N.P.O. Your Writing: Giving Back

In the classic story, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein, a tree loves a boy very much.  The boy grows up making crowns from the trees leaves.  In his teenage years, he returns in need of money.  The tree provides apples he can sell.  As an adult, the boy needs a home, so the tree volunteers its branches for material. Aged and weary, the boy returns desiring a boat allowing him to escape the world. The tree willingly offers its trunk.  Finally, when the boy returns near the end of his life, all he desires is a place to rest.  With what seems like nothing left to give, the Giving Tree offers its trunk as a resting spot.

We are blessed as authors.  Blessed not only with the gift of language and literacy but blessed with the gift that our influence can span to a wide audience.  Often we return to our tree, asking for more.  A three book deal.  Better royalties. International distribution.  All this is well and good, but our responsibility runs deeper.  It is the responsibility of those blessed to give back.  Here are four examples of authors giving back to the tree that gives to them.  I hope they inspire you to turn your writing into giving as well.

1.  Dr. Mosetta Penick Phillips-Cermak

Dr. Mosetta is the author of Rajah and the Big Blue Ball (PM Moon Publishers, LLC; 2009).  A resident of Ohio, author of 16 books, and educator, she donates $1.00 from every purchase of Rajah and the Big Blue Ball to the Cleveland Animal Protective League.  In addition, she is known throughout the Cleveland area for donating books to schools and "adopting schools" for readings and book distributions.  For more information on her work, visit: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1257616642&ref=ts

2.  Jonathan Maberry

Jonathan Maberry is a Bram Stoker Award Winning Author, magazine feature writer, playwright, content creator, and writing teacher/lecturer.  Despite his busy schedule, Jonathan has a passion for assisting new and established authors. Once per month, he hosts a Writers' Coffeehouse downtown. Open to all, it is a chance for collegial sharing and an opportunity to pick the brain of a very successful author.  For more information on Jonathan, visit http://jonathanmaberry.com/

3.  Operation Teen Book Drop

Readergirlz is about serious fun, getting the inside scoop, knowing yourself through literature, celebrating strong female protagonists, reaching out to others, and inspiring girls.  Each year, they sponsor an activity called Operation Teen Book Drop.  On one day in April, they encourage authors to donate books to pediatric hospitals.  They provide book plates as well as an after party online discussion.  Each year, over 8,000 books are donated through this cause.  To learn more about Readergirlz, visit:  http://www.readergirlz.com/

4.  One Book, One Dollar, One Tree

My own contribution to giving back is through my association with American Forest charities. For each purchase of my novel, O.Y.L., $1.00 is donated to American Forests.  That one dollar plants a tree in the United States.  In addition, my novel is printed on 100% recycled paper.  When my second novel, Mice Don't Taste Like Chicken, is released, I will be sure to find another fitting organization to give back to.  

Thanks for giving back some of what you have to better the lives of others. 

~Scott

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.scotthbooks.com

http://scotthbooks.blogspot.com