To my fellow Common Ground volunteers and residents:
Many of you already know me. But for those of you who have no idea who I am, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Bob Makela and our paths have crossed because I, like you, spent some time helping out with Common Ground down in New Orleans. (If, at the end of reading this, you're still curious to find out more about me you can read this.)
The reason I'm addressing you right now is because I recently began a 13-month multi-media endeavor I'm calling 13 Collaborations. This idea will consist of me completing 1 creative project per month with the help of various collaborators over the course of the next year. (You can read about some of the ideas I'm considering here.)
My first project is a children's book that I'm doing with this friend of mind in LA. (I met Ernie when I volunteered for a mentor program at the Hollywood orphanage he was living at back in 1989.)
The next project I'd like to undertake—my August collaboration—is an anthology of stories, poems, lyrics and anecdotes from New Orleans volunteers and residents. I plan to call the book Gut Check and I intend to publish it under the BOBtimystic Publishing banner, a modest self-publishing venture I began last year when I used the profits from my 1st endeavor, Poetry For People Who Don't Read Poetry, to fund my initial 2-week trip to Common Ground last Thanksgiving.
This experience has given me invaluable insight into making and marketing a polished, quality product—something we can all be proud of. With the technology available today, the only obstacle to getting an interesting book out into the world is no longer the New York publishing world gatekeeper looking to fill X amount of slots per fiscal year. Now the only obstacle to getting a decent book published is the material. The words. The stories.
I heard and witnessed enough stories in New Orleans to write my own book.
And I bet a bunch of you feel the same way.
But rather than embark on a full blown memoir that each of us may or may not ever finish, what do you say we pool our resources?
I'm proposing that we each chew off a bite-sized chunk of our New Orleans experience. I'm hoping to get at least ONE story, one poem, one song lyric, one essay about your time in the Big Easy. It could be focused on anything. Your favorite day at Common Ground. Your most haunting experience in the 9th Ward. The most memorable character you met in New Orleans. Your scariest moment. The encounter that left a lasting impression on you.
If your reaction to my request is "But I'm not a writer" my response to you is "But you've got a story to tell." I'd be happy to help you with your piece if you're questioning your writing abilities. (Once upon a time I used to be a magazine editor.) What we did, what we experienced, was unique and should be shared and celebrated. What we saw was chilling and inspiring. Depressing and exhilirating.
I know how I saw it. I want to hear how YOU saw it.
If you'd like to write a 3,000 word essay, go for it. If you'd rather jot down a quick 300 word anecdote, that's cool, too. If you've got something you've already written—an article for your school newspaper, a journal entry, a poem, a song lyric, an email to your friends back home—bring it on.
I'm interested in getting as many voices and stories as possible into this collection. Contribute! Don't make me beg.
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Okay. You're in. Beautiful. So here's how it's gonna work...
My plan is to have the completed manuscript in pdf form ready to be sent to the printer in Minneapolis on August 29—the 2-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. On that date I plan to send a heartfelt, compelling email to the 500+ friends/family/contacts in my data base announcing the project. I'll also let all my people know that I'm taking book orders, too. I figure if everyone who contributes to the endeavor does the same we'll be able to sell a fair number of copies. And I've got several contacts in the MSM who might jump on a story like this.
If you're concerned about your privacy, but would still like to share your story, you're free to use a pen name. Don't wanna incriminate anyone? Change their names, too. Wanna stay completely under the radar and keep your story for yourself? That's cool, too.
But just remember, a book like this has the potential to inspire others to get involved and give back. That, as much as anything, is my ultimate goal for this project. That and raising awareness about the heartbreaking, inspiring stories from the 9th Ward.
Regarding how the profits will be distributed:
The book will be a quality paperback priced at $20. You'll get them for $10 and are free to sell as many as you want or can for $20. My cost to produce and ship them to you will be $7.00 to $8.00. So for every book I sell I'll make $12.00 to $13.00 where you'll be making $10.00. I also intend to give 50% of my profits to a yet-to-be-determined Katrina relief organization. (Common Ground being the most likely candidate, obviously.)
So what do you think?
The question isn't whether or not you HAVE something to contribute. The question is whether or not you have the TIME and the WILL to contribute?
I've already got a half dozen pieces for the book. From a beautiful little story written by Peter from the University of Missouri. To the lyrics to this amazing song by my friend Quinten. I'm publishing a conversation with my new 9th Ward friend, Wendell, who told me how he survived his decision to stay in the Lower 9th when Katrina hit. I'm also transcribing excerpts from an inspiring speech Malik gave to some Common Ground newcomers and the Veteran's For Peace contingent.
If I can have all your stories, poems, lyrics and anecdotes by
Help me make this happen.
Let me know ASAP if you think you'll have something to contribute. And thanks for hearing me out.
Don't forget, we lived something truly unforgettable. Now we have a chance to share our stories and perspectives.
With each other.
With New Orleans.
With the world.
P.S. Feel free to forward this URL to anyone you know who was also at Common Ground. Spread the word!
