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

Home of karengoatkeeper.com

Site News

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.

Nubian doe Pamela eating trumpet vine — The orange flowers of a trumpet vine are pretty. They are also prolific seed producers and a single vine is soon a hundred or more. They love growing on trees and fences. My Nubian doe Pamela is doing what goats do well: trimming the vines. Trumpet vine is one of their favorite snacks.

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.

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.

There are now two problems to work on next Friday: the PayPal sandbox test and a WordPress link. There are others, but time is limited. The ‘To Do’ lists never end and never get done.

Pignut Hickory tree problems — This pignut hickory tree is tucked into the edge of the woods. this affects its spread and its neighbors make it hard to see. The one advantage is that it is a bit in front.

Setting up a shopping cart is on that never ending list as is a Thriftbooks account as I have many old books needing new owners. Perhaps I should keep a list of those available here?

Working on the Dent County Flora is a bit relaxing. There are some missing pictures here and there to finish off some of the pages. Those for white and post oaks are now done.

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. I am writing posts about doing this book on Opal and Agate. That means I need to get it started, at least.

Leaves are turning color here. This is partly the season and partly the lack of rain. Either way, droopy and end of season plants don’t make good Flora pictures.

One problem with going out hiking is the lack of respect ticks have for any sprays. Seed ticks – those almost visible specks with the painful bites – seem to be everywhere. A dozen moving around at night ruins any chance of sleep.

Nubian doe High Reaches Drucilla with doe kid Opal — Opal was a single doe kid. Her mother is High Reaches Drucilla. Like most goat mothers, Drucilla was a very attentive mother and Opal took full advantage of it.

The first Opal and Agate picture book storyboard is on this week’s agenda. Then I can start the illustrations.

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

One more groundhog is gone. It leaves behind a small trail of destruction.

Perhaps, once the temperatures cool a bit, the tomatoes can again produce. The remaining ones might not get eaten before they get ripe.

Sugar Pie pumpkins are moving into the pantry. Some will become puree as it is Pumpkin Cookie time!!!

The goats don’t like the hot weather. They lie around in the barn until late afternoon unless I take time to lead them out earlier.

Hot weather hurts produce volume in the garden, milk production from the goats and egg production from the chickens. It keeps me inside most of the day so little gets done outside. Frustrating.

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.

I just had to take a run over to see what was new here.

I am presently reading “Foraging Mushrooms in the Ozarks” and “Jazz Funeral”. I also read “Under the Knife”. There are more picture books, “Fionaa’s Luck” and “The Boy Who Said Wow” 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.

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 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.

My Goats Love Poison Ivy
Between the weather and the brush cutter, poison ivy has increased a lot around my place. At least one area… Read more: My Goats Love Poison Ivy
Beginning a Picture Book
I suppose every picture book author has a different place of beginning a picture book project. And that place may… Read more: Beginning a Picture Book
Identifying Children’s Books
As I browse through the picture books in my local library, I find there are three sections of books: Picture;… Read more: Identifying Children’s Books
Problems With Trees
Although I should be working on Life’s Rules, I have been editing some of my books. So far “The Pumpkin… Read more: Problems With Trees
Welcoming Rain to the Garden
During times past, gardens were put in and everyone hoped for the best. There were no hoses and water taps.… Read more: Welcoming Rain to the Garden