Horrific Experience Inspires Unique Book

By Simonne Butler

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About

Horrific Experience Inspires Unique Book

Project 2014-08-06 12:27:20 +1200

Pledge and preorder your copy of Recalibrate.  A powerful story of empowerment, healing and traumatic stress recovery

Warning: graphic images below

In 2003 Simonne Butler was attacked with a samurai sword by ex boyfriend, Antoine Dixon in a P-fuelled attack. He tried to cut off her head and severed both her hands but Simonne survived Dixon’s attack, and emerged from a marathon of surgeries with her severed hands successfully re-attached. The physical healing was arduous, but the wounds to her spirit were even harder to repair. Now Simonne wants to share her healing journey and wants people to know that it’s possible to escape from a dark place and create an amazing new reality.

“If one woman decides to get out of an abusive relationship after reading my book, I’ve done my job.”


What is the book about?

It is predominately about my healing journey after my hands were chopped off; how it affected my life and what I went through to heal my mind, body, soul and spirit.

It’s about operations, hospital stays, physio, herbal medicine, nutrition, massage, shamanic journeying, soul retrieval, and flower essence therapies. It’s about childhood mothering issues; abandonment issues; date rape; abortion; anxiety and depression; fear of leaving the house; emotional eating and being overweight. It is about regaining freedom and independence after being abused for most of my life.

"It’s my life. The good, the bad and the shocking. It’s raw and graphic, funny and heart wrenching and true. So yes it is my little book of healing, but it is also about sex, drugs, violence, manipulation and control."

Photo by Serena Stevenson

A horrific experience inspires a unique book.

Simonne has kept diaries for over 15 years and these will be the foundation of her tell-all book. She’s working hard on the project, but she needs $30,000 in order to become a published reality. Simonne is self-publishing with the assitance of Mary Egan Publishing.

Budgeting for the project has been carefully planned.  The cost of the project is $30,000 allowing a print run of 1,000 books. This includes: 

  • Production costs (Keyboarding diaries, project and print management, cover and internal design, page layout, corrections, picture handling, eBook creation)
  • Printing costs 
  • Copy-editing, proofreading and final read
  • Marketing and publicity

Any extra we raise will go towards a larger print run and distribution throughout New Zealand.

Getting this far is like a dream come true, I feel so ready to take my story, my strength, and my healing gifts to the world. However I can’t do it alone. In fact I need all the help I can get. 

Please follow me on the final stage of my healing journey, pre-order yourself a copy of my book by pledging and share, share, share!

Arohanui, Simonne xoxo

www.simonnebutler.co.nz

Comments

Updates 34

Your copy of Double-edged Sword has been sent...if I have your address.

25/11/2016 at 9:20 AM

Hello, beautiful people.  I'm so excited to tell you Double-edged Sword is here and ready for you.

I posted heaps yesterday but still have many to go that I don't have addresses for.

I also don't have addresses for any of the thanks in the post pledgers so your thank you cards are also waiting patiently to be sent.

I've sent out emails and facebook messages to try to track you all down, so hopefully you  people get back to me, and then you can have your book too!

Thank you so much for your support of myself and this project.

Double-edged Sword, once Recalibrate, would not have made it to this place without you and I am eternally grateful for all of your kindness and generosity in the two years it's taken to finally breathe life into her.

This is our book! We are going to take the world by storm and get this disgusting practice of domestic violence out in the open for all to see.  We can't change things if they're hidden and brushed under the carpet.

Can you please remind anyone you know that pledged to get in touch with their postal address.  I want everyone to have their rewards as soon as possible.

In the meantime, I'm going to keep trying to track everyone down myself too.

I had hoped to get your books to you on the same day as the shops got them, but due to unforeseen circumstances, shops got them a week earlier.  I'm so sorry you had to wait, but hopefully, you'll agree it's worth it.

Book are available for sale from me in person, from my website simonnebutler.co.nz, from most bookshops and at online retailers.

Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We finally got here! It's all a bit surreal really!

If you'd like to continue to follow my journey you can see what I'm up to at these links.

www.facebook.com/simonnebutlernzauthor

https://www.facebook.com/recalibrationhealing/

https://twitter.com/SimonneButler

https://www.instagram.com/simonnebutler/


Much aroha

Simonne xxxx

 

Double-edged Sword is on it's way!

29/10/2016 at 11:27 AM

Hello my beautiful beautiful loves!

I'm very excited to tell you Double-edged Sword is being shipped as I type!

It's finally done.  Thank you so much! I couldn't have done this with out you!

I'll be recieving your copies mid November and will be signing them, if you requested that, and sending them out to you myself.

Yay! I can't wait for you to read it!  You do know it's full of sex and violence right?  Healing too, but it's pretty savage in parts.  There's even a disclaimer on the back...  "CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT" 

The official release date is Saturday 26th November, which is when it will be available on shelves in bookstores, however, as you are part of my team, I'm going to send your copies out to you the week leading up to release so you will receive your copies first.

The other week I had the joy and the privilege of opening up the box of advanced copies and holding my book baby in my hands for the first time.  It was so surreal.  I've been carrying it everywhere with me wrapped in bubble wrap in it's own little bag.  Already it/she feels like she has a life of her own that is so much bigger than me.  It feels like she is alive to me.  My baby fully birthed and actuated.

Here's some pictures of me holding Double-edged Sword for the first time.

 

I was absolutely in awe of how beautiful it is.  I'm so proud and happy and grateful that I get to tell my story in such a beautiful book.

I haven't read it from cover to cover yet, but I'll get there.  I've been opening it and reading random chapters so far....and I stared at the back!

See.  Random as!

If your friends and family want a copy you can direct them to my website at simonnebutler.co.nz and they can purchase them there. You can also walk into any bookshp and get them to order it for you, or get your local librabry to order it in.

I will also have a stack for sale in my healing practice.

We are having our first book launch at the Women's Book Shop and I'm very excited.  This one is mainly a media and industry launch, but I hope to have many more...in any book store that will have me, and I'd love it if you could make it to one.  I'll keep you posted.  Don't forget you can follow my author life and the book at facebook.com/simonnebutlernzauthor

Let me know if there's a book store in your area you think we should have a launch at!

Lots and lots of love and gratitude

simonne xxxx

 

Double-edged Sword is at the printers!

27/09/2016 at 2:43 PM

Hello, beautiful beautiful people! I love you so much and I am so glad you are here with me!

This has been a wild and crazy ride and we are nearly there!

Right this second our book is being printed. Eeeeekkkk! So exciting!

It's happening in China, which you may remember wasn't my first choice, but I needed to make a decision about what was more important...my ideals? or getting this story out and helping as many people as we can? The latter won!

Thank goodness.  This story is so much bigger than me and my journey.

It is now for sale for preorder too! Oh my goodness! So real!

It can be ordered from any bookshop around the county and it is available online at the Women's Bookshop.  Here's that link.  http://www.womensbookshop.co.nz/p/nz-biographies-double-edged-sword-the-simonne-butler-story?barcode=9780473364359 
Feel free to share it with your friends! 
(if you are doing it on your phone, scroll down until you get to the book.x)

It says it's out of stock, and will be shipped when they get more, but that's because is still being created!

So, my beautiful tribe, we are very close to holding our baby in our hands!

Printing will be finished in October then she'll be on a not so slow boat from China, then it's customs, then to the distributor.... and in our hands at the end of November.  Yeah baby!

I am beyond excited!

If you pledged for a copy of Double-edged Sword,  I'll be wrapping it up and posting it to you on the 30th of November....and signing it first if you ordered a signed copy....however I'm also considering having a special in-person pick up....but I'll let you know more about that closer to the time!

As well as the books, we will be sending out your thank yous and tea towels too.

In the meantime, I have my pledgers list, so I shall be contacting you individually over October to check we have your correct postal address to send your copy to.

I'm also on a mission to get Double-edged Sword into every library in the country. 

If you'd like to help me with this mission perhaps consider phoning or emailing your local library and asking them to order it for you.  If they get enough interest they'll put it on their shelves, and we can reach and help even more people.

I really feel like we are going to make a difference in countless people lives.  Even if it's just to let them know they are not alone.

Thank you so much to all of you who pledged, shared and supported this campaign, and a massive thank you to my team for making this happen.

I couldn't have done this without you all.  Not in a million years.

Let's go make a difference.

Lots of love and hugs

Simonne xxx

PS incase you missed the cover reveal, here is a draft copy of the cover.  We've only made a few subtle changes

Double-edged Sword cover draft

Double-edged Sword is at the printers!

27/09/2016 at 12:03 PM

Hello, beautiful beautiful people! I love you so much and I am so glad you are here with me!

This has been a wild and crazy ride and we are nearly there!

Right this second our book is being printed. Eeeeekkkk! So exciting!

It's happening in China, which you may remember wasn't my first choice, but I needed to make a decision about what was more important...my ideals? or getting this story out and helping as many people as we can? The latter won!

Thank goodness.  This story is so much bigger than me and my journey.

It is now for sale for preorder too! Oh my goodness! So real!

It can be ordered from any bookshop around the county and it is available online at the Women's Bookshop.  Here's that link.  http://www.womensbookshop.co.nz/p/nz-biographies-double-edged-sword-the-simonne-butler-story?barcode=9780473364359 
Feel free to share it with your friends! 
(if you are doing it on your phone, scroll down until you get to the book.x)

It says it's out of stock, and will be shipped when they get more, but that's because is still being created!

So, my beautiful tribe, we are very close to holding our baby in our hands!

Printing will be finished in October then she'll be on a not so slow boat from China, then it's customs, then to the distributor.... and in our hands at the end of November.  Yeah baby!

I am beyond excited!

If you pledged for a copy of Double-edged Sword,  I'll be wrapping it up and posting it to you on the 30th of November....and signing it first if you ordered a signed copy....however I'm also considering having a special in-person pick up....but I'll let you know more about that closer to the time!

As well as the books, we will be sending out your thank yous and tea towels too.

In the meantime, I have my pledgers list, so I shall be contacting you individually over October to check we have your correct postal address to send your copy to.

I'm also on a mission to get Double-edged Sword into every library in the country. 

If you'd like to help me with this mission perhaps consider phoning or emailing your local library and asking them to order it for you.  If they get enough interest they'll put it on their shelves, and we can reach and help even more people.

I really feel like we are going to make a difference in countless people lives.  Even if it's just to let them know they are not alone.

Thank you so much to all of you who pledged, shared and supported this campaign, and a massive thank you to my team for making this happen.

I couldn't have done this without you all.  Not in a million years.

Let's go make a difference.

Lots of love and hugs

Simonne xxx

PS incase you missed the cover reveal, here is a draft copy of the cover.  We've only made a few subtle changes

Check out Double-Edged Sword's cover!

26/08/2016 at 12:27 PM

Hello my beautiful friends!

I'm excited to finally be able to share the book cover for Double-Edged Sword with you!

As this is a draft there may be subtle changes when we go to print, but this is pretty much it!

Double-Edged Sword cover

Eeeeeeeek! It's like a real book!

I had a few concepts to chose from and had a hard time choosing between my top two, but this one really spoke to me.

I love how clean it is.  How it pops.

It was a hard choice for me not to put my name on the cover as the author, but ultimately, after I wrestled with my ego, I know this works best.

Otherwise it would have been too much SIMONNE!  I'm inside and on the spine.  That's more than enough!

So grateful to my talented, award winning cover designer Anna Egan-Reid.  She nailed it! I love it so much!

Big thanks to Calypso Paoli my photographer too. I love how she captured me.

Thanks to Louise Nicholas too for her supportive words on the cover and inside.

We are crazy close to going to print now! 

Everythings edited, proofread and set.

Pictures are chosen, layout is done.....I'm just trying to sort copyright permission for a few photos of me from the media, and that's everything!

It's been hectic and wonderful getting everything ready and I'm feeling blessed so many people are working their arses off to make this happen.

Also! I have a publicist (feeling very Hollywood) for the launch to help me navigate the media, which I desperately need help with, so yay!

So really, as soon as these few loose ends are tied up we're going to print.

Thank you all so much for your patience!

I love you!

Simonne xxx

Hair and make-up by Levonne Scott. Cheers Levonne!

 

 

 

Publishing update for Double-edged Sword and recap of our progress so far.

12/07/2016 at 11:49 AM

Hello beautiful, beautiful people.

I know it's been ages and I'm sorry I haven't been here sooner to tell you where we're at.

I've been getting myself ready and power filled for Double-edged Sword to be birthed to the world.

We don't have an actual print date yet, but we are looking at in stores this spring.

So much has happened this year, and in the nearly last two years since this campaign began.

I have so much to tell you, so here goes.  Not necessarily in chronological order.

Earlier this month the AI for Double-edged Sword went off to it's first book sellers conference with our distributor.  It's all getting very real!  Cover reveal coming soon!

I'm really lucky that all the way through this process I have had talented caring people who have supported and encouraged me above and beyond any level I could have imagined.

Here's part of my publishing team. Anna and Sophia are heaven sent, from Mary Egan Publishing, and Andra, my cowriter was a gift from the universe that I gratefully recieved via this very campaign.

Anna, Sophia, Andra and me.

So when I say we, you know who I mean!

My co writer Andra and I sat down together for 16 months and carefully crafted my journals into the story you will read, then edited it for a few more months.  At one stage we didn't think we could get it below 400 pages, but I pulled out my inner ruthlessness and we cut it to pieces and stripped it back to it's bare bones and got it in the 200's.  Yay.  This is just the first book after all.

Then it went off to be professionally edited by Louise Russell, who's is at the top of her game, and finally was assesed by Mary Egan herself and re edited once more.  Editing seemed like a never ending process, but it's necessary to make sure we put out the best book we can.

I had a photo shoot for the book cover last month with my dear friend and gifted photographer Calypso Paoli, and very soon I get to show you what Anna, the most fabulous cover designer in the world has come up with.   Hair and make up artist Levonne Scott made me look FINE!  Yay!

Here's a behind the scenes peek.  My other friend Anna (my other Anna) took the photo of Calypso and I in the studio, and was my driver for the day.

Getting glammed up by Levonne Scott  for my photo shoot.At the photo shoot. Photo by my other Anna.

 

We applied for an Creative NZ arts grant in March to cover the last of the printing costs, but didn't get it.  Oh well.  Had to try.  We're ok. 

In April we applied for the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Mind Body Spirit unpublished manuscript award, but I found out in July we didn't make the finalists for that either.

The manuscript at that stage had only had it's first edit, and has subsequently had many more, but I sent what I had anyway, just to see.  Here's me at the post office sending it off.  That was the first time I printed it.

Sending it off to be judged.

It was really good to put myself out there, and even if it wasn't their cup of tea, I know it's great and that it's going to make a diffence in the world and in some people's lives.

My next update won't be so far away.

Thank you so much for all of your patience with me.  I can't wait to finally hold this baby in my hands and share her with the world.  You will be the first to know when!

Lots and lots of love and gratitude.

Simonne xxxxx

 

 

Double-edged Sword Publishing Update

13/04/2016 at 7:34 PM

Hello beautiful people!

Thank you so much for helping me to get this book published.  It is because of you that we've gotten this far.  I couldn't have done it without your support and I will be eternally grateful to each and every one of you. 

It was even through this pledgeme campaign that I found my amazing cowriter Andra, who helped me turn my journals into the story you will read.  We did a pretty fabulous job, if I do say so myself!

If you missed the last few updates, I have changed the name to Double-edged Sword from Recalibrate.  Recalibrate was originally Recalibration - signifying my healing journey, which is now the name of my holistic therapy practice, which seems more fitting.

So! We're getting close!

Double-edged Sword has had it's final edits and rewrites, (Yay!) and is currently with the cover designer.  She is going to read it over the next few weeks and create a magnificent cover for us.  I'm so excitied to see what she comes up with.

I'll be sitting down with my team early May to look over her designs and for us to sort out the final production process. 

As you know, I lowered the target during the campaign, with the hope that perhaps I could get some services donated, including the necessary legal perusal to make sure I don't get sued for defamation... or arrested. I don't think I will, but better safe than sorry.

I am in talks with a few people about this, but nothing has come to fruition yet, however I remain hopeful.  What would be perfect is a lawyer, or retired lawyer, who is passionate about changing our domestic and sexual violence culture and wants to make a difference so is keen to help. I believe our book will change lives.  Maybe even save them.

Because it's not a certainty that we can get legal services donated, I have applied for a Creative NZ Arts Grant to help with the rest of the costs to publish.  We find out about that May 20th, so fingers crossed. 

I also applied for the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Unpublished Manuscript Award for the Mind Body Spirit genre. The finalists are announced in July and the winner is announced in August. If I win that, that money will go towards marketing and PR.

I did a 30 day online book marketing course with BadRedhead Media ealier this year and have lots of tips that will help us too.  Some I'm implementing, some I'm still getting my head around, but it's all steps in the right direction.

One of the things BadRedhead Media suggests is that we apply for awards, so I can put a big tick in that box.  It was scary.  I printed the manuscript out for the first time to apply for the Ashton Wylie Award and it was so surreal to hold it in my hands.  I spent a while just staring at it rather unbelievingly that I'd been writing it for over ten years and there it was.

As soon as I have more to tell you I'll be back.

Lots of love

Simonne xxx

PS.  I've added the photo of it at the post office before I sent it off to be judged. xthe manuscript

2016 Recalibrate/ A Double Edged Sword update round two!

01/02/2016 at 12:02 PM

Hello my beautiful team!

Thank you for sticking by me!

I typed you an update earlier, but it seems to have got lost in translation, so here we go again for the second time!

A Double Edged Sword is currently with the editor and we will be to and froing with it over the next few weeks to get it perfect, then we'll be onto the next step at the end of the month. Yay!

The next step, as I said in my last update is it going to the lawyers to make sure there are no legal ramifications to what we've written.

Then it's some copy and setting stuff, technical stuff & choosing photos etc...

Anna, my fabulous cover designer at Mary Egan Publishing and I will work out the cover we want and she'll create it.   Her work is amazing! I'm so lucky!

Lastly it's proofreading for grammatical errors that may have slipped passed us all...

Then we print and ebook this baby. And she is my baby.  I can't wait to get her out to you!

Of course marketing is in there too, pretty much continuously!  I've signed up for a book marketing course this February so hopefully I'll have some handy tips in my back pocket to get my baby out to the wider world.

Thank you so much for your support and your patience. You rock and I love you!

Putting myself out here like this has been scary and empowering all at once, but having you by my side has helped immensely and shored up my strength and determination.

A reminder that it's raw and gritty, contains sex, drugs and violence and is not for the faint hearted...but you already knew that huh?

During my last read through before I sent it off to be professionally edited I sobbed my heart out and laughed out loud as I read.  I hope you love it as much as I do.

My editor has informed me it's the best memoir manuscript she's edited and that she has been more emotionally invested and inspired by it than any other survivor story she's read.  She thinks it will help lots of people. Yay!  That's what I want!

Such high praise from an industry insider who is described by others as one of the best editors in the country.  Yay! I knew it was good, but I'm biased and wasn't sure if I was right.

If it all comes together as I am envisioning, we should be printing late Autumn. (Spring for those of you in the northern hemisphere)

As soon as I have a print date and a release date I'll let you know.

So exciting.  Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me.

Lots of love

Simonne xxxx

A Double Edged Sword. My journey of healing and self-discovery.

 

2016 Recalibrate/ A Double Edged Sword update

01/02/2016 at 10:28 AM

Hello,

Time for the editor - Your Recalibrate/ A Double Edged Sword update.

01/12/2015 at 4:17 PM

Hello beautiful Recalibrate team. 

I love you all so much. Sorry it's taking me so long.  I haven't forgotten about you!

I didn't realise I still had access to this site, so have been putting sporadic updates on my facebook author page, which you may have missed.

Incase you did miss my last update, I have changed the name of my book from Recalibrate to A Double Edged Sword ~ The Simonne Butler Story.  Still a possiblity it could change again...but most probably not.

Where it's at.

Andra, my co writer and I have been working all year to turn my journals (thousands of pages) into the story you're about to read.  It's been very full on and exhausting, and a labour of love too.  

I'm very grateful to her partner taking care of her kids so I can monopolise her time.  Which I have been. We have had many writing sessions into the wee hours.

We have been trying to condense it down, but are still close to 400 pages.

Our final read through and edit is happening this week.  After that I'll read it through by myself once too...then it's off to the editor for most of December and January to cut and polish it. 

There will be a lot of cutting and polishing to get it to the 250 pages I was aiming for!  Once the idea of someone doing that to my work seemed scary to me as a writer and artist, but now it's exciting and I'm looking forward to the new and improved professional edited version.

After the editor it goes to the lawyers.  I'm not trying to get anyone arrested...least of all me!

Somewhere in here we will do the cover design, and by we, I mean Anna, my fabulous cover designer at Mary Egan Publishing.   Her work is amazing!

Then it's proofreading, some copy and setting stuff and possibly a few things I haven't thought of...I'm not quite sure of all the technical names for that bit, then we print and ebook this baby.

Thank you so much for your support and your patience.  Putting myself out here like this has been daunting, but having you by my side has helped immensly.

I love you.

Remember to take good care of yourself.

I'll let you know how it's going and hopefully soon I'll be giving you the release date.

Mwah

Much love

Simonne xxxAndra and I working from my bedroom this year.

 

 

Rewards Time and our Newest Team Member

01/12/2014 at 7:13 AM

 

Hi Recalibrate team!

 

Are you good? I hope so! 

 

I have news…So exciting!

 

It’s time to introduce our latest member in the Recalibrate publishing team.  Her name is Andra and she is amazing! I’m so grateful to have her straight up and hilarious self helping me.  Together we’re whipping Recalibrate into shape before its professional edit early next year.

 

I’m feeling ever so brave, having handed over a few hundred pages (finally) to be worked through, by someone that isn’t me.  It had to be done.  I've done as much as I can by myself.  Eeeeekkkkk! So brave!

 

Andra has a B.A. in English and a diploma of teaching secondary school in English and Media Studies. Yay!  I love teachers! She’s witty and talented, passionate about telling stories, and totally rocks!  Such a perfect fit!  I am so blessed!

 

I am so grateful to the Universe for bringing me the perfect people at the perfect time, always.  Spinning this hay into gold baby!

 

 

 

OK – Reward time!

 

Pledgeme has now captured the last of the pledges.  More excitingness!  Thank you all so much!   I will be emailing each of you for delivery instructions of the rewards you pledged for, if I don’t already have them.

 

I stand in deep gratitude to First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand, Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic Studies and First Light Natural Health for the products they pledged as rewards.  If you pledged on a Plant Spell, a First Light Natural Health product, or the book The Sacred Plant Medicine of Aotearoa you will be receiving your reward very soon, and your signed copy of Recalibrate, if applicable, will be sent to you as soon as it’s ready.  The thanks in the post will also arrive with you very soon if that is your chosen reward.

 

The tea-towel will come out at the same time as Recalibrate, and of course, that is when you will see your name on the contributors list in the book too.

 

The lessons and horse ride by Anna Low Horse Productions are available to be redeemed and if you pledged for those you will receive an email from me this week with instructions on how to organise your reward.  Thank you so much Anna Low Horse Productions for pledging those rewards to my campaign!

If you pledged for a personal flower remedy and/or a healing session with me, I will email you this week to get the ball rolling.

 

 

 

I am humbled by, and still in awe at the level of support there is to get Recalibrate published and get my healer self out into the world.  I am so grateful to you all.  Talk soon.

 

I’ll keep you posted on our progress over summer.

 

Lots of love

 

Simonne xxxx

 

 

 

Thank you all and I love you to bits!

16/10/2014 at 11:09 PM

Hi Recalibrate team!!!!
I can't believe we made it!  Well, I can believe it, because I knew we would, I didn't know how, but I just knew we had to, but it was still a surprise when we did!  A glorious and beautiful surprise!
It all still feels very out of this world! 
Next phase begin!  The possibilities are endless!
Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to this campaign in any way, shape or form.  I am so grateful for all of your kindness, love, support and generosity.  I didn't mention them in the video, but I would also like to give a huge thank you to Robyn and Craig.  THANK YOU, you guys are awesome!!!!

I have sent a magical call out to the universe for the perfect people to come into the perfect roles for them at the perfect time to make Recalibrate the best it can possibly be.  We are looking for an editor, proof reader, copy editor, ghost/co-writer and lawyer.
If you feel like you are one of these people, or know some one who is, please contact me at www.simonnebutler.co.nz to see where you fit!  I'd love to work with you!
If you would like to work with me for your own healing and empowerment then please contact me at www.simonnebutler.co.nz also, and together you and I will come up with a tailored holistic health plan to restore you to optimum health and wellbeing. I can help you let go of the baggage that is weighing you down and move beyond any pain, trauma, anxiety, depression or stress you are currently experiencing, so you can lead a healthy, empowered, happy, self nurturing fulfilled life.
So much love to you all!
Simonne
mwah mwah mwah x 1000

We made it!

10/10/2014 at 3:09 PM

Eeeeekkk! We made it!  I can't believe it!  It really happened! We are going to have Recalibrate in our hot little hands in the very near future!  Now the hard work of putting this together begins!  Bring it on baby!

Dreams come true and miracles happen!  I'm so giddy I feel like I might faint!

I'll make you a video telling you all just how much I love you very soon!  Right now I have to go and do all the stuff I have put off so I could keep pushing refresh all day on this campaign!

 

Lots of love

Simonne

1 hour 45 minutes left!

10/10/2014 at 1:18 PM

Oh my gosh I have tingles!  It's so close to closing and aything could happen!  Pledges are still coming in!  Thank you all so much for your support!  I couldn't have gotten this far with out you and that's a fact!  I've been feeling like people are probably getting sick of me because I feel like I'm constantly in everyone's faces, but you have all been so awesome and I'm so grateful to you all!

1 hour 43 minutes and less than 12k to raise!  I'm crossing my fingers!

Lots of love to you all!

See you on the other side!

Simonne xxxx

1 hour 45 minutes left!

10/10/2014 at 1:18 PM

Oh my gosh I have tingles!  It's so close to closing and aything could happen!  Pledges are still coming in!  Thank you all so much for your support!  I couldn't have got this far with out you and that's a fact!  I've been feeling like people ar probably getting sick of me because I feel like I'm constantly in everyone's faces, but you have all been so awesome and I'm so grateful to you all!

1 hour 43 minutes and less than 12k to raise!  I'm crossing my fingers!

Lots of love to you all!

See you on the other side!

Simonne xxxx

15 hours left!

10/10/2014 at 12:29 AM

Hi team!

Thank you so much for being here with me!  15 hours to go!  It feels very surreal. I'm praying for a miracle and wishing on every star! (That song "Promised you a miracle" keeps playing in my head.) I know with every ounce of my being that the world is ready for this book and that we are going to do so much good in the world!  We still need 12k, but anything can happen in 15 hours right?

I wrote Recalibrate to show people that there is a way to heal from anything, no matter how bad. I wrote it to show people that there is a way to take the power back when you have given it away to others. I wrote it to shine a light on the dirty little secret that is abuse in the home. I wrote it because I deeply care about making positive changes in the world and I want to inspire, empower and teach people how to heal themselves completely on every level.
I wrote it to heal myself, and it worked. Of course I have been actively therapeutically healing myself all the way through as well, however in the process I realised I had so much to give to the world and that so many women  (and human's in general, really) could benefit from reading my story and that by me sharing my experiences on such a deep and personal level maybe it might make some women rethink their relationships and get out while they can. 

I know publishing Recalibrate is going to make a difference in so many lives and I'm so grateful to all of you that have pledged.

Please share and pledge!  I'm ever so grateful to you all! xxxx

3 DAYS LEFT!!!! eeeeeek!!!

07/10/2014 at 6:42 PM

3 days to go! Where has the time gone?

This has been really intense and has completely got me out if my comfort zone!
I am so grateful to everyone who has invested with me in this. My heart swirls with happiness when I think of you all!
Today I applied for a bank loan to top up my pledgeme campaign and they said NO! 
Well, if you don't ask the answer is always no.  I'll throw that in my experiences bucket!
Please don't feel that a $5.00 or $10.00 pledge will make no difference.  I have been doing some calculations and as it stands we will make target in the next three days if:

  • 3000 people pledge $5.00
  • 1500 people pledge $10.00
  • 750 people pledge $20.00
  • 300 people pledge $50.00
  • 150 people pledge $100.00
  • or even if 3 people pledge $5,000.00 each!

Also, please remember that you don't have to choose a reward or pledge those set amounts.  You can pledge any amount you choose from $5.00 onwards by typing it in the Make a pledge box here.  Please share my campaign with all of your networks so we can reach target and get Recalibrate out the the world! It's not finished yet!

Lots of love

Simonne xxx

4 days left!!! Why I'm self publishing & healing your self

06/10/2014 at 2:41 AM

Kia ora Recalibrate team!

4 days to go!  I can't believe how quickly the last two months have flown by.  Thank you all so much for being here!  I think I'm going to miss this come Friday!  We are halfway there! $15,755.00 more and we are publishing!

Thank you so much to everyone who has invested in this campaign already.  You are all so wonderful and I am so grateful!  Thank you to those of you that have shared my campaign, facebook page and youtube videos!  You guys rock!  Please keep sharing hard out for the next four days!!!  Perhaps put a personal note with each share telling people why you want to help and how much of a difference their pledge will make. <3  If you have been thinking about pledging, but haven't yet please do.  Every $5.00 counts!

Tips from Recalibrate.  If you truely want to heal you have to step up and take charge.  No one can fix you.  That is your job. Others can only guide and support you on your quest.

True to form my camera cut out a few seconds before I finished what I was saying in the above video...but here it is for you anyway!  What I was saying when it cut out is:

When something life shattering occurs it is an opportunity for us to put our self and our life back together anew. It is an opportunity to start again and to learn and evolve and become better than we were before in our hearts, our minds and our deeds. It is when we find our inner strength and if we are open to it we can find the learning in the pain, and that is so freeing and empowering.  That is true beauty.

I wrote Recalibrate to teach this.  Recalibrate is here to inspire, empower and encourage! 

Thank you so much for helping to make this vision a reality!  Now with 4 days left and 15k to raise, I'm praying for a miracle!  I know miracles can happen!  Fingers crossed!  Toes too!

Lots of love

Simonne xxx 

Pledgeme video update. I'm editing. What people need to know about abuse.

26/09/2014 at 6:58 AM

Hi team!  Thanks for being here! 

I've made us another video!  Check it out! Please share with all of your networks if you feel guided.

Let's go save the world!

Lots of love to you all.

Speaking on the steps of Parliament to Change NZ Shame

17/09/2014 at 10:34 AM

This is the speech I gave on Monday on the steps of Parliment to Change NZ Shame and call our poliical leaders to action.  I am doing everything I can to end abuse in this country.  That is partly why I am publishing Recalibrate.  This is such a tricky subject and one that needs to be spoken about continiously if we are ever going to change this violence culture that we live in. 

Healing and empowerment are two things very close to my heart that I am very passionate about. 

Every human being has the right to safety and respect and to live their life free from fear, abuse, control, coersion and intimidation.

26 days to go video update 2

14/09/2014 at 9:33 PM

26 days to go!  Countdown is on.  I still don't know how to edit videos.  There is some swearing and lots and lots of ums.

Stallions offering services

07/09/2014 at 5:02 PM

Aspen Hills Shell Fire - Purebred Arabian

Pembridge Midshipman - Premium Cleveland Bay

Conbrio - NZ bred black Hanoverian

Arawa Romeo - Welsh Cob (Sec D)

Feuertanzer, Purebred Trakehner

As promised, here are pictures of the magnificent stallions with services on offer as rewards for this campaign.  We are so lucky to have such amazing lines on offer and I am so grateful to all of the studs for their amazing contributions. 

Lowering the Target

05/09/2014 at 9:20 AM

Hi Beautiful People! I have big news! 

We are lowering the Target.  Partly because services have been donated which I am so grateful for!  Thank you every one that is contributing to getting Recalibrate published. 

I don't want to let anyone down and I want everyone's hard work and monetary contribitions to count for something.  Recalibrate has been a labour of love (and pain and tears) for me and we all deserve to see this come together.

The other part is me.  I've had to make concessions about what is important. 

Getting this story out and empowering people and breeding compassion is what is the most important at the end of the day.  By any means necessary!

That means me giving up on the fantasy I had in my head of such a magical and fabulous book with maps and photos and indexes and glossaries and timelines and illustrations and all the other things that always made books so special to me.  It was possibly a bit ambitious and a bit naive on my part to want so much for this first book.  I have to be practical.  The story is what is important.  Maybe the second book can have all the bells and whistles, maybe it'll be the third!   It originally was a trilogy!

The other concession I 've made is the possiblilty of printing in China and lowering the print run.  This was the hardest for me to get my head around as in my mind I really wanted to support New Zealand businesses and I felt so strongly it must be "Made in NZ" and done as sustainably as possible.   No matter where it is printed it will always have the essence of Aotearoa to it.  It just took me a while to undertand that. 

Yesterday when I made the video update all this was going around in my head but I wasn't ready to admit it to you all, or to myself.  I was fighting this decision tooth and nail.  I was feeling like such a failure to have to make these choices and then own up to you all about them.  But it is not failing.  It is revising, re-assessing and re-establishing.  If something is not going to plan we change the plan and that is what we are doing.  I still want us to make the best book possible, and we will.  Who knows, maybe we can do a special edition down the line and put the bells and whistles in. 

I love you all so much and I am so grateful to each and every one of you for being here. 

I would rather make all of these concessions to have Recalibrate published than to hold fast to outworn plans and ideas and not get anywhere.

Lots of love and more than a few tears

Simonne xxxx

 

Massive thank you to you, my pledgeme team, and how we are already helping women around the country.

04/09/2014 at 6:01 PM

I just wanted to tell you all how awesome you are and how much I appreciate you and let you know some of the feedback that is coming to me from around the country.  We are changing lives already! xxxx

Behind the scenes Woman's Day photo shoot

01/09/2014 at 4:11 PM

 

 

 

Hi beautiful people!

This is the behind the scenes horse part of my Woman's Day shoot. Riding bareback and bridleless down Bethells Beach was something I had dreamed of for years. I felt so accomplished and free and capable. This was the first time I'd done it out there. All the rehearsals were in a race, not out in the open. It's only because he is a trained film, television and live event horse that I feel safe enough to do this. What a rush! It was so exhilarating! Thanks Cruise, Anna Low Horse Productions and Woman's Day NZ. xxx

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152351528053354.1073741842.332480863353&type=1

Woman's Day article

31/08/2014 at 2:41 PM

Hello beautiful people!  How are you?  Thank you all that have pledged, donated services to my campaign and liked and shared my campaign and facebook page!  I am so grateful to you all!  A super big thanks to Anna Low for putting me in touch with the right people and contantly helping get this campaign off the ground.  Two and a half weeks in and a little behind target still.  Hopefully that will change!  This week I am in Woman's Day looking very glam!  We did a behind the scenes photoshoot too so I will get those photos up soon.

More Stallions to meet! + My dream fundraising concert!

28/08/2014 at 10:16 AM

I have heaps more stallions to introduce to you! It's amazing. I am constantly in awe at the kindness, generosity and support I am receiving. It feels like I spend half my days lately bursting into tears because am overwhelmed by all of the love and support coming at me. It's pretty freaky. Hard work not being a hermit crab too.
On a side note, if I had a fundraising concert for Recalibrate, I'd want Rhombus to play! A girl can dream!  This song's getting me through my morning. Lots of love! Simonne xxxx

Meeting Aspen Hills Shell Fire

26/08/2014 at 3:04 PM

Thanking Shell Fire with a kiss

Riding Shell Fire

Meeting Shell Fire

Yesterday morning I got up very early and went to Hamilton to meet Aspen Hills Shell Fire, the magnificent stallion who has five services on offer as rewards for this campaign.  He is truely stunning and has such a beautiful nature.  I even got to ride him.  My first time ever riding a stallion!  So exciting!  I made a video on the way out of Auckland...my skills aren't the best, please forgive me!  Here are a couple of pics as well.  I love the one when we first meet at the stable and are checking each other out!  (Did I mention I rode a stallion!) 

Jools Topp is lending her support to Recalibrate by Simonne Butler

22/08/2014 at 6:04 PM

I am very excited and so grateful to Jools for supporting me to help get this book published.  I feel a little overwhelmed at times by all of the support out there for me and this project.  Check out the video Jools made and share it with your friends and networks to help me get the word out.  49 days to go!!!

Lots of love

Simonne xxx

New rewards!

21/08/2014 at 5:10 PM

Hello new followers! Welcome! Thank you so much new pledgers!  I am so grateful for your contribution!  You rock!  I have some very exciting news!  Some wonderfully generous New Zealand Stud Farms have offered Stallion Stud services for me to use as rewards.   Thats right! Wow!!!  I wonder if this sort of reward has been offered before? I'll get them all typed(I'm a bit slow) and loaded soon, but I couldn't wait to tell you.  These horses are truely exquisite and this is such an amazing opportunity.  I am so touched by the generosity and kindness of you all.  Much love, Simonne

Pre order your copy of Recalibrate

20/08/2014 at 10:23 AM

Hi beautiful people! Good morning! 

I need as much help as I can get!  One week in and I'm a bit behind target!  I'm so wrapt we have got this far though!

By pledging you can preorder your copy of Recalibrate as well as support a great project and help me get my healing message out to the world!  

I have some awesome new rewards that I will be listing later today as well so stay tuned!  I'll keep you posted!

Lots of love

Simonne xxx

16/08/2014 at 11:06 AM

It's been such an amazing and full on week! I can't believe we are over the $2000.00 mark already!      I'm definitely feeling the love.  Trying hard to ignore the hate!

Thank you so much for your support. It means the world to me. Thank you to everyone that has liked and/or shared my PledgeMe campaign, facebook page, my interviews website. I am so grateful to you all!

To all of you that have pledged, you are so wonderful! Thank you for believing in me. I'm feeling very special and taken care of! (and a bit teary eyed) xxx  I'm trying to think of some cool ways to update you all...stay tuned!   Much love, Simonne xxx

I'm trending!

14/08/2014 at 12:45 PM

I'm Trending!  Wooohooo! How exciting! Thank you all so much for coming on this journey with me!  I am so humbled by all of your support.  Thank you so much for all pledges.  I can't wait to give you all of your rewards! Feeling a bit special! MWAH xxx

Huge THANK YOU!

13/08/2014 at 8:47 AM

I can't believe we are nearly at $1000.00 and it's only 24 hours in!  It is so exciting for me checking which rewards have been snapped up and I love getting the emails saying I have another follower or pledger!  You guys rock! xxxx  (This is my first update - still got my training wheels on, hopefully I'm doing it right!)

    Pledgers 176

    Holly Roberts
    14/08/2014 at 9:38am
    Whitney Tapara
    13/08/2014 at 10:14pm
    Lisa Tong
    13/08/2014 at 9:42pm
    Jo Gurnell
    13/08/2014 at 9:10pm
    Jackie Chiplin
    13/08/2014 at 8:16pm
    Janet
    13/08/2014 at 7:19pm
    Alicia
    13/08/2014 at 4:26pm
    Leanne Willcox
    13/08/2014 at 9:38am
    Rk
    13/08/2014 at 7:57am
    Anna Low
    12/08/2014 at 10:06pm
    Sophia Egan-Reid
    12/08/2014 at 7:34pm
    Kylie Heath
    12/08/2014 at 7:28pm
    Kelly Norris
    12/08/2014 at 5:27pm
    Avis
    12/08/2014 at 3:00pm
    Kelz May
    12/08/2014 at 2:59pm
    Carissa
    12/08/2014 at 2:33pm
    Carissa
    12/08/2014 at 2:32pm
    Carissa
    12/08/2014 at 2:31pm
    Alex
    12/08/2014 at 1:45pm
    Catherine Jenkin
    12/08/2014 at 12:34pm
    Georgia McGill-Bannan
    12/08/2014 at 12:20pm
    Michelle Glen
    12/08/2014 at 12:02pm
    Mary Egan
    12/08/2014 at 10:46am
    David
    12/08/2014 at 10:25am
    Andrea Hammond
    12/08/2014 at 10:21am
    Kate Lattey
    12/08/2014 at 9:09am

    Followers 55

    Followers of Horrific Experience Inspires Unique Book

    Horrific Experience Inspires Unique Book

    Project 2014-08-06 12:27:20 +1200

    Pledge and preorder your copy of Recalibrate.  A powerful story of empowerment, healing and traumatic stress recovery

    Warning: graphic images below

    In 2003 Simonne Butler was attacked with a samurai sword by ex boyfriend, Antoine Dixon in a P-fuelled attack. He tried to cut off her head and severed both her hands but Simonne survived Dixon’s attack, and emerged from a marathon of surgeries with her severed hands successfully re-attached. The physical healing was arduous, but the wounds to her spirit were even harder to repair. Now Simonne wants to share her healing journey and wants people to know that it’s possible to escape from a dark place and create an amazing new reality.

    “If one woman decides to get out of an abusive relationship after reading my book, I’ve done my job.”


    What is the book about?

    It is predominately about my healing journey after my hands were chopped off; how it affected my life and what I went through to heal my mind, body, soul and spirit.

    It’s about operations, hospital stays, physio, herbal medicine, nutrition, massage, shamanic journeying, soul retrieval, and flower essence therapies. It’s about childhood mothering issues; abandonment issues; date rape; abortion; anxiety and depression; fear of leaving the house; emotional eating and being overweight. It is about regaining freedom and independence after being abused for most of my life.

    "It’s my life. The good, the bad and the shocking. It’s raw and graphic, funny and heart wrenching and true. So yes it is my little book of healing, but it is also about sex, drugs, violence, manipulation and control."

    Photo by Serena Stevenson

    A horrific experience inspires a unique book.

    Simonne has kept diaries for over 15 years and these will be the foundation of her tell-all book. She’s working hard on the project, but she needs $30,000 in order to become a published reality. Simonne is self-publishing with the assitance of Mary Egan Publishing.

    Budgeting for the project has been carefully planned.  The cost of the project is $30,000 allowing a print run of 1,000 books. This includes: 

    • Production costs (Keyboarding diaries, project and print management, cover and internal design, page layout, corrections, picture handling, eBook creation)
    • Printing costs 
    • Copy-editing, proofreading and final read
    • Marketing and publicity

    Any extra we raise will go towards a larger print run and distribution throughout New Zealand.

    Getting this far is like a dream come true, I feel so ready to take my story, my strength, and my healing gifts to the world. However I can’t do it alone. In fact I need all the help I can get. 

    Please follow me on the final stage of my healing journey, pre-order yourself a copy of my book by pledging and share, share, share!

    Arohanui, Simonne xoxo

    www.simonnebutler.co.nz

    Comments

    Your copy of Double-edged Sword has been sent...if I have your address.

    25/11/2016 at 9:20 AM

    Hello, beautiful people.  I'm so excited to tell you Double-edged Sword is here and ready for you.

    I posted heaps yesterday but still have many to go that I don't have addresses for.

    I also don't have addresses for any of the thanks in the post pledgers so your thank you cards are also waiting patiently to be sent.

    I've sent out emails and facebook messages to try to track you all down, so hopefully you  people get back to me, and then you can have your book too!

    Thank you so much for your support of myself and this project.

    Double-edged Sword, once Recalibrate, would not have made it to this place without you and I am eternally grateful for all of your kindness and generosity in the two years it's taken to finally breathe life into her.

    This is our book! We are going to take the world by storm and get this disgusting practice of domestic violence out in the open for all to see.  We can't change things if they're hidden and brushed under the carpet.

    Can you please remind anyone you know that pledged to get in touch with their postal address.  I want everyone to have their rewards as soon as possible.

    In the meantime, I'm going to keep trying to track everyone down myself too.

    I had hoped to get your books to you on the same day as the shops got them, but due to unforeseen circumstances, shops got them a week earlier.  I'm so sorry you had to wait, but hopefully, you'll agree it's worth it.

    Book are available for sale from me in person, from my website simonnebutler.co.nz, from most bookshops and at online retailers.

    Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    We finally got here! It's all a bit surreal really!

    If you'd like to continue to follow my journey you can see what I'm up to at these links.

    www.facebook.com/simonnebutlernzauthor

    https://www.facebook.com/recalibrationhealing/

    https://twitter.com/SimonneButler

    https://www.instagram.com/simonnebutler/


    Much aroha

    Simonne xxxx

     

    Double-edged Sword is on it's way!

    29/10/2016 at 11:27 AM

    Hello my beautiful beautiful loves!

    I'm very excited to tell you Double-edged Sword is being shipped as I type!

    It's finally done.  Thank you so much! I couldn't have done this with out you!

    I'll be recieving your copies mid November and will be signing them, if you requested that, and sending them out to you myself.

    Yay! I can't wait for you to read it!  You do know it's full of sex and violence right?  Healing too, but it's pretty savage in parts.  There's even a disclaimer on the back...  "CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT" 

    The official release date is Saturday 26th November, which is when it will be available on shelves in bookstores, however, as you are part of my team, I'm going to send your copies out to you the week leading up to release so you will receive your copies first.

    The other week I had the joy and the privilege of opening up the box of advanced copies and holding my book baby in my hands for the first time.  It was so surreal.  I've been carrying it everywhere with me wrapped in bubble wrap in it's own little bag.  Already it/she feels like she has a life of her own that is so much bigger than me.  It feels like she is alive to me.  My baby fully birthed and actuated.

    Here's some pictures of me holding Double-edged Sword for the first time.

     

    I was absolutely in awe of how beautiful it is.  I'm so proud and happy and grateful that I get to tell my story in such a beautiful book.

    I haven't read it from cover to cover yet, but I'll get there.  I've been opening it and reading random chapters so far....and I stared at the back!

    See.  Random as!

    If your friends and family want a copy you can direct them to my website at simonnebutler.co.nz and they can purchase them there. You can also walk into any bookshp and get them to order it for you, or get your local librabry to order it in.

    I will also have a stack for sale in my healing practice.

    We are having our first book launch at the Women's Book Shop and I'm very excited.  This one is mainly a media and industry launch, but I hope to have many more...in any book store that will have me, and I'd love it if you could make it to one.  I'll keep you posted.  Don't forget you can follow my author life and the book at facebook.com/simonnebutlernzauthor

    Let me know if there's a book store in your area you think we should have a launch at!

    Lots and lots of love and gratitude

    simonne xxxx

     

    Double-edged Sword is at the printers!

    27/09/2016 at 2:43 PM

    Hello, beautiful beautiful people! I love you so much and I am so glad you are here with me!

    This has been a wild and crazy ride and we are nearly there!

    Right this second our book is being printed. Eeeeekkkk! So exciting!

    It's happening in China, which you may remember wasn't my first choice, but I needed to make a decision about what was more important...my ideals? or getting this story out and helping as many people as we can? The latter won!

    Thank goodness.  This story is so much bigger than me and my journey.

    It is now for sale for preorder too! Oh my goodness! So real!

    It can be ordered from any bookshop around the county and it is available online at the Women's Bookshop.  Here's that link.  http://www.womensbookshop.co.nz/p/nz-biographies-double-edged-sword-the-simonne-butler-story?barcode=9780473364359 
    Feel free to share it with your friends! 
    (if you are doing it on your phone, scroll down until you get to the book.x)

    It says it's out of stock, and will be shipped when they get more, but that's because is still being created!

    So, my beautiful tribe, we are very close to holding our baby in our hands!

    Printing will be finished in October then she'll be on a not so slow boat from China, then it's customs, then to the distributor.... and in our hands at the end of November.  Yeah baby!

    I am beyond excited!

    If you pledged for a copy of Double-edged Sword,  I'll be wrapping it up and posting it to you on the 30th of November....and signing it first if you ordered a signed copy....however I'm also considering having a special in-person pick up....but I'll let you know more about that closer to the time!

    As well as the books, we will be sending out your thank yous and tea towels too.

    In the meantime, I have my pledgers list, so I shall be contacting you individually over October to check we have your correct postal address to send your copy to.

    I'm also on a mission to get Double-edged Sword into every library in the country. 

    If you'd like to help me with this mission perhaps consider phoning or emailing your local library and asking them to order it for you.  If they get enough interest they'll put it on their shelves, and we can reach and help even more people.

    I really feel like we are going to make a difference in countless people lives.  Even if it's just to let them know they are not alone.

    Thank you so much to all of you who pledged, shared and supported this campaign, and a massive thank you to my team for making this happen.

    I couldn't have done this without you all.  Not in a million years.

    Let's go make a difference.

    Lots of love and hugs

    Simonne xxx

    PS incase you missed the cover reveal, here is a draft copy of the cover.  We've only made a few subtle changes

    Double-edged Sword cover draft

    Double-edged Sword is at the printers!

    27/09/2016 at 12:03 PM

    Hello, beautiful beautiful people! I love you so much and I am so glad you are here with me!

    This has been a wild and crazy ride and we are nearly there!

    Right this second our book is being printed. Eeeeekkkk! So exciting!

    It's happening in China, which you may remember wasn't my first choice, but I needed to make a decision about what was more important...my ideals? or getting this story out and helping as many people as we can? The latter won!

    Thank goodness.  This story is so much bigger than me and my journey.

    It is now for sale for preorder too! Oh my goodness! So real!

    It can be ordered from any bookshop around the county and it is available online at the Women's Bookshop.  Here's that link.  http://www.womensbookshop.co.nz/p/nz-biographies-double-edged-sword-the-simonne-butler-story?barcode=9780473364359 
    Feel free to share it with your friends! 
    (if you are doing it on your phone, scroll down until you get to the book.x)

    It says it's out of stock, and will be shipped when they get more, but that's because is still being created!

    So, my beautiful tribe, we are very close to holding our baby in our hands!

    Printing will be finished in October then she'll be on a not so slow boat from China, then it's customs, then to the distributor.... and in our hands at the end of November.  Yeah baby!

    I am beyond excited!

    If you pledged for a copy of Double-edged Sword,  I'll be wrapping it up and posting it to you on the 30th of November....and signing it first if you ordered a signed copy....however I'm also considering having a special in-person pick up....but I'll let you know more about that closer to the time!

    As well as the books, we will be sending out your thank yous and tea towels too.

    In the meantime, I have my pledgers list, so I shall be contacting you individually over October to check we have your correct postal address to send your copy to.

    I'm also on a mission to get Double-edged Sword into every library in the country. 

    If you'd like to help me with this mission perhaps consider phoning or emailing your local library and asking them to order it for you.  If they get enough interest they'll put it on their shelves, and we can reach and help even more people.

    I really feel like we are going to make a difference in countless people lives.  Even if it's just to let them know they are not alone.

    Thank you so much to all of you who pledged, shared and supported this campaign, and a massive thank you to my team for making this happen.

    I couldn't have done this without you all.  Not in a million years.

    Let's go make a difference.

    Lots of love and hugs

    Simonne xxx

    PS incase you missed the cover reveal, here is a draft copy of the cover.  We've only made a few subtle changes

    Check out Double-Edged Sword's cover!

    26/08/2016 at 12:27 PM

    Hello my beautiful friends!

    I'm excited to finally be able to share the book cover for Double-Edged Sword with you!

    As this is a draft there may be subtle changes when we go to print, but this is pretty much it!

    Double-Edged Sword cover

    Eeeeeeeek! It's like a real book!

    I had a few concepts to chose from and had a hard time choosing between my top two, but this one really spoke to me.

    I love how clean it is.  How it pops.

    It was a hard choice for me not to put my name on the cover as the author, but ultimately, after I wrestled with my ego, I know this works best.

    Otherwise it would have been too much SIMONNE!  I'm inside and on the spine.  That's more than enough!

    So grateful to my talented, award winning cover designer Anna Egan-Reid.  She nailed it! I love it so much!

    Big thanks to Calypso Paoli my photographer too. I love how she captured me.

    Thanks to Louise Nicholas too for her supportive words on the cover and inside.

    We are crazy close to going to print now! 

    Everythings edited, proofread and set.

    Pictures are chosen, layout is done.....I'm just trying to sort copyright permission for a few photos of me from the media, and that's everything!

    It's been hectic and wonderful getting everything ready and I'm feeling blessed so many people are working their arses off to make this happen.

    Also! I have a publicist (feeling very Hollywood) for the launch to help me navigate the media, which I desperately need help with, so yay!

    So really, as soon as these few loose ends are tied up we're going to print.

    Thank you all so much for your patience!

    I love you!

    Simonne xxx

    Hair and make-up by Levonne Scott. Cheers Levonne!

     

     

     

    Publishing update for Double-edged Sword and recap of our progress so far.

    12/07/2016 at 11:49 AM

    Hello beautiful, beautiful people.

    I know it's been ages and I'm sorry I haven't been here sooner to tell you where we're at.

    I've been getting myself ready and power filled for Double-edged Sword to be birthed to the world.

    We don't have an actual print date yet, but we are looking at in stores this spring.

    So much has happened this year, and in the nearly last two years since this campaign began.

    I have so much to tell you, so here goes.  Not necessarily in chronological order.

    Earlier this month the AI for Double-edged Sword went off to it's first book sellers conference with our distributor.  It's all getting very real!  Cover reveal coming soon!

    I'm really lucky that all the way through this process I have had talented caring people who have supported and encouraged me above and beyond any level I could have imagined.

    Here's part of my publishing team. Anna and Sophia are heaven sent, from Mary Egan Publishing, and Andra, my cowriter was a gift from the universe that I gratefully recieved via this very campaign.

    Anna, Sophia, Andra and me.

    So when I say we, you know who I mean!

    My co writer Andra and I sat down together for 16 months and carefully crafted my journals into the story you will read, then edited it for a few more months.  At one stage we didn't think we could get it below 400 pages, but I pulled out my inner ruthlessness and we cut it to pieces and stripped it back to it's bare bones and got it in the 200's.  Yay.  This is just the first book after all.

    Then it went off to be professionally edited by Louise Russell, who's is at the top of her game, and finally was assesed by Mary Egan herself and re edited once more.  Editing seemed like a never ending process, but it's necessary to make sure we put out the best book we can.

    I had a photo shoot for the book cover last month with my dear friend and gifted photographer Calypso Paoli, and very soon I get to show you what Anna, the most fabulous cover designer in the world has come up with.   Hair and make up artist Levonne Scott made me look FINE!  Yay!

    Here's a behind the scenes peek.  My other friend Anna (my other Anna) took the photo of Calypso and I in the studio, and was my driver for the day.

    Getting glammed up by Levonne Scott  for my photo shoot.At the photo shoot. Photo by my other Anna.

     

    We applied for an Creative NZ arts grant in March to cover the last of the printing costs, but didn't get it.  Oh well.  Had to try.  We're ok. 

    In April we applied for the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Mind Body Spirit unpublished manuscript award, but I found out in July we didn't make the finalists for that either.

    The manuscript at that stage had only had it's first edit, and has subsequently had many more, but I sent what I had anyway, just to see.  Here's me at the post office sending it off.  That was the first time I printed it.

    Sending it off to be judged.

    It was really good to put myself out there, and even if it wasn't their cup of tea, I know it's great and that it's going to make a diffence in the world and in some people's lives.

    My next update won't be so far away.

    Thank you so much for all of your patience with me.  I can't wait to finally hold this baby in my hands and share her with the world.  You will be the first to know when!

    Lots and lots of love and gratitude.

    Simonne xxxxx

     

     

    Double-edged Sword Publishing Update

    13/04/2016 at 7:34 PM

    Hello beautiful people!

    Thank you so much for helping me to get this book published.  It is because of you that we've gotten this far.  I couldn't have done it without your support and I will be eternally grateful to each and every one of you. 

    It was even through this pledgeme campaign that I found my amazing cowriter Andra, who helped me turn my journals into the story you will read.  We did a pretty fabulous job, if I do say so myself!

    If you missed the last few updates, I have changed the name to Double-edged Sword from Recalibrate.  Recalibrate was originally Recalibration - signifying my healing journey, which is now the name of my holistic therapy practice, which seems more fitting.

    So! We're getting close!

    Double-edged Sword has had it's final edits and rewrites, (Yay!) and is currently with the cover designer.  She is going to read it over the next few weeks and create a magnificent cover for us.  I'm so excitied to see what she comes up with.

    I'll be sitting down with my team early May to look over her designs and for us to sort out the final production process. 

    As you know, I lowered the target during the campaign, with the hope that perhaps I could get some services donated, including the necessary legal perusal to make sure I don't get sued for defamation... or arrested. I don't think I will, but better safe than sorry.

    I am in talks with a few people about this, but nothing has come to fruition yet, however I remain hopeful.  What would be perfect is a lawyer, or retired lawyer, who is passionate about changing our domestic and sexual violence culture and wants to make a difference so is keen to help. I believe our book will change lives.  Maybe even save them.

    Because it's not a certainty that we can get legal services donated, I have applied for a Creative NZ Arts Grant to help with the rest of the costs to publish.  We find out about that May 20th, so fingers crossed. 

    I also applied for the Ashton Wylie Charitable Trust Unpublished Manuscript Award for the Mind Body Spirit genre. The finalists are announced in July and the winner is announced in August. If I win that, that money will go towards marketing and PR.

    I did a 30 day online book marketing course with BadRedhead Media ealier this year and have lots of tips that will help us too.  Some I'm implementing, some I'm still getting my head around, but it's all steps in the right direction.

    One of the things BadRedhead Media suggests is that we apply for awards, so I can put a big tick in that box.  It was scary.  I printed the manuscript out for the first time to apply for the Ashton Wylie Award and it was so surreal to hold it in my hands.  I spent a while just staring at it rather unbelievingly that I'd been writing it for over ten years and there it was.

    As soon as I have more to tell you I'll be back.

    Lots of love

    Simonne xxx

    PS.  I've added the photo of it at the post office before I sent it off to be judged. xthe manuscript

    2016 Recalibrate/ A Double Edged Sword update round two!

    01/02/2016 at 12:02 PM

    Hello my beautiful team!

    Thank you for sticking by me!

    I typed you an update earlier, but it seems to have got lost in translation, so here we go again for the second time!

    A Double Edged Sword is currently with the editor and we will be to and froing with it over the next few weeks to get it perfect, then we'll be onto the next step at the end of the month. Yay!

    The next step, as I said in my last update is it going to the lawyers to make sure there are no legal ramifications to what we've written.

    Then it's some copy and setting stuff, technical stuff & choosing photos etc...

    Anna, my fabulous cover designer at Mary Egan Publishing and I will work out the cover we want and she'll create it.   Her work is amazing! I'm so lucky!

    Lastly it's proofreading for grammatical errors that may have slipped passed us all...

    Then we print and ebook this baby. And she is my baby.  I can't wait to get her out to you!

    Of course marketing is in there too, pretty much continuously!  I've signed up for a book marketing course this February so hopefully I'll have some handy tips in my back pocket to get my baby out to the wider world.

    Thank you so much for your support and your patience. You rock and I love you!

    Putting myself out here like this has been scary and empowering all at once, but having you by my side has helped immensely and shored up my strength and determination.

    A reminder that it's raw and gritty, contains sex, drugs and violence and is not for the faint hearted...but you already knew that huh?

    During my last read through before I sent it off to be professionally edited I sobbed my heart out and laughed out loud as I read.  I hope you love it as much as I do.

    My editor has informed me it's the best memoir manuscript she's edited and that she has been more emotionally invested and inspired by it than any other survivor story she's read.  She thinks it will help lots of people. Yay!  That's what I want!

    Such high praise from an industry insider who is described by others as one of the best editors in the country.  Yay! I knew it was good, but I'm biased and wasn't sure if I was right.

    If it all comes together as I am envisioning, we should be printing late Autumn. (Spring for those of you in the northern hemisphere)

    As soon as I have a print date and a release date I'll let you know.

    So exciting.  Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me.

    Lots of love

    Simonne xxxx

    A Double Edged Sword. My journey of healing and self-discovery.

     

    2016 Recalibrate/ A Double Edged Sword update

    01/02/2016 at 10:28 AM

    Hello,

    Time for the editor - Your Recalibrate/ A Double Edged Sword update.

    01/12/2015 at 4:17 PM

    Hello beautiful Recalibrate team. 

    I love you all so much. Sorry it's taking me so long.  I haven't forgotten about you!

    I didn't realise I still had access to this site, so have been putting sporadic updates on my facebook author page, which you may have missed.

    Incase you did miss my last update, I have changed the name of my book from Recalibrate to A Double Edged Sword ~ The Simonne Butler Story.  Still a possiblity it could change again...but most probably not.

    Where it's at.

    Andra, my co writer and I have been working all year to turn my journals (thousands of pages) into the story you're about to read.  It's been very full on and exhausting, and a labour of love too.  

    I'm very grateful to her partner taking care of her kids so I can monopolise her time.  Which I have been. We have had many writing sessions into the wee hours.

    We have been trying to condense it down, but are still close to 400 pages.

    Our final read through and edit is happening this week.  After that I'll read it through by myself once too...then it's off to the editor for most of December and January to cut and polish it. 

    There will be a lot of cutting and polishing to get it to the 250 pages I was aiming for!  Once the idea of someone doing that to my work seemed scary to me as a writer and artist, but now it's exciting and I'm looking forward to the new and improved professional edited version.

    After the editor it goes to the lawyers.  I'm not trying to get anyone arrested...least of all me!

    Somewhere in here we will do the cover design, and by we, I mean Anna, my fabulous cover designer at Mary Egan Publishing.   Her work is amazing!

    Then it's proofreading, some copy and setting stuff and possibly a few things I haven't thought of...I'm not quite sure of all the technical names for that bit, then we print and ebook this baby.

    Thank you so much for your support and your patience.  Putting myself out here like this has been daunting, but having you by my side has helped immensly.

    I love you.

    Remember to take good care of yourself.

    I'll let you know how it's going and hopefully soon I'll be giving you the release date.

    Mwah

    Much love

    Simonne xxxAndra and I working from my bedroom this year.

     

     

    Rewards Time and our Newest Team Member

    01/12/2014 at 7:13 AM

     

    Hi Recalibrate team!

     

    Are you good? I hope so! 

     

    I have news…So exciting!

     

    It’s time to introduce our latest member in the Recalibrate publishing team.  Her name is Andra and she is amazing! I’m so grateful to have her straight up and hilarious self helping me.  Together we’re whipping Recalibrate into shape before its professional edit early next year.

     

    I’m feeling ever so brave, having handed over a few hundred pages (finally) to be worked through, by someone that isn’t me.  It had to be done.  I've done as much as I can by myself.  Eeeeekkkkk! So brave!

     

    Andra has a B.A. in English and a diploma of teaching secondary school in English and Media Studies. Yay!  I love teachers! She’s witty and talented, passionate about telling stories, and totally rocks!  Such a perfect fit!  I am so blessed!

     

    I am so grateful to the Universe for bringing me the perfect people at the perfect time, always.  Spinning this hay into gold baby!

     

     

     

    OK – Reward time!

     

    Pledgeme has now captured the last of the pledges.  More excitingness!  Thank you all so much!   I will be emailing each of you for delivery instructions of the rewards you pledged for, if I don’t already have them.

     

    I stand in deep gratitude to First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand, Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic Studies and First Light Natural Health for the products they pledged as rewards.  If you pledged on a Plant Spell, a First Light Natural Health product, or the book The Sacred Plant Medicine of Aotearoa you will be receiving your reward very soon, and your signed copy of Recalibrate, if applicable, will be sent to you as soon as it’s ready.  The thanks in the post will also arrive with you very soon if that is your chosen reward.

     

    The tea-towel will come out at the same time as Recalibrate, and of course, that is when you will see your name on the contributors list in the book too.

     

    The lessons and horse ride by Anna Low Horse Productions are available to be redeemed and if you pledged for those you will receive an email from me this week with instructions on how to organise your reward.  Thank you so much Anna Low Horse Productions for pledging those rewards to my campaign!

    If you pledged for a personal flower remedy and/or a healing session with me, I will email you this week to get the ball rolling.

     

     

     

    I am humbled by, and still in awe at the level of support there is to get Recalibrate published and get my healer self out into the world.  I am so grateful to you all.  Talk soon.

     

    I’ll keep you posted on our progress over summer.

     

    Lots of love

     

    Simonne xxxx

     

     

     

    Thank you all and I love you to bits!

    16/10/2014 at 11:09 PM

    Hi Recalibrate team!!!!
    I can't believe we made it!  Well, I can believe it, because I knew we would, I didn't know how, but I just knew we had to, but it was still a surprise when we did!  A glorious and beautiful surprise!
    It all still feels very out of this world! 
    Next phase begin!  The possibilities are endless!
    Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to this campaign in any way, shape or form.  I am so grateful for all of your kindness, love, support and generosity.  I didn't mention them in the video, but I would also like to give a huge thank you to Robyn and Craig.  THANK YOU, you guys are awesome!!!!

    I have sent a magical call out to the universe for the perfect people to come into the perfect roles for them at the perfect time to make Recalibrate the best it can possibly be.  We are looking for an editor, proof reader, copy editor, ghost/co-writer and lawyer.
    If you feel like you are one of these people, or know some one who is, please contact me at www.simonnebutler.co.nz to see where you fit!  I'd love to work with you!
    If you would like to work with me for your own healing and empowerment then please contact me at www.simonnebutler.co.nz also, and together you and I will come up with a tailored holistic health plan to restore you to optimum health and wellbeing. I can help you let go of the baggage that is weighing you down and move beyond any pain, trauma, anxiety, depression or stress you are currently experiencing, so you can lead a healthy, empowered, happy, self nurturing fulfilled life.
    So much love to you all!
    Simonne
    mwah mwah mwah x 1000

    We made it!

    10/10/2014 at 3:09 PM

    Eeeeekkk! We made it!  I can't believe it!  It really happened! We are going to have Recalibrate in our hot little hands in the very near future!  Now the hard work of putting this together begins!  Bring it on baby!

    Dreams come true and miracles happen!  I'm so giddy I feel like I might faint!

    I'll make you a video telling you all just how much I love you very soon!  Right now I have to go and do all the stuff I have put off so I could keep pushing refresh all day on this campaign!

     

    Lots of love

    Simonne

    1 hour 45 minutes left!

    10/10/2014 at 1:18 PM

    Oh my gosh I have tingles!  It's so close to closing and aything could happen!  Pledges are still coming in!  Thank you all so much for your support!  I couldn't have gotten this far with out you and that's a fact!  I've been feeling like people are probably getting sick of me because I feel like I'm constantly in everyone's faces, but you have all been so awesome and I'm so grateful to you all!

    1 hour 43 minutes and less than 12k to raise!  I'm crossing my fingers!

    Lots of love to you all!

    See you on the other side!

    Simonne xxxx

    1 hour 45 minutes left!

    10/10/2014 at 1:18 PM

    Oh my gosh I have tingles!  It's so close to closing and aything could happen!  Pledges are still coming in!  Thank you all so much for your support!  I couldn't have got this far with out you and that's a fact!  I've been feeling like people ar probably getting sick of me because I feel like I'm constantly in everyone's faces, but you have all been so awesome and I'm so grateful to you all!

    1 hour 43 minutes and less than 12k to raise!  I'm crossing my fingers!

    Lots of love to you all!

    See you on the other side!

    Simonne xxxx

    15 hours left!

    10/10/2014 at 12:29 AM

    Hi team!

    Thank you so much for being here with me!  15 hours to go!  It feels very surreal. I'm praying for a miracle and wishing on every star! (That song "Promised you a miracle" keeps playing in my head.) I know with every ounce of my being that the world is ready for this book and that we are going to do so much good in the world!  We still need 12k, but anything can happen in 15 hours right?

    I wrote Recalibrate to show people that there is a way to heal from anything, no matter how bad. I wrote it to show people that there is a way to take the power back when you have given it away to others. I wrote it to shine a light on the dirty little secret that is abuse in the home. I wrote it because I deeply care about making positive changes in the world and I want to inspire, empower and teach people how to heal themselves completely on every level.
    I wrote it to heal myself, and it worked. Of course I have been actively therapeutically healing myself all the way through as well, however in the process I realised I had so much to give to the world and that so many women  (and human's in general, really) could benefit from reading my story and that by me sharing my experiences on such a deep and personal level maybe it might make some women rethink their relationships and get out while they can. 

    I know publishing Recalibrate is going to make a difference in so many lives and I'm so grateful to all of you that have pledged.

    Please share and pledge!  I'm ever so grateful to you all! xxxx

    3 DAYS LEFT!!!! eeeeeek!!!

    07/10/2014 at 6:42 PM

    3 days to go! Where has the time gone?

    This has been really intense and has completely got me out if my comfort zone!
    I am so grateful to everyone who has invested with me in this. My heart swirls with happiness when I think of you all!
    Today I applied for a bank loan to top up my pledgeme campaign and they said NO! 
    Well, if you don't ask the answer is always no.  I'll throw that in my experiences bucket!
    Please don't feel that a $5.00 or $10.00 pledge will make no difference.  I have been doing some calculations and as it stands we will make target in the next three days if:

    • 3000 people pledge $5.00
    • 1500 people pledge $10.00
    • 750 people pledge $20.00
    • 300 people pledge $50.00
    • 150 people pledge $100.00
    • or even if 3 people pledge $5,000.00 each!

    Also, please remember that you don't have to choose a reward or pledge those set amounts.  You can pledge any amount you choose from $5.00 onwards by typing it in the Make a pledge box here.  Please share my campaign with all of your networks so we can reach target and get Recalibrate out the the world! It's not finished yet!

    Lots of love

    Simonne xxx

    4 days left!!! Why I'm self publishing & healing your self

    06/10/2014 at 2:41 AM

    Kia ora Recalibrate team!

    4 days to go!  I can't believe how quickly the last two months have flown by.  Thank you all so much for being here!  I think I'm going to miss this come Friday!  We are halfway there! $15,755.00 more and we are publishing!

    Thank you so much to everyone who has invested in this campaign already.  You are all so wonderful and I am so grateful!  Thank you to those of you that have shared my campaign, facebook page and youtube videos!  You guys rock!  Please keep sharing hard out for the next four days!!!  Perhaps put a personal note with each share telling people why you want to help and how much of a difference their pledge will make. <3  If you have been thinking about pledging, but haven't yet please do.  Every $5.00 counts!

    Tips from Recalibrate.  If you truely want to heal you have to step up and take charge.  No one can fix you.  That is your job. Others can only guide and support you on your quest.

    True to form my camera cut out a few seconds before I finished what I was saying in the above video...but here it is for you anyway!  What I was saying when it cut out is:

    When something life shattering occurs it is an opportunity for us to put our self and our life back together anew. It is an opportunity to start again and to learn and evolve and become better than we were before in our hearts, our minds and our deeds. It is when we find our inner strength and if we are open to it we can find the learning in the pain, and that is so freeing and empowering.  That is true beauty.

    I wrote Recalibrate to teach this.  Recalibrate is here to inspire, empower and encourage! 

    Thank you so much for helping to make this vision a reality!  Now with 4 days left and 15k to raise, I'm praying for a miracle!  I know miracles can happen!  Fingers crossed!  Toes too!

    Lots of love

    Simonne xxx 

    Pledgeme video update. I'm editing. What people need to know about abuse.

    26/09/2014 at 6:58 AM

    Hi team!  Thanks for being here! 

    I've made us another video!  Check it out! Please share with all of your networks if you feel guided.

    Let's go save the world!

    Lots of love to you all.

    Speaking on the steps of Parliament to Change NZ Shame

    17/09/2014 at 10:34 AM

    This is the speech I gave on Monday on the steps of Parliment to Change NZ Shame and call our poliical leaders to action.  I am doing everything I can to end abuse in this country.  That is partly why I am publishing Recalibrate.  This is such a tricky subject and one that needs to be spoken about continiously if we are ever going to change this violence culture that we live in. 

    Healing and empowerment are two things very close to my heart that I am very passionate about. 

    Every human being has the right to safety and respect and to live their life free from fear, abuse, control, coersion and intimidation.

    26 days to go video update 2

    14/09/2014 at 9:33 PM

    26 days to go!  Countdown is on.  I still don't know how to edit videos.  There is some swearing and lots and lots of ums.

    Stallions offering services

    07/09/2014 at 5:02 PM

    Aspen Hills Shell Fire - Purebred Arabian

    Pembridge Midshipman - Premium Cleveland Bay

    Conbrio - NZ bred black Hanoverian

    Arawa Romeo - Welsh Cob (Sec D)

    Feuertanzer, Purebred Trakehner

    As promised, here are pictures of the magnificent stallions with services on offer as rewards for this campaign.  We are so lucky to have such amazing lines on offer and I am so grateful to all of the studs for their amazing contributions. 

    Lowering the Target

    05/09/2014 at 9:20 AM

    Hi Beautiful People! I have big news! 

    We are lowering the Target.  Partly because services have been donated which I am so grateful for!  Thank you every one that is contributing to getting Recalibrate published. 

    I don't want to let anyone down and I want everyone's hard work and monetary contribitions to count for something.  Recalibrate has been a labour of love (and pain and tears) for me and we all deserve to see this come together.

    The other part is me.  I've had to make concessions about what is important. 

    Getting this story out and empowering people and breeding compassion is what is the most important at the end of the day.  By any means necessary!

    That means me giving up on the fantasy I had in my head of such a magical and fabulous book with maps and photos and indexes and glossaries and timelines and illustrations and all the other things that always made books so special to me.  It was possibly a bit ambitious and a bit naive on my part to want so much for this first book.  I have to be practical.  The story is what is important.  Maybe the second book can have all the bells and whistles, maybe it'll be the third!   It originally was a trilogy!

    The other concession I 've made is the possiblilty of printing in China and lowering the print run.  This was the hardest for me to get my head around as in my mind I really wanted to support New Zealand businesses and I felt so strongly it must be "Made in NZ" and done as sustainably as possible.   No matter where it is printed it will always have the essence of Aotearoa to it.  It just took me a while to undertand that. 

    Yesterday when I made the video update all this was going around in my head but I wasn't ready to admit it to you all, or to myself.  I was fighting this decision tooth and nail.  I was feeling like such a failure to have to make these choices and then own up to you all about them.  But it is not failing.  It is revising, re-assessing and re-establishing.  If something is not going to plan we change the plan and that is what we are doing.  I still want us to make the best book possible, and we will.  Who knows, maybe we can do a special edition down the line and put the bells and whistles in. 

    I love you all so much and I am so grateful to each and every one of you for being here. 

    I would rather make all of these concessions to have Recalibrate published than to hold fast to outworn plans and ideas and not get anywhere.

    Lots of love and more than a few tears

    Simonne xxxx

     

    Massive thank you to you, my pledgeme team, and how we are already helping women around the country.

    04/09/2014 at 6:01 PM

    I just wanted to tell you all how awesome you are and how much I appreciate you and let you know some of the feedback that is coming to me from around the country.  We are changing lives already! xxxx

    Behind the scenes Woman's Day photo shoot

    01/09/2014 at 4:11 PM

     

     

     

    Hi beautiful people!

    This is the behind the scenes horse part of my Woman's Day shoot. Riding bareback and bridleless down Bethells Beach was something I had dreamed of for years. I felt so accomplished and free and capable. This was the first time I'd done it out there. All the rehearsals were in a race, not out in the open. It's only because he is a trained film, television and live event horse that I feel safe enough to do this. What a rush! It was so exhilarating! Thanks Cruise, Anna Low Horse Productions and Woman's Day NZ. xxx

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152351528053354.1073741842.332480863353&type=1

    Woman's Day article

    31/08/2014 at 2:41 PM

    Hello beautiful people!  How are you?  Thank you all that have pledged, donated services to my campaign and liked and shared my campaign and facebook page!  I am so grateful to you all!  A super big thanks to Anna Low for putting me in touch with the right people and contantly helping get this campaign off the ground.  Two and a half weeks in and a little behind target still.  Hopefully that will change!  This week I am in Woman's Day looking very glam!  We did a behind the scenes photoshoot too so I will get those photos up soon.

    More Stallions to meet! + My dream fundraising concert!

    28/08/2014 at 10:16 AM

    I have heaps more stallions to introduce to you! It's amazing. I am constantly in awe at the kindness, generosity and support I am receiving. It feels like I spend half my days lately bursting into tears because am overwhelmed by all of the love and support coming at me. It's pretty freaky. Hard work not being a hermit crab too.
    On a side note, if I had a fundraising concert for Recalibrate, I'd want Rhombus to play! A girl can dream!  This song's getting me through my morning. Lots of love! Simonne xxxx

    Meeting Aspen Hills Shell Fire

    26/08/2014 at 3:04 PM

    Thanking Shell Fire with a kiss

    Riding Shell Fire

    Meeting Shell Fire

    Yesterday morning I got up very early and went to Hamilton to meet Aspen Hills Shell Fire, the magnificent stallion who has five services on offer as rewards for this campaign.  He is truely stunning and has such a beautiful nature.  I even got to ride him.  My first time ever riding a stallion!  So exciting!  I made a video on the way out of Auckland...my skills aren't the best, please forgive me!  Here are a couple of pics as well.  I love the one when we first meet at the stable and are checking each other out!  (Did I mention I rode a stallion!) 

    Jools Topp is lending her support to Recalibrate by Simonne Butler

    22/08/2014 at 6:04 PM

    I am very excited and so grateful to Jools for supporting me to help get this book published.  I feel a little overwhelmed at times by all of the support out there for me and this project.  Check out the video Jools made and share it with your friends and networks to help me get the word out.  49 days to go!!!

    Lots of love

    Simonne xxx

    New rewards!

    21/08/2014 at 5:10 PM

    Hello new followers! Welcome! Thank you so much new pledgers!  I am so grateful for your contribution!  You rock!  I have some very exciting news!  Some wonderfully generous New Zealand Stud Farms have offered Stallion Stud services for me to use as rewards.   Thats right! Wow!!!  I wonder if this sort of reward has been offered before? I'll get them all typed(I'm a bit slow) and loaded soon, but I couldn't wait to tell you.  These horses are truely exquisite and this is such an amazing opportunity.  I am so touched by the generosity and kindness of you all.  Much love, Simonne

    Pre order your copy of Recalibrate

    20/08/2014 at 10:23 AM

    Hi beautiful people! Good morning! 

    I need as much help as I can get!  One week in and I'm a bit behind target!  I'm so wrapt we have got this far though!

    By pledging you can preorder your copy of Recalibrate as well as support a great project and help me get my healing message out to the world!  

    I have some awesome new rewards that I will be listing later today as well so stay tuned!  I'll keep you posted!

    Lots of love

    Simonne xxx

    16/08/2014 at 11:06 AM

    It's been such an amazing and full on week! I can't believe we are over the $2000.00 mark already!      I'm definitely feeling the love.  Trying hard to ignore the hate!

    Thank you so much for your support. It means the world to me. Thank you to everyone that has liked and/or shared my PledgeMe campaign, facebook page, my interviews website. I am so grateful to you all!

    To all of you that have pledged, you are so wonderful! Thank you for believing in me. I'm feeling very special and taken care of! (and a bit teary eyed) xxx  I'm trying to think of some cool ways to update you all...stay tuned!   Much love, Simonne xxx

    I'm trending!

    14/08/2014 at 12:45 PM

    I'm Trending!  Wooohooo! How exciting! Thank you all so much for coming on this journey with me!  I am so humbled by all of your support.  Thank you so much for all pledges.  I can't wait to give you all of your rewards! Feeling a bit special! MWAH xxx

    Huge THANK YOU!

    13/08/2014 at 8:47 AM

    I can't believe we are nearly at $1000.00 and it's only 24 hours in!  It is so exciting for me checking which rewards have been snapped up and I love getting the emails saying I have another follower or pledger!  You guys rock! xxxx  (This is my first update - still got my training wheels on, hopefully I'm doing it right!)

      Holly Roberts
      14/08/2014 at 9:38am
      Whitney Tapara
      13/08/2014 at 10:14pm
      Lisa Tong
      13/08/2014 at 9:42pm
      Jo Gurnell
      13/08/2014 at 9:10pm
      Jackie Chiplin
      13/08/2014 at 8:16pm
      Janet
      13/08/2014 at 7:19pm
      Alicia
      13/08/2014 at 4:26pm
      Leanne Willcox
      13/08/2014 at 9:38am
      Rk
      13/08/2014 at 7:57am
      Anna Low
      12/08/2014 at 10:06pm
      Sophia Egan-Reid
      12/08/2014 at 7:34pm
      Kylie Heath
      12/08/2014 at 7:28pm
      Kelly Norris
      12/08/2014 at 5:27pm
      Avis
      12/08/2014 at 3:00pm
      Kelz May
      12/08/2014 at 2:59pm
      Carissa
      12/08/2014 at 2:33pm
      Carissa
      12/08/2014 at 2:32pm
      Carissa
      12/08/2014 at 2:31pm
      Alex
      12/08/2014 at 1:45pm
      Catherine Jenkin
      12/08/2014 at 12:34pm
      Georgia McGill-Bannan
      12/08/2014 at 12:20pm
      Michelle Glen
      12/08/2014 at 12:02pm
      Mary Egan
      12/08/2014 at 10:46am
      David
      12/08/2014 at 10:25am
      Andrea Hammond
      12/08/2014 at 10:21am
      Kate Lattey
      12/08/2014 at 9:09am

      Followers of Horrific Experience Inspires Unique Book

      This campaign was successful and got its funding on 10/10/2014 at 2:53 PM.