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Publishing Books by Karen GoatKeeper and Dr. Richard E. Rintz

Home of karengoatkeeper.com

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There are now pdfs of “Goat Games”, “Exploring the Ozark Hills”, “The Pumpkin Project” and “Discovering the Floral Diversity of Ceropegia” ready to email. And there are print copies of all but “The Pumpkin Project” ready to mail.

I mail books through the Post Office on Tuesdays and Fridays. The pdfs can be sent Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. (The Post Office closes at noon on Saturday, before I can get there with a book.)

The way things are supposed to work: You purchase a book or pdf. I get an email saying you made this purchase. I send the book or pdf.

watercolor painting of a warbler by David Plank
David Plank graciously allowed me to photograph some of his paintings to use with an interview published many years ago. This on is of a warbler.

Now I need to be sure the Buy buttons all work properly. A testing sandbox is more difficult to set up than I expected. If all else fails, please use the Contact GKP page. I hope that is still working properly.

Dr. Rintz’s “Discovering the Floral Biology of Ceropegia” pdf is now listed on the book page for $25.00. The Buy Pdf button should link you to PayPal.

“Goat Games”, “The Pumpkin Project” and “Exploring the Ozark Hills” are also available as pdfs for $15. These also have a PayPal link.

The number of picture book reviews moved over is nearing 200 both new and from my archives. Since I have only gotten to authors with last names beginning with D, I have a long way to go. They can be accessed here.

Strange how the address you are given doesn’t seem to work. And the heat has lowered so the hills are again pulling me away.

Poison ivy leaf
Poison ivy leaves have three leaflets. The leaflets have scattered teeth on the margins. There is a strong midvein and they tend to be a bit shiny. The red spots are insect galls, can get a quarter of an inch long and can almost cover the leaflets.

After three hours I finally got to the PayPal problem. Of course, I would rather be on iNaturalist with some new pictures.

Working on the Dent County Flora is a bit relaxing. The hills are very dry here. It’s hurting any plant pictures I want to take as so many plants look wilted.

I never seem to keep up. There are several more posts about my books available.This Saturday’s Substack post discusses starting with reality and moving into fantasy as in “Edwina“.

My Writing

Maybe I can get a picture book done. The storyboard is taking shape. I am writing posts about doing this book on Opal and Agate. That means I need to get it started, at least.

Fall brings out the goldenrod and asters. Several of each grow around here and are hard to tell apart. Then there is the ragweed to cause hayfever.

The year is slipping away. My goals are unmet. Stubborn persistence is needed. Can I find it in time?

rough green snake
This beautiful rough green snake eats insects such as grasshoppers. Their coloring makes them hard to spot up in the bushes and trees.

The garden keeps me busy as garlic planting time is coming up. I try to write in the evening, but tend to fall asleep instead.

Life’s Rules is only a reason to feel guilty. I am so close to finishing the draft, yet can’t seem to get the center part written as it changes format.

General Comments

There is winter squash ready to pick. Two places give access to where they are. Both are blocked by the monster squash vines.

If I crawl, I might make it in one way. The vines in the patch are dying away due to squash bugs. All I need is to get inside.

Another groundhog is in the garden. The traps are set. Bait is cherry tomatoes and disappears with ? chipmunks? turtles?

Dairy goats are supposed to give milk. I guess mine are all bred as only one is still milking and she is going dry.

Dinner is using eggs, squash, peppers and long beans. I need to find more easy recipes as it is too hot too do much cooking.

I have several writing deadlines. My 2026 goals are to finish Life’s Rules, Ship 18, Ship 19, the gardening essays and two Opal and Agate picture books. Is this doable? At least, I will try.

Fungal pattern on Chinkapin Oak leaf that often appears in the fall.
Fungal pattern on Chinkapin Oak leaf that often appears in the fall.

I am presently reading “Foraging Mushrooms in the Ozarks” and “Leave Her to Heaven”. I also read “Laura” and “Breakup”. There are more picture books, “A Gallery of Cats” and “Pete the Cat: Rocking n My School Shoes” this week.

You can keep up with my reading and reviews on Goodreads. As I finish each book, I take the time to write a review on Goodreads. Regular book reviews are on this Goodreads page (I lost it?!). Picture book reviews are on my new Goodreads page. Many reviews remain on the blog as I transfer only a few each week. It would be nice if those reading my books would do the same.

Nubian wether
Nice to have you visit.

Finding My Substack

This week’s post is about a writer’s approach to writing: Pantsing or Plotting?. The book under discussion is “Dora’s Story“.

This is under karengoatkeeper. As the site gets more organized, I will add a link to it.

About GKP Books

I normally sell books through Kindle and Draft2Digital as their sites are secure. Some books are only available through me for the time being. Please try to use the Buy Buttons. If they don’t work, use the Contact GKP page.

Some eBooks (notably “Pumpkin Project and “Exploring the Ozark Hills”) are too large or complicated for the other sites. These are available as PDFs from me. There are PDF Buttons.

All of the links should be working. If you find one has decided to go on vacation, you can contact me through the Contact Page.

Nubian doe High Reaches Rose calling me.
Nubian doe High Reaches Rose is very demanding.

Thank you for Stopping By

Keep checking back as the topics on the two posts change every week, weather permitting. Impassable roads can delay things.