It is 4:21 am and I have been awake since 12:30, and up since 3.
I finally got up after tossing and turning for so long, because I had three really important thoughts that I had to write down. They would not vacate my brain space and demanded my attention.
One was a humorous addition to the launch speech, another was a shout-out to someone in the audience. The last was an email to the two ladies from BreastScreen WA who will be attending the launch in a professional capacity, but I had yet to tell them exactly where the launch was. Hmmm…that last one was pretty important.
To say it has been hectic over the last couple of weeks is an understatement. On top of all the usual daily life ins and outs of teaching, mothering and ‘wifeing’ (why isn’t it called wifeing?), having 64 boxes of books arrive on my doorstep has started a cavalcade of extra jobs, errands, tasks and ‘must do’s’ that has literally got me running around like a headless chook. Pop in a minor bingle in the car (not my fault thank goodness) and having to organise a hire car and panel beater, whilst organising a book launch, and starting term 3 at work, – I am surprised I have not downed a bottle of gin or pretended I am still asleep and not heard the alarm when it goes off at 5:30 each morning.
The freighting of these books from Brisbane to my door, involved a series of weird events. There were many puzzling moments, including waiting all day for their impending arrival, to find they were no longer arriving at all. Through various freight company protocols that I do not understand, I was not able to directly contact the local carrier, but had to contact the main company, who were based in Adelaide. One company was not communicating well with the other PLUS after much frustration, I found that they had my phone number wrong by one digit. I was left in the dark over the weekend as to when exactly to expect them.
I was very concerned about wet weather. I became obsessed with checking the rain radar and 10-day weather forecast, because there is nowhere dry to leave anything at my place. After finally sorting the phone number issue I was given a new delivery day with a window of 9am-5pm. Gee, that’s helpful guys! I was assured that I would be given at least a 30 minute notification of the impending book-mountain arrival.
What do you think happened?
Yep. They just showed up.
Luckily the sun gods were shining and luckily, I was home. It would have been no good to have soggy tits!
Next, the delivery driver announced that his pallet mover was broken.
Lovely.
Sixty-four boxes were unloaded on the road. Might as well sit on them and have a ‘Queen of the Book Mountain’ photo moment, to finally celebrate their physical appearance.
My beautiful and wonderful neighbours were on stand-by, and like some well-choreographed dance, all headed out with two-wheeled trolleys, loaded up and rolled those boxes into various nooks and crannies of my home.
I was so relieved to finally have them here safe and sound.
One moment I feel like I am on top of all this and am juggling all the ‘life balls’ in wonderfully smooth arcs, and then ‘splat!’ I find a life-ball at my feet.
Take a breath.
This is likely to be the one and only shot I get at a book launch.
I really want to enjoy the experience and not get caught up in wild panic and ugly fluster.
I am very good at writing lists and crossing things off. I even write things on the list that I have already done, just so I CAN cross them off with glee. (What exactly does this say about me I wonder?) There have been a lot of lists. My scrap paper draw is almost out!
So here we are, just over a week away from the launch and there is still so much to do. Yet, I am humbled and seriously in awe of the support and sentiment that keeps coming my way. I recently met Tony, the owner of the venue- Bar Orient. We sorted out food, AV equipment and a running sheet for the event. He very generously hires this venue out with no room charge AND he is going to donate to the raffle. I also found a fabulous guitarist who wanted to entertain the crowd for FREE. I had to twist his arm to accept at least some money to cover his costs. What a guy!
‘What are you wearing to the launch?’ Brendon asked me last night.
OMG….I have no idea!
I haven’t tried anything on and I certainly have not bought anything especially for this occasion. But if my husband is asking me what I am wearing, (which he never does) then I need to get on to that one ASAP!
I am very lucky to have a bunch of wonderful friends that are keen to help out on the day. From blowing up balloons to welcoming guests, running the raffle and saying a few words, my tribe has come out in full-force – I am a lucky gal.
And finally, to the book itself. I am extremely happy with the quality of this publication. The crew at Ocean Reeve Publishing have done a tremendous job. It is a very good-looking book if I do say so myself. I wanted to break the mould of other memoirs and take a different perspective, style and format. I have definitely nailed my own brief.
This IS different.
It’s funny, but also confronting.
It’s personal, but it is also about so much more than just my experience.
It’s honest and frank, and in the end, I am very proud of this achievement.
So, as I write some touch-ups to my launch speech, and work out how I am going to sign and personalise about 120 books on the day, I am feeling optimistic, grateful and hopeful.
Optimistic that the launch will be a rip-roaring, enjoyable afternoon for all 160 people attending, and that through word of mouth, this book will sell well, raising over 20K for Breast Cancer Care WA.
Grateful for so much – for great friends and family, for generous people and for my own tenacity and persistence to see this dream become a reality.
Hopeful, that I will be able to pull-out some sort of amazing Wonder Woman superpower at the book signing table!
Love your work Jodi.