Deborah Adams's Blog, page 29

Malaria Uptick in Latin America Has U.S. Worried

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: What’s causing the increase in malaria in Latin America? Could the disease reemerge in the U.S.? — M. Simon, Braintree, MA

Malaria is a tropical disease that can cause high fever, a shaking chill and nasty flu-like symptoms. It can sometimes be fatal, but there are various treatments for it. It is spread by parasites that can live in mosquitoes, so if a mosquito feeds from the blood of an infected hum...

Tips for Writing Magic

a guest post by G. J. Kemp

G. J. Kemp is the author of the stunningly original Acre series. These fantasy novels employ magic, and if you’ve tried it, you know that’s not an easy thing to write. I’m so grateful that Gavin Kemp agreed to share some tips here. He’s also hosting a giveaway, so read all the way through to learn about the Acre books, Gavin’s advice for writing the magical, and how you can win the first four books in the series.

Book Series Title: THE ACRE SERIES by G.J. Kemp

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Affording Energy Efficiency Upgrades

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: I’d like to upgrade the energy efficiency of my condo but can’t afford the up-front cost of new equipment and materials. Are there any federal or other programs designed to help working people afford to make such transitions? — Paul B., Monroe, NY

As of now, residential and commercial buildings contribute up to 40 percent of the world’s energy consumption. Increasing the energy efficiency of these structu...

A Lot of Hot Air

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that as the planet warms, it will be the huge demand for and use of air conditioning that will push us all over the edge of cataclysmic warming? – Joseph Still, New York, NY

As innocuous as it may seem, the common household air conditioner is actually a significant contributor to climate change! According to researchers from the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (N...

Exploring Our Deepest Fears Through Speculative Fiction

a guest post by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo

A novelist’s job is to imagine. We imagine worlds filled with magic and make-believe creatures, we imagine futures lived in faraway galaxies, we imagine how it feels to be pursued by a killer or born into slavery or trapped in a haunted house. Sometimes we imagine what it’s like to fall in love with someone we can’t have. Almost always our imaginings are rooted in fear. And for many of us, the greatest fear of all is losing a child.

It’s unthinkable....

A Reservoir Man by L.J. Ambrosio

When writing in a specific genre, an author has guidelines to help shape the story. But how do you keep a story on track when there’s no particular genre behind it? And should a writer even try to color outside the lines? L. J. Ambrosio has some thoughts on that.

Writing must come from the emotional side of one’s intellect. Various genres help the writer and the reader identify their interests. I believe to write in a non-specific genre, the writer may find himself or herself writing all ...

They’re still banning books

This year Banned Books Week is September 18-24, although I strongly suggest that you read banned books every chance you get throughout the year.

 The American Library Association provides more information on their site, including lists of frequently challenged books and the ten MOST challenged books. (“A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group.  A banning is the removal of those materials.”)

WHY ARE BOOKS BANNED?

We...

More Sustainable Food Packaging

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: What’s new in food packaging to make it more sustainable? – E.C., Bern, NC

Along with food waste, food packaging is a significant source of pollution, generating approximately half of the packaging waste in the United States. In the wake of growing concerns about climate change and food product packaging’s role in it, companies are taking action to make packaging more sustainable.

There are man...

Waiting in the Wings: How to Launch Your Performing Career on Broadway and Beyond by Tiffany Haas

Keep reading to find out how you can enter the giveaway.

Tiffany Haas knows how to make it on Broadway. After 72 rejections in a row she finally landed a role in Broadway’s long-running smash hit Wicked and later became “Glinda the Good.” Now she wants to share her advice for starting and nurturing a career in the theater. Waiting in the Wings is the essential guide for anyone who wants to have a theatrical career, whether they’re complete newbies or already have some professional credits...

Join the Count Us In Campaign

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk : What is the Count Us In campaign all about and how does it differ from other efforts to help us rein in carbon emissions? — P. Stout, Anchorage, AK

Count Us In is a global movement of people and organizations committed to getting individuals to take active, reasonable steps to lower their own carbon footprints so that the actions of many aggregate into significant change on a large scale. The goal of the non-...