Happy Earth Day! What do Earth Day and sustainability have to do with my writing? Let’s talk about it.
I am thrilled to have launched Daughter of a Promise into the world this April, kicking things off with a joyous gathering in at Dolly’s Book Store. (Pic above!)
I have so enjoyed signing physical books for readers in Park City and Boston, but my ongoing approach to promoting Daughter of a Promise will look a little different than with my prior novels. Yes, I’m celebrating, placing content, and seeking reviews, but the world has changed since Eden and The Nine were published. And I’ve changed too — embarking on the second growing season at our farm. I am managing a growing team and establishing a meaningful culture, and for that, I need and want to be present.
April 17, 2024 at Beacon Hill Bookstore and Cafe
Sustainability was a primary motivation for our getting into farming, however, the principles have seeped into every aspect of my life, including the way I think about book publishing.
Each year about 4 million book titles are released, about half of which are self-published and either e-readers or Print-on-Demand. The remainder generate print runs which are estimated in advance of a book’s release. Often, those estimates are way off. Creating physical books consumes pulp, water, glue, energy, transportation, and physical space for storage. With an average sell-through rate of 50%, that equates to hundreds of thousands of new books being returned to publishers and destroyed each year. This “traditional system” has been publicly scrutinized recently for a wide array of antiquated practices, but maybe not as much as it should be for the tons of waste it is responsible for.
Taking a more sustainable approach, my publisher and I decided to forgo a hard-cover release and were conservative with the initial print run. When stock runs out, we will opt for a print-on-demand model. I strongly encourage my readers to download digital e-reader copies or audiobooks (the narrators are phenomenal by the way!!) and start to transition to a reading life that consumes fewer natural resources.
Check out an excerpt of the audio version here:
Then there’s the human dimension of sustainability. Please don’t interpret the fact that I am not running around the country on a frenzied book tour as me not caring as much. I am committed more than ever to my work: to creation, expression, art, and leaving the earth a better place.
Flynn Creek Farm in all its earthy glory.
I hope you have a meaningful Earth Day and incorporate one new practice into your life — compost food waste, forego insecticides in your yard, or just buy less stuff.
As always, thanks for reading!
PS – I just finished JAMES by Percival Everett and I’m finishing up SOLITO by Javier Zamora, both of which I highly recommend!!