What's "Green Writing?"
The Premise
Like throngs of other concerned citizens of Mother Earth, I've been looking for ways to minimize my impact upon this overwhelmed planet of ours. I walk when possible, recycle, grow C02-fighting plants and foodstuffs on my patio, turn appliances off as much as I can, and don't flush between 10pm and 11 am. When I turned a "green" eye to my writing career, however, I found some of my methods wanting.
Does Writing Really Impact the Environment?
More than I would have guessed. Here are just a few ways the writing industry affects our planet:- Trees used to make the thousands of sheets of paper, envelopes, pencils, and stamps needed to write, print, copy, and mail submissions and promotional materials (and to produce the books themselves, of course!)
- Carbon emissions from electronic devices: computers, monitors, printers, palm pilots, laptops, fax machines, and copiers
- Emissions from autos, trains, and airplanes used to ship books, submissions, and promotional materials...sometimes worldwide
- Emissions from same when traveling to book tours, writing conventions, and speaking engagements
...and so on. I realized there was much room for
improvement, but I certainly did not want to give up doing what I love
in order to "green" up.
The Challenge
JOIN ME in greening up your writing...
Commit to make ONE change to your writing this year, such as:
- Submit your next manuscript electronically. (Less impact than printing/mailing hundreds of sheets of paper.)
- Reduce the number of mailings you send out
- Swap one regular promotional mass mailing in favor of an electronic mailing
- Skip one cross-country convention and do an online conference instead
- Switch from press kits and full-sized mailers to postcards
- Turn your computer and peripherals off when not in use
- Do late-night writing by candlelight, or use energy saving bulbs
- Forego one book appearance--or entire tour--in favor of a virtual book tour online
- Use recycled paper, envelopes, and other materials whenever possible
SUPER CHALLENGE: Consider charging/powering PDA's, cellphones, the MP3 player you listen to while writing, etc. with SOLAR power. Google "solar recharger" or check eBay for more on these neat, inexpensive and impact-reducing gadgets
Imagine if EVERY author made just ONE of the above changes! How many trees would be spared? How much energy would be saved? How many fewer barrels of fossil fuels would we consume?
Readers and Merchants: BE A PART!
Support Green Writers and greener technologies...
- Commit to buying just ONE electronic book (eBook) this year
- Support authors and publishers who embrace green practices!
- Stock/purchase titles produced with POD technology--less start up impact than minimum runs of thousands of books
- Host a signing featuring green writers--invite them to walk or carpool to your location
- Switch from press kits and full-sized mailers to postcards
- Read by candlelight or use energy saving (CFL) bulbs
- Host a "brownout" party/sale--shut down all non essentials
- Forego one book convention/festival in favor of a virtual online event
