Trash Talk

Dave & Lillian Brummet will be Yvonne Perry’s guests on Writers in the Sky Podcast August 24, 2007! They will be discussing their most recent book Trash Talk.

People are constantly bombarded with negative information about the environment and our resources. Feeling powerless because we cannot afford to donate cash or time to a cause, we begin to feel overwhelmed by the immense environmental problems our world faces. In Trash Talk, we focus on changing people's mindset to a more open, hopeful and proactive one. Not by finger-pointing at corporations and governments, but by starting in our own homes, at our own desks.

Trash Talk began as a series of articles that focused on ways the average person can make small changes to do their part for the Earth. We compiled all the articles and other information that we could not fit in the limited space of our bi-weekly column into this book. Trash Talk embarks on frugal and conscious living techniques for the individual. We focus on the reuse of "waste" materials and reducing the consumption of resources. Trash talk is written to empower people to feel more positive about their worth as individuals in a hectic, expensive, environmentally stressed world. We show how to make a real and visible difference, while saving money at the same time.

Trash Talk could be an excellent resource in the classroom for recycling, environmental and gardening programs. Educators/caregivers can use the book to teach gardening skills (seed saving, composting, tree planting) and Vermiculture (worm composting) - the students can build their own worm bin and learn from the "worm farm". (Did you know that compost worms (red wigglers) can produce 2,000-9,000 babies annually?) Craft websites are listed for artistic projects using "waste" items. The book could be used as a tool for probing young minds to come up with original reuse ideas or environmental activities that the group can participate in. 140 resources listed at the back of the book will lead educators and individuals to new information and ideas. Trash Talk is at the Grade 10 level of reading, however, in the hands of a teacher the concepts and projects can easily be implemented as early as Grade 4.

Trash Talk has been globally received and locally embraced. Eagle bulletin (South Africa), Conservation and Recycling Journal (Netherlands), Natural Life Magazine (Canada) and Alternatives Magazine (USA) - are some examples of this global support. Trash Talk has had some limited coverage in the UK through both online and print publications including: Warmer Bulletin (July 2004), Scrap Magazine (March/April 2006). Georgina Bloomfield of the UK branch for Friends of the Environment has reviewed the book and heartily recommends it. The most recent exposure in the UK region was in Sept, 2006 with Heavens Promotions Newsletter.

Canadian authors, Dave and Lillian Brummet, have been writing professionally since 1999. The Brummets’ have published two books: Towards Understanding - A Collection of 120 Poems (2005; non-fiction, chronological), which depicts the healing process one goes through and the steps taken to get past the pain and towards understanding of both the purpose in life, and the value of life. Trash Talk (2004; non-fiction, environment) shows readers how they can save money while making their community become a more prosperous, attractive and healthier place to live. Dave and Lillian were honored with an award for "outstanding use of various media in ongoing outreach work to reduce waste in our environment" by the Recycling Council of British Columbia. Seeds of Diversity also awarded them with a Certificate of Appreciation for volunteer contributions and Dave won an award for his photography through Cottage Magazine. The industrious couple are currently working on an e-book, Purple Snowflake Marketing - How To Make Your Book Stand Out in a Crowd - for authors that are seeking ways to make their book stand out like a purple snowflake in a snowstorm, which they hope to see published in summer 2007.

For more information about the Brummets please visit their website : http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit

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Each show has multiple parts which last about 15-20 minutes each. The short-length classes are a great way to learn about the craft and business of writing while driving to work or sweating at the gym!