New: IRS STIMULUS PAYMENTS... read my blog for how to make this money shout the need for green!
READERS*WRITERS*CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS...Show Your Support--Sign In On My Comments To Take The Challenge!
What's "Green Writing?"
The Premise
Like throngs of other concerned citizens of Mother Earth, I've been looking for ways to minimize my impact upon this overwhelmed planet of ours. I walk when possible, recycle, grow C02-fighting plants and foodstuffs on my patio, turn appliances off as much as I can, and don't flush between 10pm and 11 am. When I turned a "green" eye to my writing career, however, I found some of my methods wanting.
Does The Book Industry Really Impact the Environment?
More than I would have guessed. Here are just a few ways:-
Trees used to make the thousands of sheets of paper, envelopes, pencils,
and stamps needed to write, print, copy, and mail submissions and promotional
materials (and to produce the books themselves, of course!)
Carbon emissions from electronic devices: computesr, monitors, printers,
palm pilots, laptops, fax machines, and copiers
Emissions from autos, trains, and airplanes used to ship books, submissions,
and promotional materials...sometimes worldwide
Emissions from same when traveling to book tours, writing conventions,
and speaking engagements
...and so on. I realized there was much room for
improvement, but I certainly did not want to give up doing what I love
in order to "green" up.
The Challenge
JOIN ME in greening up your writing and reading...
Commit to make ONE change to your writing this year, such as:
WRITERS:-
Submit your next manuscript electronically. (Less
impact than printing/mailing hundreds of sheets of paper.)
Reduce the number of mailings you send out
Swap one regular promotional mass mailing in favor
of an electronic mailing
Skip one cross-country convention and do an online
conference instead
Switch from press kits and full-sized mailers
to postcards
Turn your computer and peripherals off when not
in use
Do late-night writing by candlelight, or use energy-saving bulbs
Make one book appearance--or tour--a virtual tour online
Use recycled paper, envelopes, and other materials whenever possible
Do phone-in radio interviews instead of driving to the station
If you have "white noise" in the background while you write--TV, DVD's, stereo...consider turning them off
Use solar rechargers for equipment like your PDA, cell phone, MP3 player
Reuse/recycle writing supplies/equipment through freecycle, thrift stores, etc. rather than buying new and trashing
SPREAD THE WORD by writing about "Green," either in your fiction or nonfiction writing, OR by supporting the Green Writing Challenge!
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Try an eBook! Saves paper, fuel and energy for production and shipping, etc.
POD books also save fuel/energy over "mass" production
Consider buying more books online rather than driving to the bookseller--especially if yours is a distance away
Recycle books you've read to friends, library, freecycle
Don't keep your handheld reader plugged in; turn computer and peripherals off when not in use
Do late-night reading by candlelight
Switch to energy saving CFL or LED bulbs for reading; keep them off when not using
Support authors/publishers who embrace green practices
Recharge your handheld reader,MP3 player, cell phone with a solar charger
Swap one book convention this year for an online event
SPREAD THE WORD by supporting the Green Writing Challenge!
Don't wait! JOIN ME by signing up for The Green Writing Challenge today!
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