J. Collin has released a new short story about a woman who wakes up and things are not quite right. When I became a Zombie is the story of how a person’s mortality can catch them by surprise.
For the time being this short story is free if charge. Take a look!
Also, a sample from our next book should be out soon. Without giving the plot away I can say it’s about the things we do when we are angry.
Peace!
Renee
We have started work on a new project. I’m cautiously optimistic this project will take much less time than or first. There isn’t a great deal I can say about the project yet. I can say it involves anger and the things a person does out of desperation. A preview will soon be available.
We are currently looking for submissions. I believe there has been some confusion about what types of writing are appropriate for Happy Acres. Ideally, we would like to see writing that reflects idealism in action. Throw some writing our way geared towards either highlighting a social issue or a solution. Either way, we would like to see writing that forces individuals to think another way.
Please note that at this point we are asking that any submissions be made through email.
A new link is up on our website for Divide and Take. The link will bring individuals directly to either the Smashwords site to buy the ebook or to Lulu to buy the book hardcover.
Oh, how I cannot stand MONDAY! Here is something that should make the day a little better! Actually, to be honest, the coupon goes until the end of November.
Enter this code JZ32G http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/106874
Peace! And have a good Monday!
Renee
Divide and Take is now available for pre-sale on Lulu. In two weeks we will be formally launching the book! For now, we have it available in two different formats.
Hardcover Version of Divide and Take
Electronic Version of Divide and Take
Please note, we will be releasing Divide and Take in soft cover in the next two months. Unfortunately, we have no specific date set.
A few minor changes have been made to Divide and Take. Please note: If you purchased the book prior to today (24/11/2011) you will be able to get the updated version free.
If you would still like to read Divide and Take you can do so for half price! If you enter in the code HG84F in the next 24 hours!
Peace!
Renee
Finally, Divide and Take has been published! Yes, the book was formally known as The Well Started to go Dry; however, Divide and Take sounded much better.
In the book Divide and Take J. Collin takes situation which may normally occur overseas in a developing country and places that situation in the middle of the United States. The idea behind the book is that, sometimes, people fail to recognize tragedy until it is directly in front of them.
Back Cover:
Angry protesters, reports of an outbreak of stray dogs, and being forcibly removed from the closet are the issues Sarah Polsky faces in the book Divide and Take. It’s the story of what happens within a small town in Minnesota going through economic hardship. Unfortunately, the choices made by residents may make the town’s water supply permanently disappear.
The paperback version should be available within the next three weeks!
Instead of offering up another excerpt I wanted to give some facts about water use around the world today.
3.5 Million people die every year from water related illness
-World Health Organization 2008 (Found on water.org)
If you live in one of the worlds slums you are likely to pay 5 to 10 times as much for water as those living in wealthier areas of the same city. No, the water isn’t any better in the slum.
-2006 United Nations Human Development Report. (Found on water.org)
Three children die a minute from water related disease
-2006 United Nations Human Development Report (Found on water.org)
Right now, one BILLION people on this planet are without clean drinking water.
70% of the worlds’ water supply is consumed by agriculture
20% of the world’s water supply is consumed by industry.
A whopping 10% of the world’s water supply goes towards domestic use.
We continue to seek out writing which fits our vision. We would love to see submissions which reflect a desire for positive change. This is not to say all submissions need to be rainbows, cotton candy, and butterflies. However, if there is a question its always best to send an email (info@happyacres.ca).
Formatting is almost complete on THE WELL STARTED TO GO DRY. A few more final touches and the book will be ready. This should actually be the last sample placed on the blog prior to publication.
Sample from Chapter 1 of THE WELL STARTED TO GO DRY.
The store that morning was bustling with the Sunday shoppers gearing up for an afternoon of grilling and family. People rushed in and out of the store purchasing those early signs of summer such as ice-cream, burgers and chicken. By mid-afternoon the last of the buns and ground beef had been sold, and people had started to focus on hot dogs and brats. This resulted in at least six people complaining to me because they felt I did not order enough meat for such a nice weekend. Although I knew the individuals with the complaints were right, it did not stop me from calling one man a “jerk” under my breath as he was leaving. It is always easier to have an opinion from outside of the situation.
When it finally started to quiet down I sighed with relief. I started restocking the shelves, my favourite part of a busy day. One would think it would be counting the money, but I did that in my head throughout the day. Stocking shelves made me feel as though I had accomplished something.
“Hey, your dad called, you better get over there now.” My cousin Jason said smiling at me from behind the cash register. His face was covered with piercings and his black t-shirt gave him a rebellious look. Despite the outward appearance, Jason had a maturity which exceeded almost every adult I knew. He was overly responsible not only for himself, but also for everyone around him.
“You need help filling these shelves?” I said putting my hand on an empty shelf behind me.
“No, it’s OK, it won’t take that long, and besides if you help me I will have nothing to do.”
“Oh, no, I can help. He can wait a bit.” I grinned walking over with a box of candy bars and placed them on the racks in front of the counter.
“Sarah, he is going to call again, and then he will nag, and then I will have to tell him you are just standing here.” He looked at me for a reaction and when he got none he said “I will tell him you are making fun of Republicans!”
“Geez, OK.” I said with a sigh. I knew he would do it.
“OK then!” He said with a grin.
“Hey, Jason, I noticed there is an open bag of dog food in the break room. Have you been feeding that stray sheep dog?” I asked.
Jason smiled “I am not going to say anything self-incriminating. What I will say is that any food given to Monet was purchased from the store. So, it’s none of your business.”
“You didn’t name him!” I said with a disapproving look.
“It’s ok; I think he liked the name.”
Have a great week
~Renee
As publishing grows closer of THE WELL STARTED TO GO DRY I thought another taste of the book would be nice.
Finally, my dad boldly broke the silence. “I have been talking to Polar Beverage about the possibility of moving a bottling plant into town.”
Polar Beverage was one of the top three manufactures of soda and bottled water around the United States and the rest of the world. In fact, I had a large display of Polar Beverage products at the entry of the store. Their main product was dark soda laden with corn syrup, called Venin. Of course, there was also Diet Venin, for those who were conscious about their figure. Another of their very well known products was the upscale bottled water called Voleur d’O. Tourists would often come into the store and purchase the transparent liquid for close to three dollars a bottle. I could not taste a difference between the expensive water and regular tap water. It just seemed unethical to sell something people could get for free, right out of the tap.
“Why are you trying to get a beverage company to move into Ofiara?” I asked.
“In-House Venting is talking about the possibility of another lay-off in the next few months. I think they are slowly trying to move the whole operation to Mexico or some other bullshit,” my dad said as he continued to poke the meat on the grill.
I walked over to the cooler on the ground and pulled out a beer.
My dad continued “We have to be ready for them to pull out, because if they do, we will be screwed just like in the ‘80s.”
A small laugh escaped my lips when I thought about how my dad had worded his sentence. The plant had screwed us and now they were “pulling out.”
My dad looked at me with his eyebrows furrowed in irritation “Sarah, I don’t think this is funny.”
We are still looking for new projects. If interested please send me a sample through our website.
Also, we’re still looking for pieces that represent pertinent social issues. If this is something that interests you, drop me an email.
I wanted to share another segment from The Well Started to Go Dry by J. Collin. The following is a glimpse into how Sarah, the narrator, views increasing economic struggles of her small town. The sample illustrates helplessness in the wake of what is overwhelming.
The summer weather continued to be beautiful, though that year was a bit dry and everything smelled like dust. Like every year, water became the main form of solace in Ofiara. Everyone in town under the age of eighteen spent most summer days at the lake. Those who did not have enough ambition to walk the few short blocks to the beach were using kiddie pools or sprinklers.
Although the weather was nice, it was overshadowed by the increasing unemployment rate. Several more workers had been laid off from the plant. The disintegrating industry in Ofiara had started to feel like a band-aid being slowly pulled off. Our little world felt fragile, like a thin led crystal wine glass. The only businesses which continued to do well were the scattered resorts along the lake which were booked solid with tourists into the fall.
People were getting worried. One family, like a small group of refugees, left in the middle of the night leaving their home behind to be reclaimed by the bank. Although this tragedy had only happened to one family, their sudden absence shook everyone. It reminded everyone of their own vulnerability.
Hey, have a good week!
~Renee
Happy Acres on Facebook and Twitter
