Right after the earthquake of March 11th, one man, simply called @OurManInAbiko on Twitter, put out a fledgling idea to the Twitterverse. His dream was to put together a book of people’s experiences surrounding the quake, and publish it, with the proceeds of every sale going to relief efforts in Northern Japan. The universe replied to him with enthusiastic passion for the topic. Within a week, he had a huge number of submissions and even some celebrity support. He got help editing the submissions from a dedicated few people who have such experience. But largely it was his effort, and his vision, and his direction that made it happen. (Well, he admits to having a supportive wife and family!) Once he got the ball rolling, it really took off! In two weeks he had all of the submissions together and began the process of editing it into final form.
Less than three weeks after the horrific events, I’m pleased to tell you that the book will be published first online shortly, with a print version available soon too. As promised, all proceeds from the sale of books go directly to the Red Cross for relief efforts.
The title of the book is 2:46: Aftershocks: Stories from the Japan Earthquake and already the media coverage has been terrific. It’s been mentioned in several Asian papers, including a huge excerpt in the Japan Times, and even in a Wall Street Journal Blog and the Huffington Post. It’s a great cause and it’s going to sell millions.
You can pre-order your copy of the book here.
I have a piece in the book, and I’m honored to have done a teeny tiny bit of editing for it. Just knowing that it’s out there and that people have come together and worked so hard for this project is humbling. I am in awe of this group of dedicated humans.
Social Networking is amazing. I’m not telling you anything you don’t know, but I thought I’d reiterate it for emphasis.
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it was the great sociologist Margaret Mead, who said, “Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Japan has been made stronger by the mere existence of this group and this book. Please not only buy it, but tell your friends too.
Aimee Weinstein, Tokyo Writer 
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