Denise Alison is well known to the people of Lismore, she has been telling their stories through the Humans of Lismore page for 10 years.
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Now, she's asking for a little help in return.
Denise is hoping to publish some of the stories she has captured in a book, a hardcover A4 edition with approximately 300 pages of colour and monochrome photographs alongside their accompanying narratives spanning the past decade.
"I am genuinely thrilled at the prospect of encapsulating a decade's worth of stories, photos, and social history within the pages of a beautiful coffee table book," Denise said.
She had hoped to secure a grant through Create NSW for the project, but when that didn't eventuate, Denise turned to the community asking for help via a GoFundMe campaign.
Asking the community for help wasn't something that came easily to Denise, but she wanted to see the work published.
She hopes to raise $35,000, with her sights on 1000 copies to begin with, and hopes to build a new website.
"I'm hopeful that those of you whose stories have been shared, the many businesses I have promoted, or even if a story connected you to community or brightened your day, will consider contributing towards the realisation of this book."
Denise's project was influenced by the popular Humans of New York project. She decided to start the project because she wanted to shine a spotlight on the unique people who live in the region.
She likes humans for who they are and seeks to find the stories that are locked away in everyday people.
"People always say I haven't got a story, then you start talking to them - next minute you're in tears or laughing.
People always say I haven't got a story, then you start talking to them - next minute you're in tears or laughing.
- Denise Allen
"I love real people and hearing their story. When they read their own story it makes people's faces shine and I just love that."
The book is 80 per cent complete and Denise hopes for a late September release. With so many stories to share, not all of them will fit in one edition, but Denise hopes there could be a second volume down the track.
She said she hopes to publish a list of all of the people who donated in the back pages of the book.
Humans of Lismore has more than 25,000 followers on socials, so hopefully, we will see Denise's book on the shelves soon.
You can pre-order the book for $65 at humansoflismore.com.au.
