S.D. Smith's Blog, page 14

“We spend so much time fighting in this war; maybe we should fight for love just as fiercely.”

Jo Shanks

In this sequel to The Last Archer and The First Fowler, Jo Shanks is charged with aiding Emma on her mission to unite the secret citadels in their fight against the Preylord slavers. Alongside Cole and Heyna Blackstar, Jo and Emma must enter into the heart of a community in confusion.

Something is wrong at Blackstone Citadel. Can Jo and his friends solve the mystery and enlist Blackstone’s aid in time to rendezvous with their allies fighting for the Mended Wood?

A citadel on the edge.

An insidious mystery to unravel.

WHO WILL TARGET THE TERROR?

Fans set to work uncovering the mystery as soon as they got their hands on this new book.

A new book brought new challenges. What were they? Watch the video to hear from the author himself.

Here is what YOU are saying about The Archer’s Cup.

Have you made your way to the end? Share your thoughts at Goodreads, Amazon, or Audible. Your reviews are deeply appreciated.

Just to make sure EVERYONE gets something cool from The Archer’s Cup fun, here’s a free coloring sheet!

You can get more awesome coloring pages when you “Gimme 5.” It’s easy and you can do that here!

Fun Fact: The Archer’s Cup shares a birthday month with National Play Outside Day! Don a Green Ember costume (inspiration here), bow & arrow, and head for the woods.

S. D. Smith was recently a guest on The 1000 Hours Outside podcast where he traced his storytelling abilities back to the early years of his life where he ran wild in the woods of West Virginia, immersing himself in nature and in his imagination.

“There’s probably nothing that’s been more formative for me as a storyteller and in my vocation than those early years of my life playing imaginatively and running wild in the woods of West Virginia.”

S. D. Smith

We love seeing you play and create in The Green Ember World. Use #rabbitswithswords and tag @sdsmithereens and @thegreenemberofficial on Instagram or Facebook for a chance to be featured in our next video!

Wind down with a cozy drink inspired by lalla oil.

“If you need to sleep instead of staying alert, I have just the thing for that too. Lalla oil works every time.”

Brew some chamomile tea or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try a sleepytime tea latte.

Sleepytime Tea Latte

You Will Need:

1/4 cup hot water1 chamomile tea bag1 peppermint tea bag3/4 cup steamed milk

Steep chamomile and peppermint tea in hot water. Add steamed (or frothed) milk.
Optional: sweeten with honey. Enjoy!

Recipe from here.

New to The Green Ember? Get started with the first audiobook for FREE.

If you would like your very own, you can find great deals such as a SIGNED copy of The Archer’s Cup (*for a limited time) at the S. D. Smith Family Store. This book is also available on audiobook, eBook (and print) at Amazon and your favorite bookshops.

Did you know: 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.

More Birthday Fun: Giveaway!

In honor of The Archer’s Cup’s Birthday, here’s what we’re giving away:

( 1 ) Complete SIGNED set of ALL 9 Green Ember Books
( 1 ) Complete set of The Green Ember Series Audiobooks (9 audiobooks in total!)
( 1 ) SIGNED copy of The Archer’s Cup
( 1 ) The Archer’s Cup Audiobook

For a total of 4 winners!

To Enter:

Comment (here / Instagram / Facebook) with your favorite game to play outside.

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 Wednesday, November 17th.

Thank you for celebrating The Archer’s Cup’s birthday 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!Happy Birthday Ember Falls!

The post Happy Birthday to The Archer’s Cup! appeared first on S. D. Smith.

This story goes back and back.

It’s been around seven years since the first Green Ember book was first shared with the world, but the story—in its first iteration—was shared in my little world for many years before that. (Well before this innocuous FB post and it’s sweet little typo twelve years ago. The image of Sam Gamgee beneath was created years later.)

It started on a porch in West Virginia with a daddy and a daughter. It eventually was written down and shared with more people many years later. Happy days! Then it grew to nine books—the ninth book will be one year old in a couple of days. Archer’s Cup anyone?

So what about the tenth book? You may be happy to hear that I just wrote “The End” a few days ago on that manuscript. The story goes on….

The post Green Ember Memories and Writing “The End” Again appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Great stories move us,And make us move. They inspire us to see,And, seeing, show others,What we saw,And what else we see. And so we go,Moving ahead,Bringing others we love along.

The post Great Stories Move Us appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Whether you’re attending a Green Ember book club, trick-or-treating, or make-believing, costumes are always a good idea.

Here is how to put together a costume inspired by The Green Ember Series.

You will need:Bunny EarsSwordCloak (blanket, sheet, etc.)Optional:WhiskersArmorSatchelWalking StickBunny Ears

Arguably the most notable aspect of any rabbit costume is the ears.

You can easily make your own. Here are 4 ways to make bunny ears from things like a headband, pipe cleaners, or even a paper plate!

Check out these creative ears from fans:

Sword

You can’t have #rabbitswithswords without swords. You can find Picket’s Sword here or there are lots of different ways to make your own. Here’s how to make one out of cardboard, aluminum foil, or paper.

Now take a look at these swashbuckling swords:

A sword isn’t the only weapon you can use for a Green Ember costume. Try a bow and arrow!

Cape Traveling Cloak

We’ll call it a cloak because..

via GIPHY

Here are tutorials for a no-sew version or 4 other methods. A blanket or sheet works as well.

Gaze upon these clever cloaks:

That covers the essentials. If you want a little more customization, consider these:

WhiskersArmorSatchelWalking Stick

And here is even more inspiration for a Green Ember costume from fans around the world!

We love seeing you play and create in The Green Ember World. Use #rabbitswithswords and tag @sdsmithereens and @thegreenemberofficial on Instagram or Facebook!

What do you think would be a fun addition to a #rabbitswithswords costume? Let us know in the comments!

Make.

Believe.

Make Believe.

The post Costumes Inspired by The Green Ember appeared first on S. D. Smith.

I’m so excited to share this course! It’s been on my heart a long time. I hope you’ll give it a try.

Enter coupon code WRITENOW to get $10 off The Green Writer!

The post S. D. Smith Teaches YOU Writing: The Green Writer Launches TODAY appeared first on S. D. Smith.

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

“Where’s the next book?” is a question frequently repeated soon after The Green Ember and The Black Star of Kingston were released.

The stage is set. It’s war. Morbin Blackhawk, slaver and tyrant, threatens to destroy the rabbit resistance forever. Heather and Picket are two young rabbits improbably thrust into pivotal roles.

The fragile alliance forged around the young heir seems certain to fail. Can Heather and Picket help rescue the cause from a certain, sudden defeat?

My Place Beside You
My Blood For Yours
Till The Green… Ember Falls

After much anticipation, Ember Falls made its way to delighted fans.

 “But no cause is greater than my love for you.

I fight because you are in my heart.”

Lord Rake

Was The Green Ember always meant to be a series? Watch the video to see what S. D. Smith has to say!

Here’s what YOU have to say about this second installment of The Green Ember Series.

Have you had a chance to review this book? Let us know what you think on Goodreads, Amazon, or Audible. Your reviews mean so much!

Fun Fact: Ember Falls shares a birthday with National #KidsTakeOverTheKitchenDay. (Yes, that’s really a thing!)

Encourage the kids to get creative and come up with a tasty Green Ember inspired treat. Here is some inspiration: 

We love to see what you create. Use #rabbitswithswords and tag @sdsmithereens and @thegreenemberofficial on Instagram or Facebook!

If your bellies aren’t too laden with delicious snacks, head outside for a vigorous game of Bouncer.

Bouncer

Bouncer is a game played by the bucks and does, including Jo Shanks, of Halfwind Citadel.

For this game you will need:a kickball (or any ball, really)large hoop or something to make a circle (i.e. rope, etc.)How to play:

Lay the large hoop on the ground and kick the ball high into the air.
As soon as it lands its first bounce, make haste to catch it.
Whoever grabs the ball first must race to touch the ball down in the circle on the ground before being tagged.
If the player is tagged, they must kick the ball high again and the game resumes.
After a score, the scorer kicks the ball high to begin the next round, resuming the chase.

We love seeing you play and create in The Green Ember World. Here is what you’ve been up to:

Share 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.

Also free: coloring pages when you Gimme 5!

If you want your very own copy, Ember Falls 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.

*Sale Alert*

Today and tomorrow only, The Green Ember Series eBooks are on sale for 99 cents each! Check it out!

Did you know: 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.

More Birthday Fun: Giveaway!

In honor of this special birthday, here’s what we’re giving away:

( 1 ) Complete SIGNED set of ALL The Green Ember Books, The Green Ember Archer Books, and The Tales of Old Natalia Books (9 books in total!)
( 1 ) Complete set of The Green Ember Series Audiobooks (9 audiobooks in total!)
( 5 ) SIGNED copies of Ember Falls
( 5 ) Ember Falls Audiobooks

For a total of 12 winners!

To Enter: 

Comment (here / Instagram / Facebook) with your favorite #rabbitswithswords inspired treat that you have made or want to try!

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.

Thank you for celebrating the book birthday of Ember Falls 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 post Happy Birthday Ember Falls! appeared first on S. D. Smith.

This week (in the US and UK) we’ll have all nine Green Ember Kindle eBooks for sale for 99 cents! Not all at once, so please see the images below for the schedule. It begins with The green Ember Archer Trilogy, and goes on. I hope you’ll share them on their days and download them all. Thanks!

The post All Nine Green Ember eBooks For 99cents This Week! appeared first on S. D. Smith.

I love Thomas McKenzie. He died on Monday.

I met Thomas years ago at The Rabbit Room’s conference. We hit it off immediately—for lots of reasons. We laughed so much, and connected easily over playful jibes and witty banter. He was funny. But there was much more to him than a great sense of humor.

Thomas was perhaps the best storyteller I have ever heard in person. Hilarious, poignant, with incredible energy and recall, his stories are seared into my memory. Whether during a sermon, or around Andrew Peterson’s campfire, huddled in the halls during a conference, or over fried chicken at McDougals, his stories were unforgettable. They varied from gut-bustingly hysterical to (literally) supernatural and sacred, and he delivered them with so much candor and ease, that you never wanted them to end. Many times I’ve asked him to tell a story “one more time” for a person who hadn’t yet heard it. Soon a group would gather as he bent to his tale, face illuminated by the bright fire.

Thomas was also a wonderful writer and wise guide when Gina and I were exploring the Anglican way of Christianity. Before his book on the subject was published, he acted as sounding board and source of information for me, delivered always with generosity and tenderness. We needed that, because we were tender in many ways and he engaged our hurt with the kind heart of a pastor.

At his church, where he celebrated and preached Christ, we felt more “home” than we ever had before in our spiritual life. We decided, with tears in our eyes and no idea how it would ever work out, that we were undeniably called by God to this faithful way of following Christ. It wasn’t only emotional, of course, and Thomas was available to answer hard questions. We didn’t always agree, and sometimes he frustrated me, and I him, intensely. That never stopped happening in this life. But he has been a quietly crucial character in the story of how our family’s faith has rooted and grown in astonishing and life-giving ways.

I loved him. I love him. I miss him. I will miss him. Until we see him once again, we will remember him with gratitude and praise to the God he loved and served.

Rest In Peace, Father Thomas.

The post A Few Words Remembering Thomas McKenzie appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Engines are starting, seats are set out, and S. D. Smith is getting ready to go. That can only mean one thing: in-person events are about to take off! 

Here are a few upcoming events where you will find S. D. Smith:

August 12-14: Cincinnati, Ohio | Great Homeschool Conventions
August 26-28: Ontario, California | Great Homeschool Conventions
September 24-25: Colorado Springs, Colorado | Anselm Society’s Imagination Redeemed Conference

Great Homeschool Conventions

It’s the homeschooling event of the year and S. D. Smith has the honor of being a featured speaker along with Sarah Mackenzie from Read-Aloud Revival, Colleen Kessler from Raising Lifelong Learners, and many, many more delightful authors and artists who can be found here.

These speakers bring a wide range of educational expertise to help you sift through the options of home education and choose what works best for you and your family. If you look closely while wandering in Lighthall the Exhibit Hall you will find Rabbits With Swords in a booth where you can get signatures, books, and more!

S. D. Smith will be hosting 3 workshops:

Five Anchor Words for Every Kind of WriterEvery Parent’s Three Simple Keys for ImaginationBeginning Writers of All Ages Welcome: How to Become a Green Writer

Are you excited yet? Are you this excited? (Watch to see their reaction once they learn they will see S. D. Smith in person!)

But wait, there’s more!

S. D. Smith will also team up with Glenn McCarty, author and creative writing teacher, for a Storyteller’s Q & A. Glenn McCarthy just announced the release of his latest book, Dead-Eye Dan and the Cimarron Kid. Word on the frontier is it’s ‘a rootin’-tootin’ cowboy story.’

Bring your questions to the Storyteller’s Q & A because they have answers. And they may even have the answers to your questions.

You can register today for Ohio or California. Hope to see you there!

Imagination Redeemed Conference

S. D. Smith will also be in the northwest foothills of Colorado this fall.

Nestled on over 700 acres in the majestic mountains of Colorado stands the stunning Lady Glen Glen Eyrie Castle. That’s right, a castle. In the mountains. 

Oh, and Sam. He’ll be there, too, standing.

Anselm Society brings you Imagination Redeemed, an invitation to re-enchant your faith and the world around you under the guidance of these brilliant and engaging minds: S. D. Smith, Jessica Hooten Wilson, Brian Brown, and more.

But wait, there’s more!

There will be live music to hear, bistro cuisine to taste, and stone walls to smell. Ah.. the joys of being in-person. 

If you’re an introvert, fear not. There’s something for you as well. Picture this: an old-fashioned room with old-fashioned furnishings and comfy armchairs appropriately named the Quiet Room.

Rumor has it there will be a special event with S. D. Smith geared specifically toward kids on Thursday 9/23.

You can register here.

If you can’t make it to any of the in-person events, you can catch the highlights on the socials:
S. D. Smith Instagram, Facebook
Anselm Society’s Imagination Redeemed

Here are some photos from previous years:

Hope to see you at one of these events!

The post Upcoming Events | Sam Goes Places appeared first on S. D. Smith.

https://wordlily.wordpress.com/2010/08/24/walt-wangerin-teaches-hutchmoot-keynote/

“This is what shapers do for those who have neither universe, nor personhood, nor name: We weave the world around them.” – Walt Wangerin, Jr.

I was sad to learn of the death of author Walt Wangerin, Jr. He died yesterday. 

Walt’s The Book of the Dunn Cow is phenomenal, and he’s written many excellent books. But hearing him speak at the first ever Rabbit Room Hutchmoot in Nashville, many years ago, was more important for me than even those books. 

I was talking to Randall Goodgame (of Slugs & Bugs) right after Walt’s talk and he summed up Walt’s gift to us so well. “I feel so validated.” 

I did too. It was an artful encouragement and validation of the place for artists in God’s work. 

Walt’s words that day, about the role of storytellers and artists in culture and the kingdom, helped me break more completely away from years of impoverished, unbliblical views about The Doctrine of Vocation in general, and the vocation of a writer in particular. 

It was a sort of “last straw” for me in a positive way. 

I praise God for that gift. I have been working in the shade of that tree for many years and I intend to pass it on. 

Rest in peace, Walt Wangerin, Jr. 

And thank you. 

The post A Grateful Writer: Thanks, Walt appeared first on S. D. Smith.