Here at Smart Bitches, we’ve examined a slew of material since last Monday, from novels to anthropology texts to poems, and we’ve discussed authors, editors, publishers, writers, scientists, ethnographers, Native Americans, and of course, Bitches.
But as Paul Tolmé pointed out in his article in Newsweek, there’s one party that hasn’t gotten enough attention.
The ferrets.
Tolmé‘s article about the black footed ferret focuses on the loss of their habitat, the prairie, and the programs working to bring them back from near extinction.
The black footed ferret is officially classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as extinct in the wild, though breeding and repopulation programs have been successful. Defenders of Wildlife classifies the ferrets as an imperiled species.
And then came this morning’s email: Nora Roberts has volunteered to match up to $5,000.00 USD any donations made by Smart Bitches readers to Defenders of Wildlife, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to preserve not just ferrets but endangered wildlife across the US, most particularly that species much loved by paranormal romance writers: the wolf.
Are you outside the US, but want to increase Nora’s gift? Please feel free to make a donation to the local wildlife charity of your choice.
To qualify your donation for Nora’s matching gift, please email me at sarah@smartbitchestrashybooks.com with a screen cap or PDF of your donation receipt. You can block out your personal deets if like. I’ll total up the collective donations and keep y’all appraised of the totals.
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books LLC, will kick off the donations with a $100 pledge. Nora’s offer to match expires 31 January 2008, so please get your donations in by then.
Updated to add: We have cleared
$1000 $1500 $2200 $4900
in total Smart Bitch Reader donations. Way to go!
Updated 18 January 2008, 6:00 pm EST: WE have REACHED $5,000.00 – and then some. Way to go Bitches!
And I forgot to say big thanks to Julianna for first suggesting a “Ferrets Against Plagiarism” Tee-Shirt!
OK—I’ve adopted Clover the Cutest Ferret at the ferret website and a snow leopard cub at Defenders of Wildlife. (Don’t tell the cats; they’ll be wanting more Fancy Feast.)
I ran WWJD through Google images and it appears both with and without the question mark. Usually it’s omitted on articles of jewelry, so I should think that the WWND necklace on the ferret doesn’t need it.
talpianna, but… it’s a question! It needs the question mark.
*ahem*
dork will be quiet now.
From the linked article:
From dusk until nearly dawn we sat in Livieri’s truck—two dudes looking for weasels. Nobody said science was sexy.
It’s well known that there are more than a couple romance writers who a) read this blog and b) are awesome.
I therefore challenge someone, somewhere, to write a romance novel based on that premise.
Because I would read it. I would read it so hard.
Azteclady—Think invisible rising inflection just to the right of the D.
Dahne—a romance novel with two dudes in a truck? What are you thinking—Brokeback Prairie Dog Mound?
As I mentioned before, my fluffy cat Sethra has markings rather similar to a black-footed ferret’s. Do you think if I clipped her fur down, I could use her to entice a hot wildlife biologist or journalist into my burrow?
Wow! The call to action went out less than 24 hours ago and look at the response so far! You all inspired me to dig real deep – $20 is deep for a college student – and I adopted a red wolf.
Kalen, I love, love, love the “Smart Bitches Ferret Out Plagiarism” logo – I want it on a t-shirt so I can wear it to English class!
Scratch that – less than 48 hours ago. My weekdays have no structure until school starts back up next week and apparently I have no idea what day it is.
So is there an update on how much has been donated? I hope we’re not still at only $2200 from two days ago.
Ciaralira – Totally awesome job – I just purchased a coffee mug of both images. Thanks!
Spam word: got91—Nope, just two. Two awesome coffee mugs that is!
Thanks for the update…been lurking and waiting for one.
Wow! We’ve almost hit five grand!
Keep going, bitches. Give till it hurts!
(no ferrets were harmed in the making of this public service announcement.)
I just donated $50 to the Ferrets. 🙂
Keep up the good work!
Dear Nora Roberts and the ladies and gents of Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books,
We at Defenders of Wildlife are thrilled with the outpouring of support that we’ve received concerning the lifting of certain ferret-related passages from “Toughing It Out in the Badlands” in Defender’s magazine. We appreciate the generous challenge grant of $5,000 from the Nora Roberts Foundation and the quick response from your readers.
When we were first made aware of this plagiarism incident, we had no idea it would become such a sensation! After several days of answering reporters’ calls, a constantly blushing editor, and fits of giggling breaking out all over the office thanks to the witty banter of a certain group of Smart Bitches, we feel this scandal has had quite a positive outcome. Awareness has been raised for the plight of the endangered black-footed ferret, and we have made some wonderful allies in unexpected places.
Though the ethics and legality of this literary “borrowing†are suspect , we are very pleased that our work inspired someone to write about wildlife, and has inspired so many of you to read about it. We were even more delighted to read your passionate words of encouragement, and to learn of your VERY generous donations! These will greatly aid our conservation efforts, and may even inspire a new romance novel book club here at Defenders!
Thank you again,
Your friends at Defenders of Wildlife
Now this is class!
Glad to be of help, Defenders! But don’t applaud, send ferrets! Or at least a pic of Mark…
sales37—psst! Buddy, wanna buy a ferret?