The Story Behind Zachary’s Cry

Every story starts somewhere.

For me, Zachary’s Cry began not with a plot, but with a feeling — a sense of emotional weight carried over from real-life experiences that had stayed with me long after the moment passed. Over the years, in both Zimbabwe and South Australia, I had come across stories of vulnerability, misjudgement, and resilience. Some were from my own professional life, others shared by people I’ve known. Each one touched on the same raw questions: What happens when systems fail? How do ordinary people respond to extraordinary moral choices? And how far will someone go to protect a child who was never meant to survive?

Rather than tell one person’s story, I set out to craft a novel that draws from many. I moulded real experiences into something fictional — not to obscure the truth, but to illuminate it. What emerged is Zachary’s Cry — a contemporary novel that blends human tragedy and frailty with quiet acts of courage, set against the backdrop of rural South Australia.

At its heart is Zachary, a severely disabled child born in secret and left to die. But against all odds, he survives — and reshapes the lives of everyone around him. His story is one of pain, yes, but also of transformation. Through Zachary, we see the best and worst of those who cross his path: a terrified teenage mother; a principled, overseas-trained country doctor originally from Zimbabwe; a determined foster family; and a legal system struggling to keep up.

Zachary’s Cry is a story about disability, justice, and family love. But it’s also about how ordinary people respond to extraordinary circumstances — and how redemption can sometimes begin in the quietest places.

I hope readers find the novel compelling. More importantly, I hope they find it believable. Because while the characters may be fictional, the emotions that shaped them — fear, regret, tenderness, resilience — are deeply real.

Zachary’s Cry will be released on Monday, 23rd June 2025.

Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes posts, character insights, and updates in the lead-up to launch. You can find out more at my website:

👉 www.authormichaelchalk.com

Cover to Zachary's Cry