This One's a Lulu

Today is the big day! The Age of Conversation has officially launched and you order your copy online. You can select from hardcover, paperback or eBook - or any combination of the three.

Drew McLellan and Gavin Heaton are to be commended. This is a project they initiated and shepherded through, toiling long hours beyond their day jobs.. I've perused the book, which I just purchased (authors did not receive free copies) and here's why I think you should consider buying at least one copy for yourself, a friend or a colleague:

Content
Great content is what it's all about these days. It's not about 15 minutes of fame any longer; it's about the amount of quality content you can deliver. Well, this book delivers on quality and quantity.

Over 100 authors and a singular topic: conversational marketing. In one location, you've got some heavy-hitters of the blogging world. Some people I 've been following for a long time are included: David Armano, Mack Collier, Mark Goren, Ann Handley, Karl Long, and my fellow crayonista Greg Verdino, to name a few. And there are a rash of new names who have some really great things to say about conversational marketing.

If you're still in doubt (you shouldn't be), you can take a look at the authors' qualifications for yourself. Arun Rajagopal has assembled a brief but comprehensive set of bios.

The Cause
From the very beginning of the project, Drew and Gavin were determined to make this a non-profit effort that would support a particular cause. All proceeds from the book will be given to Variety, the Children's Charity.

Variety was founded after a little girl was left at a theater in Pittsburgh on Christmas Eve of 1928, with the following note pinned to her:

"Please take care of my baby. Her name is Catherine. I can no longer take care of her. I have eight others. My husband is out of work. She was born on Thanksgiving Day. I have always heard of the goodness of show business people and pray to God that you will look out for her.” (signed) ‘A Heartbroken Mother’

Eleven people in the theater industry banded together to underwrite the child's support and education and the goodwill spawned an outpouring from the entire city. With more toys and clothing than Chatherine needed, other ophans benefitted from her situation. From this, the Variety organization was formed, so that now their mission statement reads:
Variety the Children's Charity is dedicated to improving the lives of children around the world.

Here's the breakdown of pricing / charitable contribution:
e-book: $9.99 ($7.99 going to charity)
paperback book: $16.95 ($8.10 to charity)
hardback book: $29.99 ($8.55 to charity)

Between great content and a great cause, what more do you need? Get your copy now!