I joined IG a couple months ago, but am only now beginning to explore how this site works, with all that it has to offer. I have written a few blogs already, though, which I hope you enjoy.

Pressed to explain what I do for a living I would have to say that I am mostly a freelance writer, principal author of the Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America, and contributor to a few other books. I've also had articles published in Ranger Rick, the nature magazine for children, Missouri Conservationist, Timeline (journal of the Ohio Historical Society), Orion, and other magazines. I do scientific illustration of insects and spiders on occasion, too (one of those appeared in BioScience many years ago.

I want to find a regular, PAYING job in writing, though, hopefully with a media "family" that gives me a platform on the internet, and also lets me develop ideas for television and radio.  Are you listening Discovery Channel? PBS?

Working at the Cincinnati Zoo for two years in the insectarium cured me of any desire for cleaning cages and feeding live animals. Heck, taking care of my pinned collection is taxing enough! The hardest part is keeping live insects from munching the dead ones! LOL! So, while I still do have professional contacts in that community, please forgive me for not sharing enthusiasm for that aspect of IG.

Someone should build a "bug" theme park, though, don't you think? Arthropods deserve a much larger stage than a mere insect zoo can give them....

Bug Eric

I am certainly enjoying your blogs so far :)

My friend, Scythemantis and I were talking a while back about how cool an insect zoo/buggy theme-park would be. I know of a girl who makes enormous, life-like replicas of insects that would be awesome to have built into a small jungle for people to walk around in and feel like 'one of the bugs'. It would be darn expensive and time-consuming, however or I'd do it myself! :)

If something like this ever gets made, somebody tell me about it cos I would definitely want to go!!! :D

Thank you, CG!  Getting such nice feedback makes writing for free a little bit easier.  LOL!  I think a "bug" theme park will eventually come to be, honest.  I may write a blog about that very concept, actually....

Hi Eric,

 

I'm relatively new here also, but would like to welcome you!  It's a privilege to rub elbows with esteemed members like yourself at a site like this.  Glad to have you here!

 

Becky