Anatomy of a Launch

Well it’s done. Undertow is launched, and is setting sail. What a fantastic day it was yesterday. The day started with Kerry and I chatting with Peter Scott on ABC radio. Then while I was chairing the panel session at the Local Studies library, Kerry was coordinating the launch venue set up and the launch itself.

It’s not customary to ‘lift the veil’ on what it takes to launch a book, but because this is essentially a community project, I thought is was worth relating the extraordinary work that Kerry Gibb put in to bring this together.

The organisation started back in February. Here’s just some of Kerry’s to-do list—there is much that’s not here, and possibly Kerry doesn’t remember:
– look for sponsors
– look for venues – decide on the Community Centre Southport – high standard, new venue.
– book venue and attend to conditions
– look at catering options
– find house to live in and move to new house (Kerry really did this within a week. This doesn’t sound like anything with the launch, but refer to next point)
– discover that new home has no internet connection and there is a nine month wait to get one!
– work out licensing issues so we could serve wine
– design launch invitations
– compile list of invitees and email addresses
– send out invitations and post invitation to as many social media sites as possible
– attend to RSVPs
– order and fund books for launch
– cajole kids and their friends to assist with set up and food/drink service
– start getting everyone collecting items and Prana Writer books for raffles
– wrestle with Vistaprint for hours to design and order banner and business cards
– arrange for launch cake that will knock the socks off everyone.
– order and pick up icing replica of book – take icing to cake icer
– twist arms for someone to be MC.
– send many emails/ FB posts

One week out
– revisit venue
– work out running sheet for the day – timing, speakers etc.
– Take delivery of beautiful banner
– arrange printing of paper invitations for last minute invites
– meet with team to work out- raffle, thank-yous, hall decorations, food, alcohol, book sales, cash floats, credit card payments, timing etc etc etc
– attend to copious amounts of paperwork to enable online credit card transactions though PayPal
– edit speakers notes
– work out change needed for cash floats, and go to bank to pick up change.
– organise PWs to pick up platters
– sort out last minute venue issues
– design posters for the day
– arrange PWs to print posters for wall, and copies of “Coral Sea Monster” book
– pick up the most awesome book launch cake in the history of the planet.
– post photos of most awesome launch cake in the galaxy
– send even more emails and Facebook posts.
– liaise with speakers and MC.
– work with Jasmine to midnight the night before launch getting PayPal app working.
– buy soft drinks, ice and launch bits and pieces.
– arrange and download video of Louise to play at launch
– do PowerPoint of photos
– arrange loan of AV equipment for the day

Day of launch
– arrive at ABC studios 7am to do a radio spot to promote launch
– cajole son and friend to dress as waiters – black tie
– load car with books, food, drinks! AV equipment, most amazing cake, and teenagers – boys almost dressed.
– Arrive at venue at midday with car bursting with food, most amazing cake miraculously still intact , drinks, books, teenagers trying to do up black ties
– safely unload all of the above
– coordinate set up of venue – seating, tables, table decorations, food, microphone and podium, book sales, drink and raffle sales,
– forget to put up banner (specially priority delivered) because Janis got part way through, had to go to panel and left it where no one would find it.
– do battle with audio for video and background music, but retire defeated.
-finish set up with ten minutes to spare, just in time to not sit down, but start welcoming guests …
– keep things running in the background
– deliver speech
– barely have a moment for food
-start packing up and cleaning
– quick photo with authors
– pack car, squeeze in with leftovers, teenagers, and half demolished most amazing book launch cake.
– arrive home and enjoy glass of red, knowing that the most amazing book launch with the most amazing cake had just been delivered.

…that’s just to give you an idea of just how amazing Prana Writer Kerry-Lea Gibb is.

And because Kerry organised all this, I do not know who else to thank apart from The Choinski Family for supplying ALL the wine for the launch and some of the platters and person power carrying boxes, cleaning, setting up, and clean-up at the end. Nicola for dressing the tables and putting raffle prizes together, Jasmine for handling book sales, Tom for doing an excellent job MCing and all PWs for food and support; Kerry’s kids and their friends for food and drink services as well set up and clean up assistance.

Outside the PWs it gets sketchy …

Rob Molhoek MP for a great speech and support of the Anth.
Kyla Stephan, Local Studies for entertaining speech
Greg Davidson, Artist and Author for his ‘Robot Man’ sculpture come presentation TV
Alison- for most Amazing Book Launch cake IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE … MORE ABOUT Alison in her own post.

And most importantly, all the authors and guests for making it a wonderful occasion. I think 44 attended the panel session and 70 the launch.

All just amazing. Thanks Kerry for organising an unbelievable launch.

Note PW=Prana Writer

PS. The great thing about a blog is that all omissions and errors can be readily corrected.