electric mist

Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?

If you remember, I mentioned a little while back that I'd been asked to contribute an essay about New Orleans and Katrina for a book. Well, the amazing publisher, Chin Music Press, is now going to donate all of the profits of all of the books which are pre-ordered through January 6, 2006, to relief efforts in New Orleans.

How amazing is that?

Go here to see their offer and lots of information about the book.

Go here to read the blog which updates you on the process and progress.

I am flattered to be included with such talented writers as Colleen, Jette, and Ray.

Right now in New Orleans and the Chalmette areas, they are bulldozing blocks and blocks and blocks of homes. Acres of homes. Gone. Eighteen wheelers are pulling up to piles of debris stacked up by bulldozers -- debris which used to be a home. Backhoes then lift the home and the personal items and the memories and drop it into the truck. And as the truck pulls away, the bulldozer moves on to the house next door. To begin bulldozing again.

There are stories still coming out of here which break our hearts. There is talk of raising money for Habitat homes for displaced musicians, to try to bring some of the lost culture back to New Orleans so that it won't disappear forever into some oblivion.

I love that this publisher is so awesome that they're trying to help, and trying to do so in a big big way. They're donating all of the pre-order profits. When is the last time you heard of a publisher doing something like that? I hope you'll support them. Please pass along their link to anyone you know who might love a book that is beautifully designed and has some fine writing (and even let me in).

Meanwhile, 100% of my fee will go to Katrina relief as well. I hope to help promote their efforts because really, this is something I can give, some small way to hold onto a piece of New Orleans.

Posted by toni at December 7, 2005 12:46 AM