Changes are Happening at By Word of Beth!

5 Comments / A Word With Beth, FYI, Heads Up!, Just Want to Say, Moving Forward / By

And as the photo indicates, change gives new opportunities. For several years, I have had three websites. I am now consolidating them all into one — this one. My editing services now reside here, my thoughts about writing (mine and that of others) will reside here, and all my blog posts will be made here. I hope this will simplify things for my readers and website visitors. I *know* it will simplify things for me! Heads-up to subscribers: I will soon be changing the way people follow my blog, as well. Instead of the current subscription, where a blog post is automatically sent out to you when one is posted, I will be doing a newsletter — monthly is my intention — that will include links to any blog posts I’ve posted in that month, editing and writing insights, and more. I hope this will provide more value to my readers. Because subscription best practices have changed since I set up my last subscription, I will be asking you to sign up for this newsletter, even if you have been a subscriber in the past. This will allow for double opt-in, where you will confirm your subscription, and I be more able to ensure that I comply with all the current and coming rules about subscribers. I appreciate your patience with getting this new format underway. At the moment, I have only the basics of my editing service added to the site, but I’m definitely available for editing. Click on My Editing Service in the menu bar to see how we can work together. More will be added as time goes on. Here’s to new opportunities, growth, and moving forward!

Reading Toward Reconciliation ~ a Blog Blip

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For some time now, September 30 in Canada has been commemorated as Orange Shirt Day. It is now also the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, remembering and honoring First Nations people who were torn from their families and taken to residential schools, too many never to return. In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, I share these books as a way to read toward reconciliation. You can learn more about Orange Shirt Day at this link.  Click here for more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. To read the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, access this pdf. To access a PDF of this blog blip, click here.

A new way to blog!

Just Want to Say / By

Do you find it difficult to set aside the time to read long blog posts? I do! Would you like to receive useful content in a quick-to-consume package? Introducing… (insert drum roll…) Bite Size Blog Blips! Usually, there’ll be two blips per month plus a newsletter teaser. This month is a bit different because it includes this intro post as an added bonus at no extra cost 😉. Just think, someday we’ll be able to say we were blipping before blipping was cool!

THE GROUNDWORLD HEROES by Adrian So: Book Recommendation

Book Recommendations, Creativity / By

Title: THE GROUNDWORLD HEROES Author: Adrian So Publisher: Monarch Educational Services, 2024 Genre: Middle Grade Adventure Fiction Audience Age: 8 to 12 Themes/Topics: Animals, human threat to wildlife habitat, overcoming difficulties *Review copy provided by the author in exchange for a review. Blurb: “An original voice and a fun, funny adventure underground.” ~ Adam Rex, NYT Bestselling Author of THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY Opening Sentences:  There was never a bright day in Soiland, for it was thousands of bunny-hops below the humans’ feet. Dirt and rock walls served as a barrier between the furry citizens of this realm and the outside world. Synopsis:  Despite Soiland being so many bunny-hops beneath the surface of the earth, soon its citizens—moles, badgers, hares, gophers, armadillos, meerkats and more—find their home and their very lives threatened by human invaders with excavation equipment. They must flee for their lives. One young mole, Benjamin, has never managed to make it past the rank of Junior Digger. He does his best to help with digging the evacuation tunnel, but uncovers a dragonfly fossil which seems to have strange power. In the midst of all the chaos and confusion, Benjamin is instructed to take it to the fossil museum. In his attempt to do this, he gets left behind. The book tells the hair-raising story of the animals’ scramble to safety, and Benjamin’s struggle to catch up with them. When they do find safe haven, it is already occupied by other animals, and they must prove their worthiness to join them. One harrowing adventure after another leads to the climax of the story—but who will prevail? The animals? Or the powerful humans who threaten them? My thoughts: Adrian So, at the age of fourteen, has written a gripping adventure story with animals at the forefront. Not only does his book provide a page-turner of a read, but it shows vividly the threat wildlife is under from humans. As well as the suspense of the plotline, I particularly enjoyed Adrian’s wordplay and inventiveness. In Soiland, time is measured in mole-blinks, mole-ments, and badger-winces, distance is measured in bunny-hops, prisoners are held with (what else?) paw-cuffs. Adrian’s similes and metaphors are spot-on, using animal terms to paint word pictures and convey ideas. How many of us adult writers would even think it possible to publish a book at the age of fourteen? Kudos to Adrian for doing so, and for doing such a good job of it! Availability: Should be readily available after August 6, 2024—TODAY! Book release day! Search the title online for many sources. For Further Enrichment:  Learn more about Adrian and his writing at this post from Pamela Kramer.  Gain more insight (and get some great writer advice) in this interview of Adrian in LitKidsMagazine.  Check out Adrian’s website here: https://adriansotheauthor.my.canva.site/ Follow him on X/Twitter here: https://x.com/Adrian62852188 Congratulations, Adrian, on your debut book! 

June 2024 Newsletter Teaser

A Word With Beth, Coming Attractions, For Writers!, Heads Up!, Writers' Resources, Writing / By

Photo by Mathias Reding via Pexels.com My newsletter will be going out to subscribers on Thursday, June 27 (in the wee hours of the morning). This one will be short and (hopefully) sweet, as we get ready for summer vacation time! (I’ll be taking July and August off from sending out newsletters.) The June edition will include such things as  Writing: Yes, we can still have fun while writing! Editing: Having fun while editing! No Flubs2Fixes Game again this issue (Ebony Kitten’s still napping. 😸) Reading: Special guest post by Kathy Halsey with two book reviews for you. Free I Y: Christine Alemshah’s “Grow Your Writing” Challenge Resources: Dave Crenshaw (time management expert) on having an Oasis in your life Just for fun: School’s Out! (featuring a very different band, but no kittens or puppies involved) If you want to make sure you get the newsletter hot off the virtual presses, click here for subscription details. I’d love to have you join us!

May 2024 Newsletter Teaser

A Word With Beth, Coming Attractions, For Writers!, Heads Up!, Writers' Resources, Writing / By

Photo by Mathias Reding via Pexels.com My newsletter will be going out to subscribers on Thursday, May 30 (in the wee hours of the morning). It will include such things as  Writing: What do I do with all my webinar notes? (and a request)  NEW FEATURE ~ Editor’s Clinic (and a request!) No Flubs2Fixes Game this issue (Ebony Kitten was napping and I hated to wake her. 😸) Reading: Time to think about summer reading! NEW FEATURE ~ Free I Y: How do I invest in my writing when I have no $$ to invest? Resources: Lyrical Language Lab Just for fun: Hint: tiny woof. If you want to make sure you get the newsletter hot off the virtual presses, click here for subscription details. I’d love to have you join us!

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