Hello, dear readers and fellow stewards of this beautiful planet,
(So sorry to be sending this out late. I thought it went out to everyone on Friday but now I realize it did not.)
It’s been a while since I shared from my eco-fiction heart in this space, and I’ve missed connecting with you about one of my greatest passions:
Using storytelling to inspire young people (and those young at heart) to become caring, courageous protectors of the Earth.
Over the past months, my focus here on Substack has leaned toward my work as a Write On Purpose coach—helping fellow writers bring their visions to life. But today, I want to reintroduce myself as an author of eco-fiction and share the journey I’ve been quietly on for the past year.
I’ve been working on my 34th book: Eco-Guardians: The Awakening, the first in a trilogy for young adults and biophiles—lovers of the Earth. This story is deeply personal, blending my love for animals, nature, and storytelling into an adventure that I hope will inspire readers to see themselves as guardians of this fragile planet we call home.
A New Adventure Awaits
Imagine a world on the brink, where nature’s survival rests in the hands of young people willing to listen to its call. This is the world of Eco-Guardians, where Tess Barkley, a courageous girl with a mysterious bond to her dog Argos, discovers her destiny as a protector of the Earth.
Together, Tess and Argos face incredible challenges—dangerous foes, a looming environmental catastrophe, and the terrifying Harvester, a machine designed to drain the Earth’s natural energy. Yet through it all, Tess learns that guardianship is not about power but about heart, courage, and the unbreakable connection between humans, animals, and the land.
This story is for anyone who believes in the sacredness of nature, the strength of young voices, and the undeniable power of hope.
A Call to Beta Readers: Will You Join the Eco-Guardians Team?
As Tess discovers in the book, true guardianship thrives on collaboration—and that’s where you come in! I’m looking for 3-6 beta readers to join me in bringing Eco-Guardians: The Awakening to life. As a beta reader, you’ll be part of an exclusive team getting an early look at the book (about 36,000 words) and offering feedback to help refine this story.
Your role as a beta reader will not only make the story stronger but also help shape its impact. Alongside the book will be the Eco-Guardians Field Manual, a companion guide packed with thought-provoking questions, eco-projects, and tools for teachers, parents, and readers to deepen their connection to the book’s themes.
If this mission speaks to you—or if you know a young reader who would be a perfect fit—please fill out the form here:
Why Eco-Guardians? Why Now?
Our planet is calling, and young people are answering with courage and creativity. Eco-Guardians: The Awakening both a book and a continuation of a movement, one that starts and grows at the grassroots level. We can’t wait for our political leaders to awaken to the need for change. We must take action ourselves.
Through this story and my other eco-fiction, I hope to empower readers to see themselves as part of a growing community of guardians ready to take small but meaningful steps to protect what we all hold dear— Gaia, Pachamama, Mother Earth.
I believe storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have for transformation. In Eco-Guardians: The Awakening, you’ll find adventure, connection, and a rallying cry for us all to embrace our roles as stewards of this Earth.
Will you join Tess, Argos, and me in this mission? Together, we can inspire a new generation of eco-activists and caretakers of the land.
With hope and gratitude,
Brad (aka W. Bradford Swift)
P.S. Your feedback and insights as a beta reader will help ensure Eco-Guardians: The Awakening reaches its full potential. Let’s create something magical and impactful together!
By subscribing to Unleashed - W. Bradford Swift, you’re not just supporting my work as an eco-fiction author—you’re becoming part of a growing community dedicated to inspiring young people to care for the Earth and all its creatures. Whether you choose a free or paid subscription, together we can make a difference—one story, one reader, one action at a time.
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