My LIFE With Worms

My LIFE with Worms: Thoughts on Passion, Purpose...and Vermicomposting

Some time in July, while I was busily working on other important RWC projects, I was suddenly hit with the urge to start something else. This is definitely not an unusual occurrence for me – and 9 times out of 10 it is simply my way of procrastinating; my way of avoiding the completion of important work (which I’ve determined is largely due to my fear of failure, if you wanna get all psychoanalytical about it! lol).

I’ll be the first to admit that for most of my adult life I’ve been a GREAT “starter” but a terrible “finisher” (or “closer”, in the spirit of making this into a nice October sporting analogy).

But this time was different!

Rather than simply luring me away, only to then lead me off on another wild goose chase, this particular “nudge” stayed with me, and I kept running with it (still not 100% what was going to come of it). Days turned into weeks; weeks turned into months – and still the writing continued! The result, of course, is an eBook called “My LIFE with Worms: Thoughts on Passion, Purpose…and Vermicomposting“.

As I mentioned in a recent post, what started as the “story” behind the creation of the Red Worm Composting website and my vermicomposting journey in general, gradually evolved into quite a bit more (as the title of the book might suggest). While I was writing, it suddenly dawned on me that the last ~ 10 years (how long I have been vermicomposting) has been a hugely significant decade for me in general. Is easy to lose sight of these things while we are busy “living life”, so having the opportunity to reflect on everything has certainly been a valuable experience.


In my mind, the book is ideally suited for those who:

  • have enjoyed reading my writing here at RWC and are curious to learn more about my worm composting (and life) journey
  • have an interest in the entrepreneurial side of vermicomposting
  • have a “soul searching”/personal development side
  • just generally want to support the future development of RWC and related projects

It isn’t really well suited for those who:

  • are looking for practical information about setting up and operating a worm composting system
  • are looking for in-depth “step-by-step” information on how to set up a worm composting business
  • are really put off by my goofiness and general writing style (haha)

“OK, OK – so what’s the dealio, Bentley??!?!?”

Early next week, barring the arrival of our baby over the weekend (lol), my plan is to start with a one week launch special for my email list subscribers. All list members will have the opportunity (for one week) to purchase the eBook for ~ 50% off my planned blog launch price. So if this DOES seem like something you might be interested in, and you are not yet on the list, please be sure to sign up fairly soon.

Just as a reminder – I did include some info about the main sections of the book in a recent blog post (down near the bottom of the post). I will certainly try to provide a decent overview on the actual order page as well (once it goes live next week).

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment here or send me an email.
Thanks!
8)


UPDATE (Nov. 8th/10): The email launch has wrapped up (thanks again to all those who purchased the book!) and My LIFE With Worms is now publicly available.

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Comments

    • Anna
    • October 22, 2010

    Bentley–do you feel like you’re having two babies at once (the birth of the book & of your second child)? I’m sending positive thoughts for an easy labor to both you and your wife!

    • Larry D.
    • October 22, 2010

    Get on the worm phone(this site)after the good news! We can celebrate with some vermi-cakes! I will compost a cigar made of maple leaves in celebration!
    If you wind up with two Microbiologists in the family,can i borrow a microscope?

    • Ted
    • October 22, 2010

    Bentley,
    I am so much a beginner in this topic and sometimes feel like I do not belong here, but with the 77 page information guide that you gave to all of us e-mail subscribers, as well having your book of thoughts that I plan to buy, will make me feel more possitive about what I’m trying to do in my own little basement. You have mentioned and met, alot of very well know people in this business. At least I can say, ” I got e-mails and a signed book”, HINT- HINT from this important, well known Vermicomposter.
    Good luck with your new baby and your new book.

    • Bentley
    • October 22, 2010

    ANNA – Yes, in some ways I do. Like my wife, I am also feeling pretty READY to have my baby meet the world (although 3 months of work certainly doesn’t compare to 9!!!). haha
    ———-
    LARRY – 😆
    ———
    TED – Thanks for your support! I dunno about the “well known vermicomposter” part, but I certainly DO hope to leave you feeling positive about what you are doing. If you ever have doubts just drop me an email!
    I can’t promise a “signed book” right off the bat, but rest assured, your request has been duly noted!
    🙂

    • John Duffy
    • October 23, 2010

    Hey Ted, don’t stress about being a beginner. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. You DO belong here! I can’t think of a better place for a new wormer to hang out and learn all the cool stuff about worms & vermicomposting.
    Tell us all about your worm adventures & enjoy the ride!

    Bentley, we’re all waiting excitedly for your new arrival…Kids are great!

    • Ted
    • October 23, 2010

    John,
    Thank you for your possitive words. I have learned so much in a short period time and at times have said out loud(WOW, THATS SO COOL):-)

    • eric
    • October 23, 2010

    looking forward to the book.

    My wife is expecting again too. I often wonder why they say its 9 months when full term is 40 weeks…. which is not nine months. Weird.

    • Larry D.
    • October 23, 2010

    Ted,don’t sweat it! Before long you will be telling everyone things you discovered your worms doing,or what food your worms do or don’t like.Then you will get the urge to start telling people about those crazy worm antics.Rest assured we will be waiting patiently for a description of what you are talking about,and be just as amuzed as you were.I just wished i could show all the things that have happened to me in just a short time with worms.That lizard jumping on my face was funny after i figured out it wasn’t a roach.Only me and the person that does laundry knows how scared i was!

    • Heather Rinaldi
    • October 23, 2010

    Bentley, I can’t wait to read this:). It seems I have been waiting forever to hear the true story of how Bentley lives with worms and how in the world he comes up with those experiments!

    • Kator
    • October 24, 2010

    I agree completely with your approach Bentley. As a “newbie” to vermicomposting, I can attest that everything that anyone needs/wants to know about starting a vermicompost project is right here, on site. Sharing is ever so valuable. No need to cut trees for that. And the RWC site seems to draw a lot of good people – folks with great ideas, experiences and questions.

    And now it is time to share this stage of your journey – what drives Bentley, the motivator. After all, you are “The Compost Guy.” 🙂

    • Bentley
    • October 24, 2010

    ERIC – funny, my wife was just reminding me about the “10 months” thing yesterday (can you tell what’s on her mind these days? haha). It IS weird that they say 9 mo!
    —————
    LARRY – “Only me and the person that does laundry knows how scared i was!”
    😆
    —————-
    HEATHER – I have a sneaking suspicion I’m going to need to release my first update fairly soon after launching! It seems people are curious about topics I didn’t yet include. haha
    I am actually looking forward to adding more (and on an ongoing basis) since I really want to add stuff I KNOW people want to learn about, not stuff I THINK they do! lol
    —————-
    KATOR – thanks! You are definitely right about RWC attracting a lot of great people! I feel fairly confident that I HAVE at least covered the bases as far as outlining what “drives” the “Compost Guy”, so that’s a relief!
    😆

  1. Hey Bentley! We have a terrific book store in Santa Barbara (on the Pacific Coast!) that loves to promote “not mainstream” authors. I think a book signing gig is in your future! How about it?

    • David
    • October 25, 2010

    40 weeks * 7 days per week = 280 days
    9 months * 30.5 days per month = 274.5 days

    There are more than 4 weeks in a month.

    • Larry D.
    • October 31, 2010

    Bentley,it is Oct.30th at around 8:25 EST.We love the Bentley household.And all wish your wife a painless childbirth!Next book might be “My kids love worms more than i do! So they worm sat for me to write this book!” Is that title too long?
    Good luck from all your fans/friends!!!!!!

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