S.D. Smith's Blog, page 8

Amid all the chaos in the world, the faith-breaking and crippling divisions, what are we sharing with our kids?

I’m more committed than ever to giving gifts of light to children surrounded by darkness.

I’m more committed than ever to the belief that telling truthful stories, including depiction of REALLY bad enemies who are evil and need to be defeated, not just “understood better,” is vital.

My newest book, Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key, 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.

I can’t do everything that needs doing in the world but I can do ONE THING today to help.

Today I’m showing up to do what I’m called to: share stories of bravery. Stories to make us brave. Stories that threaten the darkness with little sparks of light that may grow into great blazes in the hearts of children.

What’s ONE THING—the SMALLER the better—you can do today to show up and shine light?

I’m on a mission to love and serve kids. Families. Your family. Your kids.

I’m on your side.

Sam

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P. S.

Here’s a conversation I had recently with Brett Harris (Founder of YWW). We talk about the workshop and the challenges young writers face.

Young Writers Workshop helps young writers create their own meaningful stories. Enrollment is now open but closes this Thursday, May 25. Register here!

The post Stories to Make us Brave & Dangerous to the Darkness appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Hey Friends,

Just wanted to tell you about some great writing resources for the aspiring author in your life, starting with this opportunity from The Young Writer: the FREE writing challenge happening now, May 8-15.

Watch a 10-minute video from a variety of experienced authors (you’ll see me!) on how to best include key story ingredients.Fill out a worksheet that walks you through how to use that story ingredient effectively.Give and receive feedback with other participants in the private, moderated community.

If you like what you see during this free week, I invite you to check out their full program (enrollment opens next week).

For those writers not quite ready for YWW, check out my course: The Green Writer. It’s my audacious invitation to writers who aspire to create and share good stories.

preview 3 free sessionsBut wait, there’s more!

The next tour stop in June brings us to HEAV, a homeschool convention in Virginia. In addition to Green Ember Live and two breakout sessions, I will be hosting two 3-hour long workshops alongside Josiah DeGraaf, an experienced writing coach at YWW, aimed at equipping young writers on their journeys to complete stories they’re proud of. Learn more here.

That’s all for now! Talk soon,

Sam

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The tour rolls on. Ohio was a blast! High fives and hugs and pictures and signing books—including one signing session that was 2 1/2 hours long! Watch the recap here.

https://youtube.com/shorts/XbRz9o2mkaQ?feature=share

We had a rare treat when my pal Sarah Mackenzie from Read-Aloud Revival joined me to perform the story part of Green Ember LIVE. Maybe she’ll come back for Texas and Cali?

Thanks to everyone who came out and met me and the family and for all your enthusiasm and support! Next up:

JUNE8-10: HEAV – Richmond, Virginia | Register Here15-17: GHC California | Register Here (Green Ember LIVE on Thursday 6-15 at 8pm) Use code GREENEMBER for $10 off registration at GHCs.JULY6-8: GHC Texas | Register Here (Green Ember LIVE on Thursday 7-6 at 8pm)14-15: Arizona Home Education Convention by AFHE – Phoenix, AZ | Register HereYou Asked, We Answered

For those of you unable to make it to a tour stop or a live performance, don’t despair! We have a special treat that has been highly requested: we recorded the live version of Picket Packslayer for you! Watch it here:

Last but certainly not least, Mother’s Day is just around the corner! We’ve put together some ideas for the Ember Moms (those heroines who make the world go). Check it out AND take 15% off your order using the code EMBERMOM.

That’s all for now! Talk soon,
Sam

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

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… 

Lily, age 16!

“This is a special style of art called paper quilling where you roll paper strips around a special tool. Characters from left to right: Emma, Heather, Picket, Jo” -LilyRandomly 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…

Teddy, age 7!

Congratulations to these winners!

We had so many wonderful submissions!! 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.

2022 Q2 Winners2022 Q3 Winners2022 Q4 Winners

We look forward to seeing your submissions!

The post Green Ember Kid Art Winners | 2023 Q1 appeared first on S. D. Smith.

The 2023 Book Tour had an incredible kickoff in the St. Louis, MO and Greenville, SC area! We met families who drove from Pennsylvania and South Dakota just to see their favorite author! Wow! We met hundreds of wonderful fans, signed thousands of books, gave away lots of prizes, and had high-fives with happy kids and hugs with tearful moms. Watch a short recap here.

It was a wonderful time and we can’t wait for the next stop! Dress up on tour and come give me a high five for a special prize.

Up Next: GHC Ohio
Use code GREENEMBER for $10 off registrationCheck out our Book Tour playlist!Green Ember Kid Art Contest

You don’t have to be in person to participate in Green Ember fun and win cool prizes! Our Green Ember Kid Art contest is ongoing and this quarter’s contest just started. Get your submissions in and we’ll announce the winners at the end of the quarter.

Rules & Submissions

And for a limited time, you folks at home (or anywhere!) can take an extra 15% off at the S. D. Smith Store! Use code: BOOKTOUR23 at checkout.

That’s all for now, see you soon!

I’m on your side,

Sam

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The post Win Cool Prizes In Person and Online appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Book Tour Sale for Everyone Anywhere Online + Prizes

I’m psyched. The book tour is about to take off! Wherever you are, we’re doing a cool sale. More on that below.

First stop: Great Homeschool Conventions in Missouri. (Use code GREENEMBER for $10 off)Up next: HopeWords Writers Conference in my beautiful home state of West Virginia. (Only a few spots left)More Stops

Come stop by the booth, get a high five, and check out our sweet tour deals, games, and goodies. DRESS UP! Wear a Green Ember inspired costume to Green Ember Live. Ideas here. Show me your creative costume at the booth and I’ll give you a prize. We always have amazing deals in person, but you don’t have to be present to get an incredible deal!

Join in the tour fun from afar with a special sale! Take 15% off our online sale using code “BOOKTOUR23“.

Sale is valid online at the S. D. Smith Store only. Cannot be combined with other coupons.shop now

That’s all for now.

See you very soon,

Sam

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Howdy Friends,

In a recent interview, I was asked this question:

“What would you say to a family who wants to take the idea of storytelling and make it a reality in their life?”

The best advice I can give is to start where you are. Start one little habit of introducing good, curated storytelling into your home. You will be surprised at how transformational and powerful that can be. I think it’s going to be addictive for you.

Don’t believe those lies that say you can’t do it. Don’t believe those lies that say it’s for other people who have their stuff together. Those are lies, lies, lies.

In the interview I share practical ways to start.

Listen HereRecent InterviewsStories and Sanctified Imaginations (with S. D. Smith) | Homeschool Conversations with Humility and DoxologyStorytelling and Writing | The Storied OutdoorsLIVE on Instagram with Brighter Day Press | Whitney NewbyOur Friend S.D. Smith Serves Up Some Sandwiches | Not Your Average Book Report& More

We’re busy getting things ready for you on tour! I’m excited to meet you and give you a high five. Come to our booth for some surprises, including giveaways!

Get $10 off admission at the Great Homeschool Conventions (GHC) by using code GREENEMBER when registering! (Green Ember Live is FREE with your GHC registration)

That’s all for now!
I’m on your side.

Sam

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The post How to Bring the Addictive Power of Storytelling into your Home appeared first on S. D. Smith.

I’m officially 46! (It happened on Saturday.) I’m not sad. I’m so grateful. This has been a wonderful year where I’ve been overwhelmed by the love and support of an energetically encouraging group of people. Among them, you.

If you want to do something for me on my birthday, you could leave a 5-star Amazon review for Jack Zulu! Thanks!

In keeping with a tradition of mine, here are six things I’m thankful for (because forty-six is too much for me to manage at this age):

Allies in the fight. You know who you are. (It’s you.)The magical bond between fathers and daughters. I love my girls!Fried chicken.My dad, papaw, and all veterans.My pastor and church.People who unintentionally pronounce things wrong with confidence.

Speaking of traditions: in Hobbit lore, the honoree gives out gifts.

Without further ado,
here’s my gift to you:

Free eBook!

The Black Star of Kingston is FREE on kindle, TODAY. There’s also a crazy deal on The First Fowler – you can get it for just 99 cents!

S. D. Smith Book Tour

Just a little over a month away!

This year I’ll be attending all 5 Great Homeschool Conventions with a special Green Ember LIVE performance, starting in Missouri.

Use code GREENEMBER to get $10 off admission!

Already have your tickets? Let me know here which GHC you will be attending!

That’s all for now.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Sam

Realizing wigs are out of fashion for men—in Colonial Williamsburg.Shop S. D. Smith Store

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Don’t Wait. Create!

Making. Believing. Make believing.

Make Believe HQ for me? The Forge. We converted a little garden shed to a writing hut/office. It’s ten feet from the house, so my commute ain’t too bad.

I’m grateful for this modest little spot. I’ve written some books in there (the first, I think, was Ember Rising) and it’s been a good and useful place for me. It’s useful, but not essential. I still write in the house pretty often.

Don’t get too hung up on worrying about having a “spot.” Don’t add that to an endless list of why you can’t begin to make. Make space to make, whether or not you have a perfect spot. If you wait for perfection, in your work or in your space, you will never get around to making or sharing your work.

Don’t let honest aspiration become a paralyzing perfectionism. Still less, envy.

You probably have what you need to begin or continue the work of creation you’re called to. Don’t wait for permission, especially from your inner critic—or inner snob.

Start where you are. Make something. Later, make something to help you make things.

Don’t wait. Create.

Speaking of The Forge, FORMA came to visit me here for an interview. Have a read & take a look inside.

Jack Zulu…Newbery Contender?

Does Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key have what it takes to win the Newbery? The writers at Redeemed Reader discuss! This is the first time an independently published book has made it into their Newbery Buzz Series. We’re honored!

Lots of literary awards being given out this season, but I believe I will continue in my perfect run of losing every one ever. You can’t stop this award-losing author!

I like to joke about being an “Award-Losing Author.” That’s not all about covertly bragging about being a finalist for some award I’m genuinely amazed to be considered for. Authors are just like other people, hungry for affirmation and fearful of being rejected. Since authors often do this “being a person” thing in public, it can be awkward pathetic sad challenging.

I want my value and identity to always be rooted in the risen Christ. I don’t want my life to be anchored in the approval or praise of others, but I’ll just say that sometimes it sure can do a feller good.

So I just want to say thank you to those of you who have been so generous and hospitable to me this past year. Thanks for giving my stories a chance. Thanks for reviewing on Amazon/Goodreads, sharing my books in podcasts or in person, subscribing to my newsletter, writing me encouraging emails or letters, and in so many other ways making this new series launch (with my son!) an adventure I will cherish all my life.

So, while I joke about losing awards, I have genuinely been given the best acclaim an author can covet. You. Readers. Allies. Advocates.

Friends.

I thank God in heaven for you all.

Sam

P.S. Please take a moment to review Jack Zulu here. Thank you!

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*Open Enrollment is NOW*

Do you have a teen who enjoys writing and dreams of becoming an author someday? Or a teen who dabbles in writing but wants to improve for college or their future career? Or are you a homeschool parent who’s looking for supplementary writing education?

If you’re looking for something positive, fun, and educational for your kids, I’d like to make sure you know about this online writing program.

Young Writers Workshop is an interactive, online learning community for young Christian writers in their teens and early twenties. I have video lessons available in their resource library from previous talks with YWW. I also visit with this community for LIVE events several times throughout the year to encourage young writers!

This program aims to take young writers seriously and give them encouragement and direction as they pursue their writing goals by providing a supportive environment where they can receive instruction and guidance from experienced writers and educators.

Praise for YWW:

“As homeschool parents who wanted to encourage her growth in writing, but were slightly hesitant about a monthly cost, we allowed her to join. We are very glad that we did! After over a year of seeing her involved with this supportive online writing community, we have seen her passion and dedication to writing grow tremendously!
And, of course, with the encouragement and accountability for consistent daily writing, opportunities to receive constructive feedback, and invitations to critique and edit other’s work, her composition, style, and use of words as an author has blossomed, too!
YWW has proven to be a great investment in our daughter’s confidence and growth as a writer.”

Michelle Hubbard (Alyssa’s Mom)

Click the button below to get in for as low as $30/month (scholarships are available) before registration closes on January 26th! The next time they open enrollment in May, the price will increase, so I wanted to let you know about it now.

Join NowLive with HSLDA

If you are looking for more writing resources, I’ll be sitting down (virtually) with HSLDA to talk about beginning your writing adventure.

“Creativity can begin at any age and can start as a family activity – such as storytelling! Join Jeremiah Lorrig (Deputy Director of HSLDA’s Generation Joshua) and S.D. Smith (Author of the Green Ember Series) as they discuss the inspiration behind the Green Embers Series; his newest book, Jack Zulu, co-authored with his son; and how homeschooling can create room for the imagination to grow!”

Hope to see you there at this live event that’s free for all!

Check out more writing resources for aspiring writers: HopeWords, A Writer’s Conference in my neck of the woods this spring & more.

The post Writers, Now’s Your Chance! | Writing Resources appeared first on S. D. Smith.