A Humble Request

‘I need you to understand something. I wrote this for you. I wrote this for you and only you. Everyone else who reads it, doesn’t get it. They may think they get it, but they don’t. This is the sign you’ve been looking for. You were meant to read these words.’ 

I wrote those words in a journal in 2006 with absolutely no idea that millions of people would read them over the years. For nearly a decade, I have combined my prose with Jon Ellis’ pictures, and given away the best parts of ourselves on www.iwrotethisforyou.me, for free. Our books are just collections of what we've already given people and we're incredibly grateful when people buy them.

So it is with great pride that I share the news that we’re a finalist for Poetry Book Of The Year on www.goodreads.com. Again.

I told people not to vote for us the last time we were nominated because I’m not a fan of awards. The work should be it's own reward. So why am I asking you to vote this time?

I live in South Africa. It’s incredibly expensive to travel to, and do readings or signings anywhere else in the world. I’ve done them once or twice but despite the incredible response I’ve gotten from everyone who I’ve met along the way, traveling often ends up costing me far more money than I make.

So, on a wing and a prayer, I’m trying to immigrate to America next year because it’ll be a lot easier to do readings there, and all over the world. I’ve been advised that my visa stands a better chance of success with an internationally recognized award behind my name.

Like this one.

Writing I Wrote This For You has afforded me a million opportunities and I am grateful for every single one. I am asking you for one more. I am asking you not just to vote, but to encourage others to vote too. Other nominees have bigger social media followings and this is the only way we’ll win this.

I am counting on us to have bigger hearts and to do bigger things.

If you’d like us to win and if you’d like me to come to a reading in your town or city hopefully soon, copy/paste and share this letter, then go here and vote for I Wrote This For You And Only You: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-poetry-books-2015 

My best to you, forever,

pleasefindthis