Guest Post at Kirby's Lane

Hello Writes Readers!

Today I'm being hosted on Kirby Larson's blog, Kirby's Lane.  Jump over by following this Friend Friday link, where you can read my guest post on Indie publishing.  I'm also giving away one signed copy of the book to the first commenter on her blog.  If you're visiting the Writes blog from Kirby's Lane, welcome!  Please feel free to take a look around.  I hope you find something new, interesting, and/or helpful.  If you came to check out the Indie Publishing Equation, click the link, or find all the posts in the left column under posts by topic.  I'll be adding a marketing addition to the equation soon. 

I'm honored to be included in Kirby's Friend Friday, and I'd like to tell you a bit more about her.  Kirby is the author of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels.  You can find all Kirby's titles on her website.  Her most recent release is Hattie Ever After. Hattie Ever After is the follow-up to Hattie Big Sky, a Newbery Honor Book, and both feature courageous Hattie, a character that first tries to prove up on a land claim in Montana, and then in Ever After, makes her way to San Francisco for a series of big city adventures.  Beyond being a well-loved and respected author, another neat thing about Kirby is all the work she does within the writing and educational communities.  One of her blog features is Teacher Tuesday where she highlights teachers and librarians and all the wonderful, valuable work they do for children.  If you get a chance, check Kirby and her books out.  It's worth it!

For all recent Giveaway Winners: 
Your packages go out in today's mail!

Again, thanks for entering and congrats on winning! 

Goodreads & Blog Winners: 

Congratulations &

thank you to all who entered.  

All prizes will be mailed at week's end.

The Writes blog is happy to announce that Karin was drawn as the winner of the wildflower gift pack, and both Shirley and Heidi will receive free copies of the book.  Winners can email me privately to correspond about delivery of prizes.  Please send your information to: rmccormackwrites at gmail dot com. Thank you again for coming to the blog and sharing your thoughts and ideas regarding Earth Day!

happy earth day

the fRead Project and wildflowers

wish you a sustainably joyful earth day

In celebration, the Writes blog has conducted a month-long Earth Day series of posts and tweets.  On Monday the 22nd, ending at midnight, are the last of the giveaways, including a Goodreads promotion, a blog giveaway (see below), and free Kindle downloads of wildflowers.

Would you like to tell us
about your Earth Day doings?

NOW IS THE TIME!

It's Earth Day and we'd love to hear what you're doing to be more enviro-minded.  This past month the Writes blog has invited green and Local First businesses, Indie bookstores, educators, librarians, students, and any willing readers to comment. We'll continue through the end of Earth Day. Feel free to share what's going on in your home, community, library, or school(curriculum and reading lists welcome).

As thanks for your participation, anyone who submits a comment between now and April 22, 2013 (midnight) will be entered to win a wildflower gift pack (see below) or one of four signed copies of wildflowers.

wildflower gift pack includes:

1 signed copy of wildflowers

1 12x12 original painting, 

recycled mixed media on canvas

1 travel-size orange moleskin journal,

1 hand-crafted bookmark

blog giveaway winners will be drawn & announced on 4.23

**please note**

wildflowers is rated PG-13

If you wish to participant and you're under the age of 18, please get your parents permission.  Kids and teens should only use first names or initials when commenting, and if one of these participants win a drawing, alternate gifts will be awarded.  Winners under the age of 13 will receive the middle grade novel, Here Where the Sunbeams are Green by Helen Phillips and for those under the age of 8, the picture book All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon will be gifted.  Please indicate your age when commenting to receive the appropriate prize.

book sharing news

If you've been to the blog before and read about the fRead Project, you know that I support book sharing.  Whether from a friend, with a library, or a gift from the author, book sharing starts conversations. I'd like to thank all the readers who have shared wildflowers with a friend, neighbor, or family member, and today I offer thanks to two special supporters who have helped during this Earth Day celebration.

Thank you, Antigone Books in Tucson, Arizona for helping facilitate a book drop!  

Antigone Books is an IndieBound, Local First bookstore that's 100% solar-powered.  Located in Tucson's Fourth Avenue shopping district, this shop carries books, gifts, and cards, and beyond being voted Tucson's best indie bookstore by Tucson Weekly, they embrace their zany side, which prompts customers to declare them "amazing". They host many book groups, enthusiastically support their local authors, and can even help you order an eBook for your eReader. The wildflowers book drop is happening even as we speak, and I thank Antigone Books, as well as the customer who finds the book, for their interest. 

Thank you, Bonnie K. from Sacramento for passing the book to two high school sisters!

After reading the novel, Bonnie saw the opportunity to share a book she enjoyed with people who may have a similar interest in characters dealing with environmental change.  I'm grateful that she was willing to pass it along, and maybe the sisters will continue the trend.  Thanks to all the ladies for giving the book a chance.

If you are gifted with or find wildflowers, please feel free to post a comment on the blog about your experience.  Also, in addition to book sharing or donating, please remember to support your favorite and/or local authors and Independent bookstores with purchases.  A good rule of thumb is for every three books you swap or share, purchase one. 

Green List Wednesday - Earthy Books

With Earth Day around the corner, you may be looking for a book that celebrates nature for yourself, a student, or someone in your family.  Below I've compiled a list of worthy green reads for different aged readers.  Along with this list, you can also check out Authors for Earth Day, a coalition of authors who support conservation efforts through their literary work, or Amazon's Great Earth Day Book list, which includes many good non-ficiton titles for children.

Picture Books:

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

The Extremely Very Good Recyclers by Lauren Child

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon (ill by Marla Frazee)

Middle Grade:

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

Flush by Carl Hiaasen

Here Where the Sunbeams are Green by Helen Phillips

Friends of the Earth by Pat McCarthy

Young Adult:

Wildflowers by Rhonda McCormack

Toms River by Dan Fagin

Moonbird by Phillip Hoose

or

follow the Lawrence (KS) Public Library flowchart for 

dystopian & ecotopian novels

Adult:

Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin

The Universe Within by Neil Shubin

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

Happy Earth Day Reading and Remember...

As the Writes blog enters the last week of its Earth Day celebration, I'm happy to share space with educators, librarians, students, and any readers who would like to stop by and comment on all things good and green. It'd be great to hear what's going on with curriculums, classrooms, and reading lists, as well as any work being done in schools (or communities). Planting gardens, trees, recycling, water conservation, learning about the inner workings of our planet and how to operate in synergy with nature...please share anything and everything you do, have done, or plan on for the future. Sharing is welcomed for all grade levels, preschool to high school.

As thanks for your participation, anyone who submits a comment between now and Earth Day (April 22, 2013 midnight) will be entered to win a wildflower gift pack (see below) or one of four signed copies of wildflowers.Please note that a separate Goodreads Giveaway runs through Earth Day, and free Kindle downloads of wildflowers will be available on April 22.

wildflower gift pack includes:

1 signed copy of wildflowers

1 12x12 original painting, 

recycled mixed media on canvas

1 travel-size orange moleskin journal,

1 hand-crafted bookmark

blog giveaway winners will be drawn on 4.23

**please note**

wildflowers is rated PG-13

If you wish to participant and you're under the age of 18, please get your parents permission.  Kids and teens should only use first names or initials when commenting, and if one of these participants win a drawing, alternate gifts will be awarded.  Winners under the age of 13 will receive the middle grade novel, Here Where the Sunbeams are Green by Helen Phillips and for those under the age of 8, the picture book All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon will be gifted.  Please indicate your age when commenting to receive the appropriate prize.

all things good and green

do you have an
all things good and green
piece of news to share?

or would you like to tell us
about your Earth Day doings?

NOW IS THE TIME!

As the Writes blog enters the last week of its Earth Day celebration, I'm happy to share space with educators, librarians, students, and any readers who would like to stop by and comment on all things good and green. It'd be great to hear what's going on with curriculums, classrooms, and reading lists, as well as any work being done in schools (or communities). Planting gardens, trees, recycling, water conservation, learning about the inner workings of our planet and how to operate in synergy with nature...please share anything and everything you do, have done, or plan on for the future. Sharing is welcomed for all grade levels, preschool to high school.

As thanks for your participation, anyone who submits a comment between now and Earth Day (April 22, 2013 midnight) will be entered to win a wildflower gift pack (see below) or one of four signed copies of wildflowers. Please note that a separate Goodreads Giveaway runs through Earth Day, and free Kindle downloads of wildflowers will be available on April 22.

wildflower gift pack includes:

1 signed copy of wildflowers

1 12x12 original painting, 

recycled mixed media on canvas

1 travel-size orange moleskin journal,

1 hand-crafted bookmark

blog giveaway winners will be drawn on 4.23

**please note**

wildflowers is rated PG-13

If you wish to participant and you're under the age of 18, please get your parents permission.  Kids and teens should only use first names or initials when commenting, and if one of these participants win a drawing, alternate gifts will be awarded.  Winners under the age of 13 will receive the middle grade novel, Here Where the Sunbeams are Green by Helen Phillips and for those under the age of 8, the picture book All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon will be gifted.  Please indicate your age when commenting to receive the appropriate prize.

eight days and counting

as the Writes blog enters the last week 

of our Earth Day celebration...

...I'm happy to share space with educators, librarians, students, and any readers who would like to stop by and comment on their Earth Day doings. It'd be great to hear what's going on with curriculums, classrooms, and reading lists, as well as any work being done in school (or community). Planting gardens, trees, recycling, water conservation, learning about the inner workings of our planet and how to operate in synergy with nature...please share anything and everything you do, have done, or plan on for the future. Sharing is welcomed for all grade levels, preschool to high school.

As thanks for your participation, anyone who submits a comment between now and Earth Day (April 22, 2013 midnight) will be entered to win a wildflower gift pack (see below) or one of four signed copies of wildflowers. Also please note that a separate Goodreads Giveaway runs through Earth Day, and free Kindle downloads of wildflowers will be available on April 22.

wildflower gift pack includes:

1 signed copy of wildflowers

1 12x12 original painting, 

recycled mixed media on canvas

1 travel-size orange moleskin journal,

1 hand-crafted bookmark

blog giveaway winners will be drawn on 4.23

**please note**

wildflowers is rated PG-13

If you wish to participant and you're under the age of 18, please get your parents permission.  Kids and teens should only use first names or initials when commenting, and if one of these participants win a drawing, alternate gifts will be awarded.  Winners under the age of 13 will receive the middle grade novel, Here Where the Sunbeams are Green by Helen Phillips and for those under the age of 8, the picture book All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon will be gifted.  Please indicate your age when commenting to receive the appropriate prize.

in other news... 

an Earth Day art sale

Thank you to Homeology, a eco-focused home interiors boutique, for helping with the Earth Day celebration by discounting all R McCormack original art.  With discounts of 20-40%, there's a piece for any budget.  Click on links below to view a few examples of the works for sale.

Currently at 40% off:

uneven, inward, tapestry 

30% off:

the tractor, sequence, marie antoinette

And at 20% the newest collection Wildflowers and Cityscapes:

all things good and green

Starting Sunday and on through Earth Day, the Writes blog will be celebrating educators, librarians, and students.  Today in the all things good and green post 

I offer a challenge.  When you have an extra five minutes at your computer, Google things like: environmental activist teen or eco-friendly library or educator environment, and pick one story to read. There are lots of cool things going on with our kids, their teachers, and our librarians if we just take a moment to look around.

The links above go to the following stories:

1.  A Rolling Out article about a teen activist using art to raise environmental awareness

2.  The BookRiot website featuring a list of LEED certified libraries across the country

3.  NAAEE's (No. Amer. Assoc. for Environmental Ed.) website offering ideas for teachers

in other news... 

an Earth Day art sale

Thank you to Homeology, a eco-focused home interiors boutique, for helping with the Earth Day celebration by discounting all R McCormack original art.  With discounts of 20-40%, there's a piece for any budget.  Click on links below to view a few examples of the works for sale.

Currently at 40% off:

uneven

inward

tapestry 

30% off:

the tractor

sequence

marie antoinette

And at 20% the newest collection Wildflowers and Cityscapes:

Green List Wednesday - Cities

Green List Wednesday

In the not-so-far of future of wildflowers, the towns and cities across the nation have all converted to more environmentally-friendly practices.  EVs (electric vehicles) sit in every garage, solar and wind power dominate as energy sources, and lifestyle changes abound.  In the here and now, green cities are cropping up left and right, and though some have been doing what they do for decades, others are just getting started.  If you're wondering what makes one city greener than another, the simplicity of the criteria may surprise you, though towns and cities who attempt such things know simple doesn't always mean easy.  Any community attempting more ecologically-centered development would think about:

Current energy sources, developing energy sources, and consumption of energy

They'll also have to consider the green lifestyle, which includes:

Improving transportation, creating green jobs, building parks and bikeways, employing sustainable building practices, while also consider recycling programs and local food resources

Green cities are everywhere...Sweden, Australia, Brazil, Spain...but here are a few cool ones stateside: 

Oakland, CA - home to the cleanest tap water and oldest wildlife refuge

Chicago, IL - with a city greenbelt created in the early 1900s and a new green roof program

Cambridge, MA - created a city compost program and fuels most city vehicles with biodiesel or electricity

Portland, OR - oh my, where to begin, they do everything green

Greensburg, KS - in 2007 after a tornado devastated the town, they committed to rebuild 100% of their buildings meeting platinum certified LEED standards

And speaking of cities and the people who do their part, I'd like to thank Homeology, the home interiors boutique dedicated to a greener way of living, for joining the fRead Project in celebrating Earth Day with an art sale.  Currently, all the R McCormack originals are discounted 20-40%.  This includes the wildflowers and cityscapes pieces that were part of the November show.  If you'd like more information, contact me or the shop.  Thanks Homeology!

all things good and green

all things good and green

oily - adj  

1. of, like, consisting of, or containing oil  

2.  smooth; slippery; unctuous

yep, that seems to describe StayGreen Oil, who operates a free online service, facilitating redistribution of different types of oil.  their role is to hook up buyers and sellers of both used cooking and used motor oil, and once that connection is made, the oils are repurposed for things like biodiesel fuel and soap (from cooking oil, not motor).  motor oil is a tricky thing, and recycling or disposing of it in responsible ways is vital to the environment.  looks like StayGreen is doing their part. 

earth day is fast approaching.  
hope you're finding ways to do your part, too.

ps: thanks to all who stopped by for the call for contributors. the initial posting didn't garner many comments, but it was better to try and fall short, than to not try at all.  And even as the Writes blog moves on to other topics, the conversation about supporting small, local, and/or enviro-minded businesses continues.  anyone is welcome, at anytime, to post a comment about your business or information for one you love.

community blog share

Welcome Indie bookstore, Local First/Shop Small, and enviro-minded business owners, as well as readers.

If you've come to share a little about your business or a business you know, please post a comment with the store or business name and a brief description of the service(s) or product(s) provided.  Please also include your city and state, along with any web information that will help us find you online.  This post will run in the top spot through Tuesday April 9.  Readers, check back often to get to know these community-enhancing people and places.

When I embarked into the world of Indie publishing, I began to see the interconnectivity between artisans and their communities.  I'd long supported small, local businesses and as more eco-friendly companies developed, it was easy to give them my loyalty (and dollars).  What these businesses do for our local communities often affects the global community.  This theme actually worked its way in to wildflowers, and in the book the main characters, Keifer and Abi, are linked to two separate communities.  Their old home in Arizona, and their new home, a boarding school in Helena, Montana.  As I wrote the novel, it became important to offer subtle hints to the way ideas change, and also to show which ideas stick.  In the book and in reality, community always sticks.  

Think of the business around the corner who goes 100% solar or the Indie bookstore who exposes you to local talent (writers, artists, teachers) or the boutiques and family-owned restaurant who offer unique wares and support local farmers.  These places are the ones that make our cities and towns interesting, cultural, and the bonus is that they care about people just as much (or more) as the bottom line.

Thank you for stopping by the Writes blog today...and all days.  I hope you'll find a local and/or enviro-minded business to support.  If you're looking for an Indie bookstore, check out the list in the left column.  I'm always adding to it...the ones you see have a connection to me or the book...and I hope to meet new Indie bookstore owners through this blog sharing project.

all things good and green

all things good and green

What do you know about about the air quality inside your home?  

Did you know furnishings, carpets, and cleaning products can 

pollute your air with chemicals and off-gasing?  

Did you know that opening a few windows can make a difference 

in keeping the air you breathe pure and clean?

If you want to make a bigger impact, get a houseplant!  There are many good resources for the kinds of houseplants that do the best at clearing the air, but I like NASA's list.  I also love this TEDTalk (see below) on the subject.  So, when you're buying your other outdoor plants and flowers for spring gardening, grab a few plants for the house.  Place them in bedrooms, near computer equipment, and in high-traffic living areas to make the most of their amazing abilities to support human health.

Green List Wednesday - A Twist

Green List Wednesday...with a twist

Usually on a Green List Wednesday, I'd be giving you a list of environmentally friendly products, places, or ideas, but today I give you a list of people.  The people in the list below are those who do their part to nurture our communities through their products or acts of service and participation.  Yesterday, I put out a call for these people to come visit the blog on designated days in order to share their ideas and visions for the future.  That information follows the list.  For now, let's celebrate some of the most important contributors to the Community Garden:

Educators/Teachers - who mentor and guide our most important resource, kids

Librarians - sharing ideas, characters, and worlds that grow the mind

Students - our valuable seeds, who keep pushing until they sprout

Independent Bookstores - providing rich soil for readers and authors alike

Local First/Shop Small Businesses - creative growers providing communities a unique bounty

Enviro-minded Businesses - fertilizing for future growth and development

So, if you recognize yourself on the list, or know someone who fits the descriptors, check out the offers below...  

For businesses and bookstores: 

On Sunday April 7, businesses and Indie bookstores are invited to visit the blog and post a comment telling us about their business. With a brief description of the business, city and state, and web information, all blog traffic will learn what you do and where to find you.  This is the fRead Project's effort to thank the business owners for their dedication to their local communities, as well as the global community.

For educators, librarians, and high school students:

On Sunday April 14, the blog invites educators, librarians, and high school students to share their environmental curriculums, book recommendations, and Earth Day doings.  This event will run for the full week leading up to Earth Day (April 14-20), and in exchange for their participation, they'll be entered into daily drawings to win a books, music samplers, and other goodies.

If you or anyone you know would be interested in the events listed above, feel free to share as a tweet or post on Facebook.  Thank you for all your help to spread the word.  This promotion is hosted by The fRead Project and wildflowers, a young adult novel and ecotopian mystery.

call for contributors

all things good and green...with a twist

Do you know a Local First, Shop Small, or enviro-minded business who would like to reach a new audience with free advertising?  Do you know an Indie bookstore that deserves recognition and could use a little free face-time on the internet? Maybe you know an educator, librarian, or high school student who would enjoy the opportunity to win a free read?

If so, as part of the month-long Earth Day celebration going on now, the blog will be hosting an outreach project that allows the groups mentioned above space to tell us more about who they are and what they do to support the planet.

For businesses and bookstores: 

On Sunday April 7, businesses and Indie bookstores are invited to visit the blog and post a comment telling us about their business. With a brief description of the business, city and state, and web information, all blog traffic will learn what you do and where to find you.  This is the fRead Project's effort to thank the business owners for their dedication to their local communities, as well as the global community.

For educators, librarians, and high school students:

On Sunday April 14, the blog invites educators, librarians, and high school students to share their environmental curriculums, book recommendations, and Earth Day doings.  This event will run for the full week leading up to Earth Day (April 14-20), and in exchange for their participation, they'll be entered into daily drawings to win a books, music samplers, and other goodies.

If you or anyone you know would be interested in the events listed above, feel free to share as a tweet or post on Facebook.  Thank you for all your help to spread the word.

This promotion is hosted by The fRead Project and wildflowers, a young adult novel and ecotopian mystery.