to mmmm . . . swipe any article or review you find on that
page for your own newsletter or blog.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Tip: Annette Fix, author of a memoir, BreakUp Diet, printed flyers a month
in advance of her signing at Barnes & Noble and stocked the counters with
them. They sold out 20 of her books before her signing and had to re -
order! Yay, Annette! And thank you for letting me use this in this AllTips
edtion!
Connie Gotsch
Imagination on Board
Author of Belle's Star Artemesia Press apbooks.net
Author of "A Mouth Full of Shell" and "Snap Me a Future"
Featured in "The Complete Writer's Journal" --www.redenginepress.com
Find out more at www.conniegotsch.com
dlsijpress.com
ebook.com
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-4469439-7241627?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=snap+me+a+future&x=0&y=0
or:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_a?url=search-alias%3Dapparel&field-keywords=a+mouth+full+of+shell&x=0&y=0
Sharing with Writers
A newsletter that is also a community. Share your ideas. Learn from
theirs! Associated with the multi award - winning series of
HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers, www.howtodoitfrugally.com
From the Desks of
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
and Sharing with Writers Subscribers
In the spirit of the advice I give in the Frugal Editor - - that is to
use an extra pair of eyes whenever possible - - this newsletter is
voluntarily copyedited by, Mindy Phillips Lawrence ~ mplcreative1@aol.com
~ www.freewebs.com/mplcreative. I also tell writers to be patient with
other writers when they make editing boo - boos. We're all human, this
letter comes out weekly and it's long!
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~
~.: ~ ~ ~
Contents
This is an all tips edition except for:
~Note from Carolyn (Amazon being good to authors?)
~Letter to the Editor
~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~
~.: ~ ~ ~
Note from Carolyn
Dear Sharing with Writers Subscribers:
This is your AllTips edition. And I am cranky this morning. That’s not the
best way to start your semi annual edition of Sharing with Writers
newsletter, I know. But it comes with a very important tip so you or your
publisher or your press won’t rile up the editors/reviewers/authors/ you
send your books to.
I am reprinting the note I just fired off to a press. You’ll see what I
mean:
Dear Publisher:
I received a copy of a book XX yesterday. Lovely cover. Good title. But no
note, no review copy label. No business card. No cover letter. Nothing.
What to do with it? Endorsement? Review? A mention in my newsletter (is
the author a subscriber)? There wasn’t even an e - mail or Web site
address for the author. That means I have to research my mail before I
begin to schedule my week’s work.
Sorry to be grumpy, but this is one of the reasons that reviewers get a
bad name and why authors get called “snooty” because we don’t answer our
mail. We (authors, editors, freelance writers) often wear many hats - -
and we also have very short memories!
I'm only mentioning this so that you might fix your system. Perhaps you
could include a little postcard in your mailings? It could include author
contact information and/or mentions the purpose for which it is being
sent. Some publishers/presses put a label on the inside cover. I'm fine
with that but some, like Midwest Review, ask that you not "deface" their
copies in any way. There is no one "right way" but there is a wrong way.
And that's to leave your contact without essential information.
Sincerely,
CHJ
I might mention that I often get beautiful post cards for new releases and
they don’t include an e - mail address. I can’t help if these authors
prefer ticking editors off or wasting their own money. And readers? Mmmm.
Don’t they deserve to contact you with fan mail or questions? MUST you
force them to go to your Web site to contact you? I know that there are
authors on the Web who actually advise that authors send people to their
Web site's home page and hope that that person will spend a looooong time
nosing around. This may be one of stupidest pieces of advice for authors
being circulated. Your job as your own publicist (even if you have hired
one) is to make things as easy as possible on your readers, editors,
agents and others. Give them what they need to work quickly. They will be
indebted. If you don't, they may drop you . . . or at least not ask come
back for more mistreatment.
I realize that, as authors, we often don’t have control over what our
publisher or the press that may send out our copies, so that leads me to
another tip:
I remember agent Michael Larsen mentioning this at one of the first writer
’s conferences I attended. He said, "Follow up!" If, a couple of days
after I received something in the mail I didn’t know what to do with, it
would be a help if the author asked if I got the review copy (or whatever
it was!), not a hindrance.
We authors are in business, after all. And good business communication is
essential for good business! We hear all the time that agents and
publishers and editors don’t like to be hounded. Well, no. They don’t. But
they do like to be helped.
By the way, I didn't mention plain old manners in the letter I sent. (I
guess I wasn't in such a bad mood after all!) I mean, what would it have
hurt to include a thank you? But you all know I am a mother who insisted
my kids write their thank yous and, that I nagged my readers to send their
thank yous inThe Frugal Book Promoter
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/).
You also see a regular thank you column in this newsletter. It’s about
thank yous, but it’s also about resources for my readers. I always try to
include a link or information in those thank yous that will give authors
access to another place to promote. So what can you do with a
mother/editor/author/freelancer like that? Smile and take her advice?
AAhhhh! Glad I got that off my chest. I feel better already
Happy Writing, Promoting and Editing, too!
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
PS: No Sharing with Writers will be coming to you next week. I'll be in
New York launching 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. I'll be on the tradeshow floor of the
National Stationery Show at Javits Center. Then I'm going to meet my
gorgeous brilliant granddaughters for a Broadway show, lunch at the Tavern
On the Green and anything else their little hearts desire.
PPS: I had so many people contribute Tips there will be some carryover in
the next issue of Sharing with Writers.
=====================================================
Please note the new Resource for Writers page on Contests at
www.HowToDoItFrugally.com.
=====================================================
Letters to the Editor
Carolyn - -
I'm back from three days of writers' panels in Chicago, Programs. Each
year, Association of Writers and Writing (AWP) (holds a conference at a
different city in the country. Last year was in New York City where John
Irving was the keynote speaker. This year was in Chicago with graphic
novelist Art Spiegelman as the keynote speaker. (You can learn more about
the Conference and AWP itself by going to
http://www.awpwriter.org/conference/index.php).
One thing I was reminded of at a panel on promotion was "In your media
release headline, don't use your name or your book's title. If people
don't know you, it's not going to grab. It's probably something you've
said often, but it's easy to forget, especially after my first press
release on my book simply announced my name and book's title and the
publication date.
Thus, I went back to PR Web and wrote a new release with the headline,
Kidneys Fail and Moon Brightens for Rising Writer in March. You can see
the release here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb2086424.htm.
Perhaps the second time is the charm.
I hope this finds you well.
Best, Christopher Meeks, author of a new novel, "The Brightest Moon of the
Century", http://www.redroom.com/author/christopher - meeks
=====================================================
Please pass this letter on to others. Unlike many, I do not mind if you
use only portions of it as long as you credit the writers and include this
subscribe information: "To subscribe to 'Sharing with Writers' send an e -
mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with 'Subscribe' in the subject line."
=====================================================
Tip: You need to be familiar with BISAC even if you're not self
publishing. You and only you know best what your book contains and,
therefore, how it is best categorized. If you're self publishing, you'll
need to decide the category for the copyright page yourself. If not, you
need to double check your publisher's decision to see if he - - through
an incorrect decision - - sent your book to a shelf in the library or
bookstore where it will never be found. So, go to www.bisac.org and follow
the links through to BISAC Committees and then to BISAC Subject Headings.
=====================================================
Please paste this little blurb - - perhaps with a little endorsement - -
in your newsletter or website: "To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send
an e - mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to HoJoNews@aol.com or go
to www.howtodoitfrugally.com for an auto subscribe box."
=====================================================
Tip: See how one author offers free chapters to promote her novel - - in
a free REAL chapbook: Get yours as a sample at:
http://www.nadinelamanbooks.com/
=====================================================
My blog, War, Peace, Tolerance and Our Soldiers is where I get to nag and
rag and try to make things better for our troops and maybe for the world.
I'd love to have you leave a comment. www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com
=====================================================
Tip: Read the book Your First Novel even if you're working on your second.
It's by Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb (one is a novelist, the other an
agen!), published by Writer's Digest. I reviewed it and you can find that
review at
http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/free_content.htm That's
my F r ^ ^ article page. Scroll down to the Reviews for Writers section.
And feel free to mmmm . . . swipe any article or review you find on that
page for your own newsletter or blog.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Tip: Annette Fix, author of a memoir, BreakUp Diet, printed flyers a month
in advance of her signing at Barnes & Noble and stocked the counters with
them. They sold out 20 of her books before her signing and had to re -
order! Yay, Annette! And thank you for letting me use this in this AllTips
edtion!
Connie Gotsch
Imagination on Board
Author of Belle's Star Artemesia Press apbooks.net
Author of "A Mouth Full of Shell" and "Snap Me a Future"
Featured in "The Complete Writer's Journal" --www.redenginepress.com
Find out more at www.conniegotsch.com
dlsijpress.com
ebook.com
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-4469439-7241627?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=snap+me+a+future&x=0&y=0
or:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_a?url=search-alias%3Dapparel&field-keywords=a+mouth+full+of+shell&x=0&y=0
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
