Author Topic: "A Labour of Love - The Craftsman of the Kop" (Read 8040 times)

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **on:** October 7, 2021, 08:13:41 pm »

Last post about my book for a while,. Just to say it launched last Saturday, and tomorrow I will be at Hotel Anfield for a couple of hours before the Villa match signing copies if anyone would like to come down and say hello.

killer-heels · « **Reply #1 on:** October 7, 2021, 09:05:21 pm »

Will the Kickstarter launch date be updated on here?

EDIT - Sorry just saw the last line.

Cafe De Paris · « **Reply #2 on:** October 7, 2021, 09:06:38 pm »

Beautiful and amazing banners. The supporters all over the world is stunning. It was always a favourite of mine when I was a kid. Would actually love to see it on a club shirt one day.
Anyway thank you for sharing your talent with those wonderful flags.

elbow · « **Reply #3 on:** October 7, 2021, 09:10:29 pm »

That Trent flag - Wow!

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #4 on:** October 7, 2021, 09:30:24 pm »

Quote from: elbow on October 7, 2021, 09:10:29 pm

That Trent flag - Wow!

The only disappointing thing about that one is that it was commissioned by a supporter in New Jersey, so we aren't likely to see it at the ground for a while.

Peabee · « **Reply #5 on:** October 8, 2021, 01:59:47 am »

This is brilliant, mate. Are you still running?

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #6 on:** October 8, 2021, 06:33:07 am »

Quote from: Peabee on October 8, 2021, 01:59:47 am

This is brilliant, mate. Are you still running?

Can barely walk at the moment - using a walking stick. Waiting for a date for my second spinal operation - a lumbar fusion this time.

Shankly!Shankly! · « **Reply #7 on:** October 8, 2021, 09:45:55 am »

Incredible story, congratulations, you have a lot to be proud of and are an inspiration. Good luck with the surgery. Ready for the launch!

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #8 on:** October 8, 2021, 09:52:44 am »

Good luck mate.

Peabee · « **Reply #9 on:** October 8, 2021, 11:54:00 pm »

Quote from: ۩ Imperator ۩ on October 8, 2021, 06:33:07 am

Can barely walk at the moment - using a walking stick. Waiting for a date for my second spinal operation - a lumbar fusion this time.

Shit, sorry mate, I somehow missed that part when I was reading it on my phone.

The-Originals · « **Reply #10 on:** October 9, 2021, 07:44:42 am »

brilliant stuff

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #11 on:** October 9, 2021, 02:52:47 pm »

Now launched!
Link to pre-order is here.

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #12 on:** October 9, 2021, 10:37:36 pm »

Day 1 of the Kickstarter, and I'm already up to £595 - nearly 20% of the goal! Thanks to everyone who has pledged their support so far. I am feeling overwhelmed. Still a long way to go, but it's a great start.

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #13 on:** October 10, 2021, 09:00:16 am »

Wow!

Up to £1300 already! A fantastic start. If you would like to help to get the book funded, you can pre-order your copy here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/marksweatman/a-labour-of-love-the-craftsman-of-the-kop

Sir Capon of Debaser · « **Reply #14 on:** October 10, 2021, 10:15:10 am »

Brilliant mate. Good luck with it all

Koparoo · « **Reply #15 on:** October 10, 2021, 04:07:14 pm »

Quote from: ۩ Imperator ۩ on October 10, 2021, 09:00:16 am

Wow!

Up to £1300 already! A fantastic start. If you would like to help to get the book funded, you can pre-order your copy here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/marksweatman/a-labour-of-love-the-craftsman-of-the-kop

This looks amazing as I have always loved your banners!!!

Look, I am desperate to support this but live in Australia - and sadly that is not a postage option on the Kickstarter page... [You have an instant extra £15 pledger if that changes]

Please rethink your postage (obviously happy to pay whatever extra) as it is such a good cause!!

Though you will make your target easily.

Livbes · « **Reply #16 on:** October 10, 2021, 04:56:26 pm »

Brilliant mate, I’ve just put in £15. Good luck.

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #17 on:** October 10, 2021, 05:42:33 pm »

Quote from: Koparoo on October 10, 2021, 04:07:14 pm

This looks amazing as I have always loved your banners!!!

Look, I am desperate to support this but live in Australia - and sadly that is not a postage option on the Kickstarter page... [You have an instant extra £15 pledger if that changes]

Please rethink your postage (obviously happy to pay whatever extra) as it is such a good cause!!

Though you will make your target easily.

I'll change it for sure! I just didn't think anyone would be interested that far away! 😀

4pool · « **Reply #18 on:** October 10, 2021, 07:22:16 pm »

Quote from: ۩ Imperator ۩ on October 10, 2021, 05:42:33 pm

I'll change it for sure! I just didn't think anyone would be interested that far away! 😀

You give yourself little credit if you don't think we have a global following who live and breathe LFC.

An update with International shipping charges to Australia, USA, etc would help.

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #19 on:** October 10, 2021, 11:28:24 pm »

Sorted! Now set to ship worldwide.

scouse neapolitan · « **Reply #20 on:** October 11, 2021, 07:59:21 am »

You're an absolute credit lad. You really are. The skill of your work shows the love that you have for our club. Other clubs may spring up with their new flag palaver but we all know that the history of banners and good flag making is very much a scouse thing. A Liverpool thing. Just like our songs. And you've taken it to another level.

Hope all goes well with your back and that you get back to full health and fitness. Enjoy you're family and carry on making those flags because they bring a lot of happiness to many people. Thank you.

scouse neapolitan · « **Reply #21 on:** October 11, 2021, 08:01:03 am »

your family......not you're family!!!!! I'm a teacher too!! Mistakes like that on a flag would be costly!!!!

Koparoo · « **Reply #22 on:** October 11, 2021, 11:39:30 am »

Quote from: ۩ Imperator ۩ on October 10, 2021, 11:28:24 pm

Sorted! Now set to ship worldwide.

Perfect - one more pledge for £15. Good luck and thanks!!

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #23 on:** October 11, 2021, 12:21:50 pm »

Quote from: scouse neapolitan on October 11, 2021, 08:01:03 am

your family......not you're family!!!!! I'm a teacher too!! Mistakes like that on a flag would be costly!!!!

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #24 on:** October 11, 2021, 12:26:01 pm »

Quote from: scouse neapolitan on October 11, 2021, 07:59:21 am

You're an absolute credit lad. You really are. The skill of your work shows the love that you have for our club. Other clubs may spring up with their new flag palaver but we all know that the history of banners and good flag making is very much a scouse thing. A Liverpool thing. Just like our songs. And you've taken it to another level.

Hope all goes well with your back and that you get back to full health and fitness. Enjoy you're family and carry on making those flags because they bring a lot of happiness to many people. Thank you.

Thank you for these kind words. This whole Kickstarter process has been lovely and positive. I kind of operate in a bit of a bubble with my bannering and also with the book, just working on them alone - so when I take the step of putting myself out there for the world to see, I never know quite what to expect. Proud as I am of my work, I never know quite what other people are going to think. So getting £2000 of backing for my book in two days has been life-affirming, to be honest. Another £1000, and we'll be all systems go - might even get it printed ahead of schedule and be ready for the Christmas market with a bit of luck.

Grobbelrevell · « **Reply #25 on:** October 11, 2021, 07:31:43 pm »

You're an inspiration, mate, genuinely. And your work is incredible.

Best of luck with the launch - I wouldn't worry about hitting target, there's way too much support for that to be a problem, I'm sure.

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #26 on:** October 12, 2021, 09:58:46 am »

I have been speaking with the publisher and will be sending over the finalised manuscript in the next day.

As a special bonus, the names of everyone who has contributed to the Kickstarter campaign or helped in any other way will be included in print in the acknowledgements section at the front of the book. If you'd like your name in there, you just have to back the Kickstarter before the PDF goes off to the publisher tomorrow.

moondog · « **Reply #27 on:** October 13, 2021, 12:02:39 pm »

Delighted to contribute to this brilliant project.

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #28 on:** October 13, 2021, 03:26:56 pm »

Quote from: moondog on October 13, 2021, 12:02:39 pm

Delighted to contribute to this brilliant project.

Thanks so much!

Haaaank · « **Reply #29 on:** October 13, 2021, 04:14:19 pm »

Contributed yesterday, will be a great gift for the old man. Best of luck.

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #30 on:** October 13, 2021, 10:00:38 pm »

Quote from: Haaaank on October 13, 2021, 04:14:19 pm

Contributed yesterday, will be a great gift for the old man. Best of luck.

Thanks mate!

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #31 on:** October 13, 2021, 10:01:42 pm »

A day of mixed fortunes today - spent the entire day lying face down on the floor in agony, buzzing in a cloud of codeine, amitriptyline, naproxen and gabapentin.

On the upside, I was contacted by a writer from the LFC matchday programme who wants to feature me!

I'll also be making my debut on TAW as soon as my health allows. Good things happening, despite everything else.

About 12 hours left for anyone who wants to have their name added in the acknowledgements at the front of the book. I'm going to send the copy to the publisher at 10am tomorrow.

Koparoo · « **Reply #32 on:** October 14, 2021, 06:09:17 am »

Stay strong mate

. Thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Yours is a great story - as you bring joy to so many of us.

(Now for our mighty Redmen to repel Ranieri's raiders - and get revenge for stopping our record run of wins... )

Wigwamdelbert · « **Reply #33 on:** October 14, 2021, 08:28:31 am »

OK - I'm in (even though I fucking hated Latin in school, and my French teacher was one scary bastard - think Snape, avec cape and all, but bald)

Hij · « **Reply #34 on:** October 14, 2021, 08:40:20 am »

Quote from: ۩ Imperator ۩ on October 13, 2021, 10:01:42 pm

A day of mixed fortunes today - spent the entire day lying face down on the floor in agony, buzzing in a cloud of codeine, amitriptyline, naproxen and gabapentin.

On the upside, I was contacted by a writer from the LFC matchday programme who wants to feature me!
I'll also be making my debut on TAW as soon as my health allows. Good things happening, despite everything else.

About 12 hours left for anyone who wants to have their name added in the acknowledgements at the front of the book. I'm going to send the copy to the publisher at 10am tomorrow.

Only just seen this in the main forum. I saw the post in the Support bit though. Stuck some money in for a copy. If you can turn around by Christmas it'll be a present to myself as the kids are too young to get me anything yet

Absolutely fantastic Mark. I've thoroughly enjoyed watching the posting of each new creation in turn. I am sorry to hear of some of the parts of your personal life before you began this endeavour, but I am delighted that things seem to be going so well for you right now. A veteran of RAWK like me and a name I always recognise. Best of luck with the book and enjoy the excitement I'm sure you feel at the near certain reaching of the funding target.

All the best,
Tom

Flyhalf · « **Reply #35 on:** October 14, 2021, 09:28:16 am »

Just backed this wonderful project. Wishing you every success with it

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #36 on:** October 14, 2021, 04:07:16 pm »

Thank you! Just sent the final edit to the publishers! Very excited.

Bob in Sydney · « **Reply #37 on:** October 15, 2021, 02:58:21 am »

Happy to support a great initiative and have pledged, shared with a few groups I'm on via reds chat sites and sent a link to this thread to an Admin of the New South Wales (Australia) supporters club to ask him if he will share via the group Facebook Page.
Just one thing - the pledge site didn't ask for any delivery address for the book so I'm thinking it will add massively to your admin if you need to re-visit every pledge to ask where to send the book? Thought that worth mentioning?
Good luck with the project and best wishes that your health can improve at some stage.
Cheers

Koparoo · « **Reply #38 on:** October 15, 2021, 08:28:37 am »

I think that this website takes care of all that admin detail - once the minimum pledge is met... otherwise - all bets are off!

Shouldn't be long now...!! If for some unknown reason you don't get there - I'm sure a few of the pledgers will kick in a bit more to get it across the line

I know I'd help if necessary!!! Just means that all my family will get the same Chrissie present! (But you won't need it

)

۩ Imperator ۩ · « **Reply #39 on:** October 15, 2021, 10:11:01 am »

Cheers folks! Yes, I have the option to send a survey to all the contributors to get their addresses. The total has been met. 🎉

People can still pre-order though, and the £10 Kickstarter price is an early-bird offer - it will be £11.99 after the book has gone to print.

All the files are with the publishers now and I'm waiting to hear when the books are likely to arrive. Very excited!