Friday 3 April 2009

One World Launch

The beautiful quadrangle where the launch took place.

Ovo Adagha and moi

L to R: Dan Raymond-Barker of New Internationalist, Jude Dibia, moi, Constantinos Tzikas, Elaine Chiew, Chris Brazier of New Internationalist, Ovo Adagha.




This took place in the JCR at Christ Church College, and although it had some fairly heftly competition (there are four or five events on in the same time slots), we were informed that it was a sellout! All tickets sold out. The room was packed, and there was standing room only. It was lovely.

Ovo Adagha was introduced by our lovely chairperson, and he intoduced the anthology, talking about his vision and how it came about. How it started as a Third World collection of stories and how we all threw out that concept very fast.

Elaine read first, then Jude, then it was my turn. I read the opening of the story, asking the audience to suspend disbelief to aee/hear me as a six-year-old Inuit girl! There was discussion about the project, how it was conceived, how writers were chosen. How we organised it, worked together and so on.

There was much mention of Zoetrope. The online forum where the anthology was born and where it grew up.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie read, then Ovo. There was much signing, and natter, and all the anthologies brought to the event went. Fantastico. I also signed a few of my own collection - Blackwells Bookshop had really done well.

We were then treated to dinner by New Internationalist at a nearby superb Chinese restaurant, in the company of James, the Fund Director of Medecins Sans Frontieres.

The anthology is much in evidence in the Blackwells marquee bookshop in the meadows!! One pile on a stand, and another on the signed books table.

It is REAL!

16 comments:

Tim Jones-Yelvington said...

My copy arrived in the mail today. I'm looking forward to reading it. I think this is a very important project.

Unknown said...

Fantastic! It sounds like a wonderful launch, and I wish "One World" much success.

(Funnily enough the word verification doodah below is "wisher")

Vanessa Gebbie said...

Hi Tim

yep, I think it is important. Lets hope we raise lots of dosh for MSF/Docs without Borders. Thank you so much for buying the collection!


Hi Sara
Oh it was great. The setting is so magnificent it takes the breath away. It was amazing to meet up with the other writers, for the first time (Costas all the way from Athens, and Jude from Lagos, just for the event...)we'd battled together and worked together onlione since Nov 2007.
Id met Elaine before, of course.

One World Rules.

Unknown said...

My copy arrived from Amazon yesterday, and I'm very much enjoying it. Well done to all One World writers. Wonderful concept, and great execution.What a memorable launch! How are the smile muscles now?

Vanessa Gebbie said...

Thank you for supporting us! Im glad you are enjoying the anthology - I will pass on your good wishes to the team. V

prufrock21 said...

THE BALLAD OF ONE WORLD

A group of writers to Oxford went,
Their ethnic stories to represent.
Ovo Adagha headed the team,
Fearless leader of stalwart mien.
Chimamanda came to have fun,
A smile brilliant as her “Yellow Sun.”
Elaine was there, eating something chewy,
While the crowd clamored for more “Leng Lui.”
Among strangers sat our friend Jude,
Wondering when they would serve him food.
Someone accosted well-published Vanessa
And asked if she came from Wales or Odessa.
Dan Raymond Barker tackled a crook
When the thief attempted to purloin his book.
Chris attended with someone named Troth,
Primly dressed but white as a moth.
The girl from Pakistan was less than spry;
Ovo mistook her for a Russian spy.
It was fun and time certainly flew,
A friend from Medicins was there, too.
The best thing about the “One World” affair?
Whose Name Be Not Spoken Shall Not Be There.

Ravi Mangla said...

Sounds like it was a lot of fun. I'm glad you posted the pictures. Wish I could have been there.

Lauri said...

The pictures are lovely Vanessa! Thanks you so much for posting them. One day, sometime in the future, I see all of us One Worlders together dancing to Snr. Ramos poetry.
The ball has started let it roll!
Lauri

Tania Hershman said...

Whee, congratulations! It all sounds like it went extremely well, much luck and many sales to you all. Off to get my copy.

Vanessa Gebbie said...

Hi Ravi, it would have really been the icing on the cake had we ALL been there. I hope there will be a US launch.. let us know!

Vanessa Gebbie said...

Lauri... what a lovely vision. Brilliant idea. Lets have a One World poetry/lyrics collection next?! And attached CDs..

Vanessa Gebbie said...

Hi T

it was unforgettable. Thanks for buying the anthology--- and I hope you enjoy reading!

Jac said...

Hi V -

I'm so excited - just picked up two copies from Waterstones - one for me to read on the plane to America and one as a present for my dad when I get there!

Congratulations to all involved, it looks like a brilliant set of stories.

xxx

Vanessa Gebbie said...

brilliant, Jac. have a wonderful trip and enjoy the read as well.

Adetokunbo Abiola said...

The photos were beautiful!

Vanessa Gebbie said...

Thanks Ade... good camera.
and Mmartin, the doggerel is great fun... thank you!