Carolyn Loves to Teach,
Speak, and Act

Find information on her seminars, panels, workshops, radio, podcasts
and keynotes here. Use them to learn more.
Hire her to come share her enthusiasm for all things publishing and
marketing with the audience you are determined to please!

The multi award-winning author of fiction, poetry
and the HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers 
helps others boost their writing or retailing careers. 

Robin Quinn, Dan Poynter, and Carolyn enthuse about their panel
for Publishers Association of Los Angeles, PALA
(an associate of IBPA)

Quick Look at This Page
Why Hire a Professional Speaker
Media Kit for Program Planners	Sample Radio Appearances	Carolyn's Calendar
Recommendations from Program Directors	UCLA Presentation and Teacher Training	Sample Seminar Topics Retail & Publishing
Praise from Attendees at Carolyn's Engagements	General Speaking/Performing Resume	Judging
Buy Links for Carolyn's Books

 

For More on Carolyn's acting look at the Events and Appearances page

Program Ideas for Conferences, Tradeshows, and Book Fairs

Fellow actors may want to learn more about
marketing themselves as actors at Casting Network's  blog.

Why Hire a Professional Speaker
For Your Conference, Tradeshow or Convention?

When you require inspiration and information
based on practical experience. . .
you hire a professional speaker
to bring something new to your audience!

Carolyn Howard-Johnson will:

• entertain.

• energize. 

• inspire.

• educate.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson commands attention.        

• She is UCLA Instructor-trained.

• She is dynamic.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson is credible.

•  She has experienced what her audience needs to know.

•  She has written books on pertinent topics.

• She has a history of speaking, sharing, and training.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson's professional and personal life
exemplify the American Dream.
Her passion for her subjects resonates with the audience you want to reach.
Your audience will get more than inspiration; they will get smart, hard how-tos on to put them on the path to success.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson customizes a presentation or workshop for your event or you can choose a proven one from a variety of subjects. Reach her by e-mail.

Program Directors' Recommendations

"Carolyn Howard-Johnson was invited faculty for our recent writers' conference. While it's small and intensive, the Las Vegas Writer's Conference attracts authors, agents, publishers, and editors from all over the country. While we were confident that Carolyn's sessions would be good, I'm delighted to report that they were really superb! As a forty-year veteran of book and magazine editing (and myriad writer's conferences), I wondered what I would take away from her "Writing Sparkling Dialog" session. What a pleasure to hear the authors, both published and aspiring, madly absorbing and responding to some truly excellent advice. Her two-part session on frugal book promotion was wonderfully informative on an instantly practical level, with very useful handouts. Here in Southern Nevada I am editing a number of brave self-publishing authors, and this information is invaluable to them. Given the staffing and budget cuts of commercial publishers these days, this knowledge is also essential for those with good book contracts and advances.

Carolyn is also generous with her non-session time, willing to participate on panels and speak at length with participants. She will most certainly be invited back to our conference."
~ Trudy McMurrin, editor and coplanner, Las Vegas Writer's Conference

"You were a hit!"
~ Leslie Schwartz, director of PEN USA's Emerging Voices Program

"Carolyn Howard-Johnson is a wonderful addition to any writers' workshop. Her knowledge and enthusiasm make her an attendee favorite!"  
~ Tim Bete, Director, University of Dayton's Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, 

(At right, Author Donna Shepherd and Carolyn after Carolyn's presentation at the
Dayton University's Erma Bombeck Conference, 2006)

"Carolyn Howard-Johnson is every seminar planner's dream speaker.   A long-time successful retailer and former owner of multiple stores, Carolyn's no-nonsense information and easy-to-follow tips make her one of the retail industry's most knowledgeable and helpful resources--on subjects ranging from promotions to inventory control, how to hold a successful sale to empowering in-store personnel.  In front of an audience, she is poised yet approachable, articulate yet down-to-earth; she offers in-depth advice which may be immediately put to use in retail stores large and small."  
~ Debra Gold, Founder/Director, Retail Training Program, AMC Trade Shows Media/Buyer Education Director, California Market Center 

 Your talk was wonderful and I have spent the morning going through your books and am thrilled with them. They are just what I have been looking for as guides through the promotion and editing jungles I have para-sailed into. I did want to mention that ... for you to have essentially gone home 'empty-handed' [sold all of your books] was a huge statement about your work and your validity.
~ Rita Keeley Brown, California Writers Club-San Fernando Valley and memoirist

I wish I could clone you!
~ Fran Silverman radio expert and host of "Fran Alive" at BlogTalkRadio 

Praise from Attendees
At Carolyn's Seminars and Speaking Engagements

"(I) was so glad I got to sit in on your session…It was simply the most informative workshop I've ever been to.  And your book is going to be, as Gordon Kirkland promised, tattered in short order. " ~ Jennifer Brown, attendee Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop at Dayton University, 2006   

"Thank you for such a rich and fast-paced class." 
~ Chris Meeks, author, UCLA instructor and student UCLA Weekend Promotion Seminar

"You were a big success - everyone loved you today! They were most complimentary. You should be feeling terrific if the vibes are working…" ~ Margie Whelker, Program Director, P.E.O.

"I thought you might like to see a portion of an email I received this morning from a writer I met at the Workshop. You were a hit with her, too:  'I found the session with Carolyn Howard-Johnson to be the single most useful seminar I've ever attended.  The last time I went to a how to publicize your writing seminar, it was an hour-and-a half of name-dropping from some guy from LA.  When someone finally asked what they could do to promote their novel, he said unless it had a tie-in to someone famous, nothing.  It was good to hear there are things you can do -- maybe not media blitzes, but at least something to get a little press.'" 
~ Anonymously from an attendee at the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop at Dayton University, 2006

"I came away with inspiration and knowledge I never expected to glean (not to mention the extensive handout information)." 
 ~ Michael J. Wallach, student and author, UCLA Weekend Promotion Seminar 

"Your audio class awoke a spark in me that had simmered to a mere sizzle. Your audio, listening to your voice, made me feel a part of your own promotional gang and for this it is I who would like to thank you.
~ Lea Schizas, reviewer for The Muse Book Reviews and editor of Apollos Lyre.com

"You provided step-by-step information that I can use right away to advance my career. Your workshop was AWESOME!
~ Dorothea Helms, The Writing Fairy and attendee Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, 2006

"It was a delight to attend your workshop at the Erma Bombeck Conference this past weekend. I'm just about to launch my Web site and e-newsletter, so your branding information came just in the nick of time. I'll be making some changes to my site with the information you shared."
~ Karen Bryant, author and workshop attendee, 2006

"…enjoyable and informative marketing workshop last Sunday! You packed a lot of information and advice into six hours" ~ Laurie Dea Owyang, PENUSA fellow

"Your chat (on writing dialogue) was terrific and your answers were crystal clear and encouraging."
~ Priya Lyengar, author and attendee The Muse Online Writers Workshop

Carolyn chatting with some attendees on her presentation "Poetry: Don't Let It Molder in a Drawer! Publish It!"
Seventy-two attendees at the Glendale Main Library.

General Experience
Speaking/Acting/Radio/TV

Carolyn Howard-Johnson . . .

1. has been interviewed on more than 300 radio and TV stations (see the Events and Appearances page). 

2. has appeared in national commercials for Time-Life Music of the Ages, Lenscrafters, Disney Cruise Lines (Japan), Marlboro, Blue Shield, and Apple print, nationally and internationally. 

3. was a finalist on Norwegian Cruise Lines Star Search for a poetry reading.

4. is a frequent speaker at

§         Writers' conferences (see Publicity and Appearances in the link to Carolyn's media kit)

§         Trade Shows including The California Gift Show, California Market Center, Expo America (Pasadena), National Stationery Show, and the LA Mart

§         Professional organizations like Small Publishers of North America (SPAN), American Board of Hypnotherapy and Book Publicists of Southern California (BPSC)

§         Book clubs, community clubs and libraries (see the link to Carolyn's media kit (below) and for more go to to the Events and Appearances page.)

Talking about Carolyn's
Radio Appearances

UCLA Teacher Training

Carolyn earned  UCLA's  Instructor
Development Program Certificate of Completion, 2005.

 Carolyn was an instructor for the UCLA Extension's Writers'
renowned Writers' Program for nearly a decade.
She has also presented at many writing conferences
sponsored by US universities and others.

Carolyn is often asked a guest
speaker for other instructors:

Carolyn with UCLA Master Instructor Pam Kelly
at her UCLA Extension class on speaking, May, 2008.
She also frequently served as a guest for Eve LaSalle Caram
who teaches for UCLA, Cal State University at Northridge,
 and Los Angeles Community College.
Eve is the winner of UCLA Writers' Program Best Instructor of the Year award.

Presentation and Acting
Media Kit

Judging

Carolyn Howard-Johnson judges  newsletter and speech competitions.
 and poetry, and literary fiction contests.

Carolyn has judged for

• Tri-Studio's "Old Mold, New Mileu" contest for writers of fiction

• Nadine Laman's fiction contest

• Sponsored contests on her own in in partnership with other entities

• American Business Women's Association's national newsletter contest

Here Carolyn judges speakers
for UCLA master speech instructor
Pam Kelly.

Contact  Carolyn for reasonable rates.

Available Seminars/Workshops

Carolyn Howard-Johnson has nearly three decades’ experience planning and implementing trade show seminars. She has appeared on more than 300 radio and TV programs. She speaks on subjects related to This Is the Place, Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracings, and the Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't and and her HowToDoItFrugally series of books for retailers. Recently she has partnered with the National Stationery Show and Gift Shop Magazine for tradeshow seminars and Webinars.  More information on her retailing presentations are available. E-mail her.

Sample Retail Seminar:
Reduce Stock, Build Prestige, Publicity and Profitability
More Retailing Seminar Titles Available on Request

Writing, Publishing, and Other Topics

               Savvy Marketing for Authors: It’s Never Too Late—or Early—to Hone Your Promotion Skills  Because they don't face the realities of today's publishing world well before their books are released, even authors with superbly written books and prestigious publishers may find themselves facing unpleasant marketing surprises. This seminar will help writers brand themselves rather than "sell books." Carolyn Howard-Johnson shares her experience as a former public relations professional and as the primary promoter of her own four books. You'll learn to constructing the marketing framework for your book's success; this plan can help you land an agent and publisher and may be used later by you--the author--your publisher or the PR professional you hire. Even seasoned authors will learn practical approaches to book promotion they never knew existed. 

               Bring the Dead Back to Life Using Your Genealogy and New Publishing Technology   Now you’ve done the research, what next? Carolyn gives 10 quick and easy ways that anyone can turn family history into bedtime reading for kids from one to 100.

               Fighting Cultural Division with a Pen   The most recent census made “cultural division” the newest buzzword. Carolyn talks about her life’s passion, fighting subtle prejudice before it explodes into news-making destruction.

               Danger Ahead: Losing Women’s Rights in the New Millennium   California voted to rescind their affirmative action statutes. US foreign aid was withdrawn from countries that offer family planning services to their under privileged. Recent studies showed that the gap between salaries for men and women has improved little since the 50s. Carolyn reminisces about what it was like to nurture a career against political and cultural odds, and shares her concern that women under 30 may forget women’s history and let their new rights disintegrate.

               How You May Be Wrong About Mormons    There is widespread misunderstanding about the Mormons and the state of Utah because people hesitate to ask. Carolyn lovingly shares questions she has been asked about her home state and takes questions from the audience. Since "Big Love" began to air this topic has been popular with talk-show hosts.

               Polishing A Novel Involves More than Removing the Blemishes   Carolyn shares nifty little tricks of the trade for tweaking a novel that come from articles she has written  like “How to Make Leaden Adverbs into Metaphorical Gold” for Span's national newsletter.

               Use Your Writing Skills to get Free Publicity   Carolyn was a publicist for Eleanor Lambert Agency in New York and did publicity for her own retail chain of stores. She is the author of THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T and has written articles on publicity for Home Décor Buyer and others. She’ll share secrets about how writers can use their own writing to garner publicity.

               Toward Writing Poetry that Editors Will Want to Publish: 10 Tips that Work   Many writers are intrigued by poetry but never learn the secrets for making it work for them.

               Jump-start Your Credibility: Publish a Book!   Entrepreneurs and professionals are finding it harder to get the exposure they need to grow their businesses. Ta Da!! Enter the world of publishing.  It is easier and more important than ever before to use the prestige that accompanies "Being an Author" as an entree to FREE print space and air time.  Carolyn Howard-Johnson will convince you that you must publish, put you on the road to making intelligent choices for your book and help you assure its success and that of your practice/business with new approaches to FRUGAL promotion

               Writing Dialogue that Sparkles and other workshops on the elements of writing both fiction and nonfiction.

Workshops and dramatic readings are also available.

More Information
for conference, program, and tradeshow planners,
radio and TV hosts, and others who need expert speakers

Click Here for Recent Media Releases

Links for media kits:
Resume focused on Carolyn's acting and modeling at LA Casting for photographers, casting directors, producers and others. (Agent Tag Models, 323-602-0344
Media kit focused on Carolyn's presentation skills for writers' conference, book fair program directors, and tradeshow planners.
Media Kit focused on Carolyn's writing for editors, producers, agents and Webmasters.
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.

Click here to know more about Carolyn's Events, Appearances and Teaching.

Click here to know more about all Carolyn's  Published Works.

Click here for story ideas for the media.

Click here for Carolyn's first person essay, "Beating Time at Its Own Game."

Buy Links for Carolyn's Books

Find Carolyn on the Web

Carolyn's Blogs

The Frugal Retailer Blog
Carolyn shares nearly three decades of retailing experience   with
an emphasis on marketing.

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

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.

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.

Published Works Almanac

Carolyn's Awards