I’m still a little shocked that this is actually a thing. Writing a book was never on my to do list. Yet, somehow here I am. An (about to be) published author!
I announced that I was offered a publishing deal a few months ago and have gotten a lots of questions since. Thought I’d give everyone a little overview of the book and a status update on publishing.
The book is part memoir, part “how to” book. The how to part is filled with all of my best tips to get photo organized. It contains the steps I think everyone should take to make sure their pictures (old prints and digital photos) are all backed up and never at risk for being lost or damaged. The book includes a ton of information I gained from my many years as a photographer and from product tests I’ve done. That aspect of the book will definitely help people to organize pictures, however it is the memoir aspect that was the story I thought really needed to be told.
In the book I tell my story of Hurricane Ian and helping people to salvage their flood damaged photographs. I talk about the work that I did, but also about the things I saw and the lives of the people who were impacted. I share stories of several hurricane victims and their experience living through the storm and their lives afterwards.
There are other books about organizing photographs. There are books about how to get a digital copy of pictures and create a safe back up copy. What is not written is “why?”. Why is it so imperative that pictures are safely backed up.
After hearing countless people sob over the loss of their pictures, I knew this story needed to be told. Those heartbreaking stories are “why” pictures need to be backed up. Another hurricane will happen…. Flood, fire, tornado, there is no hiding from natural disasters. I hope my words will inspire people to prepare their photographs from disaster or any possible mishap.
So that’s it. It’s a story told from heart. It reads a bit like a diary from that time. And now that it is actually going to be in peoples hands I am starting to feel a bit like I am publishing my own diary!!! I definitely shared some very raw feelings. I might have thought about my words more if I realized then that this was actually going to be a thing!! But in the end I’m glad that it is a very true depiction of that emotional time.
And as for the publishing part, it’s a pretty long process. I had no clue how this industry worked until recently and I’m still learning! The book is in the hands of the editors right now. The publisher has final say on the title (which is still up in the air). They also have designers for the cover, however I submitted an idea that was swimming in my head and they gave me the green light on my own design. I will be doing the photography for it next week.
The official release date is still a year away. Yep. Long process. But I’m super excited that things are happening! I’ll include updates in my emails. If you’re not on that list you can sign up at this link. I’d love to have you along as I share more details of the book and my journey wearing the author hat!!
For all of my best photo organizing tips and tricks follow along on social media or check out my website! I share all the best products and solutions for keeping your photographs safe and organized!