Well. 

Where to begin.

I love poetry. I've loved it since my Mum recited Banjo Patterson's "The Bush Christening" to me as a child; I have lines from Aussie bush ballads, TS Eliot's Cats, and poetry I encountered in my 7th grade English class still rattling around my mind, years later. I love poetry for the space it creates in the world, for the grey and uncertain and ineffable things; for the way it plays with words like a juggler throwing knives, and often just as sharp and exhilarating. I love it for the way it presents a new perspective on the world. 

Background

Over the past eight years, I have had the joy to fall into a life of writing poetry myself, with my first book, The Common Condition, coming out in early 2014 (see http://au.blurb.com/b/4925033-the-common-condition-poems-prose). The Common Condition is based on a manuscript that won 2nd prize in the Sparklit (formerly the SPCKA) Unpublished Manuscript awards in 2013. 

In 2016 I submitted another entry to the Sparklit Awards, and this time I won first prize. That manuscript became, over the next two years, what you now see as The Weight of Hope.

Content

I write about Hope because I think it is what makes life worth living, and it is both stronger and more present than we often realise. But it is also much more necessary than we often acknowledge. So much of this book deals with Hope and the grief that it responds to, drawing on my personal experiences of grief in transition, loss, refugee work and family cancer.
Faith is a significant (you could say the significant) part of my life, and it informs everything I do, including my poetry.  Many of the poems are written from a place of faith, but not exclusively to a place of faith. A number make reference to Jesus and the Christian faith, but they are written to be relatable and relevant for anyone, regardless of their beliefs. I hope you find them encouraging or interesting, provoking or funny - or even all at once!

Design

Given the significance and preciousness of the topics discussed, I wanted to make a book that both looks and feels precious to hold and read. While not exactly a cofffee-table book, it's best engaged with in a similar fashion, over a quiet drink, one poem at a time. Sarah Dehn, a very talented artist, joined me in late 2016 to illustrate the pieces, and we have had a great deal of fun and growth in working together on illustrations that reflect the intent and tone of the poetry. Matthew Condie came on board more recently as the graphic designer, bringing his eye for beauty and clean design to the project and making it look and feel wonderful. I'm honoured to have worked with both of them. You can find more of their work at:
Sarah Dehn =  http://calligrafica.wixsite.com/calligrafica 

Matthew Condie = https://www.matthewcondie.com.au/ 

Rewards and Book Launch

Each reward takes a different time to complete, so the time-frames are specific to them. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions, otherwise I'll do my best to get them too you in an excellent and timely manner!

The BOOK LAUNCH will (all things going to plan) take place in OCTOBER 2018, at the Kew Baptist Church Hall in Highbury Grove, Kew, and I would LOVE to have you there! I believe book launches should be fun and holistic, so come expecting a night of poetry and revelry! Sarah Dehn's work will be exhibited, and various talented musicians will perform, and we'll all celebrate together the arrival of this book. Bring a friend or five and enjoy! Message me for more details - they will also be announced via my Writings page on facebook - see https://www.facebook.com/MiriamDaleWritings/ 

Thanks SO much for your investment in this project, and in me. It's only through you that I am able to spend time developing and improving this work, and I count myself many-times blessed. It's a privilege to partner with you.

Cost

This book will cost an estimated $2,800 to print and ship (for an initial run of 100 copies). I have set aside some of my own funds and several patrons have very generously donated money, so I have almost two-thirds of that amount ready to go. However I still need the remaining $1000-$1200 to bring this manuscript to life. And that's where YOU come in. 

Many of you have expressed an interest in owning this book, and ideally this is an opportunity to invest in the work and in my poetry, AND to get your own copy in advance! Crowdfunding is great both as a fundraising and a pre-purchase platform, so you can approach it from whichever angle you prefer. 

Any additional funds raised will go towards potentially expanding the initial print-run, marketing, or book-launch costs.