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In the past there have been some great examples of what the members of this Forum can achieve when we pull together in a common cause. The M8 book masterminded by Bill Parsons and One Leica Day spring to mind. Worldwide, interest in Leica is high at the moment, following the recent introduction of the M9 and the announcements of the S2 and X1. I propose that we lend our own voices to this momentum by producing a Leica User Forum Book. I have gained Andreas' approval and active support for this project, and thanks to Brett have made contact with Blurb books to facilitate the production of the book. In outline, my proposal is as follows: Overview: A book, that showcases the very best work of contributors to the Leica User Forum, both amateur and professional, taken with Leica cameras and lenses. The book will be produced with the aim of showcasing the Leica User Forum and Leica in general. Entry fees and proceeds from the sale of the book will go to charity. Structure: Chapter headings will take as an inspiration the Photo Forum headings here, and the photos in each chapter should be aligned with the heading. That would give us chapter headings as follows: People Nature and Wildlife Landscape and Travel Architecture Sports and Leisure Time Technology and Industry Other Submission terms: Anyone wishing to contribute must have been a member of the Leica User Forum for at least 90 days. A Forum member may submit a total of three images overall. Submissions may be in a single chapter or multiple chapters. Any image entered will have to have been taken with Leica equipment - both camera and lens. Copyright will remain with the photographer at all times - all that is required is a single-use agreement for the purposes of publication in the book. Editing: A panel of editors will be required to administer the content and layout of the book. The editorial panel's decision will be final. Editors will be volunteers, but each volunteer will have to be seconded by a minimum of two other Forum members. Editors may enter their own photos but cannot decide on their inclusion or positioning. Submission and donation does not guarantee inclusion in the final book. Donations to charity/fundraising: Each submission will require a donation to charity - suggest 10 Euros/Dollars/Pounds - up to a maximum of 30 Euros/Dollars/Pounds. A selling price will be fixed for the book, of which any profit goes directly to charity. A mechanism will be set up to administer and account for donations and ensure that they go directly to charity. UK participants will be encouraged to use Gift Aid to maximise the benefit of their donation. The charity or charities to benefit from this project will be nominated and agreed in advance. My own suggestion is the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR) which is international in scope and hence appropriate to the international reach of this Forum. Details can be found here: http://www.aicr.org.uk/index.stm What happens now: At this stage I would like to invite expressions of interest, in order to gauge how big this is going to be. Please put your name below. This is a major project, and will take time and effort to bring to fruition, but I believe that it is truly worthwhile - there is a tremendous amount of talent here that we can tap into and showcase, and doing so for a good cause is the icing on the cake. Let's show the world what we - and Leica - are capable of. Are you in? Best regards, Bill