Blog Posts - It's A Go Publishing

20 August 202129 October 2021

Links To All Works Offered By It’s A Go Publishing

Issues Of Second Draft Journals (scroll for links)

Second Draft Journals are created by A.F.S. Green (writer) and Dixie Roach-Foxton (artist), a mother-daughter duo in Ontario, Canada. This series of paperbacks is titled Second Draft Journals because those who will remember the COVID-19 pandemic will likely think of their life in two parts: what happened before the pandemic (our first draft) and what happened after (our second draft).

At the time of writing, the COVID-19 pandemic continues but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Whatever you desire from a journal, I’m confident that we have an issue for you!

Issue 5 of Second Draft Journals: A Dignified Collection

This is a celebratory issue that includes all of the original art and short stories featured in the previous four issues. Printed in vibrant colour, complete with goal-setting and lined pages (white and tinted pages), this journal is perfect for you and your loved ones.

Available on all Amazon marketplaces, including Canada, the USA, Australia, the UK, and Japan.

Issue 4 of Second Draft Journals: For The Child In You

This is our first black-and-white issue. Enjoy the original works of art as printed or colour them in. (Which is great for stress relief!) It has lined pages, goal-setting pages, and blank pages (in case you like to doodle).

Enchanted Outlines (the short story in this issue), explores the secret world of colouring books as the characters in little Easton’s colouring book come to life! It’s for the child in all of us and is great for kids.

Available on all Amazon marketplaces, including Canada, the USA, Australia, the UK, and Japan.

Issue 3 of Second Draft Journals: Fly In The Face Of Fear

This issue is available in two sizes (8.27″x11.69″ and 6″x 9″). Printed in colour, it is the first one that has both white and tinted lined pages! With lots of lined pages, goal-setting pages, and original works of art throughout this issue, it’s one of our favourites.

Take Flight, the short story offered in this issue follows human and avian characters as they face their fears and an unlikely friendship forms. Fun for kids and adults alike!

Available on all Amazon marketplaces, including Canada, the USA, Australia, the UK, and Japan.

The Storytellers’ Compact Size (6″x9″) is available on all marketplaces, including Canada, the USA, Australia, the UK, and Japan as well.

Issue 2 of Second Draft Journals: A New Beginning

This issue is available in two sizes (8.27″x11.69″ and 6″x 9″). It is printed in colour with original works of art, goal-setting pages, and lined pages for you to journal, brainstorm, and take notes as you please. It’s perfect for the serious writers in your life!

The short story included in this issue reminds readers that Looks Can Be Deceiving (which is its title), as a group of friends examine the snap judgments that they make when they see an elderly lady sitting at a bus stop in their community. Heartfelt and hopeful, you’re sure to enjoy Looks Can Be Deceiving.

Available on all Amazon marketplaces, including Canada, the USA, Australia, the UK, and Japan.

The Storytellers’ Compact Size (6″x9″) is available on all marketplaces, including Canada, the USA, Australia, the UK, and Japan.

Issue 1 of Second Draft Journals: A Time Capsule For Hospitality

Second Draft Journals: A Time Capsule For Hospitality (Issue 1)

This issue is available in two sizes (8.27″x11.69″ and 6″x 9″). Published in the spring of 2021, our first Second Draft Journal was inspired by the plight of small-business owners (restaurateurs, in particular) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If These Walls Could Talk (the short story in this issue) follows a restaurateur and his group of friends that is narrated by the very walls of a restaurant itself.

Second Draft Journals: A Time Capsule For Hospitality is printed in colour, with original works of art, goal-setting pages, and plenty of lined pages to use as you please.

Available on all Amazon marketplaces, including Canada, the USA, Australia, the UK, and Japan.

The Storytellers’ Compact Size (6″x9″) is available on all marketplaces, including Canada, the USA, Australia, the UK, and Japan.

Life is a work in progress. Enjoy your second draft!

A.F.S. Green

Staycation For The Soul: A Collection Of Short Stories

Female reindeer fight for equality and respect in the North Pole after a multi-generational cover-up is discovered. A masterpiece narrates its journey through time. An atheist talks to God. A premature baby decided when to be born. A mature dog finds a new life after the death of her beloved owner.

In Staycation for the Soul: A Collection of Short Stories, each story is imaginative and heartfelt. A.F.S. Green’s first collection is for anyone looking for a short break from their day-to-day life with messages of hope that are sure to reverberate long after the last page is read.

*Intended for readers who are 8-years-old and up (at the discretion of their parent or guardian).

Available on all Amazon marketplaces, including Canada, the USA, the UK, and Australia.

The Ties That Bind

It was unfathomable that Angel would lose her twin sister, Eve, to an underground community in early 2009, but after Eve was attacked, things started to change — quickly.

The Ties that Bind is the premiere novel in a series about sisterhood and friendship, lust and affluence, and control and loss. When a seductive woman and a man with smouldering good looks present the twins with the keys to a world where lines are blurred between tradition and an alternative culture, professionalism and desire, and loyalty and a sexy, taboo lifestyle, which path will each sister choose?

*Intended for a mature audience, 18+.

Available on all Amazon marketplaces, including Canada, the USA, the UK, and Australia.

I’ve started publishing under the pen name, A.F.S. Green (formerly, ‘Amber Green’) and I’m excited to do everything in my power to ‘make it’ as an author (because if not now, when?).

I hope you’ll join me on this journey and allow me to stay in touch with you by signing up for my email list.

It’s A Go!

A.F.S. Green (aka Amber Green)

24 February 202026 January 2021

The New Nine (In memory: 2/24/20)

**January 26, 2021: It’s been one year since Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, and Ara Zobayan perished. May they rest in peace.**

Saint Peter stood at the gates of heaven as he always did, but onlookers started to gather. A solitary job, it was unusual that so many angels and departed souls were interested in the arrival of a group of nine people– dubbed ‘the New Nine’– whom Saint Peter expected to greet momentarily on the morning of Sunday, January 26th, 2020.

It would be a tragedy on Earth; Saint Peter knew that family members and friends of the New Nine were about to suffer unimaginable shock and heartache, for there was no warning of the impending event that would unite basketball fans around the world. As news of the helicopter crash spread, basketball players would honour the most famous of the nine by taking eight and 24-second violations; a moment of silence to show respect for one of the greats taken too soon. Tearful interviews and outpouring of love and condolences would follow.

Fans would gather to pay their respects. Some would talk about how one of the nine singlehandedly inspired their love for the game. No matter what jersey they sported during the season, they would discuss his greatest plays, as they found solidarity in their shared admiration for an athlete beloved; an athlete who inspired and achieved greatness during an impressive career spanning two decades, though his life was cut short in a little over four. He was a man, a father, and a husband who had achieved the status of a basketball legend and would be forever remembered that way.

Three of the nine would arrive before Saint Peter as children; girls who had barely entered their teenage years. Though the glory of the afterlife would overtake them once they arrived, Saint Peter knew that people on Earth would mourn the years of their lives that these three girls were made to forfeit, missed milestones and rites of passage they would have no earthly right to experience. As the people who knew and loved the three girls would be sent into grief-stricken shock upon hearing the news, parents would hug their children a little tighter that night, as humanity was reminded that even if you have it all, the time for which you have it is never guaranteed.

The New Nine would pass through the pearly gates together. In time, some left behind would find solace in that.

“The basketball court is ready. They’ll want to play,” Saint Peter said to the crowds of souls who had gathered. He looked at a bright light shining in the distance. “That’s them. Our new stars have arrived,” he announced confidently to the onlookers, who were eager to welcome the New Nine.

May the light the departed brought to the world continue to shine through the love and cherished memories of those they touched.

Rest in peace, Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, and Ara Zobayan.

Note from the author:

If loved ones of any of the people who perished on January 26, 2020, read this post, I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept the condolences of your friends north of the border.

*Please note that I offer an audio version of The New Nine on YouTube

If you liked the above, you would really enjoy:

🇨🇦 Musings of a Masterpiece

A work of art narrates its journey through time in this short story.

In the centuries since its creation, it has witnessed the joy of love and companionship, the heartache of loss, and hardship. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but what if the masterpiece you so admire silently muses at the countless wonders of humanity?

🇺🇸: Amazon.com users, click here.

🇬🇧: Amazon.co.uk users, click here.

And…

🇨🇦 Believe In Me

In this short story, an atheist is surprised when the prayer they assumed would never be received (because really, who’s listening?) is answered.

In a conversation with God, one would think that the atheist would be the only one forever changed, but that may not be the case.

What do you believe?

🇺🇸: Amazon.com users, click here.

🇬🇧: Amazon.co.uk users, click here.

Amber Green is a self-published Canadian author and freelance writer. Her short stories can be found here: www.amazon.com/author/ambergreen

12 September 202211 September 2022

From Classroom to Dorm Room: Journaling is a Lifelong Habit

Though coaching, classes, and therapy have their place in society (and have never been easier to access), there’s so much that we can teach ourselves if each and every one of us listen to our own thoughts.

In a world where people seem to say what they think everyone wants to hear, I hope my journals will help you hear yourself when you choose to reflect upon your own thoughts by writing them on paper.

Issues 1-3 of Second Draft Journals

Journaling For Kids

There’s no way to stop social media’s influence, but in a quiet room, with nothing but their journal and a pen, let’s teach kids that it’s okay to sit and think. Record and re-read. Be still and ponder. With journal prompts, goal-setting pages, art, and a short story in each issue, I am excited to introduce Second Draft Journals to the classroom.

Second Draft Journals For Everyone

Journaling has many benefits for maintaining good mental health. and short stories awaken the imagination and give people a brief respite from the anxiety and monotony of day-to-day life.

Whatever your day, it all matters. It all counts, and each moment will only happen once. Write it down because you won’t be the same person tomorrow as you are today — and perhaps armed with your journal, you’ll have a clearer vision of what you want to achieve and who you want to be.

I’m calling on teachers, parents, and professionals within the fields of healthcare, mental health, and psychology to help me introduce Second Draft Journals to classrooms so that we can build a stronger, healthier, and happier future. If you’d like to get in touch, kindly email me at journals@thewriteresults.ca.

*This blog post also appears on The Write Results.

5 September 20224 September 2022

In Admiration Of Serena Williams

I do not play tennis; I can’t even run but Serena Williams is still an inspiration to me.

I was a teenager when a family member was SUPER excited about the new players to watch — Venus and Serena Williams. The teenage, Black sisters from Compton made the news that reverberated beyond die-hard fans of the sport. I’ve never followed tennis, but since that day, I would take note whenever I heard Venus or Serena’s names.

As time passed, Venus was the best female tennis player in the world, but I remember my family member saying, “Venus is great, but Serena is the one. She will be the greatest of all time.” The authority with which he said that made me pause. I couldn’t understand how he was so sure. The only other athletes that I’d heard referred to as The Greatest of all Time were Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky, and to me, it seemed a near-impossible task to reach such athletic excellence. Interested to see what he saw, I started seeking out interviews with the Williams’ sisters and taking note of the headlines published about Serena Williams’ ascent into greatness.

Beyond Athletics

Though Venus and Serena Williams inspired countless to compete in and follow the sport, their effect on me was different — though profound.

I will never forget watching Venus and Serena in an interview with Oprah Winfrey. I wasn’t able to find the clip, but they spoke about getting their degrees and starting a fashion line in case tennis didn’t work out. What?! They were already the greatest female tennis players in the world (Serena had likely just passed Venus as number one — I can’t remember), and yet they were humble enough to talk about having a backup plan. (I can’t remember hearing another professional in any field — especially people with notoriety — talk about having a backup plan before or since.)

The other thing that struck me was the relationship Venus and Serena have as sisters. Their respect, love, and support of one another were a joy to witness. I always thought that if I ever had children, I would want to raise them to be like them (fortunately, King Richard starring Will Smith provided all of us with a glimpse into their family life and the beginnings of a blueprint that has been proven to work.)

Cheers to Serena Williams and her inspiring career. May her array of achievements continue to awe and motivate athletes, and her and her family’s barrier-breaking mindset, humble words, and humanity continue to inspire all of us.

Here are a couple of clips of Venus and Serena Williams on The Oprah Winfrey Show from OWN’s YouTube page:

Where Venus Williams Got Her Values

Serena Williams on copying her sister Venus:

It’s A Go!

Amber (A.F.S.) Green

*The image of the tennis ball on the court was graciously provided by Todd Trapani on Unsplash.

**This post also appears on The Write Results.

29 August 202228 August 2022

The Personality Of Pets

I was delighted to spend some time with my brother’s family’s dog this past weekend. Shyla is a sweet, little puggle. Even though she has aged (you can see the white fur on her face), she still chases the tennis ball with the vigour of a dog half her age and no obvious regard for her own wellbeing (her little legs careened around corners, and her face came too close to hitting objects for my liking).

Within hours of her arrival, my mom and I were creating cheeky dialogue for the dog who is beloved by many. Others would’ve gladly cared for her, so we joked about her inner monologue.

What you’re cooking better be for me.

I thought my dad told you I preferred beef over chicken.

Yes, cheese is a food group.

I will be reporting back to my family. Be warned that all I have to do is act listless and feign throwing up once, and you’re done for.

We enjoyed this ridiculous banter and it was made all the better when she whined for an endless array of snacks.

Character Development

Though we were playing around, I couldn’t help but think of the process of creating fictional characters as we guessed what Shyla was thinking.

In one of my favourite interviews with Dan Levy, co-creator of Schitt’s Creek, he said that they workshopped their characters for many weeks before they started writing the pilot of what would become their award-winning, internationally acclaimed show. Celebrated Canadian film star, his father and co-creator, Eugene Levy, insisted that they needed to make sure they knew how their characters would react in every situation.

While it’s easy to ad-lib lines for a beloved pet, as a writer, I’ve taken Eugene Levy’s advice to heart. I am sure that my writing (and more importantly, my readers’ experience) will be greatly enriched because of it.

*If you’re a dog-lover too, issue 7 of Second Draft Journals: Love Notes & Paw Prints is the perfect journal for you.

This post also appears on The Write Results.

22 August 202221 August 2022

Sharing Stories On Social (RIP Aunt Pat)

I shared a few memories about my Aunt Pat on social media last week because she passed away less than two weeks ago. Her passing came as a shock. My family (& everyone who knew her) will miss her.

I was hesitant to share memories about her because I am not used to being vulnerable online (I’ve only been sharing videos of myself for about two months). I didn’t know if those memories really belonged on social media, nor if I should share as many videos as I did (are there rules for grieving on social platforms?).

Most of the memories that I shared about Aunt Pat revolved around books, and people were surprisingly kind. I was touched that anyone would watch my videos let alone pass on their condolences. A mother even reached out to me after I posted a video where I talked about a conversation Aunt Pat and I had about a poem titled, Somebody Should Have Taught Him by Jane Watkins, which is about drunk driving featured in Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul (I erroneously thought this poem was published in the original Chicken Soup for the Soul, which is the image I used as the cover for this video). This lady wrote that her daughter was going to get her learner’s permit, and she planned to share that poem with her to further caution her about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. It’s a poem that really resonated with Aunt Pat and me, and it means a lot that social media allowed me to share such an important piece with others.

Obituaries: A Subjective and Incomplete Narrative

When my mom and I read Aunt Pat’s obituary, my mom told me that death announcements used to be purely factual. Because they were printed in a newspaper, they had to fit on one page, so it simply listed the name of the deceased, dates of birth and death, their spouse’s name, their parents’ names, and survivors. Of course, now that almost everything is online, an obituary for the deceased can be submitted and made available to the general public.

Though writing your own obit is a common journaling exercise in order to get life back on track, when the time comes, our lives will be summarized by surviving loved ones. Even if it’s beautifully written, experiences and preferences may be misrepresented and people who were important to the deceased may be left out. Since obituaries are subjective, everyone who admired the deceased would likely write an obituary that mentions different things because we affect each other in nuanced ways. Instead of focusing on what you’re going to accomplish, perhaps we should focus on impacting the people around us. Every memory will be a little different, but if people remember you fondly (as we all will Aunt Pat), that’s a life well lived. Perhaps that should be the goal.

Rest in peace, Aunt Pat. We love you.

*This post also appears on The Write Results.

**The photo of the candle used on this post by Jarl Schmidt on Unsplash

8 August 20228 August 2022

The Worth Of Water

I’ve always had easy access to water. I don’t think it’s something I take for granted, but since I’ve never done without, there’s no way I can truly appreciate how difficult it would be to live without it. I became convinced of this after reading The Worth Of Water by Gary White and Matt Damon. Though I’ve read about issues surrounding water accessibility and the effects of climate change, I learned a lot by reading this book. (I have never been truly thirsty [the 3 stages of dehydration are described on page 20. I’ve only ever experienced stage 1]). I knew that, in certain countries/cultures, it’s primarily “women’s work” to gather water, but I didn’t know about “water wives.” As discussed in The Worth of Water, there are areas that have so little access to water that men marry multiple women and those women are responsible for collecting water for the family. They spend their days hauling water, which of course, leads to injuries and steals the time that they could spend working. The Worth Of Water points out that when these areas receive the necessary infrastructure for easier access to water, water remains “women’s work,” so women make up the boards that operate and tend to these pumps, automatically making them extremely valuable in their community.

This beautiful image belongs to — and is courtesy of — mrjn Photography on Unsplash.

Microloans versus Charitable Giving

Before reading this book, I presumed that charity would be the only way to fix this issue, but this book makes a compelling case that — except for the most desperate of the destitute — the Water Credit initiative is a much more viable option because microloans that charge a fair interest rate allows capital to flow much like water, as that same sum can be borrowed and repaid again and again, instead of money that is given once through charitable giving.

This cause is extremely important, and though I am not a scientist, the series that I am writing features scarcity of water as one of the major themes. Though it is a work of fiction, I envision a future where I can offer my volunteer efforts and financial donations to this pressing issue, so I need to learn more about this topic. I’ve added The Big Thirst (a book recommended in The Worth Of Water) to my TBR list, but that’s just the beginning. Please recommend your favourite books about water, water infrastructure, and books about policies surrounding natural resources because I’d like to learn more about this urgent issue. Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

*The beautiful photo used in this post belongs to — and is courtesy of — mrjn Photography on Unsplash.