Virtual Book Tour + #Giveaway: Child of the Earth by Susan Crow @stempertoncrow @GoddessFish

Child of the Earth

by Susan Crow

GENRE: Nature Writing

BLURB:

Here is a nest egg of memories and anecdotes teased from a life uplifted by an appreciation of the natural world.

Memories of childhood in rural England, raising a family in Orkney and Lincolnshire, and retirement in Northern Scotland are threaded together into a broad tapestry of the natural year. These experiences meet with a view of Earth's uncertain future to illustrate the necessity for respect of all lifeforms and shares a passion for the wellbeing of this planet with all generations.

Child of the Earth is a source of inspiration and delight - a literary garland of hope.

Excerpt:

The ninth day of January and it is frosty. Smells carry well. Hours earlier, we caught a whiff of cleaning-out-the-byre when we were coming down the hill and, a few moments ago, I went outside to empty the household rubbish and caught the same scent.

January in Caithness is not the same as January in Orkney.  It isn't the same as January in Lincolnshire. January in Caithness is completely unpredictable. A couple of years ago, when the year changed, I noticed the plants in the window boxes were suffering from windburn and the pond at Newtonhill Croft was very full due to melting snow and rain. And yet, last year, daisies were flowering, and we had gnats indoors. This week we have had some strange winds which sometimes became aggressive and then suddenly dropped, waved the flag of peace, and left behind an absolute stillness. Last year, same week, one of our number was nervous about walking home from work due to the threat of falling roof tiles.

Interview with Susan Crow

For those interested in exploring the subject or theme of your book, where should they start

Child of the Earth is written in a conversational manner. I think this makes it a great starting point for anyone who is interested in picking up this subject. There are lots of pointers in the book, so individual readers may develop their own interests from these.

Where possible, I’ve outlined the places to look to make observations of the natural world. Although I would point out that nature is all around us, and even living in a high-rise flat, one can watch cloud formations, follow the sun’s daily course, study the night sky, and become familiar with birds in motion.

How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book?

From Day One! As I was growing up I was always aware of the natural world and, although I didn’t realise it was called nature, I was moulded by it. I still am!

What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?

My hope in writing Child of the Earth was to share my passion for nature and to engage as many people as possible with the natural world and the respect which is due to it. The text, while optimistic, is shot-through with my concerns for the future of the planet.

I’m quietly pleased with the book and feel it is an honest account of my life lived with nature.

Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I would like us all to be mutual friends of this wonderful world, and to cherish and care for it together.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

I loved the opportunity to share my journals, experiences, and enthusiasm. It is a privilege to have been able to engage with people who are interested in everyday nature.

I also enjoyed the structural nature of composing the book - month by month - and I loved submitting each chapter in turn to my illustrator.

Can you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have planned for the future?

My next book to be published is the second in the Rosie Jane series. These are children’s stories told in rhyme. It’s due for publication in Autumn. I’m also a contributing author to a free eBook about my experiences with the supernatural. This is due out in May, to coincide with the launch of my publisher’s annual ghost story competition.

How long have you been writing?

Since I could form letters! Writing has always been an important part of my life, although I haven’t always had the time to do as much as I would have liked!

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Susan grew up in the Isle of Axholme, which inspired the Crowvus best-seller, Child of the Isle. She has a deep love of nature which is apparent in all her writing from the poems she has had published in various anthologies, to her 2020 release, Child of the Earth.

Susan released Rosie Jane and the Swodgerump as part of the John O’Groats Book Festival. This story was written and inspired by raising her six children in Orkney. After moving to England for a while, Susan finally returned to North Scotland in 2009, and continues to write her monthly blogs, What’s It Like Up There?

Her latest book, Child of the Earth, is a nature companion, drawn from her own experiences throughout her life. It provides a colourful telling of Susan’s encounters with nature, told with a style which makes it accessible to all readers.

Author Links:

Website ~ Publisher ~ Twitter ~ Blog

Child of the Earth Amazon Page ~ Child of the Earth Crowvus Shop

Giveaway:

$10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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