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"Frugal Editor is right on, engaging, and full of great information and resources." ~ Patti Kokinos, author Angel Park: A Novel.
In the spirit of sharing with other authors, each page of this website will contain a tip intended to help authors write or promote better.
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Tracings, a chapbook of poetry by Carolyn Howard-Johnson Winner Military Writers Society of America's Award of Excellence and Compulsive Readers Ten Best Reads award. Review by: David Herrle, Editor, SubtleTea.com. TRACINGS is quite impressive. I've gone through it again. There is something in [Howard-Johnson's] poetry that is ... more subdued in from her prose. This is not to say her prose is lesser - it's pleasantly different. I can read and enjoy her fiction then read her poetry for seemingly less guarded and even sexier expression and reverie. Highlights: "From the Observation Deck," "Portraits and Poses," "A Reel Life Running," "Perfectly Flawed," and "Whiling Summer's Hours." These are just my faves. The other pieces are quite worthy. I'm a fan of winning lines rather than overall poems. [Howard-Johnson] delivers heartfuls:
Typical of chapbooks, Tracings comes with selected endpapers and a satin bookmark. It is was named for excellence by the Military Writers' Society of America and to the Compulsive Reader's Top Ten list.
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Review of The Frugal Editor Christy's Bookshelf at
Midwest Book
Review Reviewed by Christy Tillery French
THIS IS THE PLACE, by Carolyn Howard-Johnson Reviewed by Kim Jacobsen This is a beautifully painted portrait of words depicting life in 1950’s Utah and the bigotry that existed for non Mormons. A bigotry that still exists today. For those of us who don’t often use words such as bigotry, we must first realize that "it" comes in many sizes, shapes and colors. THIS IS THE PLACE portrays the story of a young, non Mormon woman growing up in an age and place that was strict with its standards and beliefs. Author, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, weaves a story about one family and the generational battles with one particular type of bigotry - religious bigotry. The barrier created by believers and non believers is so huge that it changes the course of life for members of this family. Happiness becomes aloneness. Love becomes intolerance. People tied together by the bonds of family and blood dissipate into a changing history. Life is difficult for these hard working people and the bias that clings to the non Mormons is another burden for them to carry. Their guilt and independent beliefs wage a tug-o-war within their own hearts. Even within the family unit there is always an underlying need to convert the non believers. The characters within the pages of this story are instantly lovable and unbelievably real. So much so that the reader can’t help but feel compassion and sorrow for their predicament. As the reader, we long to find a way to reach out and help them through the trying times, but Ms. Howard-Johnson keeps us moving ever forward through this glorious walk back in a time not familiar to many, not remembered by most. Utah is an entire state that stands with strong beliefs and dogged determination to convert all that are not Mormon. The importance of this determination cannot be swayed by love, marriage, blood or independence. Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s words sing like Grandma Harriet’s piano keys. The written word has never before congealed into such a beautiful tale. Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remember by Carolyn Howard-Johnson Reviewed by Rolf Gompertz Howard-Johnson has written a most extraordinary book. "HARKENING: A Collection of Stories Remembered" is neither fact nor fiction, but reality, HER reality.
The author travels back
and forth in time and place - to Utah where she was born and raised, to the
Los Angeles area, where she lives now, and to other places that have figured
in her life. Though connected, each story also stands alone. In each case,
Howard-Johnson goes in search of the truth that lies at the "Howard-Johnson has an
uncanny eye and ear for tell-tale facts, definitive feelings and penetrating
remarks. Like an artist, selecting the right color, she finds the fitting
word, the striking image, the memorable phrase: What is most extraordinary
about "HARKENING: A Collection of Stories Remembered" is that the author
shows us that the seemingly ordinary moments and events of our lives are
anything but ordinary. She shows us that they contain kernels of deep
meaning and profound truth -- if we allow them to speak to us, and if we
will harken with courage, honesty and love. "HARKENING: A Collection
of Stories Remembered," by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, is a profoundly
meaningful and enjoyable book written by a skilled, honest, extraordinary
writer and story-teller.
Review of The Great First Impression Book Proposal
Here's How to Create a Winning Book Proposal,
As always Carolyn's speciality is giving you specific and brilliant tips. She show you "exactly how-to-do's. " Then you add your creativity to the mix and you're done!
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Authors' Coalition proudly honors its sponsors.
Sponsorships are open for participation from any publishing related entity--presses, artists, speakers, conferences, tradeshows, individual authors. Please click here for details.).
"AC is the current that propels your career."
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Authors' Coalition founder
Best Viewed at 1040 X 768 Resolution
better than anyone, it simply isn’t enough to rely on a publisher
to publicize your book. Small publishers can’t afford to, and large ones
will only spend big dollars on famous names. As with all of
Howard-Johnson’s work, The Frugal Book Promoter is written in clear,
down to earth prose which will make you feel as though you’ve known the
author all your life. The book is full of handy, easy to remember tip
sheets and ideas which can be as simple as pulling out an old piece of
work, reworking it, and sending it off to a new market, or as complex as
managing an entire book launch, or putting together a media kit: 
taglines, pulling
together a pitch, a step by step guide to building a media kit, building
credentials, using other forms of writing to sell your book, creating a
newsletter, using writer’s conferences, networking, setting up a
website, creating mailing lists, working with contracts, whether you
should hire a publicist, how to design a good book cover, using blurbs,
getting a professional photo, using promotional items, how to capture
the publicity editor’s attention, using postcards, obtaining and using
book reviews, getting media interviews, television and radio, book
expos, reading groups, book signings, using free e-books, and lots more.
Throughout the book are quotes and suggestions from well known
self-publicists and experts in the publicity field, along with a wealth
of anecdotal information from Howard-Johnson’s own considerable
experience. There are lots of examples, as well as some practical
templates that readers can modify to suit their own needs, checklists,
and a wealth of hyperlinks to other sources, some well known and some
fairly secret. 
As the literary market continues to tighten its proverbial belt, today's
writer must assume more of the responsibilities surrounding book publishing
than ever before. No longer can a writer depend on a publisher or agent to
accept a manuscript in need of editing, and submitting a manuscript that
isn't as near perfect as possible will, in all probability, result in
rejection. To the rescue comes acclaimed author Carolyn Howard-Johnson with
The Frugal Editor, the latest in her How to Do It Frugally series. This
little gem is a must-have for any writer, published or not, bestselling or
unknown. Filled with valuable tips, The Frugal Editor touches on all aspects
of self-editing, such as how to spot common grammatical errors, from
superfluous adverbs to confusing dangling
