WE DID IT!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO! My deepest, squishiest thanks to all who have gotten behind this project. I am in awe, you have all my gratitude!

The first beautiful piece of artwork has also emerged! This artwork was created by Kylie, inspired by my poem "St Kilda Life" (viewable on the link further down the page). Here it is!

"Contented Moments" ~ © Kylie Fogarty 2013



Hello!

I'm Crystal, a poet and former corporate-world inmate. I slugged it out in technology and project management for over 12 years, writing poems (for sanity) since I was young. I had suppressed my artistic truth and become a number - it was all wrong. So I quit the box and created a world full of the things that I love.

Now, here I am - publishing my very first book of poetry, complete with the quirky, cute and creative illustrations of Aussie artist Kylie Fogarty. Hooray!

My poetry explores the tragic juxtaposition of loving someone who lives with mental illness, the beauty borne of the bloodiest experiences, the torture of loves lost, and our innate human connection to everyday moments.

Through this book, and with your help, I hope to leave this world just a little more beautiful than I found it.

HOW WILL IT LOOK?

It is a 40 page, illustrated poetry book in A6 size in paperback and hardcover - perfect for gifts! Each illustration is lovingly created by Kylie specifically for each poem, making a beautifully cohesive piece of bound art.

You can view an unedited sample of my poetry here;
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9RH3p63iXDobXEtZEM1ZE1zclU/edit?usp=sharing

And examples of Kylie's previous work here; http://www.etsy.com/people/KylieFogartyArtist

WHERE THE FUNDS WILL GO

Each and every dollar (except for 7% which goes to Pozible!) goes directly to the book. My goal is to raise $2,000 here which will cover initial production and a very small print run. Achieving more than $2,000 would be AMAZING - I could print more, sell more and reach the globe.

Specifically, your support helps me with;
* Developmental, Line & Copy editing
* Proofreading & Formatting
* Bulk printing to reduce costs
* Obtaining ISBN numbers, paying registration fees, and additional costs associated with getting listed in various online bookstores
* Envelopes, packing materials and postage
* Extra copies in case of postal 'breakage' and for review
* IMPORTANTLY - helping me to print in as eco-friendly a way as possible.

I'll keep you in the loop with supporter-only updates along the way.

WHY AM I PRINTING AS WELL AS AN E-BOOK?

“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” ― Marcus Tullius Cicero

A physical book is a souvenir of the trip we take when we delve into the words; each time we re-read it or spy it on our shelves we are transported anew.

And quite simply, Books Are Beautiful. <3

BOOK LAUNCHES Jan/Feb 2014:
Hobart
Melbourne
Canberra
Perth

*Disclaimer - book shown in video not actual size! :)

As we now have the first artwork, the fabulous Kylie has done our first mock-ups of a cover too! This is my favourite. I am SO EXCITED! (Cover subject to change)

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