S.D. Smith's Blog, page 9

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… 

Parker, Age 9!

Parker designed, sewed and stuffed this rabbit on his own.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…

Ezra, Age 16!

“Hi! I’m Ezra and I love the Green Ember. Here is a diorama I made of Cloud Mountain for my town’s county fair. Hope you like it! Thanks for writing such great adventures.”

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.

2022 Q2 Winners2022 Q3 Winners

We look forward to seeing your submissions!

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

Are you a young writer suffering from the dreaded writer’s block? Maybe you haven’t written in weeks… or you’ve been stuck on one part for ages… or you just haven’t had any energy or motivation left to write. And the more you put it off, the more dusty your manuscript gets. That’s where a lot of writers quit.

But no more.

Our friends at the Young Writer’s Workshop are doing something big next week, and you’re invited (it’s free)! The last time they ran this, 1,000+ young writers jumped on board and wrote 4,000 words apiece on average! There were writers breaking their own records, finishing their novels, and finally breaking through their dry spell and writing more than they’ve ever written before.

All from joining Crazy Writing Week.

Crazy Writing Week is a free, team-based competition where you get to compete with other writers to see which team can write the most words over the course of the week.

How would you like to challenge yourself and see just how much you can write when you’re in a supportive community of fellow writers?

You can click here to register for Crazy Writing Week before it begins on January 9th.

(There may be some special prizes available for those of you who join!)

The post Crazy Writing Week appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Happy Birthday to The Last Archer! We’re giving away something to everyone so read on!

I believe in the power of stories. I believe that when they hint at a rebuke to the darkness, when they whisper to us that a hero may rise to set things right, they tell the truth. So in a way, these stories are true.

S. D. Smith, The Last Archer, p. 127

About The Last Archer

A Green Ember Archer story set during Heather and Picket’s arrival at Cloud Mountain, The Last Archer follows the journey of Jo Shanks. Jo is a gifted archer with a burden on his back and a fire within. Eager to see the Longtreaders receive justice, he travels from his Halfwind Citadel home to a Cloud Mountain poised on the brink of war. What he finds there will confront his convictions and test his resolve as the war begins and King Jupiter’s heir is revealed.

A kingdom in the balance. An arrow aimed at the heart of darkness.

Who will take the shot?

Fans were delighted to receive the first book in the Green Ember: Archer trilogy!

Here’s what you all are saying:A Gift From Us

I want to thank you all so much for making this year so special for us. Your encouragement and support means so much to our family.

This is fun! To say thanks and because we’re addicted to giving stuff away, we’re making The Last Archer audiobook free on YouTube! You can listen to the whole book in this playlist.

AND we’re giving you this FREE coloring page to color while you listen.

When you’ve finished, please add your thoughts on Goodreads, Amazon, or Audible. Your reviews help so much.

Thank you for being here, beside us.

Check out these other birthday celebrations:The Archer’s Cup | Book BirthdayHappy 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 Birthday

The post Happy Birthday to The Last Archer | A Gift From us to You appeared first on S. D. Smith.

The light shines in the dark,
Sometimes only a spark,
But sparks start fires,
That burn empires,
Down, down,
Down.

And I have need of finding,
A fire that’s refining,
A life inside the binding,
Of a book with better tales,
Than all my selfish, helpless,
Tragedies.

I need light.
I need life.
Hope.
To be changed,
Remade.
Invited into the bright and good and beautiful,
And true.

And I found it in you,
When you found me,
When you came,
Into our darkness,
Now the flint you hit and sparked is,
Still burning bright,
And unmaking the night,
And making everything that’s down and wrong,
Up,
And right.

Light from Light,
Brighten up the darkness,
Of our hearts,
With your loving, hopeful,
Happy, holy sparks!

And we,
With grateful gladness,

Will shine into shadows.

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The post The Light Shines | A Poem appeared first on S. D. Smith.

We experienced a technical problem uploading the Jack Zulu audiobook to several platforms including Hoopla, Scribd, and other audiobook providers. It effected most retailers except the S. D. Smith store and Audible.

The missing chapter is chapter 30, a crucial, climactic chapter. It will begin showing up on the affected platforms in the near future.

Here is the missing chapter!

PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU HAVEN’T LISTENED TO THE REST OF THE AUDIOBOOK.

It will spoil and ruin the book if you do.

Please don’t let this technical problem impact your willingness to rate the audiobook well on those platforms. We can’t emphasize enough how important those are for us. Thank you!

The post Get the Missing Jack Zulu Audiobook Chapter—Hoopla, Scribd, Others appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Hi friends,

Just a quick email to let you know it’s the last chance to grab a signed set of the complete Green Ember series! Signed sets will be available through Thursday, December 15th (that’s tomorrow!) and then they’re gone.

Get Yours

To receive your orders in time for Christmas, order by December 15th (that’s tomorrow!) and select Faster Shipping.

Instant Delivery

If you are looking for gifts not bound by time and space, check out our instant downloads. We have the newly released Jack Zulu Audiobook, The Official Green Ember Book Club & Party Guide, Melodies For The Mended Wood (a musical soundscape) & more!

It’s getting close. Christmas is coming!

Christmas BEGINS on December 25th and ends Jan 6. Have you tried celebrating all twelve days? I love the Advent season. It’s a reminder of the coming that broke open the floodgates of mercy and a focus on that coming again which will cover the earth in the rule of Christ the King. However you practice these seasons, I pray it’s a time when you find Christ at the center of your anticipation and celebration. He is the author and hero of the story.

God be with you all as you prepare for Christmas and celebrate together the coming of King Jesus.

Your friend,
Sam

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:Not Force-feeding Meds, Eating a Tasty FeastJack Zulu: Get Your Signed First Edition NOW!

The post Last Chance to Order a SIGNED Set + Final Shipping Deadline appeared first on S. D. Smith.

After some unexpected delays, I’m happy to announce that the audiobook version of Jack Zulu and the Waylander’s Key is here! Available wherever you get your audiobooks.

Here’s a little preview of the first few chapters. Watch the video for a behind-the-scenes look.

We had fun recording this with our amazing narrator, Zeno Robinson. (You may have heard his voice on Lego Star Wars, Disney’s Big City Greens and many others.) It was wonderful to work with such a gifted actor! Josiah and I got to co-direct and Zeno’s performance is brilliant.

Grab Yours TodaY!What People Are Saying About Jack Zulu

“My kids already love everything that S D Smith has written, so it was a no brainer that we’d buy this instantly. I have this book (and an awesome tshirt bought from the author) tucked away for Christmas, and I’m going to blow my 10yo’s mind, because she doesn’t know this book exists! But I had to read it of course, and it’s amazing… I’m not going to say anything more because **spoilers**!” -Laurel

“We absolutely loved ALL of the Green Ember series so we were really really excited and had high hopes for this series and so far it did not disappoint! Pizza and portals and the 80’s! It was so fun to read together with lots of mystery and twists and turns! I love that S.D. Smith partnered with his son for this one and we can’t wait for more! We’ve already got a few tucked away to share with friends for Christmas!” -Stephanie

“I just finished reading this book to the kids. Can’t recommend it highly enough. Adventure, fun, deep ethical and theological/philosophical underpinning. Feels like a cross between Narnia and Star Wars. I’m going to buy it in bulk for Christmas gifts and so should you:-)” -Brandon

Thank you SO much for these kinds reviews. They help us out a ton. If you haven’t done so, we would greatly appreciate it if you took some time to leave a review on Amazon or Audible!

Add Yours

Happy listening friends,

Sam

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See you soon? I hope so. I’m hitting the road with my family and friends for the 2023 S. D. Smith Book Tour and I hope I get a chance to meet you and share a high five.

Many dates are still coming together, but we are thrilled to be back the Great Homeschool Conventions!

We will be announcing additional tour dates in Texas, California, and elsewhere.

But here are the GHCs we’ll be at. Use the coupon below and get your tickets today!

Get Discount Today and a Free Gift From Me!

And I’ve got some awesome news about the pricing.

I’ve got a discount code for you. Use code GREENEMBER to get $10 off admission!

Go here today and order your tickets, then let me know you did it in the comments below, and you’ll be entered for an awesome tote-bag-with-swag giveaway!

Share this post with a friend and I’ll give you a free download of our Mended Wood digital art print. Once you’ve shared this post, comment below and collect your gift by using code SDSmithGHC during checkout at our store.

More to come on this, but I hope to see during the 2023 S. D. Smith Book Tour next year!

Sam

The post Announcing the 2023 S. D. Smith Book Tour! appeared first on S. D. Smith.

Christmas Shipping Deadlines + Free Ornament Extended!

Hey pals, just a heads up that our standard shipping deadline for Christmas orders is tomorrow. So, now is the time to grab what you want for Christmas.

December 7 | Standard ShippingDecember 15 | Faster Shipping

Speaking of, did you hear that we released the TENTH Green Ember book this year? Lots of you don’t have it yet, so grab it for a gift this Christmas. Or, better yet, get the whole set signed. Prince Lander and the Dragon War is one of my favorites, and it’s an incredibly fitting ending to the first batch of ten books. We also released Jack Zulu this year and it’s not too late to get that thrilling adventure for your story-loving kids and friends.

We are extending our FREE Christmas Ornament deal! Buy anything from our store (that ships) and we’ll send you  ($11 value) for FREE with your order! *While supplies last*

shop nowYou May Also LikeNot Force-feeding Meds, Eating a Tasty FeastIt Begins With Love

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Today is the LAST DAY for signed FIRST EDITION copies of Jack Zulu at our family store! (We will still offer the signed book and t-shirt combo for a while.) Your next chance would be on our tour next year—hopefully coming to your area!

Get NowA Real Sellout

Jack Zulu is selling so well; I’m glad we signed so many thousand books! Thank you for helping us launch this exciting new book (and series)! Speaking of selling out, we are nearly out of Picket’s Sword.

Also, preferred sizes of your favorite shirts may sell out soon and we are running low on some other items. Today is a great day to get some Christmas shopping done at our family store!

Here’s what Ginny from 1000 Hours Outside has to say about Jack:

“This father-son duo have combined forces to create an enchanting, mythical world full of the types of dangers that create daring heroes and heroines. Our souls crave meaningful stories and Jack Zulu delivers in a family-friendly way through memorable characters and fearless adventures. You’ll be on the edge of your seat with this brand new page-tuner, the first book of an entire series to come!”
Ginny Yurich – 1000 Hours Outside

Get $11 Green Ember Ornament FREE

We’re sending a FREE ornament with every shippable purchase!

Thank you for being on our side and supporting us!

We’re on your side,

Sam

You May Also Like:Not Force-feeding Meds, Eating a Tasty FeastJack Zulu: Get Your Signed First Edition NOW!

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