Update during the global hysteria

Everything is locked down, non essential workers are supposed to stay home, yet just the other day, I received a rejection letter from a literary magazine.  They didn't even encourage me to submit something else, just told me that my work isn't what they're looking for.  Which is good since I wouldn't want my superior work to get more readership for their low-quality literary magazine.  Not sure what is essential about rejecting my poetry.

Well, this just stokes the fire.  If you're quiet, you can hear my maniacal sounding laugh.

Combined with the fact that LITERALLY no publisher/press is set up to print with vegetable based ink on 100% PCW paper, I'm feeling disheartened.

We found New Society Publishers, which IS printing with low VOC vegetable based ink and 100% PCW paper but it is dedicated to publishing resources for global change.

So here I am, with piles of poetry ready to be published but I'm not willing to publish my work in a traditional and earth-destructive methods and we have a wealth of family recipes we have perfected as well as an ethical and organic practical life to share.

So I've switched gears to putting together a recipe book, Our Ethical Kitchen that can be published with low VOC vegetable based ink and 100% PCW paper with New Society Publishers.  My family is supporting me, believing in me through my own self-doubt, as I put together our recipe book and work on our accompanying blog, Our Ethical Kitchen.

Even though I have felt myself falter with rejections, dead-ends and self-doubt, I believe in this recipe book and am excited to share it with the world.

I AM the change I wish to see.

Reading I'm Enjoying and the continuing search for sustainable printing

I'm continuing my search for a biodegradable, no-VOC home printer ink or a printing press that is leading the change in that respect.

An interesting article about algae-based ink that I came across.

Someone from a FB writer's group mentioned New Society Publishers, a certified B corporation which uses 100% PCW paper and vegetable-based ink and specializes in nonfiction books that are tools for change for social justice.

I also read an article about Sylvia Plath on LitHub and am eagerly anticipating the accompanying book from the author.

I am also enjoying the collected articles from Soraya Chemaly, a writer traversing the feminist landscape and offering smoldering criticism for the patriarchy.  Its as if I were writing nonfiction articles.

The children have been getting baking books, young adult fiction books of horror by the likes of Neil Gaimen and Mary Downing Hahn having found the Goosebumps by R.L. Stine series too tame and pedantic, Nancy Drew books (what a blast from the past!) from the library and 2 brought home the gigantic tome of It by Stephen King.  Was it a misstep to rent the first and second It movies and let the children watch them?  I think not.

I'm currently reading The Wind in the Keyhole by Stephen King, a book from the Dark Tower series. It is bittersweet as I adore Mid-World and was delighted to see it continue in this book.  Now I fear its end.  I endeavor to create such dynamic and endearing characters.

I have my eye on 1's copy of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman that she got from her grandma for Christmas and will pick it up to read soon.

Update: my sweetheart gifted me a new book from my favorite author!  Eek!

Website in the works

I decided to publish my own work instead of trying to get approval from a major publisher and I will do it on recycled paper with vegetable based ink.

I'm working on a site for the publishing press Ive started, Moon Key Press, to sell publications (both physical copies and e-books)

I demo'd a few different store building sites before I  settled on SquareSpace, which offers the ability to sell digital content as well as physical items with a low monthly cost.

I have little idea what I am doing

GoFundMe to publish my 1st poetry book

Please consider donating or sharing to my GoFundMe campaign

Publish my 1st poetry book

I intend to print 1,000 copies for this first run and thats it.

The recycled materials and vegetable-based inks cost more to the consumer than the traditional pollutive practices of the publishing industry but that cost is incurred by the environment and the future of our planet and so it is imperative upon us to be environmentally responsible.

Once the book project is financed, I'll be submitting my limited-run print order to greenerprinter.com or to jakprints.com unless I am able to locate "green" printing services from a smaller company.

I'm setting up an online store to purchase physical copies of my books or download electronic books.

Thank you whole-heartedly for supporting the beauty of my vision and the future of our planet.

Searching for Environmentally Safe Vegetable based Inks

Did you know the publishing industry is responsible for up to 30% of paper waste?  Not to mention the water that is polluted during the publishing processes, especially in the making and using of the petroleum-based inks which comprise the majority of printed material used.

A moral dillema for anyone who loves trees and loves books.

Although a great option for bibliophiles is the electronic book (e book), published material available to read electronically via computer or device.

What about when the power goes out?  What happens when the library shuts down their WIFI-enabled computers?  What happens when the charge of the e-reader's battery runs out?

Nothing compares to a physical copy of a book on a shelf but the vanishing forests and rising global temperatures weighs heavy on my mind and so recycled or environmentally safe printing is my only option.

There aren't many options for an author looking to publish with recycled material via a major printing press, so I decided to self-publish.

Not only am I looking to print my own material, I'm determined not to kill the planet for the earning of a dollar, so I'm printing my own material using recycled or environmentally safe (non virgin wood pulp based) paper and vegetable-based inks.

So, a cursory search on the internet leads me to a rabbit hole regarding ink and earth friendly (environmentally safe) printing options.

I figured I'd share my research results since it is far from popular or trending but nothing ever got changed by repeating actions and expecting different results.

Best article on the issue Ive found here
 A well-informed article about green printing here
Some outdated but relevant publishing industry facts here
Eco-Libris coverage of the 'Environmental Trends and Climate Impacts' report
Green Printing Resources

When I first search, most toner or ink cartridges come up as "replenished" and therefore, "eco-friendly" because an used-up cartridge is cleaned and refurbished for a refill of the same toxic and petroleum-based ink.  A misnomer and far from environmentally safe.

Seems like there is a variety of environmentally safe papers, from FSC forests or using recycled wood pulp (Post Consumer Waste) or alternative paper sources such as bamboo or sugarcane pulp yet there is little thought given to a less pollutive and environmentally safe ink.

VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds which are released during the printing process.

Vegetable-based inks by their nature emit less VOCs than the traditional petroleum-based inks which are known carcinogens.

I'd like to redistribute the wealth and resources of the earth so that the power shifts and one way I can do that is by publishing my own material on recycled paper with vegetable-based ink.

I envision a first printing run of 1,000 physical copies printed on recycled PWC or tree-free paper with vegetable-based ink. You can buy an electronic copy, reserve a physical copy printed with recycled materials or both.

Demand any material you produce, publish or purchase be recycled or otherwise environmentally safe.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Ghandi

Publications

Heres my place to announce publications, sell books and share.   I'm not sure what yet.

Intro, again to hold space

Ive been writing for so many years, keeping most of it to myself.  I just turned 33 years old and I’m not letting myself make any more excuses.  Everyday, I write and that is the bottom line.  I’ll be posting here and sharing my newest works, my publishing ideas and news of my budding career as it unfolds.  I give thanks for all for the support of my journey and for reading all these silly words that keep coming out of my head.

EDIT:  Its been 10 years since my last post and so much has occurred in my life.  Congratulations to me for all my accomplishments and for coming back to this after all this time and continuing the dream.  I don't do it for any reason other than I need to.  I write for myself.  It keeps me sane and the clicking of the keys makes me happy.