How about an affordable and unique green birthday gift?

What's the connection between Shakira, actress Holly Hunter, Russian tennis star Andrei Chesnokov and the philanthropist Solomon Guggenheim?

They were all born on February 2! If you're also celebrating your birthday today - happy birthday to you too!

We love birthdays and therefore we're happy to remind you of the option to celebrate a birthday of friends, family members, colleagues and anyone you care about with Eco-Libris!

Eco-Libris is offering you now to plant trees to balance out the books of your loved ones who celebrate their birthday. Not only that new trees will be planted to balance out their books, but they will also receive our stickers with a beautiful birthday card made of recycled paper. And we also try to keep it affordable - the added charge for the birthday card is only $1.5.

All you need to do is to choose how many of the birthday person's books you want to balance out on our special birthday gift page, change the shipping address on the payment page to the address of the gift receiver and we will take care of the rest!

This is also a great green add-on if you're buying a book as a gift for the birthday person, especially if you're buying her or him a green book.

The birthday cards we send are made by Doodle Greetings (see picture above of one of their cards). Not only these cards come with a beautiful design, but they are also eco-friendly - printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper and are made chlorine-free and acid free. Sounds like a good fit with Eco-Libris stickers!

And of course, if it's your birthday and you want to give yourself a green present - get yourself a nice green book and plant a tree for it with us!

Happy Birthday,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Plant a tree for every book you read!

And the winner in a copy of "The Letters" is...

As promised we had a raffle between all the new subscribers to our newsletter. The prize is a copy of Fiona Robyn's new book "The Letters" and we have a winner!

Congrats to the new subscriber Nicki!! You have just won a great book.

The book will be balanced out by Eco-Libris and a new tree will be planted for it. Nicki will also receive our sticker saying "One tree planted for this book".

Here's a little more about this book:

A short description of the books from its website:

Violet Ackerman has drifted through a career, four children and a divorce without ever knowing who she is or what she wants. After moving to the coast, she starts receiving a series of mysterious letters sent from a mother and baby home in 1959, written by a pregnant twenty-year-old Elizabeth to her best friend. These letters intersperse Violet's turbulent relationships with her lover, her infuriating son and the eccentric fellow members of the Village Committee. Who is sending Violet these letters, and why? 'The Letters' invites us see what happens when we don't run away. Will love be enough to encourage Violet to stay?

What people say about the book:

"Finely observed, intense and eminently readable."
Jacqui Lofthouse, author of Bluethroat Morning

"Violet lives on in your imagination long after you've finished reading her story."
Susan Utting, author of Houses Without Walls

"An entirely entrancing tale, with visuals that leap and spin from every page."
Caroline Smailes, author of In Search of Adam

You can read more about the book at www.fionarobyn.com/theletters.htm

Thanks again to the author Fiona Robin, who is a supporter of Eco-Libris, for the copy donated! The book, published by Snowbooks and will be available as of the beginning of next month.

Yours,

Raz @ Eco-Libris

www.ecolibris.net

My Green Resolution for 2009 - Mille Poetes editions

Our two last parts of "My Green Resolution for 2009" series will host two partners of ours, whom we work now on two very exciting projects!

The first one is Mille Poetes editions, a Montreal-based, French language publisher. We have the pleasure of hosting the owner and editor in chief, Guy Boulianne, who is also presenting the new project we're working on.

Mille Poetes editions has been created for authors, poets and readers. As mentioned its based in Montreal and mostly publish (in the French language) poetry, but also very open to all genres of literature and publish novels, short stories, essays, children books, biographies, science fiction, historical books and others.

Mille Poets Editions partners with Eco-Libris and dedicate 2% of their monthly sales to planting trees with us to combat deforestation, desertification and poverty.

Hello Guy. What is your green resolution for 2009?

As an editor in chief of editions Mille Poetes, I proposed to Raz and Eylon a collective book project whose 15% of sales will be donated to Eco-Libris. This book will bring together a hundred poets from France, United States, Canada and other countries.

Each text of these writers will be translated and published in English and French and so, will give us a very large readership. The book will be illustrated with many color photos.

Raz and Eylon are very pleased with this project, and we believe that sales of the book will allow us to plant some additional trees.

What's your green wish for 2009?

I hope that people will use their cars less and use more public transport to travel from one point to another. There are really too many petrol cars on the planet and this is now a real scourge.

Any other plans for 2009 you would like to share with our readers?

In the year 2009, we plan to set up a second publishing house in Quebec (Canada). We also wish to create a radio on the internet in which we will interview authors and poets.

Thanks, Guy!

To learn more about Mille Poetes editions please visit their website - http://www.mille-poetes.com. You're also welcome to check out the interview we had with Guy last October. And of course, stay tuned for more updates on the new book project!

So far on "My Green Resolution for 2009":

Patrick Darby of Novel Places

Erica Caldwell of Present Tense

Bart Babek of AboutMyPlanet.com

Angela Wieck of EcoBrain

Author Amy Guth of the Pilcrow Lit Fest and So New Publishing

Dr. Anne Hallum of the International Alliance for Reforestation (AIR)

Surendra James Conti of East West Bookstore

Jennifer Taylor of GreetQ

Bill Roth, author of "On Empty (Out of Time)"

Vonda Schaefer of Valley Books

Madeline Kaplan, author of "Planet Earth Gets Well"

Chris Flynn of Torpedo

Edain Duguay of Wyrdwood Publications

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net

My Green Resolution for 2009 - Sammy & Sue Go Green Too!

Today we have the pleasure not only to present you with green resolutions of an author we work with, but also to update on a new collaboration on a new book!

This is the last part of "My Green Resolution for 2009" and we're happy to have it with Suzanne Corso, the author of the upcoming book "Sammy & Sue Go Green Too!" that will be published by Beaufort Books on Earth Day (April 22, 2009).

The publisher, Beaufort Books, and the author Suzanne Corso, are working with Eco-Libris to encourage the readers of this wonderful book to green up their reading and take a step to support the environment by planting a tree with us for their copy. Thanks to the support of Beaufort Books and Suzanne Corso, readers will be able to do so at a special discount on our website!























What's the book about? here's the synopsis from the publisher's website:

Join Sammy and Sue as they embark on an adventure to help the earth. Along the way they learn all about organic farming, hybrid cars, green cleaning products and even all natural ice cream! Come along with Sammy and Sue to discover how YOU can help the earth too!

The Sammy & Sue Series, based on Sammy and Sue Corso, is an eco-friendly, educational and endearing read for children. “Go Green Too!” is the first book in the series and will lead your children on thrilling adventures while teaching them to value the planet and all of its resources. Join Sammy & Sue to see what you can do too!

Hello Suzanne. What's your professional green resolution for 2009?
To get the word out by helping to save the planet and purchasing more organic foods and eco-friendly products. Start by educating ourselves and reading books that make a difference in our child's lives. The real reason I wrote "Sammy& Sue Go Green Too!" was to be able to enhance a child's eagerness to understand our environment a little bit better.

If you have a personal green resolution for 2009, what is it?

To be better equipped as an adult to better understand exactly what our environment needs. Begin slowly. It's as easy as shutting off the water, less flushes at the toilet and turning off the lights more often. If we all start somewhere, then we all make a difference.

What’s your green wish for 2009?

My green wish is for all to have more knowledge of the environment and all things around us. To better understand our neighbor and his or her needs, whether environment, being respectful or just lending a hand when needed. Being green is more than just the environment it is a way of life.

If you have any other greetings, please feel free to add them.
I want to say how happy I am that my publisher Beaufort and myself decided to partner with Eco-Libris and tell the world by using my book as a vehicle, about the importance of planting new trees to help save the environment.

Any other plans for 2009?

Yes, my plan is to embrace the change of our great country that my daughter and I call home and to take this new found change and enlighten children all over America via bringing awareness to our ever changing environment. Remember it is all done in baby steps, and believe it or not you get their quicker and that is how you make your mark.

Thanks, Suzanne and good luck with the new book!

To learn more about the Sammy & Sue series please visit their website - http://www.sammyandsue.com. You're also welcome to check out Beaufort Books' website at http://www.beaufortbooks.com. And don't forget - the book will be released on Earth Day! (we'll keep you posted :-)

We want to thank all of our partners who took part in "My Green Resolution for 2009" Series. We wish everyone a green and successful 2009!

So far on "My Green Resolution for 2009":

Guy Boulianne of Mille Poetes editions

Patrick Darby of Novel Places

Erica Caldwell of Present Tense

Bart Babek of AboutMyPlanet.com

Angela Wieck of EcoBrain

Author Amy Guth of the Pilcrow Lit Fest and So New Publishing

Dr. Anne Hallum of the International Alliance for Reforestation (AIR)

Surendra James Conti of East West Bookstore

Jennifer Taylor of GreetQ

Bill Roth, author of "On Empty (Out of Time)"

Vonda Schaefer of Valley Books

Madeline Kaplan, author of "Planet Earth Gets Well"

Chris Flynn of Torpedo

Edain Duguay of Wyrdwood Publications

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net

My Green Resolution for 2009 - Novel Places

Our journey in search of green resolutions for the new year brings us today to Novel Places in Maryland. We have the pleasure to host the owner of this bookstore, Patrick Darby.

Novel Places started 2 years ago by Patrick Darby who has almost 30 years experience in book retail. The store started as an antiquarian online store, but recently, new titles and accessories were added. The books offered by Novel Places can be found online and also at Mayorga Coffee and Green Earth Goods at Clarksburg, MD.

Novel Places is also participating in Eco-Libris' bookstores program, where customers at the store can plant a tree for every book they buy there and receive our sticker at the counter!

Hello Patrick. What is your green resolution for 2009?
My Green Resolution for 2009:
Buy bulk as much as possible to cut down the amount of packaging.

What's your green wish for 2009?
My 2009 wish is for people to reduce travel time by shopping local
(and help me and my fellow businesses succeed).

Other greetings for the New Year?
Instead of greetings, I want to suggest these 2 recently released
books, "Greentailing" and "You are Here", available through Novel Places.

Greentailing and Other Revolutions in Retail: Hot Ideas That Are Grabbing Customers' Attention and Raising Profits
$29.95
ISBN - 0470288582

You Are Here: Exposing the Vital Link Between What We Do and What That Does to Our Planet
A leading environmental journalist travels to the most fragile places on Earth to show how what individuals do at home affects people, places, and things across the globe.
$25.95
ISBN - 0061580368

Any other plans for 2009 you would like to share with our readers?
Plans are continuing (slowly) to build an eco-friendly bookstore.

Thanks, Patrick!

To learn more about the books available at Novel Places, please check their website at http://www.novelplacesusa.com

So far on "My Green Resolution for 2009":

Erica Caldwell of Present Tense

Bart Babek of AboutMyPlanet.com

Angela Wieck of EcoBrain

Author Amy Guth of the Pilcrow Lit Fest and So New Publishing

Dr. Anne Hallum of the International Alliance for Reforestation (AIR)

Surendra James Conti of East West Bookstore

Jennifer Taylor of GreetQ

Bill Roth, author of "On Empty (Out of Time)"

Vonda Schaefer of Valley Books

Madeline Kaplan, author of "Planet Earth Gets Well"

Chris Flynn of Torpedo

Edain Duguay of Wyrdwood Publications

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net

A green comment on the rise of self-publishing

The NYT had an excellent article yesterday about self publishing ("Self-Publishers Flourish as Writers Pay the Tab", Motoko Rich), showing that while traditional publishers are struggling with the slowing economy, self-publishing companies are doing very well.

According to the article nearly 480,000 books were published or distributed in the U.S. Alone, up from close to 375,000 in 2007 (figures are from the industry tracker Bowker).

So POD self-publishing companies such as Blurb, Author Solutions, LuLu and others are flourishing, which is great news, but is it also good news for the environment?

Well, the basic answer is that POD is an eco-friendly printing system in comparison with the regular printing system that produce a lot of waste - in 2006 more than 1 billion books, or 25% of the books produced, weren't sold and some of it ends eventually in landfills, not to mention all the wasted resources (as well as costs). When you print on demand, there's no such thing and you always sell what you print.

Self-publishing is a a small niche - according to the article, Author Solutions sold a total of 2.5 million copies last year, which is a fraction of the total number of books sold (around 3 billion books). Still, it's a growing niche (Author Solutions represented according to the article 19,000 titles in 2008, nearly six times more than the number of titles Random House released last year) and a one that will get more and more attention, and therefore we hope to see more and more self-publishers who go green and adopt eco-friendly practices, including greater use of recycled paper.

It's true POD is not for everyone and it also has its disadvantages, but all in all I'm happy to see it growing and I think it benefits the whole industry by making publishing a more open and creative industry. I also hope to POD will contribute to make publishing more eco-friendly.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net

My Green Resolution for 2009 - Present Tense

Today we visit a great independent bookstore in our search for green resolutions and greetings for 2009. We're happy to have with us Erica Caldwell, the owner of Present Tense.

Located in Batavia, NY, halfway between the cities of Buffalo and Rochester, Present Tense is a locally-owned independent bookstore that serves as a center for reading, writing, and the arts in Western New York. Present Tense is also participating in Eco-Libris' bookstores program, where customers at the store can plant a tree for every book they buy there and receive our sticker at the counter!

Hello Erica. What is your green resolution for 2009?
Our green resolution for 2009 is to keep looking for ways to reduce our business's impact on the environment. We carry a lot of local products, which reduces transportation needs. We also carry several lines of eco-friendly products, which we hope to expand this year.

We've made other changes too, like using only biodegradable, compostable beverage cups during store events, giving our paper (and we generally have lots of it!) to the local school to recycle as part of their fundraising program, and switching our cleaning products to environmentally friendly brands. This year, we hope to continue these small changes and if we are thinking green, I'm sure we'll find more areas were we can implement eco-friendly practices into our business.

This year, Present Tense is co-sponsoring the second annual Earth Day Art Contest, which encourages people of all ages in our community to write, draw, sculpt, knit, or otherwise craft a piece of art that reflects the spirit of Earth Day. We have prize categories for different types of media, ages, and use of recycled materials in the artwork. Last year we had over 100 entries in our first year of holding the contest, and we are looking forward to this year's entries as well!

Thanks Erica!

For more information on Present Tense please visit their website at www.presenttensebooks.com. You're also welcome to read the interview I made with her last September.

So far on "My Green Resolution for 2009":

Bart Babek of AboutMyPlanet.com

Angela Wieck of EcoBrain

Author Amy Guth of the Pilcrow Lit Fest and So New Publishing

Dr. Anne Hallum of the International Alliance for Reforestation (AIR)

Surendra James Conti of East West Bookstore

Jennifer Taylor of GreetQ

Bill Roth, author of "On Empty (Out of Time)"

Vonda Schaefer of Valley Books

Madeline Kaplan, author of "Planet Earth Gets Well"

Chris Flynn of Torpedo

Edain Duguay of Wyrdwood Publications

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris
www.ecolibris.net