S.D. Smith's Blog, page 12

You asked. We answered.

We’re releasing our OFFICIAL Green Ember Book Club & Party Guide in download format for idea and activity inspiration. It comes in a printable PDF format which contains links for further resources that are clickable. This 32 page guide includes: discussion questions, coloring pages, activities, and more!

Buy Guide

We want you to use this pack as a guide to help you through The Green Ember book club or party. Feel free to adapt it to suit the needs of your group. Let your imagination be your guide as well!

Start your book club off with a personal video welcome from S. D. Smith that is only accessible through this guide.

What’s included in The Green Ember activity guide?

Take a look at the Table of Contents:

Discussion Questions

We’ve come up with some questions to help guide you through your discussion of The Green Ember. In “Additional Resources” you’ll find a page full of more questions we’ve compiled from around the web.

Activities

Create a party banner using the printable to welcome your guests which features the official Rabbit Oath. Activities like the #RabbitsWithSwords Cookies and Lighthall Stained Glass Window Art can be prepped ahead of time.

Coloring Pages

We’ve included a printable maze and 5 coloring pages featuring some favorite characters and scenes from the book.

& More!

These activities can be reprinted as many times as you need. Once you purchase the download, it is yours forever.

You can also get the activity guide for FREE when you purchase the Book Club and Party Pack which features an entire case (28 books) of The Green Ember books for a crazy deal.

We look forward to seeing more Green Ember book clubs in action! Send us your pictures or tag us on the socials: Facebook | Instagram.

We’re on your side.

Buy Guide

The post The OFFICIAL Green Ember Book Club & Party Activity Guide appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Prefer to watch? Check out the video version of this update.

Thank you for coming to the Prince Lander and the Dragon War launch party! If you missed the live, you can still watch the video here on our Green Ember YouTube channel.

More Videos:Picket Packslayer Song The Green Ember COMPLETE Audiobook | With Illustrations Prince Lander and the Dragon War Audiobook | First 4 ChaptersGreen Ember Audiobooks

Meet West Virginia native Eric Fritzius, the excellent narrator for six Green Ember adventures, including the newest. Eric is an actor and author, and his deep, resonate voice is perfect for these swashbuckling tales.

You can find ALL TEN of the Green Ember audiobooks wherever you get audiobooks. Psst, they’re also free on Hoopla.

Shop AudiobooksOnline Author Event

I’m joining Tolle Lege Book Community on Thursday, May 5th at 7pm EST to chat and answer questions. Anyone can come! Join this Facebook group (you can pop out once it’s over) and in the challenge questions, let them know you heard about it from S. D. Smith. Hope to see you there!

 That’s all for now!

My place beside you,

Sam

Shop the S. D. Smith Family Store

The post Green Ember Audiobooks | Meet the Narrator + Online Author Event appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Today is the day! Prince Lander and the Dragon War is available in Audiobook, eBook, and print form at Amazon and more retailers.

Grab Yours Now

We’re celebrating TODAY with a live launch party at 7:30PM ET over on our Green Ember YouTube Channel! There will be a Q & A, reading, giveaways, and more. (Picket Packslayer may or may not make an appearance.)

I know, I know, 7:30PM seems like a long way off. We can’t wait, either. Here are some things to do while you wait for the festivities to begin:

Subscribe

Subscribe to Green Ember on YouTube and click the bell icon to be notified when we’re live! Catch up on any videos you may have missed like seeing kids open Prince Lander or how to prep for the TENTH book.

Here is our newest video:

Review

Did you pre-order Prince Lander and read it already? Nice! We’d be so appreciative if you left a review. You can do so at Amazon, Goodreads, or Audible.

Review on AmazonRespond

What would you like to see tonight? Do you have a question for the Q & A? S. D. Smith loves answering questions from readers of all ages. Post your or your kid’s question in the comments below, on Facebook, or Instagram. Where appropriate, please include a first name and age of the person asking the question. No spoilers please.

Enter

Enter to win our GRAND PRIZE:

SIGNED Set of all 10 Green Ember Series BooksGreen Writer CourseGreen Oath MugGreen Oath HatPicket’s SwordHeather’s Necklace

How to enter: 

Comment on The Green Ember Audiobook video with your quick take on The Green Ember Series. (While you’re there, like & subscribe!)Let us know in the comments below that you are entered. 

We will select one winner for this GRAND PRIZE at the beginning of the Launch Party. 

More Giveaways

There will be multiple chances to win various prizes. Here is what we’re giving away:

Green Writer CoursesSigned copies of Prince Lander and the Dragon WarSigned Trilogy, Green Oath MugAnd one more GRAND PRIZE: Signed Set of all 10 Green Ember Series Books, Green Writer, Green Oath Mug, Green Oath Hat, Picket’s Sword, Heather’s Necklace

Stick around for more chances to win throughout the party!

See you tonight!

Visit The S. D. Smith Family Store

The post Big Giveaways as Green Ember Book Launched & S. D. Smith LIVE Event TONIGHT! appeared first on S. D. Smith.

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I got to hang out with a bunch of writers last weekend. I enjoyed meeting up with friends and making some new ones. I loved meeting readers and listening to their encouraging words about the books we’ve shared between us. 

Elizabeth Yates said, “A writer only begins a book, it is the reader who completes it.” She’s right, of course, and it’s always a delight to meet the people who complete my stories. 

HopeWords Conference is a good time in Bluefield, West Virginia. (About an hour from my hometown.) I was really inspired by Haejin and Mako Fujimora, Malcolm Guite, Hannah Anderson, Travis Lowe and many others. Travis always gives voice to the cry of my heart about our area. He sees the “light of the world” where many just see impenetrable darkness. 

The news guy asked me if I was pleased that the conference drew people from over thirty states and several countries. He wanted to know if I was excited that our area was attracting these amazing people. I said that I was, but I was equally excited about those people being exposed to our area. 

Most of the time people think of Appalachia in general, and West Virginia in particular, as a place where anyone who can leave does leave. They see it as a place of need where kind people go to help the poor, unfortunate souls stuck here. That’s kind of true and we are grateful for everyone who comes with a generous heart of love. But we also have something to give, something to share, and we grow when we have a chance to see ourselves as servants instead of victims. The victim narrative is so seductive, but it’s an impotent story and we need to show up in love and, with humility and dependence on God, get to work shaping our own story. 

That’s certainly my heart for our state, and one of the main reasons I’m so committed to staying here and being part of, not only helping us grow, but also give. We’ll start believing better once we get on the job of serving others with the gifts we have been given. The first step is gratitude and wonder at what we have. 

The post Growing Givers Not Poor Unfortunate Victims appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Prefer to watch? Check out the video version.

Salutations Ya’ll,

It’s April! The smell of grassoline will soon fill our nostrils. Green Writers will give way to Lawn Choppers and we’ll be mowing and growing into spring. Seriously, as Holy Week approaches, we have so much to reflect on and be grateful for. I do. I’m thankful for you, and I’m thankful to the Lord, who invites us into a better story than any we could ever concoct on our own. I love sharing this newsletter with you. Thanks for reading it and for being on our side! 

Mark Your Calendars

Prince Lander and the Dragon War OFFICIALLY launches April 19th. It will be available in eBook, Audiobook, and print form at Amazon and lots of other awesome retailers!

We’re celebrating the official launch with a LIVE Launch Party at 7:30 PM ET. More details later.

Green Means GO!

What makes for a great beginning of a story?

The beginning is more than the first chapter, or the first few lines. It’s the first section of the story. The first lines are very important, as is the first chapter, but we have a handful of chapters to accomplish what we need to in beginning our story. But what do we want to achieve?

Introduce a character we care about.Introduce a problem we want solved.Introduce the force(s) who are going to make solving that problem hard/impossible.

And remember, the most important thing about the beginning of the story is…

BEGINNING THE STORY.

“This is a terrific writing course. Smith’s winningly idiosyncratic style introduces storytelling skills that are universally valuable, even foundational. The exercises are well-conceived to turn the ideas into practice.”

James D. Witmer, Author and Managing Editor

Try 3 FREE sessions of The Green Writer

Speaking of a great story… check out this book recommendation from my daughter, Anne.

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes

Our story begins with a poor blind boy named Peter Nimble. He is clever, quick-witted, and can easily make a living by stealing anything he needs. But Peter has no real home, and no friends to call his own. There is no lock, box, or pocket he cannot get into. There is no coveted item he can’t sniff out, no place he cannot sneak into. He is, in fact, the greatest thief who ever lived. But he works for Mr. Seamus, a cruel master who lives off of Peter’s pilfering. It isn’t a good life, or one he wants, but all that changes when he encounters a curious Haberdasher. The Haberdasher possesses, along with many other peculiar curiosities, a mysterious box. Peter is unexplainably drawn to the box, and when he gets his hands on it, his life changes forever.

This is a gripping tale that is an instant classic in my book. I was so refreshed when I read it for the first time. It was just the sort of thing I wanted—an epic adventure with lovable characters, humor, danger, magic, wonder, and a hint of fairytale charm. The voice of the book is also really great. It effortlessly narrates Peter’s adventure in a dashing and familiar way. The audiobook is really good as well! Jonathan Auxier is one of the few authors that I trust so much that I will buy whatever he puts out, even before I read it. I’m that confident it will be good, and equally as confident recommending Peter Nimble to you.

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier
Anne-Girl Reviews

That’s all for now. Be on the lookout for the next newsletter that has the details about the LIVE celebration for Prince Lander and the Dragon War’s official release!

I’m on your side,

Sam

The post Save the Date: LIVE Launch Party & New Recommendation From Anne + GW Tip appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Hey Pals,

Signed copies are back in stock, for a LIMITED TIME. This is the last chance to get a signed first edition of Prince Lander and the Dragon War, unless you catch me at one of the rare events I’m attending this year.

I’m not traveling much this year, but I’m going to be at HopeWords Conference this weekend. It’s a great conference in Bluefield, West Virginia, which is not terribly far from my Grandview home. I’m really excited to meet many of you. If you’re there, be sure to say hi!

Speaking of last days for stuff, today is the LAST DAY for the FREE oath printable. Use the code TheOathFREE at checkout to get it free.

Many of you are getting the new book. Reminder, it’s NOT SAFE, but it IS GOOD. That means there is evil depicted as—you guessed it—evil! It’s an intense story that doesn’t portray bad guys as just needing a hug. It takes evil seriously and, by doing that, takes you as readers seriously. These stories come from a place of love and a sincere desire to serve you and your kids.

I love seeing the pictures and videos of your families opening the new book. Thanks for sharing those! The official launch is April 19 and we’re planning some fun things for that day.

I’m on your side,

Sam

Order and SIGNED copy of Prince Lander and the Dragon War

The post SIGNED FIRST EDITIONS: Last Chance to Get New Green Ember Books Signed appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Prefer to watch? Check out the video version, complete with outtakes.

Howdy Partners,

I LOVE seeing the videos and pictures of kids getting Prince Lander and the Dragon War! It’s awesome to see your family holding in your hands what my family touched just the other day when we signed and prepped the books. I hope you enjoy this tenth Green Ember adventure. I’m so grateful for your help in Operation Black Star Rising. It was wonderful, a big success that helped introduce this trilogy inside the bigger Green Ember world—Tales of Old Natalia—to more readers. Thank you for being on our side!

Post Mission Debrief: Operation Black Star Rising

Hello friends!

A week ago, we invited you to join us on Operation Black Star Rising, and boy, did you ever respond!

Why Operation Black Star Rising? Well, we’re always thinking about the challenge of how to introduce people to the world of Green Ember stories. Of course, the best gateway is when the people who love The Green Ember tell other people about it. That’s something that you all do so naturally, and we’re thankful.

But, occasionally we stop to think about how we introduce folks who have read The Green Ember to the rest of the series. And every time we undertake this kind of effort, we hear from a few people saying, “My kids LOVED the Green Ember, but we didn’t know there were other books!” It’s easy to feel like we beat that drum so much that surely everyone already knows about the whole series.

And then, occasionally, we try to think about how to make sure we stay visible in the places where people buy books. You help us with that, too: your reviews of these books have helped us to stay in front of the audience on Amazon, Audible, and everywhere else these books are available. 

But, sometimes, a little concerted effort goes along way. That’s what happened with Operation Black Star Rising. We didn’t quite accomplish the goal of cracking the top 100, but look at what we did accomplish:

An increase of 1022% in sales over the preceding two weeks157 new reviews of The Black Star of KingstonAn increase in sales rank from 75,755 all the way up to 855 overall#1 in Children’s Rabbit Books #1 in Children’s Folk Tales & Myth Collections#1 in Christian Fantasy (Books)

Thanks so much for helping us with Operation Black Star Rising. We’re so thankful for the way you support us. We’re on your side.

Andrew Mackay
Publisher
Story Warren Books

Prince Lander LANDS: From Our Hands to Yours

We’re happy to report that Prince Lander is out of our hands and into yours. Watch this video for more pictures!

There’s still time to grab a signed copy!

Get Prince Lander and the Dragon War HereCome for the Mountains, Stay for the Speakers

HopeWords is just around the corner so now is your opportunity to register! The beautiful mountains and incredible people of Bluefield, WV—my neck of the woods—will force you to slow down and think deeply. Need more convincing? You’ll be challenged by world-class writers and surrounded by readers, thinkers, dreamers, and lovers of words & God.

Register Here#SDSmithDopeQuotesCuration

I curate quotes on the socials and wanted to leave you with this one from, “On Living in an Atomic Age” by C. S. Lewis:

Find more dope quotes here.

That’s all for now.

I’m on your side,

Sam

The post Prince Lander LANDS | From Our Hands to Yours appeared first on S. D. Smith.

GOAL!

Make The Black Star of Kingston an Amazon Hit on Kindle.

In order to….Raise its visibility for readers on Amazon.

In order to…Introduce lots of people to the Old Natalia trilogy and, thus, the new book!

HOW?

Easy…

You spend 99 cents and grab it on Kindle.You rank it five stars.Let me know you’re at mission accomplished stage in the comments for a chance to win one of TEN signed Black Star print editions!

(If you already bought it ON KINDLE, then just review it for your mission. NOTE: Anyone can buy the Kindle download, even if you don’t have the device.)

YOUR REWARD?

A free, brand new coloring sheet by Green Ember artist Zach Franzen.

A chance to win a signed copy of Black Star–if you comment that you completed the mission!

And my gratitude!

WHEN DOES THE MISSION COMMENCE?

This very moment. Go here and snag the 99 cent deal NOW. Do the review!

Then go collect your free printable coloring sheet HERE. Comment and let me know you did it!

The post Operation Black Star Rising: Uncle Sam Needs YOU! appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Happy Birthday Ember Rising! We’re celebrating with a GIVEAWAY so read on!

“The seed of the new world smolders,” he cried. “But a fire comes first. Bear the flame!”

A harrowing adventure inside enemy territory. Heather and Picket are plunged into the darkness of Morbin’s shadow, fighting to bear the flame of the cause and light the way for rabbitkind’s upright insurrection.

Hope for a Healing
Work for the Mending
Fight for the Rising

Once The Green Ember and Ember Falls (as well as The Black Star of Kingston & The Last Archer!) were released, readers of all ages were clamoring for more Green Ember adventures. Fans were delighted to receive Ember Rising:

Watch the video to hear what S. D. Smith has to say about this harrowing adventure.

Here is what YOU have said over the years about Ember Rising.

Add your thoughts on Goodreads, Amazon, or Audible. Thank you for taking the time to review these books.

Fun Fact: Ember Rising shares a birthday month with National Backyard Day so head outside for a game of Hoopvolley!

Hoopvolley

Picket joins the bucks and does of Harbone Citadel in a game of Hoopvolley.

You will need:

hoop (or tire)ball

How to play:

Two players stand on opposing sides with a hoop (or tire) in between, about 10 steps away from the hoop. A player tries to kick the ball into the hoop in as few kicks as possible. Once the ball is through the hoop, the opposite player tries to kick it back through the hoop in as many kicks or less.

Note: A tire is nice, because it’s stable.

This game is played together as you try and beat your last high score.

We love to see you playing in The Green Ember world. Share with us using #rabbitswithswords and tag @sdsmithereens on Instagram or Facebook!

Here is what you’ve been creating: (Watch the video to hear a beautiful & original song from a fan named Caroline Jarvis!)

Keep sharing with us on the socials for a chance to be featured in our next birthday celebration!

New to The Green Ember? Get started with the first audiobook for FREE by signing up for our newsletter.

Also free: coloring pages for free when you Gimme 5!

If you want your very own copy, Ember Rising is available at the S. D. Smith Family Store (where you get the best deal) and is also available on audiobook and eBook (and print) at Amazon and your favorite bookshops.

And, if your library partners with Hoopla, you can listen to ALL the audiobooks for free! Make sure to check with your local library & follow the recommended reading order.

Years ago, Ember Rising started on Kickstarter. Enjoy this blast from the past… or is it the future…

More Birthday Fun: Giveaway!

In honor of Ember Rising’s birthday, here is what we’re giving away:

( 1 ) Complete SIGNED set of ALL The Green Ember Books
( 1 ) Complete set of The Green Ember Series Audiobooks
( 4 ) SIGNED copies of Ember Rising
( 4 ) Ember Rising Audiobooks

For a total of 10 winners!

To Enter: 
Comment with your favorite game to play in your backyard. Enter on Instagram and Facebook for additional entries.

Rules: Must have a U.S. mailing address. Must be 18 or older. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by or associated with Facebook or Instagram. Void where prohibited. Winners will be selected and notified on March 15th.

Thank you for celebrating the book birthday of Ember Rising with us!

Check out these other birthday celebrations:

Happy Anniversary Ember’s End. The Green Ember Finale’s Book Birthday!Happy Birthday to The Black Star of Kingston!The Wreck & Rise of Whitson Mariner | Book BirthdayEmber Falls | Book BirthdayThe Archer’s Cup | Book Birthday

The post Happy Birthday Ember Rising! appeared first on S. D. Smith.

I’m never sure what to say when world events are so intense and the words of an ordinary children’s author from West Virginia on social media feel so unnecessary. “Stay in your lane,” I tell myself. And that’s good advice. We probably need far fewer experts on the “out there” and more people living faithfully “right here.” The world very rarely needs “my take.” The last several years of seemingly ceaseless punditry from every citizen on a mission has been tedious and exhausting, not to mention ineffective or counterproductive. The “not many of you should become teachers” line from St. James comes to mind. “Stay in your lane” is usually pretty good advice. I’m usually choosing to. 

So, while ordinary men kissed their wives and children and turned to fight to protect their homeland from invasion, I wrote. I wrote thousands and thousands of words—in private—on a story that I’ve been working on for many months with my son. I kept at it while a new war in Europe intensified and drew the attention of the world. 

Though it feels relatively unimportant, I think creating and sharing soul-forming stories is of great long-term value. My lane is an avenue that goes straight through the hearts of children God made and loves and intends for his kingdom of light. No small thing. It’s a good little lane. So I write on, focusing on this little job “right here” that goes—by some rare magic—far from my presence and into the lives of precious children I’m called to serve all over the world. 

This new book is about conflict, and standing up to evil men, about showing up for the good fight you’re in and being faithful and brave. All of my Green Ember books are about this. I hope and pray this one also inspires those who read it to live out those ancient virtues in the “real world.” I hope it is a gift to ordinary people living “right here” in their lives and that has an impact for good “out there” in some way. 

Maybe your lane seems small, or insignificant. I bet it isn’t. You don’t have to be a geopolitical expert, an epidemiologist, a pastor, a prophet, or a therapist, unless that’s your calling—your lane. I bet your lane leads—maybe in the long and winding way—to places of deep significance and service to the people, be they millions or very few, who God has called you to love. 

Show up for that. Be ruthless about ignoring all those enticing “shortcuts” to self-expression, seeming-expertise, and shallow impact. They are almost always lies. Take the long cut. Enjoy your lane.

The post Stay In Your Lane During Wartime: It’s a Long and Winding Road to Your True Calling appeared first on S. D. Smith.