April 2008 News Release: Just In Time for Earth Day, Novel Fights Global Warming - Literally

For Immediate Release
Contact: Larry Nocella
LarryN@LarryNocella.com

Just In Time for Earth Day: Novel Fights Global Warming - Literally

Philadelphia, PA – Just in time for Earth Day (April 22) Author Larry Nocella is proud to announce that over the past year, his novel Where Did This Come From? has reduced the carbon emitted into the Earth's atmosphere (a primary cause of global warming) by over 50,000 tons.

Nocella explained. "The plot of Where Did This Come From? centers around our collective ignorance as consumers. We often don't understand or care about our effect on the earth. Publishing a book about environmental problems without making any effort to account for the book's ecological impact would have been hypocritical. In addition to writing a great story, I wanted to lead by example."

To achieve that goal, Nocella partnered with Carbonfund.org in March 2007. Using Carbonfund.org, businesses and individuals can "offset" their carbon footprint by making a donation to projects that slow or reverse global warming, such as reforestation, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

For each copy of Where Did This Come From? sold, author Larry Nocella has made and will continue to make donations to Carbonfund.org sufficient enough to offset the carbon released by the publishing process. That money will go toward reforestation efforts.

In addition to offsetting Where Did This Come From? by Larry Nocella, Carbonfund.org offsets popular brands such as Orbitz, Dell, Credo Mobile and many others.

"I wanted to write a book that made a difference in more ways than one," Nocella said.

About the novel Where Did This Come From?
When a leading U.S. toy manufacturer discovers a rare and beautiful crystal on a native tribe's sacred land, mining operations begin immediately. Soon the tribe find themselves and the jungle that supports them on the brink of annihilation as big business, governments and the military vie for control of the newly found wealth. Can the small tribe hope to resist the desire of those who don’t care about, who never bother to ask, Where Did This Come From?

Midwest Book Review raves, "Highly Recommended!" Amazon.com readers give Where Did This Come From? five out of five stars. Where Did This Come From? is available on Barnesandnoble.com and Amazon.com in both print and e-book format.
Where Did This Come From? ISBN-13 number: 978-1-4257-1381-2

About the Author
Larry Nocella sold his first article at age fourteen, and has been writing ever since. He was editor of the magazine Question Everything Challenge Everything (QECE) and writer of the comic eXtreme Conformity. He now writes novels. He lives in the USA, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Read more of his writings at www.LarryNocella.com.

Novel Where Did This Come From? and author Larry Nocella featured in Carbonfund.org newsletter!

What a great way to end the year on a positive note!

Where Did This Come From? by Larry Nocella was recently featured in the e-newsletter of Carbonfund.org. MyClimateMinute issue 15, released on December 15, 2007 noted that Where Did This Come From? is the WORLD'S FIRST CarbonFree™ novel. Numero Uno, baby, never to be defeated! You can't handle it!

Ahem! Anyway, I just wanted to mention it and send out some major ups and thanks to my Carbonfund.org pals: Lindsey, William, Steve and Erika!

The text of the article is below, or you can see it on Carbonfund's site.

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An Interview With Author And Offsetter Larry Nocella

Did you ever consider the greenhouse gas costs of publishing a novel? Author Larry Nocella did. His new book Where Did This Come From? is the world’s first CarbonFree™ novel.

Read on for our complete interview with award-winning author Larry Nocella about his novel Where Did This Come From? and his decision to offset with Carbonfund.org.

Larry Nocella is Carbonfund.org’s first author to offset the emissions from a book publication, placing him on the cutting edge of writers and artists who seek ways to reduce their greenhouse gas output.

Based in the fictional South American nation of Palagua, Where Did This Come From? follows the Huapi tribe’s desperate struggle for survival. When a leading U.S. toy manufacturer discovers a rare and beautiful crystal on the Huapi’s sacred land, mining operations begin immediately. Christmas shopping season is coming, and Crystal Clay is by far the top seller. Soon the Huapi find themselves and the jungle that supports them on the brink of annihilation. Can they hope to resist the desire of consumers who never bother to ask, Where Did This Come From?

Carbonfund.org recently chatted with Larry Nocella about the novel and his decision to offset the carbon emissions associated with publishing it.

Carbonfund.org: Where did the inspiration for this novel come from?
Larry Nocella: It all began as I learned about what happens to animals as they are changed from living beings into what we call food. After watching a few documentaries on factory-farming, my stomach (and my conscience) turned and I decided to pursue being a vegetarian.

That journey led me to question more than just food. I wondered about the origin of all things we purchase and the unknown impact we cause. Whether it’s food, sneakers, diamonds, oil, or chocolate, everything we consume has a mysterious and, sadly, often tragic story behind it. Demand drives the world.

At first encounter, that realization can make you feel powerless, but then you realize your decisions matter, and therefore you can make a positive difference, so with the right attitude, coming through that ignorance, striving against it, is empowering.

CF: When did you get the idea to offset the carbon generated by publishing the book?
LN: They were born together. The title of the novel, Where Did This Come From?, paired with the physical book itself, is a summary of the unanswerable question that forms the core of the plot.

I also prefer to lead by example. It didn’t make sense for me to raise all these questions and not even try to make a difference. I don’t believe that’s helpful. A lot of writing raises questions, but the writer doesn’t take a shot at a solution. I like to lead the charge toward brainstorming a solution.

CF: How did Carbonfund.org come to be your choice for a carbon offsetter?
LN: In short, simplicity. I looked at a few different carbon offsetters, and they wanted me to do a large amount of research. My thought was: but that’s what you’re for; I’m busy writing. Carbonfund.org made it simple: I got quick answers on what I had to do to become CarbonFree. It also adds one more aspect of the book to think about and discuss.

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Larry Nocella is the award-winning author of the novel Where Did This Come From? available at Amazon and Xlibris and other fine online book stores. Where Did This Come From? is also available as an eBook. For more info, visit Larry Nocella's website at www.LarryNocella.com.

Larry Nocella signs and reads from his novel Where Did This Come From? at Wolfgang Books!

What were you doing the evening of Saturday October 6, 2007? If you weren't at Wolfgang Books in Phoenixville, PA, you completely missed out! That's where Larry Nocella, the author of the novel, Where Did This Come From? was signing his book, taking questions from readers and reading choice excerpts.

How might I express how large a thanks I owe to Jason and Paul, the owners and operators at Wolfgang Books? Hm… Let's say that if you rammed my thanks through the internet, it would be of equal bandwidth to the amount of porn being downloaded this very moment. Yep. My gratitude is THAT big. Thank you Wolfgang Books!

If you're ever in the Phoenixville area, you should see this gem of a bookstore. I like to think Wolfgang is the bookstore equivalent to what I am as an author. We both obviously share a quiet determination to make an impact on the world of books, on our own terms. We're not very flashy, but we're big on substance. We're very serious about the power of books.

My first book signing now has me excited to do some more. It's a thrill to see how people react to the story I've written (and read.) It's also just great to get out and meet people.

Thank you to the friends and family who showed up to offer their support. Thank you to the complete strangers who did the same. Thank you to those who expressed support in email as well. Lastly, thank you one more time, Jason, Paul and Wolfgang Books, for hosting my inaugural signing. Such kindness and support by all of you will never be forgotten.

More positive reader feedback!

Simply fabulous! A most pertinent question that could be applied to a great many areas of our lives today. I liked the twisted fate of Joe, poor guy, completely miserable from what started with him doing a good and thoughtful deed. It's amazing how much it takes sometimes for us to figure out the simplest answers. The characters were very believable. A lot of ground covered in a small amount of space, as well as many different topics of accountability. A great book. - Kathie J.C., Maine, USA

If you've read the novel Where Did This Come From? by Larry Nocella and want to comment on it, please send an email to comments@LarryNocella.com.

Where Did This Come From? novel Highly Recommended by Midwest Book Review

Where Did This Come From? received a very positive review in the Midwest Book Review's April 2007 edition. http://www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/apr_07.htm

Thank you to John Taylor and the Midwest Book Review for the kind words!

Where Did This Come From?
Larry Nocella

Written by Larry Nocella, the former editor-publisher of the award-winning magazine "Question Everything Challenge Everything", Where Did This Come From? is a novel embodying today's modern consumer dilemmas. Set in the fictional South American nation of Palagua, Where Did This Come From? features the struggle for survival among members of the Huapi tribe. When a major American manufacturer discovers a rare and beautiful crystal on the Huapi's sacred land, mining operations commence; as the popularity of so-called "Crystal Clay" increases, the Huapi and the jungle that supports them teeter on the brink of annihilation, all due to the insatiable demands of legions of buyers who never thought to ask "Where did this product come from?" Though the precise events in Where Did This Come From? are fictional, its overall message is all too real and directly relevant in today's market flooded with goods made by child labor, produced with ecologically destructive practices, or even used to directly finance murder and terror (such as "blood diamonds"). Highly recommended.

John Taylor
Reviewer

New Novel Selling for Only One Dollar - News Release for Immediate Release

New Novel Selling for Only One Dollar
Author proudly announces new novel available as an eBook through Amazon.com subsidiary, Mobipocket.com

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Author Larry Nocella is proud to announce the availability of his new novel, Where Did This Come From? for only ONE DOLLAR. This discounted price applies only when the book is purchased as an eBook through the Amazon.com subsidiary Mobipocket. To read Mobipocket eBooks, you must download a free eBook reader to your mobile device or PC. For more details, visit www.Mobipocket.com. Nocella said the following about the development:

“One of the themes of Where Did This Come From? is environmental protection. I want to make an even larger statement. eBooks are one way to help reduce paper consumption, so I’m offering my book at a low price to help kick-start the trend.”

“Like many people, I was initially resistant to the idea; I love the feel of paper and holding a book, not an electronic device. However, I’m not comfortable with the amount of paper books can use.”

“For most books, I read them once and then I’m done. I pass it on to a friend, or donate it to a library. Ultimately it ends up in a recycle or trash bin. Why use so much paper for something that is only going to be read once? Also making a case for eBooks are books with large initial print runs that are projected to sell big, but don’t. Those are recycled and/or trashed as well.”

“I know electronic devices don’t grow on trees. You could argue that making electronic devices also harms the environment. But you can hold thousands of books in one and not harm any more trees. eBooks aren’t perfect, but they’re another way to reduce paper usage, and that’s a good thing.”

Based in the fictional South American nation of Palagua, Where Did This Come From? follows the Huapi tribe’s desperate struggle for survival. When a leading U.S. toy manufacturer discovers a rare and beautiful crystal on the Huapi’s sacred land, mining operations begin immediately. Christmas shopping season is coming, and toys made from the crystal are phenomenal sellers. Soon the Huapi find themselves and the jungle that supports them on the brink of annihilation. Can they hope to resist the desire of consumers who never bother to ask, Where Did This Come From?

To purchase Where Did This Come From? by Larry Nocella, visit www.Mobipocket.com, or www.Amazon.com. You can also visit Larry Nocella’s website at www.LarryNocella.com.

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Larry Nocella is the award-winning author of the novel Where Did This Come From? available at Amazon and Xlibris and other fine online book stores. Also, for a limited time, Where Did This Come From? is available as an eBook for only ONE DOLLAR. Visit Larry Nocella's website at www.LarryNocella.com.

Another happy reader!

I'm very impressed... a fast read, if not an easy one: it became evident early on that the story was a train wreck in progress, and it was really maddening that I couldn't stop reading faster and faster as things got worse and worse. Good job!
- anonymous, San Diego, CA, USA

If you've read the novel Where Did This Come From? by Larry Nocella and want to comment on it, please send an email to comments@LarryNocella.com.