CAROLYN'S CONSULTING

Multi award-winning author of  the HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers and the Survive and Thrive series of books for retailers.
  • She consults with writers to help them write, shop, and promote their books.

  • She consults with retailers to help them brand their stores and market frugally.

  • It is her warm, accepting approach to finding what marketing is best for your personality, your pocketbook, and your product or service (and yes, stores and books are usually both products and services of one kind or another!) that makes her so appreciated by her clients.

 

Unsolicited Endorsement:
"You're worth much more than we pay you, Carolyn!"

~Jendi Reiter, co-owner of WinningWriters.com and author of Two Natures.

Why Hire a Publicity Consultant
Rather Than a Full-Service Publicist?

When a full scale promotion campaign
for your book or store
 is required (and it always is),
y
ou hire a professional 
to help you plot your campaign.
One hour with Carolyn Howard-Johnson will:

  • educate you to the need for publicity (publicity is free as compared to advertising which costs money!).

  • show you why free is even better than paid. 

  • give you resources to get you started and keep you going.

  • give you the tools to write great query letters and media releases so you can get exposure from radio and TV appearances, feature articles, blogs and other places on the Web.

  • equip you to partner with a publicist or marketing person assigned to you by your publisher or the one you hire on your own.

  • give you guidelines for hiring the right publicist if you choose to go that route.

  • save you thousands of dollars whether you choose to manage your own publicity campaign or hire it done.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson
      Tailors Your Promotion to:
        

  • your personality.

  • your pocketbook.

  • your brand.

She will also work to improve the voice in your proposals or other writing, not change it. She will help you cut the time you spend on blogging, tweeting, and other online promotion in half.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson is credible because:

  •  she has experienced what her clients need to know in most genres (novel, short stories, poetry and nonfiction and retailing).

  •  she has published every which way (traditionally, self-published, subsidy-published. She has published trade paperbacks, e-books, and booklets. She has been published in newspapers, magazines and literally hundreds of Web sites and blogs).

  • she has worked as a publicist and journalist. That means she knows how to appeal to both sides of the fence in your search for exposure.

  • she was a UCLA Extension instructor for nearly a decade.

  • she wrote The Frugal Book Promoter, winner of USA Book News Best Professional Book 2004 and the Irwin award as well as several books on marketing for retailers.

  • she wrote the multi award-winning Frugal Editor -- and, yes, editing does have something to do with marketing, especially writing effective query letters, proposals, Web site copy, blogs, and more.

  • her books won Book Publicists of Southern California's Irwin Award and the New Millennium Award for Marketing and many more.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson's professional and personal life exemplify the American Dream. Her passion for the worlds of PR and publishing resonates with her clients. They leave sessions emotionally charged and ready to function. She passes on contacts and leads for you to pursue.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson customizes her consulting time with you. Reach her by e-mail.

So, why consult rather than hire it done? 

  • because you know your product (book, store, service)  better than anyone else and a good, content-laden consult is all you need to get you going.

  • because you are more passionate about your product than anyone else which means that your efforts will bear more fruit than someone else's.

  • because much of what many publicists do for you can easily be done yourself including getting radio, TV, and speaking gigs.  And, yes, features with bloggers and media editors, too.

  • because you have a Rolodex of your own. Building it for yourself will bode well for every project you undertake from this moment forward. she'll show you how to do this more effectively and use it more effectively.

  • because Carolyn consults to save you money, she doesn't try to sell you more than you need.

For information on Carolyn Howard-Johnson's speaking and acting credentials, click here.  
For information on Carolyn Howard-Johnson's events and teaching, click here.
For information on Carolyn Howard-Johnsons awards, click here.  
For information on Carolyn Howard-Johnson's editing services, click here.

For information on
Carolyn Howard-Johnson's retail background, click here.

Contact Carolyn by e-mail.

          

Carolyn Howard-Johnson consulting with client Catherine Yesayan
working on her memoir in progress.
On the Mac screen is the e-cover of Carolyn's Amazon Short,
"The Great First Impression Book Proposal"--now both a paperback and e-booklet.


Experience Counts

"Careers that are not fed die as readily as
any living organism given no sustenance."
~
Carolyn Howard-Johnson


Media Kits

Attention Press and Other Media People!
Click Here for Recent Media Releases

Links for media kits:
Resume focused on Carolyn's acting and modeling at LA Casting for photogaphers, casting directors, producers and others. (Agent Tag Models, 323-602-0344)
General Media Kit:  Carolyn's advocacy for writers with a bit on her literary work.
Media Kit focused on Carolyn's writing for editors, producers, agents and Webmasters. Includes Carolyn's poetry, fiction and other literary work.
Media kit focused on Carolyn's retail industry experience as a writer, a speaker, and founder and owner of her own small chain of retail stores.


 

          Tip          

Avoid Internet scams. UCLA Extension and other university programs -- both online and on campus -- are the best ways to find professional quality classes and to get references for professional services. Beginners often have no way to know if they are being given accurate information, so even personal references pale by comparison to having a bona fide university vet the expertise of those providing them with resources and career-building information. 

Find at least one tip on writing, promotion or tech on every page of this Web site. 

 


Carolyn's
Credentials at a Glance

 
University Study Conferences  Teaching
  • University of Utah, journalism
  • Arizona State University, English literature
  • University of Southern California (USC), BA in English Literature
  • Glendale Community College, overseas study and basic computer classes
  • Cambridge University, Trinity College (UK), post graduate study in short story and writing
  • Herzen University (St. Petersburg RU), poetry and other writing
  • Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic), writing courses
  • Certificate in Education from UCLA's Instructor Development Program, 2006
  • Speaker and learner at many writers' conferences throughout the US
  • Cofounder of the free Muse Online Writers' Conference
  • Cosponsor of the Roman Retreat Watch for new ones!
  • Instructor for UCLA Extension Writers' Program since 2004
  • Presenter at conferences in the US.
  • Workshop leader at bookstores, expos, tradeshows, etc.

 

Recent media releases.

Please see "Published Works Almanac" on this site for others.


Carolyn's Calendar 
Coming Events and Appearances.
 Come Learn! Come Share!

 

Please check April, May, June, September
and October for active months.

Subscribe to Carolyn's SharingwithWriters newsletters for an up-to-date list of her teaching, conferences and other appearances--many of them free.

What People Are Saying
About Carolyn's Consults
And No-Cost Educational Materials

"Carolyn Howard-Johnson knows it all about online book promoting. After spending an hour with her on the phone, I know I have my work cut out for me. But she really laid it out for me and took me through it, step by step. Thank you, Carolyn. It was money well spent."
~
Ralph Cinque, author of Vinland 

~~~

"Carolyn Howard-Johnson knows her stuff. Before you hardly get the questions out, she has answers, suggestions, and very practical insights to take your projects to the next level. Carolyn will give you the gift of her valuable years of experience and research. . . .And she is such a joy to talk with!"
~
Terri Marie, award-winning producer and author

~~~

Unsolicited Endorsement:

"You've just impressed the hell out of me.  I was reading your email on the group, then saw your sig file.  I so rarely follow someone's sig file to their home page, to their publisher's page, and I've never then gone ahead and bought the book, but I just did it with you.  I don't know what the difference is between your book and the thousands of sig files I see each day..."
~ Tracy Cooper-Posey, author of Heart of Vengeance

~~~

"Because of your newsletter and personal consultations, I am now scheduled to go on a FIFTEEN-night cruise in the Caribbean over Christmas holidays (FREE!). And, I'm on my way to having a brand for all my products. I'll be unveiling soon and writing you about the specifics later (when I have a little more time). And I have a new and improved query letter to send out to agents and publishers when I'm ready!" 
~
Allyn Evans, award-winning speaker 


Buy Links for Carolyn's Books

Great Fiction
Purchase THIS IS THE PLACE
and
HARKENING at Amazon in their new and used feature.
Both of these books are out of print. They are available only on Amazon's New and Used feature for about $1.

Great Poetry
Purchase TRACINGS (Finishing Line Press) at Amazon.
IMPERFECT ECHOES: Writing Truth and Justice with Capital Letters,
lie and oppression with Small

Give the gift of poetry with a chapbook from Magdalena Ball's
and
My Celebration Series

CHERISHED PULSE: Unconventional Love Poetry
IMAGINING THE FUTURE: Ruminations on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions
SHE WORE EMERALD THEN: Reflections on Motherhood
BLOOMING RED: Christmas Poetry for the Rational
DEEPER INTO THE POND: Celebration of Femininity
SUBLIME PLANET: Celebrating Earth and the Universe
 

HowToDoItFrugally Series for Writers
Purchase THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER,
THE FRUGAL EDITOR
Second Edition
GREAT LITTLE LAST MINUTE EDITING TIPS FOR WRITERS
GREAT FIRST-IMPRESSION BOOK PROPOSALS
HOW TO GET GREAT BOOK REVIEWS FRUGALLY AND ETHICALLY

Survive and Thrive Series of HowToDoItFrugally Books for Retailers
A RETAILER'S GUIDE TO FRUGAL IN-STORE PROMOTION
FRUGAL AND FOCUSED TWEETING FOR RETAILERS
YOUR BLOG, YOUR BUSINESS

Most of Carolyn's books are also available for the Kindle reader.
Did you know that with the Free app, Kindle can be adapted to any reader--even your PC!

"Careers that are not fed die as readily as
any living organism given no sustenance." 
~
Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Studio photography by Uriah Carr
3 Dimensional Book Cover Images by iFOGO
Logo by Lloyd King

To subscribe to Carolyn's FREE online newsletter send an e-mail.

Learn more about Carolyn's newsletter and blog.

Read past issues of Carolyn's Newsletter.

 

Frugal E-Book Tip

Kindle E-Books Aren't
Just for Kindle Anymore

Did you know that Amazon’s Kindle e-books are a low-cost/no-cost way to access books even if you don’t have a dedicated Kindle reader? You can read Kindle's e-books on smartphones, desktop computers and any e-device in between. You can even store the books on the Amazon cloud.

~ Quote from Diana Schneidman, author and marketer

 

Most of Carolyn's books are also available for the Kindle reader.
Did you know that with the Free app, Kindle can be adapted to any reader--even your PC!
 

 "Careers that are not fed die as readily as
any living organism given no sustenance." 
~
Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Studio photography by Uriah Carr
3 Dimensional Book Cover Images by iFOGO
Logo by Lloyd King

 

Frugal E-Book Tip

Kindle E-Books Aren't
Just for Kindle Anymore

Did you know that Amazon’s Kindle e-books are a low-cost/no-cost way to access books even if you don’t have a dedicated Kindle reader? You can read Kindle's e-books on smartphones, desktop computers and any e-device in between. You can even store the books on the Amazon cloud.

~ Quote from Diana Schneidman, author and marketer

To subscribe to Carolyn's FREE online newsletter send an e-mail.

Learn more about Carolyn's newsletter and blog.

Read past issues of Carolyn's Newsletter.

 

Other Links

 

Carolyn's Commercial Acting

 


 Celebration Series of Poetry Chapbooks
 

 

This is the Place, a novel

 

Speaking

Tracings, a chapbook and memoir in one

Harkening, true short stories

Carolyn's Poetry

Helps For Retailers

Helps For Writers

Full Published Works Almanac

Travels and Poetry

Published Books

Subscribe to
Carolyn Howard-Johnson's Sharing with Writers Newsletter

and get a FREE copy of
Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers

"I have been a professional writer 40 years, and am also a tenured full professor of journalism. Carolyn's Sharing with Writers newsletter is  most useful for me--and for my students. I emphasize to them that while research is 90% of writing, and the actual writing is about 10%, there's another 100% out there called promotion. Carolyn shows numerous ways to get the message to the mass media."
~Walter Brasch, author and educator


Find Carolyn on the Web

  writers retailers

While You're Browsing...

Find at least one promotion, writing or tech tip on every page on this site. Sometimes you'll find, two or three! Happy browsing and collecting!

A Selection of Carolyn's Past Speaking Engagements

National Stationery Show May 17-20, 2009 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY Consider this a business essential.

Presenter 2009, 2010

Presenter, 2008, 09, 10, 11

Panel moderator, 2007

National Span College
presenter 2002

Fellows presenter, 2007, 08

Co-sponsor and presenter,
2007, 08, 09, 10, 11

University of Dayton Erma Bombeck Writers' Conference, 2006, 2008

Sisters in Crime,
Pasadena, 2009

On the Los Angeles Valley College Campus 2012, Rancho Library 2013,
Valley College Spring 2014

Wisconsin Regional Writers Association
Presenter, Keynote 2010

Book 'Em, NC,
Three Panels 2013


Presenter, 2013


Seminar Speaker, 2014


Keynote, 2013; 2014


Secrets of Great
Dialogue, 2015

Learn of more about Carolyn's conferences.


Carolyn's Blogs

Sharing with Writers
All things publishing with
an emphasis on book
promotion. Named to
Writer's Digest
101 Best Website list.


The New Book Review
Great way for readers, authors, reviewers and publicists to get more
mileage out of
a great review.


The Frugal Editor Blog
This is the Frugal, Smart
and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Covers editing, grammar, formatting and more.
Get the answers you need.



Carolyn's Awards

Awards for Carolyn's Books, Blogs and More

The New Book Review
Named to
Master's in English.org Online Universities'

101 Essential Sites for Voracious Readers

Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites
for
Sharing with Writers blog.

 


Best Book Award for The Frugal Book Promoter (2004) and The Frugal Editor (2008) and the Second Edition of The Frugal Book Promoter (2011).

 

Reader Views Literary Award for The Frugal Editor

New Generation Award for Marketing and Finalist for The Frugal Editor

Book Publicists of Southern California's Irwin Award

Military Writers Award of Excellence for
Tracings, A Chapbook of Poetry.


A Retailer's Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotion wins author Military Writers Society of America's Author of the Month award for March, 2010

 

Gold Medal Award from Military Writers Society of America, 2010. MWSA also gave a nod to She Wore Emerald Then, a chapbook of poetry honoring mothers.

The Frugal Editor Named #! on Top Ten Editing Books list.

Finalist New Generation Book Awards 2012, The Frugal Book Promoter; Finalist 2010 The Frugal Editor;
Winner 2010 Marketing Campaign for the Frugal Editor


The Oxford Award
recognizes
the alumna who exemplifies the Delta Gamma precept of service to her community and who, through the years, devotes her talents to improve the quality of life around her.

The Frugal Book Promoter is runner-up in the how-to category for the Los Angeles Book Festival 2012 awards.

Glendale City Seal
Winner Diamond Award for Achievement in the Arts
Glendale California's Arts and Culture Commission and the City of Glendale Library,
2013

And more than a dozen other awards for Carolyn's novel, short story collection and poetry. See the awards page on this site.


Website Sponsor

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