The Authors Den

The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Subtitle: Everything You Need to Know to Impress a Publisher in Thirty Minutes or LessHowToDoItFrugally Series for Writers
Genre: Nonfiction: How-To, Writing, Marketing
ISBN: 9781453690956
Available on Amazon as a paperback and e-book
Paperback: $6.95
Free digital copy when you purchase paperback with Amazon’s Matchbook program

Reviewed by Treacy Clement, originally for Amazon

I have relied on this wonderful little guide when writing previous book proposals, and got it out again this morning as I am starting a new one. Carolyn strips all the intimidation out of writing a book proposal. Her clear, hands-on advice makes proposal writing not only less daunting, but in fact enjoyable.

"This is a really smart proposal," was one comment from an agent who went on to sell my nonfiction book to a publisher. The "smartest" thing about it? I used Carolyn's guide to write it!

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Treacy Colbert is a medical writer based in Southern California. She is co-author of End Your Menopause Misery and Before It's Too Late. When she isn't writing about health and medicine, she explores love, death, and 3-In-One Oil on her blog, The Green Side of the Grass.

The Frugal Book Promoter
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson416 pages
ISBN: 9781463743291
Available in paperback or for Kindle
Also available as an e-book at http://createspace.com/3656422
Author's Web site: http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com

Everything you wanted to know about book promoting and much

much more., September 25, 2011

Reviewed by

mary greenwood

originally for Amazon

This review is from: The Frugal Book Promoter: Second Edition: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher. (Paperback)

When I saw the Table of Contents for this promoting bible, I was hooked. There was a chapter on everything I wanted or needed to know. I have written three "How To" books and have had a number of reviews and awards, but I am looking to go to the next level with some fresh new ideas. In other words, I had reached a plateau and did not want to repeat the same old methods.

When I first started reading the book I immediately liked the tone. It was as though the author was in my living room saying: Mary, why don't you try this and maybe you don't want to do this." Her books, like mine, are based on her personal experience. She has done book fairs; she has taught classes and consulted with authors; she has written award-winning books. She is an expert. That is what makes the book so powerful. I have read books that make me feel guilty if I haven't done ten things for my book that day.

Yesterday, I exhibited at a book festival and most of the authors were complaining that they had few sales. I looked up the topic in my new book. The author says "Book festivals are for readers." I knew intuitively that she was right. She goes on to say that these are really networking opportunities for the writers and not that many books are sold. That shift made me feel encouraged rather than discouraged at the book festival's results. Even though I did not sell tons of books, I did meet a lot of people: readers, writers and bookstore owners. I got a few tips and gave a few tips. I reconnected with people I had seen at previous events and got some recommendations for the best venues for future events. The author was spot on.

I also checked the chapter on book awards. I have won a total of 28 book awards for my three books and thought I knew all there was to know about awards and have spoken on the subject. However, after reading that section on book awards, I realized that I was not doing enough publicizing after I won the book awards and I am going to remedy that situation. Another tip I picked up. I am now going to say Mary Greenwood, multi-award winning author, instead of award-winning author.

Of course, I wished I had seen this book when my first book came out, but I can see that this book is useful for all authors, those working on their first book and authors who already have published several books and need some new ideas. I know I will go back and reread a chapter when I am starting a new task such as a press release or am thinking about doing a new blog or sprucing up my website.

I am just starting on my new book about "How to Negotiate With Your Dog" (hint: you don't.) I am going to use The Frugal Book Promoter Second Edition, the whole way. I can't wait to get started!
~Reviewer Green is author of How to Interview Like A Pro: Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job

Santa’s Birthday Gift is an attempt to include Santa in the meaning of Christmas. (After I read a story of the nativity to my young granddaughter, she looked at me and asked “But where’s Santa?”) The editor who critiqued this book wrote: “What a cute story! I know there are many stories about how Santa came into the picture, but this is a delightful idea behind the gifts at Christmas.” The story is best for ages 3-10, to be read to children who still believe in Santa! This book received a 2011 National Indie Excellence Finalist Award, and is a 2011 Readers Favorite Finalist. ~ Sherrill Cannon

Other books by Sherrill S. Cannon include:

Peter and the Whimper-Whineys (2010) is designed to help parents cope with whining and complaining children. The book is a 2011 Readers Favorite Finalist.

Sherrill's third book was released in February of 2011, The Magic Word. The book has received a NABE Pinnacle Achievement Award for summer 2011, a Global eBook Finalist Award, and is also a 2011 Readers Favorite Finalist.

Visit Sherrill Cannon at Sherrill S. Cannon's Website and Blog or at Sherrill Cannon's Amazon page

Title: God's Avenger Michael, The Imprecatory Angel
Author: Daniel John Gura
ISBN # 978-1-4141-1091-2
Review Date: January 29, 2011
Reviewed by: Christian Book Reviews
10.0 stars on a scale of 10 stars

A movie in the making, "God’s Avenger Michael, The Imprecatory Angel" written by Daniel John Gura is a exciting, gripping and fascinating read. This pro-life Christian fiction novel will touch your heart and cause you to ponder one of today's most controversial and profound issues - the lives of the unborn. A fiction novel that is interwoven with life, truth and realities of monumental proportion.

The author's writing style will keep you hanging on the edge of your seat coupled with an expectancy of what the next page, character or chapter will bring. There are no idle sections to be found in this book which flows from one page to the next. You will not be able to put the book down as each situation unfolds and the next is birthed. The book is captivating and engaging as the author portrays the righteousness of God being inflicted upon the evil and wickedness of mankind through this Imprecatory Angel, Michael.

Each character comes to life in this fast paced novel as the author describes each scene with real intensity and real-life drama. As each situation unfolds, the book reads like an action movie on paper. The author makes you feel as if you are right there with the characters as they try to unravel the unfolding mysteries of the disasters happening around them. From rumors to hypotheticals, something is unfolding beyond the natural with the supernatural taking the forefront.

Just as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were spared in Old Testament times with all unharmed 'without even the smell of smoke' on their clothing or a scratch on their persons. Just like the plagues of Moses that were unleashed on Egypt in biblical times, this book has supernatural, righteous judgement and justice woven all through the mesmerizing pages, all the while bringing praise and glory to God.

This is a timely and important piece of work addressing one of today's most controversial issues - saving the lives of the unborn. After reading this book, one must come to the conclusion of considering the life of the unborn to be to monumental to just sit down and remain silent. This pro-life novel reveals God's justice that is magnificent in scope, supernatural in nature and just as evil was destroyed back in Old Testament times, the author reveals, God still hears the imprecatory prayers of his Saints and answers prayers with a righteous cause. Good triumphs over evil in this magnificently written novel, while lives are forever changed in the process.

A highly recommended book not just because of the cause, but because it is superbly written from the opening page to the closing page. As was stated in the opening sentence of this review, "God's Avenger Michael, The Imprecatory Angel" is a movie in the making.

God's Avenger Michael, The Imprecatory Angel

Highly Recommended
10.0 stars on a scale of 10 stars
Reviewed by: Christian Book Reviews

Title: Woman Of Sin
Author: Debra Diaz
Date Reviewed: February 17th, 2011
Reviewed by: Christian Book Reviews
10.0 stars on a scale of 10.0 stars

Be transported back through the very portals of time in the novel “Woman of sin”. In a time when Caesars ruled and Rome was at its height of authority and power. Enter into a land harsh to the poor and kind to the rich and elite. One where slavery was common and justice had little place. A land and time where Jesus ‘the Nazarene’ walked the earth in the midst of the injustice and chaotic darkness. This is a gripping novel that will keep you coming back for more.

Author Debra Diaz, in her fast paced novel, “Woman of Sin” takes you back through the centuries in her timeless classic. Follow young Alysia down her road of capture from her place of privilege in her Athenian home, to a Roman household to be bound forever as a slave. Taken from her home she loses everything, but she is yet to gain everything at the end of her road of travel. She is about to find true love in every sense of the word.

Author Debra Diaz elegantly and beautifully weaves an unforgettable story of true love, mirroring scenes taken from the scriptures, where young Alysia is tested by trials and tribulations back in a time where women were of little esteem, except for their purpose in child bearing. Perseverance, romance, forbidden love, and endless unfailing love, take you on an adventure that you will not forget.

With the use of beautiful, descriptive and explosive imagery, biblical scenes come alive as the author uses the “Woman of Sin” to introduce the reader to a man called Jesus as He walked the earth and preached. Some called him ‘rabboni’ the word for ‘great teacher.’ Yet as the story unfolds you will see that he is more than a great teacher, for he can perform such miracles as healing a leper, healing the blind and the paralyzed, even raising the dead. He was the Son of God walking the earth, the lamb without sin, crucified for our sins so that we might live. Without His resurrection from the cross, he would be little more than a famed teacher to once have graced this earth. The author leads you to want to know more about this Jesus.

Filled with suspense and romance, this novel is eloquently written and will take the reader back through time and lead you on a journey that is so real, so tangible, you’ll not want it to end. A true masterpiece! This book comes highly recommended. You will not be able to put this one down, I assure you! The book is truly a mini-series in the making. Take a journey through the very portals of time, back through the centuries and experience the thrill of entering into a never-ending tale of undying love that will grip your very soul.

Woman Of Sin by Author Debra Diaz
10.0 stars on a scale of 10.0 stars
Reviewed by: Christian Book Reviews
Highly Recommended, A Must Read Novel

Title: The Treasures Of Darkness
Author: Carol Lee Anderson
ISBN: 9781453882351
Review Date: April 29, 2011
Reviewed by: Christian Book Reviews
9.8 on a scale of 10.0

A must read book, The Treasures Of Darkness by Carol Lee Anderson will keep you coming back for more as this mysterious novel unfolds.

With characters that will move the imagination, the author has masterfully woven the pages of this book together to captivate the soul. Expect to become fully engaged as the sinister plots unfolds and darkness attempts to prevail.

Cryptic messages, the mysterious words found in a diary, the mythical stranger, the powerful dragon god and the plot to overthrow the kingdom of Bellicosa are only but a few glimpses into this wonderful novel filled with mystery and imagination.

Framed from Psalm 107, the author sets a powerful backdrop from which an adventure story of intrigue, betrayal, and slavery prevail in the darkness, but yet there is a deliverer, the One who sets the captives free, that delivers men from their manifold troubles and fills the hungry soul with what is good. A triumphant novel filled with overcoming adversity in the midst of great trials.

Come and follow young Julen taken from her home as only a innocent child, only to be brought and sold into slavery with no hope of redemption, until she meets the mysterious One who is her deliverer, who has the power to break her bonds apart and set her high upon the rock and hidden from her enemies.

Set sail with young Damon and rebellious Jip. Follow Bina and Julen through the treacherous desert as they look for refuge in such a wasteland. Enlightening and captivating is this book, a must read and page-turner.

A captivating story of redemption and triumphant rescue. We are all treasures hidden in the darkness waiting for the One to rescue, come and be filled with hope. A wonderful and delightful novel.

The Treasures Of Darkness by Carol Lee Anderson

Highly Recommended
9.8 on a scale of 10.0
Reviewed by Christian Book Reviews

Frugal and Focused Tweeting
Subtitle: Tweaking Your Tweets and Other Tips for Integrating Your Social Media
The HowToDoItFrugally series of books
ISBN 9781451546149
Paperback or Kindle
129 pages

Reviewed by Tony Eldridge originally for Book Marketing Tips, http://blog.marketingtipsforauthors.com/

Twitter is not just for letting people know the type of cereal you are having for breakfast anymore. Savvy professionals are learning how to use it as a powerful marketing asset in their corner. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources that will help you learn how to harness the power of Twitter for your business. Carolyn Howard-Johnson is one of those people. In her newest Frugal series book, she tackles Twitter for retailers head-on, and the result is a focused, easy-to-follow plan for any retailer when it comes to incorporating Twitter into their business plan.

Frugal and Focused Tweeting for Retailers: Tweaking Your Tweets and Other Tips for Integrating Your Social Media is a wealth of information packed into a easy to navigate book. It will take a retailer from the initial stages of establishing a Twitter presence all the way through the strategies they will need to employ to make Twitter an effective marketing machine.

Carolyn goes beyond the "how-tos" of Twitter by walking through how your Twitter decisions affect the impact of your Twitter presence. For example, she gives great advice on how to set up your tiny biography in a way that reinforces your brand. And this is the kind of business savvy help you get from every page of this book.
By now, you probably have a website up for your business. Most people admit that it's a must-have for any business. But finding traffic to your site is another animal altogether. If you are worried that a Twitter account is another website project you will have to spend time marketing for, take heart. Carolyn spends time in her book showing you how to find followers for your Twitter account. And if you find good followers for Twitter, you will increase your website's presence at the same time.

Frugal and Focused Tweeting for Retailers is far more than just a simple "how-to" book. Carolyn goes on to show you how to implement marketing strategies that are unique to Twitter. She also discusses some Twitter-specific tools you can can use. With tens of thousands of tools out there, it's worth a lot to have a Twitter expert weigh in on where to look for the tools you need.

If you are looking for a Twitter guide that cuts through the fluff, gives you exactly what you need to make Twitter a brand-enhancing tool, and is written in an easy to follow format, Frugal and Focused Tweeting for Retailers is a must for your shelf. It will have you up and running on Twitter in no-time.

~Reviewer Tony Eldridge tweets at www.twitter.com/TonyEldridge

Frugal and Focused Tweeting for Retailers
Subtitle: Tweaking Your Tweets and Other Tips for Integrating Your Social Media
From the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for retailers
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Author's Blog: http://www.frugalretailing.blogspot.com/
129 pages
ISBN: 9781451546149

Originally reviewed by Aaron Paul Lazar for Amazon

Carolyn Howard-Johnson has written another excellent guide, this time it's suitable for anyone selling a product. I happen to be a writer, and learned a great deal about tweeting to improve book sales. For example, I never knew what "Retweets" were or that one could request them. Written with a straightforward, easy to read style, this is a great reference book. I particularly loved this quote "So let's think freely and with confidence that our good deeds will come back to us. If we act accordingly, we can successfully use all kinds of sites on the Web." Carolyn's positive and optimistic outlook shines through in this book - coupled with astute common sense and experience. Buy it today!

~Aaron Paul Lazar is the author of three lyrical and addictive mystery series. His latest book, FireSong, was just released as an eBook. FireSong: What would you do if your country church was hit by a rogue tornado during services? When the twister unearths the body of a missing churchgoer, Gus LeGarde is led into a bizarre underground labyrinth where he discovers the shock of his life and potential links to the Underground Railroad.

The word theology tends to lead people to think that it is only meant for seminarian scholars; however, the word speaks for itself by the sole definition of "the study of God's Word." Theology 101 takes a fresh look at God's Power, Character, Love, Nature, and what the finished work of Christ meant to the world in bite size portions. It offers scripturally based truths of some of the riches of His Divine Grace that include answers to thought provoking questions such as what is predestination; who are the chosen; the called, and the elect. The author uses everyday language to explain what it means to be justified, reconciled, forgiven, and offers a clear and easy to understand explanation of why practicing merited grace contradicts Christ's finished work on the cross.

Come visit Author Judy LeBlanc THEOLOGY 101 in Bite-Size Pieces

Review of Frugal and Focused Tweeting: How-To Tweak Your Tweets and Integrate Your Online Presence
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
ISBN: 9781451546149
Available on Amazon: http://budurl.com/Tweeting4Retailers

Reviewed by Michelle Dunn

With Social Media dominating every aspect of business especially marketing, Carolyn Howard Johnson is sharing practical marketing practices using social media that anyone can use. While businesses everywhere cut their marketing budget due to the economy, the handful that keep marketing and using Carolyn's books to help them be successful will be the last ones standing.

It is obvious Carolyn loves what she does and is good at it, lucky for us she is willing to share her tips and techniques in her book subtitled How to Tweak your Tweets and Integrate your Online Presence so that we can share in that success.

If you know nothing about Twitter but want to learn how you to can use it as a successful marketing tool pick up this book. It is the only book on Twitter marketing that you will need.

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Reviewer Michelle Dunn is an internationally known credit & debt collection expert. Michelle she is the award winning author of 13 books, a columnist ,and marketing expert. She has been featured on CNN, Forbes, Smart Money magazine and is often quoted in the Wall Street Journal. Learn more at www.MichelleDunn.com.

The Fisherman’s Wife

Author, Dianne G. Sagan

Synopsis: Johanna marries the man she has loved since they were both children, but it doesn’t turn out quit like she’d dreamed. Her husband Simon works hard at his fishing business on the Sea of Galilee. Johanna established her home, but struggles at giving Simon the children they both want. Her society shames her. They live in a world ruled by Rome and filled with rumors, rebellion, and messiahs. When a new rabbi arrives and calls Simon to follow him, she is left alone and must choose what to believe.

For more information visit Dianne Sagan's authors site.

MBR Bookwatch: June 2010
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575

Vogel's Bookshelf

Frugal And Focused Tweeting For Retailers
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
HowToDoItFrugally Publishing
HoJoNews@aol.com
www.howtodoitfrugally.com
9781451546149, $17.95, www.amazon.com

Reviewed by Paul T. Vogel for Midwest Book Review

No 'brick and mortar' business can survive in today's marketplace without including the advances in communications technology represented by the computer, the internet, web sites, the Blackberry, Facebook, blogging, and now -- twittering. That's why Carolyn Howard-Johnson's "Frugal And Focused Tweeting For Retailers" should be considered mandatory reading for all business managers over the age of 30. And that's because younger generations than that, the phenomena of twittering is already well established and near universally entrenched. Using 'social media' communications technology is vital for successfully competing in the marketplace regardless of the services or products being offered to a consuming public. "Frugal And Focused Tweeting For Retailers" is a 130-page compendium of invaluable, practical, instruction, tips, and techniques for integrating this new technology into marketing and management, maximizing results for publicity, promotion, advertisements, and sales; customer relations; internal communications, and more, making "Frugal And Focused Tweeting For Retailers" an invaluable and highly recommended addition for personal, professional, academic, and community library instructional reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

The Frugal Book Promoter: How to do What Your Publisher Won’t
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Star Publish
ISBN: 193299310X
Pages 283
Genre: Nonfiction: Writers/Marketing/

Reviewed by Robert J. Medak

In today’s publishing environment, the author is often responsible for promoting their book. There are ways to do this, this book lists many of them, and you may come up with some of your own after reading The Frugal Book Promoter.

It would be nice if your publisher did the promoting for you, but most authors do not have names like King, Bradbury, or Rice to name a few that might have their publishers doing more for them than the average writer. The Frugal Promoter to the rescue, in this book you will find out about press kits, and more. There is also information about how to do media releases, and ways to get publicity for you, and your book.

This reviewer believes that this book can be good for promoting anything, just replace the word “book”, with a service, product, or anything you are trying to let the public know about.

It is up to the author to have the willingness to get out and do the work. Anyone can do it, if he or she is of the mindset to get out and promote your book. Many publishers are not going to do it for you, and may ask you for a promotion plan. Without one, you may not get far in the publishing game unless you decide to self-publish. If you choose a nontraditional way to publish your book, you will have to do the promotion for it to sell. Either way, it is up to the author to promote these days. If you are lucky, you may get some help from a publisher, but do not rely on getting it.

The authors best bet is to have this book handy for ways to promote your book. This reviewer found the information in this book to be valuable to anyone wishing to promote his or her book.

The Frugal Book Promoter receives a five star rating from this reviewer.

Reviewer Information:
Reviewer Robert J. Medak is a freelance writer and editor. Learn more at http://www.stormywriter.com/
"The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction. By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is that you really want to say."
- Mark Twain's Notebook, 1902-1903

Endorsement Disclaimer:
All reviews written by this Robert J. Medak are personal opinions of the book. The reviews are NOT paid endorsements of the book or the author. They are not advertisements. All reviews are honest, forthright and the opinion of this individual reviewer. This reviewer’s opinions are not for sale. (There is however, a small fee for some reviews, and sometimes this reviewer receives complementary copies from the author.) Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 255 (http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)