Cindy Katz is not only the co-author of a book about publishing in the green, but is also the Founder of Plant a Tree USA, a reforestation project with the goal of planting 18 billion trees. She certainly knows her green.

You are one of the authors of The Green Guide Girls: Guide to Book Publishing. How did you get into the world of green?

How I got into the world of green? I would actually rephrase that question. Everybody is in the world of “Green”. The point is when we realize it. My connection to green started as a young girl as I watched the evergreen tree outside my bedroom window become a symbol of confidence in my life. I actually felt it was a living fire escape protecting me as I grew.

In college, my interest and intrigue was captured by my major: Biology. As I would reread my biology textbooks, amazed each time I read them, my friends would say to me:

“Cindy, you can teach the professors about ecology!”

For me every day, I’m getting more and more into the world of green and I have made it my lifetime passion and business.

As the founder of Plant a Tree USA™ we are planting 18 billion trees and educating millions. We are creating a Healthy Green Mother Earth. And, most importantly, we are empowering others into the world of green.

Why the focus on book publishing? What about it enticed your green mind?

Books are made from paper. And, paper is made from trees.

The questions begged to be asked and answered: How do we figure out a way to replenish the world’s trees which have been cut down? Can we publish books using less or no trees?

The answers led to Plant a Tree USA™ creating the special program for authors to get into the world of green and from then to the publication of the book The Green Guide Girls: Guide to Book Publishing.

Can you tell us a little about the book?

Yes. The Green Guide Girls: Guide to Book Publishing is a compact companion, assisting new and seasoned authors with easy approaches to environmentally friendly options to book publishing.

Jack Canfield, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series said it best:

“As someone who has been responsible for the printing of more than 100 million books, I am very concerned about the effects of that on the environment. I am glad there is a book addressing the issue with solid ideas that we can all implement. I hope everyone in publishing reads this book.”

How did you make your own book environmentally friendly?

Our own book is 100% green from cover to cover. How did we do it, you ask? We had the top minds in the green book publishing world working on this incredible guide.

The paper in our book is one hundred percent postconsumer fiber, meaning that absolutely no new trees were cut down to make the paper.

The paper is processed chlorine free, meaning that there was no chlorine used in the bleaching process since chlorine is an extremely toxic and dangerous chemical which gets into our waterways and pollutes the water and the land we live on.

Even the energy used in creating the paper in the book was manufactured using clean-energy.

With the will and the desire and an incredible team, we have figured out a way to have a 100% postconsumer recycled cover, shiny, beautiful, and in full color.

Our book can show you how, too!

What is the singular most important thing an author can do to green up their book?

The singular most important thing an author can do to green up their book is truly to CHOOSE to green up their book. The rest are details.

And, let your readers know that your book is “green”. It is great PR when done ethically and correctly.

Are there green publishing resources available for those who wish to self-publish a book?

Absolutely! Remember, self-publishing a book means that you have ALL the responsibility of doing it ALL.

The flip side is that YES, you as the author have the freedom to choose as much “green” paper and manufacturing as you desire and understand.

The book includes an entire resource section of Who’s Who in the Green Book Publishing world and a list of green publishing resources.

There are an increasing amount of companies who claim to be green, but really do not support sustainability within the environment. How does an author or publisher go about differentiating between who is truly green and who is not?

Thank you for that on-target question and drawing attention to this important point.

The answers are sometimes a bit complex and I recommend asking for assistance.

Interested authors have the expertise of our Plant a Tree USA™ team to assist them in figuring out who truly supports sustainability within the environment.

Additionally, the book includes a section entitled “Certifications”.

Yes, there are many green certifications you may come across as you journey through the green book publishing world. Certifications exist to ensure that what companies claim about their environmental responsibility is indeed verified. We included common certifications including their logos and brief descriptions to make these symbols friendly and easy to understand.

Is there any money in going green?

Yes, going green allows authors to ride the coattails of the incredible wave of free green PR happening as we speak. In the Authors Save World™ program, authors can actually create revenue for themselves, more green education, or their favorite charity by encouraging their readers to plant trees and green up our world.

Doesn’t it cost more to be environmentally friendly?

In actuality, being “green” can save you money in many aspects with the right guidance and “know how”.

Tom Kemper, the CEO and Founder of Dolphin Blue, was asked “Does recycled paper cost more?” Here are his words as they appear on page 53 in our book:

“If you and I were to sit down and seriously analyzed that issue, I think we may come to the conclusion that recycled paper does not cost more. If we look at the environmental costs, costs to human health, costs to habitat a fellow species, and societal costs, I think we can honestly say recycled paper does not cost more. That being said, yes, the receipt for purchases made at the register reflect recycled paper costing more, but we know that it is not the final price we pay.”

As an international scientist, business woman, and mother, I concur with certainty: When we human beings look at the whole picture when we make our purchase decisions, it is less “expensive” to save our resources now than to pay the price of our health and our children’s future.

There is often a lot of talk and little action when it comes to being environmentally friendly. How does your book bring that talk into action?

Our book brings talk into great action by bringing the information out in understandable and brilliant size pieces to those who want to know and are intrigued by the world of green. We give the information and power to the author to understand environmentally sound principles and action steps to actively be part of making their book Green!

What are some small things one person can do in their everyday life to become more friendly with the environment?

Remembering that each of our actions has an impact is really the beginning. The small things one person can do in their everyday life stem from remembering our impact. Just the other day I was speaking with a woman who was going to be buying a new hybrid car and with the money she had left over in her “green” account she was going to be planting trees. She said that she and others had done extensive research. She reported that if you really wanted to make a difference, the best thing to do is to plant a tree.

I second that research!