The Birth Machine by Elizabeth Baines, who is collaborating with Eco-Libris, is out now!

Last April we wrote here on a new collaboration with author Elizabeth Baines on her novel "The Birth Machine". This is Elizabeth Baines' first novel, which is reissued by Salt Publishing. And today is the day! Salt's brand-new edition of The Birth Machine is now officially out.

One tree will be planted with Eco-Libris for every printed copy of "The Birth Machine". This is the second book of Elizabeth Baines we're greening up. The first one is "Too Many Magpies", which was described as 'Moving and compelling' by Sarah Salway. One tree is planted for each printed copy of this novel as well.

Here are some more details on the launch of "The Birth Machine" from an update we received from the author:

The London launch takes place next week and all are very welcome. (Details below). The new edition restores my original structure (changed by the Women's Press for the first edition) and at the launch I'll talk a little about the implications of the differences between the editions. Mostly, though, it will be a celebration: one is very lucky to have a reissue at all, leave alone in these difficult times, and I'm more than grateful to Salt.

Do come and help me celebrate if you're free - I would love to see you there!

Wednesday 10th November 2010, 6.30 pm
Blackwell’s, 100 Charing Cross Rd
LONDON WC2H 0JG 020 7292 5100
Free. Wine and nibbles.
Underground: Tottenham Court Road

By the way, on the same day itself (Nov 10), Elizabeth Baines will participate in the Green Books Campaign reviewing "The Mistress of Nothing" by Kate Pullinger, so if you're not in London for the launch party, you can still check Elizabeth Baines' blog, read the review and take part in the campaign!

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

The reissued novel The Birth Machine by Elizabeth Baines is going green with Eco-Libris!

We're happy to announce on a new collaboration with author Elizabeth Baines on her novel "The Birth Machine". This is Elizabeth Baines' first novel, which will be reissued by Salt Publishing on October 2010. One tree will be planted with Eco-Libris for every printed copy!

This is the second book of Elizabeth Baines we're greening up. The first one is "Too Many Magpies", which was described as 'Moving and compelling' by Sarah Salway. One tree is planted for each printed copy of this novel as well.

Here are some details on "The Birth Machine":

As Zelda labours in childbirth, she sinks into a surreal world where the past blends with the present, and facts become merged with fairytale and myth. The long-awaited reissue of the groundbreaking eighties novel which exposed a woman’s experience of hi-tech childbirth and tells a gripping story of a long-ago murder and present-day betrayals.

"The Birth Machine" was also adapted by Elizabeth Baines and broadcast as a play for Radio 4

Already it got some great reviews:

‘A gripping story, a pithy book’ – Katy Campbell

‘An increasingly powerful narrative … its presentation of the world of childhood contrasts nicely with sharp satire’ – Laura Marcus, Times Literary Supplement

‘Elizabeth Baines has a wry humour and satirical edge’ – Martin Nicholls, City Life

‘This powerful book leaves you with a sense of disquiet, anger and frustration’ – Jessica Corner, Everywoman.

About the author: Elizabeth Baines was born in South Wales and lives in Manchester. Salt previously published two acclaimed books by Elizabeth, her collection of short stories, Balancing on the Edge of the World (2007) and her novel Too Many Magpies (2009). Elizabeth is a prizewinning radio playwright and she has also written short plays for stage. She is also a performer and has been a teacher.

We'll keep you posted of course once the book is released.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

A new book, Kami Jin, is going green with Eco-Libris!

We are happy to announce a new collaboration with author Lloyd Kaneko on his new book "Kami Jin". One tree will be planted with Eco-Libris for every printed copy of the new book!

As you can see in the photo above, our "One tree planted for this book" logo was added to book's cover, as a constant reminder to readers of the author's commitment to the environment.

About the author: Lloyd Kaneko is a former Staff Writer for Drum Corps News, and has written for various other magazines, newsletters, and blogs including Scenario.SC. and Allvoices. He also writes screenplays and is a member of the Alameda Writers Group. Lloyd has Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach and has studied creative writing under Dora Beale Polk.

He has studied screen writing through the Writers Guild of America, West. Lloyd has judged screenplays for the Honolulu International Film Festival, Mexico International Film Festival, Canadian International Film Fesival, and the Las Vegas International Film Festival.

About the book: Kami Jin is a tale of two worlds according to the diary of A. Gordon Sakata II of the 23rd Century. Gordon records an era of despair and misery on Earth as life in the Republic of North America includes a jobless rate of 95%. People are homeless: poverty and starvation is global and governments around the world are ineffective in solving the crisis. Corporations have taken over governments, taken away the basic rights of citizens such as freedom of speech and expression and have replaced many people with droids and robots.

Citizens of nations who once lived comfortably in homes, now struggle to survive in streets lined with cardboard condos. When war breaks out, Earth finally meets its doom, but through the miracle of time travel, it is given a second chance. Gordon is saved and taken to a utopian planet mirroring Earth’s orbit. There, inhabitants are treated equally: poverty, homelessness and starvation are non-existent, and everyone is paid $25-million annually in universal life credits by the Universe, regardless of social status.

The quality of health care and education is next to none. Inhabitants’ brains are so advanced that they travel by merely willing themselves to their destination, rather than using conventional vehicles, yet, they do not manufacture any weapons of any kind. The world is one planet, one nation. Gordon vows to right a sinking ship – at least provide hope for the disadvantaged of the world. He returns to Earth to fulfill his life’s promise.

You can buy the book through the Wordclay Bookstore. E-Book editions in 7 different formats available through Smashwords. You can also follow Lloyd on twitter - @kamijin1951.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!