Karen Andrews

About the Project

On the Many Shapes Bodies Will Take is a poetry collection. In many ways, it is a companion title to my last book Crying in the Car: Reflections on Life and Motherhood as it explores similar themes: intimate examinations of love, grief and place.

What Others Have Said About My Writing

“Andrews’ style has an austerity and sophistication that suspends and transfixes you.” Kirsten Krauth

“Andrews’ passion for her craft is evident, as is her intuition as a writer and observation of sentiment and detail.” Books+Publishing Magazine

Many poems in On the Many Shapes Bodies Will Take are unpublished, but some have been featured in other publications or online. Some of those that have appeared online have changed since initial publication.

About Me

Here’s the thing – I know poetry isn’t for everyone. But chances are, if you’ve found your way here, you’re familiar with me from the internet or from local literary circles. Maybe I’ve worked with you as an editor, or a mentor. Maybe from literary festivals from over the past decade. Or a salon, book launch. Perhaps I’ve judged your writing or published it.

Whatever the context – your campaign support would mean so much to me.

2016 marks my ten-year blogging anniversary at www.karenandrews.com.au. If you’ve been following my work there for that span of time, you’ll know the site has gone through several name and tagline changes, altered niche focus, worn the ‘personal blog’ badge proudly and generally done everything that ‘experts’ will tell you is wrong. Yet, I’m still here. I’m really proud about that. I’ve done something right.

Over the years, I believe, I’ve put out free content that has been helpful are heart-full. Sometimes both at once. I’ve never asked for anything in return.

But I’m asking now. 

If you’ve ever clicked through and laughed and cried at, or learned from, something I’ve written – please pledge.

If you’ve ever clicked through and laughed and cried at, or learned from, something I’ve written and thought to yourself, ‘I should read one of her books one day, I keep meaning to’ – please pledge.

If you’ve ever wondered how you can support Australian publishers/writers, especially in these uncertain times – please pledge.

If you like what I do and how I do it and what I stand for and, maybe, even me personally (I’m nice!) – please pledge.

Here’s your chance. Rewards start at $5.

Thank you so, so much. Not only will I take it as a sign of recognition of getting this far, but as support for future projects. If you see the rewards, I’m prepared to offer services in return. I’m not looking for a handout. I wouldn’t want that.

It’s pretty simple: if this campaign is successful, the money will go towards the printing of On the Many Shapes Bodies Will Take. It won’t quite cover it, but I like a nice round number. I will cover all other book-related costs, including payment of designers etc.

Stretch Goal!

Oh, boy. I have plans.

I put out three books in the years 2008 – 2012. That’s a book every two years, roughly. I might have been relatively ‘quiet’ in the time since, but I’ve been busy writing and working behind-the-scenes, making progress on several other projects. The first being a non-fiction title; an anthology of Australian writers on a hush-hush (for the moment) theme. The stretch money will go towards paying these writers for their contribution, something I regrettably was not in a position to do for Miscellaneous Voices, and will definitely allow me to take that project forward.

The challenge, for me, as a small publisher, has always been to secure publicity for the titles I publish and amplify the appropriate messaging on a minimal budget. For example, I’ve often told the story that my marketing budget for Surprise! was just $100 – and that went towards was the postage to get the books out to reviewers.

If this project succeeds through the design in which it was set up – as both a way of pre-ordering the book &/or supporting the online writing I have done over the last ten years – I think that would add a nice additional punch and angle for media interest.

More about World Vision Australia

I am a World Vision Blog Ambassador. This means I have access to information about their humanitarian efforts and projects and I do what I can to support these. Each eligible pledge that results in a copy of Surprise! to be donated to World Vision Australia will be distributed to Indigenous early childhood programs in Australia.

More About Miscellaneous Press Books.

Update

(12th Sept) And here's the front cover! Ta-da! Thank you for your support! We made the goal!!