Love amid logistical hell

I need to be sending some official lovin' out to two very lovable guys whom I suspect I know are up-to-their-eyeballs in: submissions, copy, graphics, alligators, release forms, TOCs, emails, email responses, email bounce-backs, posts, comments and hyper-links right about now.

Or, perhaps they outsourced it all to India.

Folks, I know a thing or two about putting programs together. But a program with over 100 authors? WoW. Well, wowsa (!) for us...logistical hell for them.

But they're doing it to better this medium, this community and everyone in it--and those who will join the conversation as a result of this great read. Yeah, this initiative is all about advancing. I'm all over that.

I wanted to wait until now to give gratitude as right now is likely when they need it the most. 

To Gavin Heaton (the cutie on the left) and Drew McLellan (the doll on the right below), I say, as we all, say: Thank You. We heart you...and hail you...for conceiving of this amazing initiative but more so for the blood, sweat and tears of bringing it into a reality that we're going to be just ga-ga over.

Here's where it gets even more amazing: every email inquiry to these two has been responded to, and responded to quickly, with not only clarity and patience but excitement. I am beyond impressed, and we're beyond grateful you two are in this community. As I am grateful that "The Age of Conversation" (a rockin' title indeed) let me put such hotties on my blog.

This book will do much good now. But 'tis the test of time that will be especially magical. Our words and ideas will be something that every single one of us will look back on when we're old and gray (but yeah, still blogging) and smile our toothless grins over because we know we were EQUALLY part of something important, and fulfilling. OK, I think I have to go and cry now. Swear that was better than a chick flick. 

Do hope it was as good for you.

Comments

[Mack Collier]

Amen! This was such a genius of an idea, and I think those are the type of ideas that really only come along with we truly think of how we can benefit someone else. This idea is pure gold, and while I want to see us help as many children as possible, I also want to see Gavin and Drew get the truckload of good karma that they deserve from this!

[Nathan S]

Well said!

This has definitely been an awesome display of love for the marketing and the blog community. The sacrifice of so much time by Gavin and Drew not to mention the other sacrifices of all the others. Such an amazing thing to be a part of. I can't wait to see what everyone else wrote :)

I agree with Mack, it will be great to see what kind of good karma goes their way.

[mindblob]

ABSOLUTELY !

Gavin and Drew had such a great idea and launched it with passion, heart and a lot of class. They DO rock! Blue karma full of sweet stars definitely going their way.

Plus I like the idea of looking back at the e-book when we'll be old bloggers, with grey hair (What? did someone say "you've got plenty already!"? Yeah... I do I do! Still got a few teeth, though!)
; )

[Lewis Green]

Luc, if this is the criteria, "I like the idea of looking back at the e-book when we'll be old bloggers, with grey hair," I can look back the day it's published.

CK, Gavin and Drew are doing a wonderful thing, and they will be remembered for it.

[mindblob]

Lewis,
LOL! That's probably what Robert Zemeckis had in mind when he wrote "Back to the Future". What about a remake, then... like "Back to the Age of Conversation". : )

[Drew McLellan]

CK & all,

I feel pretty confident that I can speak for both Gavin and myself (with 400+ emails exchanged at this point we definitely qualify as being able to read each other's minds!).

Thank you for your kind words. As you know, it was just an odd blog post, a comment or two and we had the spark. But, the e-book would be pretty sad if it had stopped there.

Instead-- bloggers from all over, with points of view that will fascinate and surprise you, flocked to sign up. Not one person questioned that we were giving all the proceeds away. Not one person refused to sign the the release, not one person has been grumpy about deadlines or when we reminded them of the word count.

Even when we had to remind them twice. :)

It's been quite a bit of work and promises to be quite a bit more. But, it's pretty darn cool to think that less than a month ago, there was no idea and no book. Today, it is all coming together.

That is a tribute to the passionate, talented thinkers we share this blogosphere with. Not so much to Gavin or me.

I'd write more, but I need to go update the database of who still owes us what!!

Drew

P.S. I think the part that both Gavin and I love the most is that we get a chance to honor your mom and her spirit of community and conversation with the dedication of the book. That is the coolest part of all.

[Connie Reece]

Gee, CK. I was gonna rent a movie on pay-per-view tonight, and now I don't have to. Hand me another Kleenex, wouldja?

Great tribute to two great guys and one whale of a great project. I'm not only looking forward to reading the final product, I love the fact that it's introducing me to new voices. I'm starting to visit the blogs of all the different authors as time allows.