S.D. Smith's Blog, page 3

I hear from fans that they love to put the Green Ember books in Easter baskets. While I never intended these to be Easter books, as in “bunny books,” it fits in a different way.

These are Easter books, not because they have rabbits, but because the story is about life breaking through in the face of death. The Green Ember Series is about keeping faith, fighting for hope, and self-sacrificial love.

If you are looking for a meaningful gift to give this Easter, I invite you to add The Green Ember Series.

4-Book Bundle with Audiobooks

For a limited time, we’re offering the Core Four adventures AND the audiobook .mp3 downloads (perfect for Yoto or your favorite listening device) for just $59 and FREE Shipping!

4-Book Bundle + 32 Listening Hours

$141.60 $59

shop now

FREE Standard Shipping in contiguous US.

Making Yoto cards? Grab the free cover art, template & pixel art download here.

Giveaway

We’re giving away two Green Ember: Old Natalia series and two Green Ember: Archer series for a total of 4 winners!

To enter: comment on this IG or FB post with a gift or activity you enjoy during Easter. Share the posts for extra entries. (No social media? Send this blog post to a friend and comment below.)
 
Giveaway ends April 7th at 11:59PM ET. Winners will be announced April 8th. US only.

Book four, Ember’s End, was written during Lent and released on Easter Sunday.
 
A fitting conclusion for a story that echoes The Story.

For the Mending,

Sam

“Ember’s End: the stunning conclusion to The Green Ember series: Is it an Easter book? Yes, but not because it is about rabbits! Ember’s End is a beautiful conclusion to the saga. Great stories reflect the Greatest Story Ever Told, of our redemption through Christ, and Ember’s End reminds me of the love of our Father, and the hope we have in Jesus’s second coming.”

shop story warren store

The post Stories That Echo The Story | Green Ember Easter Books appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Tell me the truth. How do you handle screens in your home? Do you view them as inherently evil things, or do you see them as potential tools at times? Do you feel conflicted about them?

Tell Me Here

I do feel somewhat conflicted. My kids watch Carl Azuz as part of their schooling on YouTube. We read lots of physical books. We watch movies and sports on our television. We play on the trampoline and play soccer and go on lots of hikes and walks.

When my daughter was sick recently, I put up a mobile phone video game called Wordscapes (which I play sometimes to ward off brain atrophy) on our TV and we played it together. We are bookish and theological and philosophical and have great discussions about all those things over family dinner at the table, away from screens.

My kids watch Dude Perfect. We play FIFA soccer on a Nintendo Switch and I play Galaga occasionally. All our kids play instruments and most of them write songs and stories and paint and are deeply creative. We sometimes eat cookies from the store! (Gasp.)

I’m sure we don’t do everything right, and I sometimes feel we are out of balance, but I’ve generally seen screens and movies and video games and cookies as good things in good measure, and bad things out of proportion.

So, in this way, it’s like soccer. (We play a lot, but we stopped doing club travel soccer because we had to miss church.) Soccer is a good game, but a crummy religion. That was our choice for this season of life.

Video games can, I believe, make for a fun period of immersion in a story or a puzzle, and shouldn’t be dismissed entirely just because of the advanced nature of the interface (or technology). But, there are dangers there. Just as there are dangers in spending all our energy on movies, or art galleries, or literature, or ______.

I wonder how your family navigates these challenges and what resources you suggest to other parents looking to be faithful to God in their callings to curate a home built on the Solid Rock.
Does it include games? Board games? Video Games? Does it include sports? Television?

I do tend to see value in having a general orientation that our home is not a garden of NO with a lone tree of YES. Like God’s rule in the beginning of the Story, we want to have a home that is more a garden of yes with a tree of no. I don’t want us to live in fear, but I do want to be sober and faithful and fully yielded to Jesus as our King.

There are a thousand influencers geared up to tell you how afraid you need to be of everything you eat, wear, watch, breathe, play, clean with, enjoy, and it goes on and on. I know that living with an endless fear of “all the things” and a ceaseless comparison game where envy is a daily diet is not the way of life.

I love Andy Crouch on this. The Tech-wise Family  is very good, as is Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism. At the end of my little survey, there’s a blank place for you to give me your best resources. I welcome them!

So, I want to know. What choices, in your family, comport with the way of life? I invite us all to put aside our pet bugaboos and rest in the acceptance we have forever as a child of God in Christ. Breathe in the imperfect air and smile at your imperfect family and try to do a little better, day by day.

But please, tell me about your home. I am keen to hear your thoughts!

Tell Me Here

Thank you for taking the time to answer.

I’m on your side,

Sam

The post Screens and Games and Movies, Oh My! appeared first on S. D. Smith.

I’ve Read Green Ember, Now What?

Hi Friends,

I’m a parent like you and I want my kids to get lost in adventures that won’t get them lost. So much modern storytelling is just thinly-veiled propaganda. But I want my kids to read excellent, noble, fun, faithful stories.

So I created the Green Ember world (11 books and counting .) These books began as tales I told my toddling daughter on an Appalachian porch and grew into a series with well over a million sold.

I’ve heard from many fans & parents that their reluctant reader has read through the series more time than they can count. I’m convinced some of you know the Green Ember world better than I do.

Green Ember is a good gate but not a destination. Onward!

I know how important it is to find the right stories. That’s why I’m excited to share my recommendation for what’s next: the BOLD Adventure Bundle.

BOLD Adventures.kt-sc_8102d8-70 .kt-sc-imgcol {min-height:450px;}BOLD Adventure Bundle – 6 Audiobook Download

$104 $48

get the adventures

The BOLD (Brave, Outlandish, Laugh-out-loud, Daring) Adventure Bundle consists of 6 audiobooks that have everything you love about Green Ember: heroism, humor, heart, and high-stakes adventure.

All for $48. And for a limited time, you can take an extra $10 off using the code BOLD.

Adventure Bundle on Yoto

We’ve made the BOLD Adventure Bundle Yoto friendly. You can download the FREE pdf, template, pixel art, and book covers to make your own Yoto cards.

If you’re looking for excellent, noble, fun, faithful stories for your kids to get lost in, give these a try.

We are your allies in imagination. We are on your side.

Sam

visit story warren store

P.S. If you know families who would love these stories, would you share this with them? Word of mouth is the best way for BOLD stories to find the kids who need them. Forward this email or send them this link. Thank you!

The post What to Read After Green Ember appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Hi Friends,

Well, today is the day. Another birthday. I’m officially older than I’ve ever been before.

Forty-eight years old, in human years.

That’s a solid stack of time—enough to read (and write) plenty of books, learn a few things, and eat a lot of chocolate chip cookies. Mission accomplished on all counts.

Sure, Sure…But What Can You Do For Me?

Want to give me a birthday gift? I know you do ‘cause you’re like that. Take a few seconds to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads for the newest Green Ember book, The Lost Key?

Leave Review

Thanks for that. You are very kind and sweet and you look great in that new haircut or shirt or whatever.

In keeping with a tradition of mine, here are eight things I’m thankful for this year and one bonus one. No particular order. Not much thought. Straight from my appendix-free guts.

PicklesTophouse (the band)Liverpool Football ClubJavon SmallPatrick O’BrianNorthern IrelandThe Daily OfficeThe Rest is History podYou’re not gonna believe this it’s cookiesFree eBook

Now it’s my turn to give you something. Today only, my birthday (ICYMI), The Black Star of Kingston is FREE on Kindle.

Today and tomorrow (ends 2/12) you can get the Mooses with Bazookas eBook for just 99 cents.

Get Free eBook

Thanks for being here. I probably love you.

Sam

Shop Story Warren Store

The post Celebrating with Gratitude (& a Free eBook) appeared first on S. D. Smith.

We’re going to show you how to make your own Green Ember Yoto Cards! Start with downloading the audiobooks in .mp3 form, currently on sale.

54 Hours of Adventure

*$10 off ENDS TODAY. Use code YOTO at checkout.

There’s something special about a story well told, the kind that draws your family in, turning car rides into epic adventures. The kind that fills your home with bravery, beauty, and hope.

That’s why we’re happy to bring back the Complete 11 Green Ember Audiobook collection for just $48.

All 11 Green Ember Series Audiobooks – Audiobook DownloadGet the Adventures

These audiobooks come as zipped downloads in mp3 format. Perfect for:

Family listening on road trips or while doing choresIndependent listening during quiet time or bedtimeYoto audiobook cards (we’ll show you how to make them)

“I really enjoyed listening to Joel Clarkson with his creative voices read this book. He helped me stay ahead of my voracious 8 year old reader who I think is really growing emotionally as he relates to Picket. Very good character building book for boys!”

A. Rabe

ENDS TODAY, February 7: Use code YOTO for $10 off.

Green Ember on Yoto

We’ve received lots of questions about Green Ember for Yoto, a popular screen-free audio player for kids, and we’re happy to bring you an easy way to make your own Green Ember Yoto Cards.

We’ve created Yoto friendly covers and fun pixel art. Get detailed instructions & the free download here.

The download includes:

a pdf download with 13 book covers formatted on 2 pages13 book cover images and template8 pixel artinstructions for how to make your own Green Ember Yoto card labels

Whether you have Yoto or not, we hope you take advantage of this audiobook deal (and use the code) to bring virtuous tales of hope & bravery into your home.

Please share these audiobook covers & deal with your Yoto loving pals. They can download the The Green Ember audiobook for free here.

How to Make-Your-Own Green Ember Yoto CardsGet audiobooks in .mp3 form. The complete 11 book set is on sale here.Download audiobooks and unzip the files.Upload .mp3 files to a playlist in your Yoto library.Add the book cover as the playlist artwork.Add pixel art (we’ve created some for you!).Link the playlist with a Yoto card.Make Your Own Labels: 2 ways

Now that you have the audiobooks and playlists created, let’s make some labels using the book covers. Here are 2 easy ways to make your own Green Ember Yoto labels:

Option 1Add the free product to your cart & check out.Download & unzip the folder.Open the PDF with all the covers and print on sticker paper like this one.
Alternatively you can print it at your local printer and ask for sticker paper.Cut out & stick covers to MYO Yoto Cards.
These printed covers are a little bigger than the card to allow for trimming.Option 2Add the free product to your cart and check out.Download & unzip the folder. Navigate to the Book Covers folder.Plug them into your favorite MYO template
You’ll find the one we’ve created in the download.Download the file as PDF Print.Print them on sticker paper.Cut out & stick covers to MYO Yoto Cards.
These printed covers are a little bigger than the card to allow for trimming.

Quality is dependent on printer & sticker paper.

get download

Hope you enjoy these Make-Your-Own Green Ember Yoto Cards!

The post Green Ember Yoto | Make Your Own Cards appeared first on S. D. Smith.

It’s time to announce the winners for this quarter’s Green Ember Kid Art contest!

Best Green Ember Kid Art

The FIRST prize goes to the Best #GreenEmberKidArt, judged according to the artist’s age. The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate at the S. D. Smith Store (along with Unimaginable Glory & Prodigious Esteem). 

And the winner is… 

Elaine, Age 12!

“This sculpture was made out of pipe cleaners, then dressed with fabric scraps.”Randomly Selected Kid Artist

For our next prize: Wild Glee, Contagious Joy, and $20 Gift Certificate at the S. D. Smith Store, everyone who submits art is entered.

And the winner is…

Tiqvah, Age 10!

“Helmer bears the flame”

Congratulations to these winners!

We had so many wonderful submissions that it made choosing a winner so so difficult. Here are some of them: Check out this video for more!

The contest for the next quarter starts now. Here are the official rules:

To enter, submit your art here.

If you have social media, please share your child’s Green Ember art (publicly) on social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube). Use the hashtag #GreenEmberKidArt (along with #RabbitsWithSwords and #TheGreenEmber if you would) and tag S. D. Smith on either Facebook or Instagram. YouTube submissions may be featured in our playlist here.

Art can include but is not limited to pictures of Green Ember drawings, paintings, songs, poems, animation, sculptures, woodwork, crochet art, and MORE! We love seeing your creativity.

Please submit 1 original piece per quarter. If you have more than one, hold onto it until our next quarterly contest opens up (every 3 months). The next contest ends in March and winners will be announced in April.

2024Q1 WinnersQ2 WinnersQ3 Winners2023Q1 WinnersQ2 WinnersQ3 WinnersQ4 Winners2022Q2 WinnersQ3 WinnersQ4 Winners

We look forward to seeing your submissions!

Theodore, age 8

The post Green Ember Kid Art Winners | 2024 Q4 appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Today is the Last Day

Just a quick note to let you know that today is the last day for these deals:

Green Ember Christmas Special Main 4 Books: The Green Ember, Ember Falls, Ember Rising, Ember’s EndGreen Ember Lost Tales: The Lost KeyCharacter CardsOath OrnamentFree Shipping
All for $100 $55!Get Christmas Special$10 Signed Books Team Burger ShedMooses with Bazookas and Other Stories Children Should Never ReadJack Zulu and the Waylander’s KeyJack Zulu and the Girl with Golden WingsGet $10 Book SpecialStarting Tomorrow

Last but not least, our friends over at Young Writer’s Workshop are opening enrollment tomorrow. If you’re looking for something positive, fun, and educational for your kids, check them out.

That’s all for now!

I’m on your side,

Sam

The post Ending Today | Grab it Before it’s Gone appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Another Health Update

Hey Friends,

Happy New Year and a blessed Epiphany to you all. I hope your year is going great. I appreciate your love and prayers for me. A little update is that I ended up back in the hospital with an infection stemming from my earlier surgery. I’m home again (again) and, other than losing power earlier this week in the ice/snow storm, doing pretty well. 2025 is off to an interesting start.

This winter and holiday season has been more about managing challenges for me, rather than being super intentional and on the ball with every celebration. I don’t love that, but there have been lots of cool blessings in the middle of it all. For instance, earlier this week we were welcomed by our neighbors (my sister Rebecca Mackay and brother-in-law and publisher and partner, Andrew Mackay) to keep warm by their propane fireplace. Theirs, in contrast to ours, is working. They also fed us and we played games and had a deep long talk about Holy Scripture and joked around and Andrew passed out from laughing. (For a second. He’s fine. Let nothing distract you from your focus on me ME! MEEEEEE!)

It’s a gift to be loved and welcomed and I pray you are finding good gifts amid the adventures you’re in, wherever you are.

On to a few notes about some popular items that sold out in December and are back and some holiday deals that are disappearing soon. Thank you for shopping at our family store! It means so much to me.

Back in Stock

A few of our items sold out quickly but I’m happy to report the Green Ember Character Cards and the  are back in stock!

AND we are bringing back the Christmas Special for a few more days.

*All orders $50+ get Free Standard Shipping*

The Green Ember Christmas Special has the main 4 books and the newest Green Ember book, The Lost Key. And we’re throwing in the Green Ember Character Cards along with the Oath Ornament. Originally $100, on sale for $55.

Get Christmas Special

Ending soon: $100 off the complete Green Ember audio adventures. 11 audiobooks delivered in .mp3 form, perfect for downloading to your favorite portable audio player.

Shop Now

If you listen to audiobooks, we’d love to hear how you like to listen so we can serve you better. Please take a moment to answer a few short questions:

Tell Us Here

That’s all for now. Thanks again for being so rad. Imagine we are high-fiving right now. Do it! Now I glide away and disappear behind a burning pile of Manchester United memorabilia just as a unicorn leaps into view and starts rapping. That was weird, you think. Let’s never do this again.

Stay cool. Hope we can high-five in person someday.

I’m on your side,

Sam

Here’s a picture I took earlier this week. Foreground: icy tree limb. Background: the house on whose porch The Green Ember was born.

Shop Story Warren Store

The post Another Personal Update, Back in Stock, and Last Chance for These Specials appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Happy Official Launch Day

It’s launch day for the new Green Ember book! The Lost Key is officially out and shipping. (From our store. Amazon sometimes lags.) I hope you love it!

I’d be so grateful if you’d go to Amazon, those infamous laggers, and add a brief review. It helps so much!

We normally do a big launch party to celebrate but, due to my recent health trouble, we are going to have to postpone that fun!

Instead of a party, we are doing a GREAT BIG GIVEAWAY!

$5,000+ in Winnings & 250+ Winners

Here’s what we’re giving away:

Christmas Special | 3 WinnersMy Place Beside You Sweatshirt | 5 WinnersMy Place Beside You T-Shirt | 5 WinnersOath Ornament | 5 WinnersCharacter Cards | 5 WinnersThe Green Writer Course | 5 WinnersStory Warren Audio Pack (The Found Boys, Mooses with Bazookas, The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson, The Last Archer, The Black Star of Kingston, Team Burger Shed) | 50 WinnersThe Found Boys Audiobook | 50 WinnersMooses with Bazookas Audiobook | 50 WinnersThe Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson Audiobook | 50 WinnersTeam Burger Shed Audiobook | 50 WinnersGrand Prize

One winner will receive the Grand Prize. This includes….
The Christmas Special, My Place Beside You T-Shirt & sweatshirt, Oath Ornament, Character Cards, The Green Writer Course, and the Story Warren Audio Pack.

How To Enter

HOW TO ENTER

Be following and like, comment (be creative?), and then share to stories: this Instagram post or this Facebook post

*If you don’t have social media, comment below and share this blog post.

Once you’ve done that, say so here to be entered:

enter here

Giveaway ends and winners will be announced on Monday, December 9th. Winners must be 18 or older, US address only for shippable products. May not force me to eat peas.

I hope you win!

Sam

P.S. I’m feeling much better and improving a lot! Thank you for caring and praying.

P.S.S. Get access to giveaways, deals, & a free audiobook here.

The post The Lost Key Launch Giveaway appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Brief Health Update

I am recovering at home and am making some great progress. Still a ways to go, but I am so grateful for your love and care and the prayers and messages. You are on my side, and I feel it.

Signed Copies are Going Quickly

Just a quick note to say that the newest Green Ember book, The Lost Key, is now shipping! If you preordered, it will be making its way to you very shortly.

I signed thousands of books but they are going quickly. If you didn’t snag one during the preorder, you can still get a signed copy in the Green Ember Christmas special or the Complete 11 Book Set.

Get it Before It’s Gone

Thank you so much for supporting my work and our family business!

God bless you all,

Sam

P.S. I want to hear from you: are you and your family going to read The Lost Key right away or do you have the willpower to wait until Christmas? Tell me in the comments here. Please share pictures and tag me!

P.P.S. As packages start to arrive, please open them and verify that everything is correct before Christmas. For help with orders contact [email protected].

The post New Green Ember Shipping! (+ Sam Health Update) appeared first on S. D. Smith.