Friday, January 24, 2020

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

Sunday, January 19, 2020

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.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

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