Participate in independently publishing my new photography book

Tails From Southern Africa 

Profits from sales of the book, less printing costs, 

together with sales from other items, will be donated to the 

Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), 

Australia’s largest child health research institute and one of the top three

worldwide for research quality and impact*.

MCRI's team of more than 1,600 researchers is dedicated to accelerating 

medical breakthroughs that will give all children the opportunity 

to live a healthy and fulfilled life.

---

* ‘Murdoch Children’s Performance analysis and benchmarking report' (Clarivate, August 2020). 

THE BOOK: PHOTOS & STORIES 

In 2022 I visited Southern Africa for the first time, exploring three countries: Namibia, Botswana & Zambia, with a short stop at Victoria Falls.

From the moment I landed in Namibia (photo below of oryx in front of Dune 45), I had the joy of being with and learning from great guides & photographers who taught me about the local environment and its wildlife.  This continued in each place that I visited.

The photographs and stories are just some of what I saw, captured and experienced.  I hope you enjoy these "tastes", and maybe they will get you interested, and excited about visiting, or revisiting Africa. 

If you have the opportunity, perhaps you’ll go to one or more of these countries, and not just see how glorious and interesting they are, but to also meet the people and see the wildlife in these relatively isolated parts of the world.  Maybe it will spark interest in the sciences; perhaps you’ll find an opportunity to work there, learning and studying more about these regions, the people living there, the wildlife and the climate. Or, just reading the book and seeing my photos will be sufficiently rewarding.

As with my first book, I've had the pleasure of working with a team of exceptional people who have ensured that we can all be very proud of this new book:  Ari Espay - my photography editor; Danielle Hernandez - the designer and artist who has added aspects that are very, very special; Fabio - my "go to" person with all things photography, software and hardware; and Ken Haley - my book editor, who continues to challenge me in all that I write.

MY CHALLENGE FOR YOU

I know that all of you, my family, friends & colleagues, are very generous - and having successfully completed a crowdfunding campaign in 2021 in which we raised more than $8,000 for MCRI , it's time to see how much we can raise in 2023 - ideally smashing that number.

In addition to purchasing copies of the book, you have the opportunity to buy note cards and bookmarks that can be gifts for you, your family and friends - Christmas is not far away.   You can also buy one of a limited edition (20) of posters of the front page of the book - designed by Danielle. 

This book, as with my first, is designed for people from ages 12 to 112.  It describes the similarities and differences across Southern Africa, from the deserts and massive sand dunes of Namibia, to the bush in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, and from the Magkadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert, to the lush bush of Zambia's South Luangwa National Park.

Elephants, lions, leopards, African wild dogs as well as giraffes, hippos, crocs and other mammals and reptiles. Birds ranged from small, colourful bee eaters to large eagles, storks and ostriches. Every day was a new and wonderful experience with great, knowledgeable guides, and good friends.  

I encourage anyone interested in visiting to go for it! Although I must include a warning: being in Africa is addictive – I’m well into planning my next visit for 2024.

As with my first book and as noted above, proceeds after costs of printing the book together with sales of other items, will go to the MCRI.

DETAILS, INCLUDING SPECIFICATIONS

Title:  "Tails From Southern Africa" - first published in Australia in 2023 

Foreword: by Ari Espay, multi award-winning photographer - https://www.ariespayphotography.com/

Back cover: from Ian Dawson, award-winning photography and video professional with more than 30 years editorial experience in print and digital media.

Size:  150 pages; 86 photographs

Chapters:

• Map
• Introduction
• Namibia
• Botswana
• Victoria Falls
• Zambia
• Footnotes

In addition to the book, there are opportunities to purchase two types of note cards, one double-sided bookmark, and a limited edition poster of the book's front page. 

SPECIFICATIONS

The Book

A4 landscape: 297mm x 210mm

Cover:   softcover matt laminated card 250 or 350gsm (determined by printer)

Perfect bound, 150 pages 150 gsm satin paper;  86 photographs in full colour

Printing by Momento Pro, Sydney, Australia

Delivery:  the books are expected to be available by early-mid December 2023, and for those in Australia, I'll do my best to have these to you before Christmas. Everyone will be kept updated on the timing.

Bookmarks

20 cm x 5 cm

Double-sided semi-gloss card:  side 1: giraffe; side 2: elephant+2 meerkats+ zebra. Photos by Elane Zelcer

Delivery:  will be available before Christmas.  

Note Cards 

105mm x 105mm

Printed on one side, can write on reverse

Each pack contains 2 sets of 4: "3 Mammals" - zebra, wildebeest, lion cub, and "Namibia's Dunes" - Dune 45 & Inside Deadvlei - all photographs by Elane Zelcer

Delivery: will be available before Christmas

Poster of Book Cover - Limited to 20 copies

Size being confirmed - will be between 400mm-600mm wide

Own the beautiful cover of the book as a poster.  Designed by Danielle Hernandez.

To see the full image, click on the "magnifying glass" on the image in the rewards. 

Delivery: will be available before Christmas. 

Budget Overview

Initial target: $3,250 through sales of books, bookmarks and note cards. If there are sales of any limited edition photographs, these will be added to the total sales

All funds received above the printing costs of the book & fees to Pozible, will be provided to the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Australia’s largest child health research Institute.  Pozible will receive 5% of all funds raised.

Unsuccessful project:  if the project does not raise $3,250 during the campaign period, it will be regarded as unsuccessful. You will not be charged and the book will not be printed.  Bookmarks and note cards will be posted to those who had identified interest in purchasing these.

Costs carried by author:  design & production costs of approx $5,000 have been carried by the Author.

No Reward Backer:  if you prefer to make a cash contribution to see this project succeed, but not receive one of the rewards, this option is available. All backers receive updates on our progress as we make this a reality.  If this Pozible campaign is successful, you'll be able to buy the book, photos & note cards later.

DOUBLE SIZED BOOKMARK

$10 OR MORE:  Bookmark with "giraffe peering down" on one side, and "an elephant, 2 meerkats and a zebra sporting a red-billed ox-pecker" on the reverse.  Matt-satin coated 350gsm artcard, 50mm x 10mm. Can be posted anywhere in the world.

PACK OF 8 NOTE CARDS

$20 OR MORE:  Pack of 8 note cards:  

Each pack includes 2 different sets of 4 - one set is photos of a wildebeest, zebra & lion cub; the second set is images of Namibia's dunes including famous DeadVlei. The reverse side is blank & can be written on art paper. Size: 105mm x 105mm on art card.  Can be posted anywhere in the world. 

POSTER OF BOOK COVER - LIMITED TO 20 COPIES

$150 or more

Limited edition full colour copy of the front page.

Artwork by Danielle Hernandez

Printed on high quality photographic paper

Size to be confirmed:  width 400-600mm

THE BOOK

$65 or more

Receive 1 signed first edition copy of "Tails From Southern Africa" with one bookmark. Can be delivered anywhere in the world. Postage for Australia added at checkout; postage for international shipping will be confirmed. Soft cover, 86 full colour photos; 150 pages; 150gsm paper.

$125 or more

Receive 2 signed first edition copies of "Tails From Southern Africa" with two bookmarks.  Can be delivered anywhere in the world. Postage for Australia added at checkout; postage for international shipping will be confirmed.  Soft cover, 86 full colour photos; 150 pages; 150gsm paper.

$190 or more

Receive 3 signed first edition copies of "Tails From Southern Africa".  Keep one & give two away.  One bookmark included with each book. Can be delivered anywhere in the world.  Postage for Australia added at checkout; postage for international shipping will be confirmed. Soft cover, 86 full colour photos; 150 pages; 150gsm paper.

Transaction Fees (per pledge)

Australia:  1.75% + 30c 

New Zealand:  3% + 30c 

US USD:  3% +30c

UK GBP:  3% + 30c