S.D. Smith's Blog, page 6

S. D. Smith’s NEW BOOK is Here! ♟️

Dear Friends,

I have been pouring my heart into this adventure and I can’t wait to share it with you! Green Ember fans will love it. It’s a noble-hearted story that isn’t trapped in time or trendy politics, but features classic virtue and moral imagination.

Trust me. Give Jack a chance!

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This is the story that my son and I have created together over many, many months.

Trust me.

The things you love about Green Ember are present in Jack Zulu! In fact, these new adventures are, in many ways, the result of what I’ve learned writing ten Green Ember books.

I am asking you to give this a try. I am delighted with what my son, Josiah, and I co-created in these two books. Your family will love them!

And to give you every incentive to give Jack a chance, we’re offering both books (plus the genuinely excellent audiobook of Jack 1) for $25!

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE YES I JUST SAID THAT NO IT’S NOT CRINGE

Just for you, we’re going to cut $5 off even that low price. So you can get $46 worth of storytelling awesomeness for a mere $20 when you use this coupon at checkout: JACK.

pre-order now

I love this book! Your family—boys and girls—will too! Here’s our launch video. (Email it to your JZ or Ember-loving pals!)

Jack Zulu and the Girl With Golden Wings is the second book in the Jack Zulu trilogy.

Thank you for giving us a chance and supporting us on day one. I can’t thank you enough.

This is a story I believe in deeply, one I’m delighted to share with your family. Like I said, this is the result of me (along with my son, Josiah) giving my best and investing so much heart and hard work into a manuscript.

I think this is my best writing so far.

Collaborating with my son, I am absolutely thrilled with the result. I’m over the moon about sharing this brand new story (with an old soul) with you!

We’re on your side,

Sam

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Are Green Ember Books for Easter?

I never intended these to be Easter books, as in “bunny books” for Easter.

But it fits in a different way.

These are Easter books, not because they have rabbits, but because the story is about life breaking through in the face of death. The Green Ember Series is about keeping faith, fighting for hope, and self-sacrificial love. In this way they echo The Story!

If you are looking for meaningful gifts for Easter baskets, I invite you to add The Green Ember Series.

The Green Ember Series

Four thrilling adventures following siblings Heather and Picket as they get caught up in an epic struggle for rabbitkind’s liberation from the tyrannous preylords. Humor, heart, and hope anchor this series that centers on small rabbits battling to keep faith amid the chaos all around them.

S. D. SMith StoreAmazon

I never write reviews but had to come here to sing the praise of the work S. D. Smith is doing in the Green Ember saga. The world needs more books being published today like this one – “new books with old souls”…copies will be landing in Easter baskets next week.

Alison on The Green Ember

Shop Green Ember Books

Fun fact: the last book, Ember’s End, was written during Lent and Easter, and officially released on Easter Day.

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Mooses With Bazookas is 🔥

Don’t take my word for it.

Seriously, why would you trust someone who wrote a book called MOOSES WITH BAZOOKAS: AND OTHER STORIES CHILDREN SHOULD NEVER READ?

See what others have to say:

“As a mom to three sons (14, 10, 9) it’d becoming harder and harder to find a book that all three will enjoy. This one fits the bill and exceeds expectations! We have loved the other books by SD Smith and were excited to read a different kind of book from this author. Engaging silliness and humor right up their alley, even the title makes them giggle. Thank you, SD Smith, for giving me another great option for our family to read, pass on, discuss, and build family memories around!”

Jessica

“She’s my most reluctant reader…and she’s LOVING it.”

Mykal, @novasmama

Please take a moment to add your review on Amazon!

Write Review

Giveaway: Send us a screenshot of your review (or copy and paste the text) to be entered for a chance to win something cool!

For everyone who has left a review—or will leave one now—thank you! You have no idea what it means to me. It makes a huge difference!

That’s all for now.

Go where the rut leads you,

Sam

P. S. The Black Star of Kingston and The Last Archer are FREE on Kindle February 1-2.

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Green Ember Kid Art Winners | 2023 Q4

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… 

Brooke, Age 15!

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…

Xavier, Age 10!

“Hi, we have been enjoying the third book of the series and I chose to create a model of the bow striker and blast arrow. Looking forward to the next book!”

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.

2022Q2 WinnersQ3 WinnersQ4 Winners2023Q1 WinnersQ2 WinnersQ3 Winners

We look forward to seeing your submissions!

Andrew, age 6

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Last Chance for a SIGNED Set + Free Book Club Party Guide

Christmastide has been good for us, and I hope it has been for you. I know there’s lots of pain around, and we’ve had that sadly mixed into our recipe, but it’s still a good feast. Tonight is Twelfth Night and Christmas will be over. Have a party, or don’t. Eat a cookie. Regardless, may God give you joy!

Just a heads up that the SIGNED set of all 10 Green Ember books deal ends Wednesday, January 10th.

Shop Signed BundleFree Book Club & Party Activity Guide

With the purchase of the 10 book bundle, you’ll get the Activity Guide for free!

Use code IBOUGHT10BOOKBUNDLE at checkout.

If you’ve already purchased the 10 book bundle of the new editions, the download code will work for you, too!

I hope this Christmas season has been a time of you becoming a child again.

I like you. Stay cool.

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5 Ways to Slow Down

Christmas is over has just begun! It starts on December 25th and ends January 6th. Hopefully the hustle and bustle is quieting down and you can focus on celebrating these 12 days of Christmas. Here are 5 ideas to help you slow down this season.

Listen to Audiobooks

There are 10 Green Ember books, which include 3 series. We want to jumpstart your listening journey by making 3 audiobooks available to you on Youtube. Here you will find The Green Ember, The Black Star of Kingston, and The Last Archer.

Happy listening!

Do an Activity

You can’t go wrong with a puzzle, board game, or Tower Wars. Grab some wooden blocks, a ball & an opponent, and you’re all set to play a game from Ember’s End. Here’s how to play Tower Wars.

Remember, build for strength as well as beauty.

Join Our Art Contest

Create something Green Ember related this season? Submit it in our Green Ember Kid Art quarterly contest that ends December 31st! Submit here.

Open to all ages, winners announced in January.

Enjoy This FREE Gift

Prester Kell touched his ears, his eyes, his mouth. As he did so, he sang, and though no instruments accompanied this song, most of the assembly joined in. “Let us hear with humility, see with generosity, speak with honesty…”

Ember Falls

We want to give you this printable quote to color and enjoy–maybe while listening to an audiobook or discussing how to accomplish these things.

Download, print, and color!

Get Free GiftOnward!

Green Ember, Jack Zulu, and Mooses with Bazookas, are all great places to start but we want to encourage you to continue. At StoryWarren.com, you’ll find lots of great recommendations, articles, and resources for further reading and fostering imagination in your children–and yourself!

There you have it: 5 ways to slow down this season! Which one are you doing to start today? Let us know in the comments below.

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How to Play Tower Wars

“Now, Jacks,” Father said, “we cannot allow these upstarts to vanquish us yet again. We must build for strength as well as beauty, son.”

Ember’s End

Tower Wars is the game Heather recalled from her childhood that her father invented. Here’s how you can play along at home.

You Will Need:wooden blocksa small ballan opponent

The play is simple: work on your own or in a team to build opposing towers, focusing on strength as well as beauty.

Take turns throwing a small ball back and forth until one of the towers falls. Whichever team’s tower is left standing is the winner!

Check out more Ember’s End fun here.

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A Free Gift For You

Hey Friends,

It’s a week of giving thanks in my country, but I’m pretty sure everyone is allowed to give thanks anytime they want. And we should!

I’m thankful for you. You are supporting our family business, backing me as an author, and sharing our stories with your friends.

This Friday is historically the big shopping day, especially at big-box retailers and online giants (looking at you, Rainforest Empire.com a.k.a. Earth’s Largest And Most Crush-Small-Businessy Site On Earth).

But we’re out here now, open and grateful, bringing you our best deals!

Free Audiobook Download of Any Book!

ANY AUDIOBOOK FREE! Or, try another download, like the Green Ember Book Club and Party Guide, or an art printable of the My Place Beside You Oath. As a thank you for supporting our small business, here’s a free download with any purchase now through Thursday 11/30. Use this link or enter code DownloadFREE at checkout.

Back in Stock

Helmer’s shirt is also back in stock in all sizes along with Heather’s Necklace. Get them before they’re gone again.

You have caused what this has become, a growing and astonishing phenomenon that is reaching more and more families every day with a good, generous gift of light and love in a world of darkness and depravity. 

Thank you! And I pray you have a wonderful Thanksgiving wherever you are.

Your friend,

Sam

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You Changed Our Story

We are accidental entrepreneurs in our family. My dad was a crane-operator-turned-missionary and Mom was a homemaker. We are not far removed, generationally, from subsistence farmers. I remember meeting a few people who operated businesses as a kid, but it felt a thousand miles away from our experience. As a kid, I didn’t dream of starting a business. When I got married, I thought of how to get a decent paycheck, because the idea of backing myself in the market seemed too risky.

When The Green Ember took off, we suddenly had a small business to run. Together with my partners/brothers, Andrew (in-law) and Josiah (my son’s namesake), we built a small family business around these books. We have been learning and growing ever since. This week we launched our 12th book! (Hope you try it!)

To my kids, it’s not unusual to think about business. They have ideas and try things. Today, my youngest daughter (11) is selling her handmade offerings at our local Maker’s Market alongside a lot of wonderful young entrepreneur-creators. She’s been sewing, cooking, crafting, and planning for a while. And today I saw her beaming as she made sales and served customers. She’s not afraid to work hard making good products and then sell them for fair value. I love her confidence and generosity.

This is just another way in which you have changed our lives. Yes, you. We weren’t an entrepreneurial family. I was too afraid to pull the trigger on starting a business. But when you embraced my stories, when you spent your own money to receive what we made, you changed our story.

So, thank you. It means the world to us to have your support, to literally feed our kids and pay our mortgage as a result of this loving and free exchange between us.

I’m honored to have my stories in your family’s home, and I’m grateful your support has meant we can provide for our family.

God is good. We are glad. Blessings on you and yours!

Sam

P.S. Please tell me about your family business, and tag them for us.

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The New S. D. Smith Book is Here! Your Kids Will Flip Out!

YES! My New Book is Here and YES it is REAL and YES that’s its Real Name!

Please take a moment to watch this video and let me know what you think in the comments! (Tag your friends if they enjoy laughter.)

Order Now

Today, I’m so excited to share this new book with you. Mooses with Bazookas: And Other Stories Children Should Never Read. It’s funny. It’s enjoyable. It’s entertaining! Is that okay?

I think it’s great. Aren’t you tired of everything being so heavy with an agenda? I am. Aren’t you tired of every book—especially books aimed at kids!—being a thinly-veiled adult argument about politics?

Both the “bad guys” and the “good guys” seem to be engaged in nonstop propaganda in children’s books and movies. Even when you agree with it, propaganda makes for some lousy, inhospitable storytelling.

We can do better. We have to. This book is entertaining, funny, and wholesome. Don’t believe me? Try this sample!

Do believe me? Please buy a SIGNED copy now. It ships immediately. No preorder. Just order. It’s signed and in stock right now and ready to ship!

What on earth is this? A novel? A picture book? A crime?

It’s an illustrated collection of stories and humorous letters, with a novella (Mooses with Bazookas) in its middle. It stars a mouse, a moose, a dog who can speak Alienese, and other lovable misfits. It’s perfect for people who need, or want, to laugh.

More FAQs

Join Us

We’re hosting a LIVE launch party tonight with mucho giveaways, Q & A, & more! Join us tonight at 7pm EST. Bookmark the live here.

I think you’re going to love this. You’re allowed to just smile and laugh and enjoy a story.

I’m on your slide,
Sam

P. S. I’m stuck in your slide. The twisty one. Meant for small kids not big adults. That one.

P. S. S. Here’s a beautiful picture of me and my daughter. I love her smile.

P. S. S. S. While you’re in the store, check out our new & restocked items like Helmer’s Shirt, Heather’s Necklace, and the new Mooses with Bazookas Shirt! And remember, don’t eat dirt!

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