About SharingwithWriters Blog


Named to "Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites," this #SharingwithWriters blog is a way to connect with my readers and fellow writers, a way to give the teaching genes that populate my DNA free rein. Please join the conversation using the very tiny "comment" link. For those interested in editing and grammar, go to http://thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com.
Showing posts with label #LoisWStern. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #LoisWStern. Show all posts

Thursday, July 30, 2026

AN EASY PEASY WAY TO POST AMAZON REVIEWS




An Easy Peasy Way to Post Amazon Reviews

By Lois W. Stern, 
My #TheNewBookReview associate and 
Your #TheNewBookReview contact 

Our guest post on this #SharingwithWriters today is my associate who makes my other blog, tick. She suggested to me in our frequent text messages that an author chosen for her inclusion in one of the books in the anthology series she founded and publishes mentioned that he thinks there are more authors who don’t know how to do their fellow authors (and themselves!) a favor by leaving reviews on Amazon!  So, I conned Lois into sharing simple instruction with visitors and subscribers to this blog, indeed I both conned and begged her to do it. Be sure to read her credit line below that covers some of the other free and massively successful things she does and recommends to help her battery of anthology contributors as well as authors in general including her value-added contests for placement in her anthologies. I did say, FREE, didn’t I? 

Posting Amazon Reviews the Easy Way

Lately Amazon has nearly hidden that magic spot for posting a book review, but here's a simple way to get directly to it:

1. Begin by typing AMAZON.COM  into your browser.
2. Find a search bar that looks like this: 

3. Click on the little arrow for the drop-down menu on the left side of the bar until you come to the word “BOOKS.
4. Once there, type the title of the book you are planning to review. 
5. Now look to the right of an image of the book. You will see a row of stars that will look like this:

  • (The number on the left indicates the rating average of the title you chose. The average rating for this book was 5 stars.The number on the right indicates the number of reviews this book received. So far this book received 6 reviews and all of them were rated five stars! 
6. Click on those stars and the following window pops up: 
7. There you are! Click on SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS at the bottom of the graph.

8. Next click on the "Write a Customer review  prompt in the oval bar and you’re good to go. 

     Here are a couple ways you will benefit from writing reviews: 
 
From an author’s viewpoint, it’s really all about learning more about our industry, getting ideas to motivate and inspire, and to network with other authors. The process will introduce you to influencers and be one part of your own path to influencing others! Increase the effectiveness of each of your reviews by sending a thank you that includes a link to wherever you publish it, on Amazon, on your blog, at Goodreads. That Amazon doesn’t allow that is a mistaken rumor. You can find a quotation to that effect directly from Amazon in Carolyn’s  How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically.



THINK YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO WRITE A REVIEW? 
CHECK OUT A FEW HINTS TO HELP YOU HERE.


Monday, May 18, 2026

Geting More Recognition For Your Talents . . . For FREE

ENTER THIS NO FEE CONTEST 

FROM TALES2INSPIRE®

Check out these value added features:

  • Critiques from 3 fellow authors
  • Opportunity to revise entry based on critiques and resubmit
  • Each winners gets:
    • Story published in a new Tales2Inspire gem anthology 
    • Dedicated full page in book to tout each author’s other accomplishments 
    • Full screen teaser about each author’s winning story on theTales2Inspire website 
    • Story and author featured as a permanent blog article on the Tales2Inspire website 
    • Story and author featured on a rotating basis in the Tales2Inspire monthly newsletter and linked to the blog posting

And did I mention that all of this is free?


So this is my invitation to you: 


If you'd like to learn more about participating in the Tales2Inspire 2026 contest, just CLICK HERE (or copy and paste https:/www.tales2inspire.com/contest-2 into your browser), for all posted details. 

Each Tales2Inspire winner gains another feather in their cap as an author of talent!



ABOUT THE CREATOR OF TALES2INSPIIRE
Lois W. Stern is an Associate at TheNewBookReview. She is also the creator of Tales2Inspire®, an Authors Helping Authors project/contest to help aspiring writers on their paths to discovery. And best of all, it’s Free. Lois has now published twelve Tales2Inspire® treasured Tales2Inspire Jewel Collection anthologies and six award winning Tales2Inspire 2-in-1 Diamond Collection anthologies. She is a multi award winning author  herself, whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Newsday, Long Island Press, Barnard Magazine, on Local Access TV and in live presentations in varied venues. As TheNewBookReview review coordinator, Lois serves as an outreach to help other authors brand themselves as authors of talent. 


 Get a FREE Tales2Inspire book at: www.tales2inspire.com/gifts       

Visit her Tales2Inspire blog HERE.



MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "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" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Want to Sell More Books? Check Out This Tip From TNBR Associate, Lois W. Stern


SECRETS FOR SELLING MORE BOOKS 

By Lois W. Stern

Founder, Contributor and Editor of the #Tales2Inspire Series of anthologies

Contributing #AuthorsHelpingAuthors associate here and on the #SharingwithWriters Blog



Did you ever think of selling your books from the comfort of your home? At one time I thought about it too, looked into several inernet pay options, but nixed them all as they seemed too involved.

Then I learned about ZELLE.


The name of this game is SAFE, QUICK 'n EASY and FREE. 


Zelle is a safe, flexible, no fee way to make or receive a payments - all from the comfort of your home. 


SAFE: Despite all the talk of internet scams, when used properly, Zelle is extremely safe because you are not giving out either credit card or bank account information. This bank to bank transfer of funds moves a dollar amount from the buyer’s account to the account of the seller. The buyer’s bank simply transfers that inputted amount from one account to the other, without revealing the account number of either party. If you already pay your bills online, you're good to go. Once you sign in, there will be a drop down menu for paying bills. At my bank it looks like this:


  • You can set up your Zelle account using either your cell phone number or your email address. I set up my Zelle account with my email address because I knew those placing book orders would be familair with the words Tales2Inspire, but preferred to keep my cell number private.

  • QUICK: When making a Zelle payment, you simply input the amount owed, the name and identifier (either e-mail or cell number, but not both) of the person you are paying, click a button and DONE. An immediate Bank-to-Bank transfer of funds takes place.

 

EASY: I asked Siri to compare Zelle with traditional payment options and up came the chart, below.




FREE: Absolutely no charges for this service.


Most major banks now use Zelle. Many are now incorporating an additional step, such as multi-factor authentication, for first time payments to any given party. 


STILL NOT CONVINCED? If you're still not sure this is for you, do what I did: Ask a friend if you could Zelle them $1. Once it arrives, have them return the favor and Zelle $1. back to you.  
CAUTION

Only use Zelle to make payments to people you know and trust. To avoid falling victim to a scam, never use Zelle to buy goods or services from online marketplaces or strangers. 


SINCE USING ZELLE, MY BOOK SALES HAVE TRIPLED:

Since I have published all twelve of my Tales2Inspire books with Amazon KDP, I came up with a creative idea for selling more books while offering Zelle as a payment option. It all starts with a Jotform I created, and you can create one too, for free. Click here, to check it out (or copy and paste https://form.jotform.com/260094023611041 into your browser). 

COMING SOON: A whole new Sharing with Writers section, where I'll be sharing details of my project and inviting readers to post their best marketing tips as well. 


Saturday, December 13, 2025

THREE FREE HOLIDAY MEMOIRS STORIES YOU WILL NEVER FORGET

Dear Sharing with Writers Visitors and Subscribers:

Today’s guest post comes to you from my #SharingwithWriters associate who offers several free services to authors through my review blog, https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, with submission instructions in the round silver icons in the right column on the home page. Feel free to explore and get ready for 2026 by taking advantage of these contest winning memoirs (each a gem of inspiring true stories!) Any book in this series of anthologies makes a beautiful last-minute holiday gift, or a gift for the special people in your life any time of year. Since each book in this series is named for a different zodiac stone whose symbolic meaning forecasts the theme of the stories in that particular edition, once you know when the recipient was born, present them with that gem collection on their birthday. What a meaningful, thoughtful gift at less than the cost of a box of chocolates!

Today’s sample stories come to you as a gift from her.  Please pass the link around and they will become (again!) a free gift to your friends. 

Hugs and Happy Holidays to You All,

Carolyn 

PS: Watch here for an invitation on this blog to contribute to Lois’s next anthology--again absolutely free plus several great value-added benefits for each and every entrant.  ~ CHJ




THE LACE TABLECLOTH


 

Retold by Lois W. Stern

When a lace tablecloth, a pastor and an old woman come together at the very same moment in time, was it destiny or coincidence? Read this story to decide for yourself. 

https://tales2inspire.com/inspiring-story-lace-tablecloth/ 


THE HANUKKAH BUNNY

by Mort Laitner

Mort captures the laugh-out-loud story of the little bunny enthralled by his backyard Chanukah lights so perfectly.

https://tales2inspire.com/hanukkah-bunny/ 


THE GIRL WHO LOVED CHRISTMAS

by Micki Peluso

A little girl, born two weeks before Christmas, leaves this Earth much too soon, but leaves family and friends with joyous memories to smile anew as each December rolls around.

https://tales2inspire.com/girl-loved-christmas/ 




MORE ABOUT TODAY’S GUESTBLOGGER AND GIFT-GIVER:

Lois W. Stern, the Book Review Coordinator for TNBR blog spot, is the creator of Tales2Inspire, an authors helping authors Free project to help aspiring writers on their paths to discovery. As such, she has now published twelve Tales2Inspire® treasured anthologies of her contest winners' stories. Lois is a multi award winning author whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Newsday, Long Island Press, Barnard Magazine, on Local Access TV and in live presentations in varied venues. As TheNewBookReview review coordinator, Lois serves as an outreach to help other authors brand themselves as authors of talent. 

Get a FREE Tales2Inspire Sampler book at: www.tales2inspire.com/gifts

                                    Visit her Tales2Inspire blog athttps://www.tales2inspire.com/blog

                                         Visit her Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/tales2inspire


MORE ABOUT THE  #SHARINGWITHWRITERS BLOGGER 

 Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. 

 Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "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" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

Wednesday, May 01, 2024

Tales2Inspire ~ A Great Opportunity to Showcase Your Writing Talents for FREE




Tales2Inspire Offers
 Talented Writers a Great Opportunity to Showcase Your Writing Talents for FREE


I created Tales2inspire®, an "Authors Helping Authors" worldwide project/contest twelve years ago for writers seeking more recognition for their talents. It’s an Authors Helping Authors project because each author whose story makes it through phase one, becomes a mentor/anonymous judge to three other such authors.


Tales2inspire® is also a contest, but charges no entry fees. And if your story makes it through to publication, you get lots of FREE PR to help you brand yourself as an author of talent. All you need are some writing skills, a bit of energy and an inspiring story to share. 


 Theme for 2024 submission: Happiness

With so much turmoil in our lives today, I thought it might help us to focus on some positives in our lives.


Before you begin, here are two things I suggest you do to help you succeed:

CLICK HERE for a free sampler of winning stories published in an several of the Tales2Inspire® books. Read them to get the flavor of what makes a Tales2Inspire® winner. 

And if you feel a bit intimidated about judging the work of other writers, rest assured, I have created a form in a click, click, click format to simplify the process. 
  • CLICK HERE to see a screenshot of the judging form, (or copy and paste https://tales2inspire.com/contest/judging/ into your browser.)
Looking forward to reading some amazing new stories!




If you have further questions, I'm only an email away: tales2inspire2@gmail.com  

Just put "T2I contest question" in the subject line.



Lois W. Stern is a multi award winning author whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Newsday, Long Island Press, Barnard Magazine, on Local Access TV and in live presentations in many varied venues. She has now published twelve Tales2Inspire® treasured anthologies of her contest winners' stories., as well as a few of her own. As TheNewBookReviewreview coordinator, Lois serves as an outreach to help authors on their paths to discovery.

Click here for an index of some of her most popular articles, with live links for easy access. Just look for the image at the top of the page so, You don’t have to go fishing.

What emerges from these annual contests are highly professional anthologies of inspirational memoirs. Fans of Chicken Soup for the Soul are particularly enamored of Tales2Inspire® books, because aside from being expertly crafted, inspirational memoirs, they are filled with original photos to further enhance the power of each story. Lois invites interested readers to get a FREE Tales2Inspire® sampler book at: https://www.tales2inspire.com/gifts and visit Lois at these Media Marketing sites

Website: https://www.tales2Inspire 


Spend some media marketing time with Lois at: 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tales2inspire

Twitter: www.twitter.com/tales2inspire2