As many of you are aware from my previous thread ( Queensland, Australia - Floods )we were declared a natural disaster because of the floodings. Upon requests from the public I decided to put together a book. With 2.5 weeks of photographing the event, I suddenly had 3 days to write a book. The Council stepped forward to pay for the printing and all the proceeds were going back to the community.
After a lot of hard work, a book was formed. Full colour, edge to edge print, 92 pages glossy, A4 size and sporting over 300 photos and many stories and statistics of the floods. The first print run came in on two pallets giving a total of 2000 books. These arrived only 36 hours ago.
Last night was the official Australia/ Thankyou Day and the Launch of the Book. Whilst I had businesses wanting to sell the book during the day I had to say NO as the book launch was to come first. I had people lining up an hour before the launch, but still I would NOT release it. The Mayor even stopped the proceedings to ensure that I was not selling the book yet. As this was over the microphone everyone then knew it wasn't my decision.
Eventually at 5-30pm I went on stage and told the story of the Emerald floods to the people in the hall. All I saw was a sea of green and yellow balloons and faces turned my way. There was silence throughout the hall as I told my story. I don't remember most of the speech as I had to hold a walkabout microphone...and people who know me, know that while I don't mind talking on radio and such...but to hold a microphone does not wear well with me. I tend to throw them. But I held onto it and refrained from wiping anyone out with it. As I came off the dias, councillors in the wings started hugging me, so I must have done okay.
By the time I got down to the tables there was already a line up at the signing table. I had workers handling the money and then sending them over to my side to be signed. Very few people had just one book in their hands. And for nearly 3 hours I continued to sign. Everytime I looked up I couldn't see the end of the line...they kept coming. I wore out 2 new gold pens and was working my way through 3 others.
By the end I was exhausted and still today I am getting phone calls and people calling in for more. I have to drop them off to 6 business this week that want to sell them also. The Mayor is already talking about a second print run.
I am tired.
The Emerald Floods 2008
Mixed Emotions
by Judi Liosatos
As a side note...we have been under flash flood warnings for the last week. We are cut off from the North again and hubby just got word that he will be flown out to work by plane each morning and night. So what is normally a 14 hour day will now be about a 17 hour day...each day.
Judi - CONGRATULATIONS on turning a negative into a positive.
The images of that time were startling - and although the news was thorough, with images of comparisons like yours it was difficult to comprehend the extent of the mess.
WELL DONE - let's hope this launch is enough to stave off the warnings - GRIN!
I thought you did a excellent service to your community and to us at DPC by keeping us informed with posts, and updated with your great photos during the last crisis. I hope that you are not facing another round of flooding similar to the first one.
I am also very happy that you were able to connect with the right people to get your photos into a book and get it printed as quickly as you did while still dealing with all the interviews and clean up that is going on. I wish you strength while your book is taking off, and pray for your comfort and the safety of your community as the new floodings threaten.
Thanks heaps everyone. I am still getting called to sign more and more books. I may have to do another signing this week in the plaza. I am really pleased the people are taking to it so well. My biggest 'one person' purchase so far is 20. I am truly amazed at the response to this book.
You have every right to be incredibly proud Judi - well done!
Now get some 'down time' :D (well, at least time for a beer or three) ;)
Billy
I would love to...but it seems wherever I go I am getting stopped to sign more books. I lost track of how many I have signed today. People have been stopping me in the street. I do know that another signing has been organised in one of the plazas for one of the local radio celebrities and I to sign some more books and speak to people.....that is in a few days...but in the meantime...I can't go anywhere without getting recognised and people wanting to talk about the book.
Hi all. Thought I would do an update. The book has gone mad. I still haven't stopped signing...or getting stopped by strangers. I had to go on air again yesterday morning. The radio gave me a copy of the recording which I have linked below. This morning we had to do another offical signing of the book at one of the shopping centers. With me was the radio personality 'Gazza' and the composer of the song Ray McGhee. We all signed the books as they came through (and there were lots) and also had Ray playing the song he wrote about the floods from the book. I believe that Ray has now agreed to cut a CD with his music. He is a very talented man. I have included some photos from this morning.
Tomorrow I am heading off for 3 days for a break from all of this. I am hoping to catch up on some sleep...but as we are going to a coastal resort town...that might be difficult to do. We have a penthouse for 3 days overlooking the beach.
Okays...here is an update for you all on this book. The book has been out on the shelves for just over a week and I have already collected over $25,000 from sales. The book is nearly sold out and I have decided not to do another print run as I want to ensure all the books are sold. Below is another interview from yesterday morning as well as a Competition Line and Questions for two of the books which were purchased and donated by another business. They are running the comp all week with two per day being given a way and the switcvhboard lights up when they announce it.
Further news, is my computer crashed yesterday and I am trying to get back on top of things. Fortunately I didn't lose my photos but I did lose all my emails and have to reconfigure everything.
Hi Dave...you need to be quick as they are nearly all gone. I have received my other book in but haven't had a chance to pack them all up as yet...I will be sending out PM's to those people who requested it.
Hi Dave...you need to be quick as they are nearly all gone. I have received my other book in but haven't had a chance to pack them all up as yet...I will be sending out PM's to those people who requested it.
Judi you have done such an amazing job covering the devestating floods! You definitely deserve a round of applause for all the work you've done & raising that much money to go back to the community. Awesome work! Congrats!!! Also glad to hear you got a few days to relax for a bit, hope the weather was nice!
This morning on 4hi Radio, I did the handover of the cheque for the sales of 'The Emerald Floods -2008 Mixed Emotions' Book. So Gazza (4hi), Lorna Hicks (Emerald Flood Appeal), Emerald Mayor Peter Maguire and myself, all met on air and did the handover for the amount of $41,025.90. This book sold out in 2.5 weeks.
Here are a couple of photos from the occasion and also the audio from the Presentation.
What a way to give back to the community !
Take a bow Judi.
(Everyone buy out all the hair dye trying to be like the one & only?
Your red is looking a tad faded there) :)
Yaa...I know....too much salt water lately. It actually looks more red in photos...but the ends are very blonde in reality. I was even asked today where my red hair has gone....and was told that people don't see me coming any more....they want the red hair back. But....there are so many wearing bright red hair around here now.....dammit! LOL!
