That whole "protect the author's voice" spiel sounds scarily like PA.
Actually, quite a bit of that sounds like PA.
Run. And run fast.
Actually, quite a bit of that sounds like PA.
Run. And run fast.
This is my new publisher and though the contract is a bit unorthodox, it is not as low as VS wrote.
To get a book out that dispells the myths of mental illness is more important than money to me.
The skill sets of professors and editors are not the same. I say this as someone who has worked in university publishing, in commercial publishing, and as a university lecturer in English.I have no problem with volunteers doing the editing because some of them are Harvard professors
Books only have the chance to be widely read if they are widely distributed.this is a niche book with a chance to be widely read.
I am very confused by this statement. You are not self-publishing; you are publishing with Chipmunka. If your book enjoys success despite Chipmunka's lack of a strong distribution network, Chipmunka is not going to "let you out of your contract."If that turns out to be the case, then like many other self published authors I would be let out of my contract.
Bullshit. Seriously, I am saying "Bullshit" to this claim. Please provide a specific example of this anywhere in this thread. (Note: People citing Mr. Pegler's memoir for instances of his irresponsible behavior are not perpetuating a stigma about people living with mental illness--they are citing someone's self-reporting of his own past actions, some of which may strike them as worthy of concern.)In any case, I see the stigma in this thread against mentally ill people actually being productive, lucid and successful writers.
Hi. My name is Andy and I've been diagnosed as clinically depressed.In any case, I see the stigma in this thread against mentally ill people actually being productive, lucid and successful writers. Some are, and we might be the 10% Chipmunka's website speaks about.
mayaone:
I did read the contract and while this is my first published book, I have published poems and articles before and do spoken word.
mayaone:
I have no problem with volunteers doing the editing because some of them are Harvard professors and I have been writing and editing my book for five years and think I have caught most of my errors.
mayaone:
I don't know Mr. Pegler personally but his mission is worthy and my book is worthy if it helps other people who have agoraphobia.
mayaone:
I want to get my book out there with a publisher and this is a niche book with a chance to be widely read.
mayaone:
If that turns out to be the case, then like many other self published authors I would be let out of my contract.
mayaone:
In any case, I see the stigma in this thread against mentally ill people actually being productive, lucid and successful writers.
mayaone:
I am looking forward to promoting my book at book fairs, on the web, and with speaking engagements both locally and nationally.
mayaone:
If those royalties find their way to my pocket, fine, but I am perfectly fine with the mentally ill being helped and I don't think that means Mr Peglars pockets.
mayaone:
Sometimes yhou have to follow your gut instincts and trust.
In any case, I see the stigma in this thread against mentally ill people actually being productive, lucid and successful writers.
In any case, I see the stigma in this thread against mentally ill people actually being productive, lucid and successful writers.
Hackie, is the Arts Council on crack?
"Our mental health books give a voice to writers with mental illness around the world."
'It is you putting your faith in me and publishing my book that first set me on the road to recovery. That is priceless' -- from an author
Not being the least bit flippant, but that seems like a slush pile fraught with peril. What if they hadn't published the authors who offer testimonials for their books such as Suicide Junkie and A Cry For Help? Sorry, I just had to wonder out loud.
A "horse" who had bi polar illness during the writing of the book I am told. Should a person who has a mental illness tell the story as he sees it at the time no matter what is in it. My book has secrets that aren't pretty either and I am not branding myself as a mental health expertThe defamatory bits are quotes from a published book. So they may or may not be true, but they are from the horse's mouth.
Avoid the publisher because he wrote a book about his experiences, real or notI think that avoiding a press whose main claim to fame is its publisher's own autobiography is a smart move for everyone.
That is not Chimpmunka's claim to fame. It is the vision that people with mental illness have a right to be heard and the public has a need to hear it, feel it and know it
If the passages quoted are accurate representations of the autobiography, I would be inclined to avoid the publisher as well as his press.
It looks to me like they're deliberately targeting themselves at authors with mental health problems (supported by their links with mental health charities and their presence at psychological conventions) and make a pitch about how they're a mental health publisher aimed at breaking down the taboos about mental health.
That in itself is a warning sign for me - it's a publisher that's targeting authors to write their story, rather than targeting readers who might want to know about mental health.
Given that they claim 45% of authors come from recommendations by mental health charities, it would be worthwhile knowing why those charities reccomend people to them and what they think the benefit is. While I think that there are many people with mental health issues for whom writing would be a benefit, I can't help but think that such writers would be better going to a publisher who is at least prepared to negotiate contracts because there are several things on the Chipmunka website that leave open the appearance that authors could be taken advantage of - especially those who may not know how publishing is supposed to work, i.e. money flowing to the author.
This is wrong. They are a niche publisher and like any niche publisher they reach out to their audience. That is what I will do when I market my book. Is it possible that "such' writers know how publishing works better than you think and they go to Chipmunka either after other publishers reject them for any reason or they feel more comfortable with a publisher who understands how hard it is to tell a story that "outs" you
MM
As I said, I might well be wrong: but I'm sure I read that somewhere. I was horrified at the time, and if they HAVE received such a grant my feelings have not changed.
ETA: if you look at the front page of the Chipmunka website you'll see a note thanking Arts Council England for its support. Yep, I am officially horrified.
I think the major concern that people are expressing is that this publisher may not have the distribution network or expertise to get your book out widely.
I think Chipmunka knows how to market and distribute their books. If you have proof otherwise, please let me know
The skill sets of professors and editors are not the same. I say this as someone who has worked in university publishing, in commercial publishing, and as a university lecturer in English.
Books only have the chance to be widely read if they are widely distributed.
I am very confused by this statement. You are not self-publishing; you are publishing with Chipmunka. If your book enjoys success despite Chipmunka's lack of a strong distribution network, Chipmunka is not going to "let you out of your contract."
Bullshit. Seriously, I am saying "Bullshit" to this claim. Please provide a specific example of this anywhere in this thread. (Note: People citing Mr. Pegler's memoir for instances of his irresponsible behavior are not perpetuating a stigma about people living with mental illness--they are citing someone's self-reporting of his own past actions, some of which may strike them as worthy of concern.)
mayaone:
The stigma against mental illness is subtle and condescending as well as blatant and outrageously discriminatory. I have lived it and had to hide it all my life.
mayaone:
Why? do you know something this prestigious organization doesn't
mayaone:
A slush pile fraught with peril because the authors are mentally ill, noy good writers or because they are grateful to be recognized?
mayaone:
A "horse" who had bi polar illness during the writing of the book I am told. Should a person who has a mental illness tell the story as he sees it at the time no matter what is in it. My book has secrets that aren't pretty either and I am not branding myself as a mental health expert
mayaone:
Avoid the publisher because he wrote a book about his experiences, real or not
mayaone: (BOLDING MINE)
This is wrong. They are a niche publisher and like any niche publisher they reach out to their audience. That is what I will do when I market my book. Is it possible that "such' writers know how publishing works better than you think and they go to Chipmunka either after other publishers reject them for any reason or they feel more comfortable with a publisher who understands how hard it is to tell a story that "outs" you
mayaone: (BOLDING MINE)
Is it possible that "such' writers know how publishing works better than you think and they go to Chipmunka either after other publishers reject them for any reason or they feel more comfortable with a publisher who understands how hard it is to tell a story that "outs" you
mayaone:
I meant that he might sell his rights subsidary rights to a larger publishing house if the book is somehow enjoys sucess. Tell me why they are not distributed properly.
mayaone:
Tell me why they are not distributed properly.
mayaone:
I think any small publishing house has some of the problems that are mentioned here. I think with the economy and changes in the publishing world, we all have to self promote market, platform etc. If you are a midlist author in a big house you won't get the kind of attention that a small publisher might be able to give you.
The stigma against mental illness is subtle and condescending as well as blatant and outrageously discriminatory.
I have said I am here to learn and am not wanting my opinion to be heard. I want, however to speak for others with agoraphobia and other anxiety disorders. I think my publisher does speak for the mentally ill and help them. I am studying all the threads and learning. I feel I am being misunderstood. I am new and if I offended anyone I am sorry but I don't feel my publisher is like PA. My son, Jason Luis Hawaii Rivera, who wrote "Sorrows Crows" with them and is severely mentally ill wouldn't let anyone edit his wonderful book of poetry and it has spelling errors on every page They allowed him to publish it and suggested his family and friends buy the book so I do know a bit about bad vanity publishers. I am not saying anyone on this board is against the mentally ill, just saying that the stigma against menally ill persons is so subtle and widespread as well as misunderstood that sometimes you have to be in it to truly understood the pain. I think my publisher was in it and truly feels for the people that he is helping. He can't do it by himself. He is just starting out. I know I can get my book at least in my local bookstores and go from there. I apologize if I offended anyone. It was not my intention. I will look into every suggestion and see how I can do it better. Much aloha from Hawaii Maya
Bolding mineI am here to learn and am not just wanting my opinion to be heard. I want, however to speak for others with agoraphobia and other anxiety disorders. I think my publisher does speak for the mentally ill and help them. I am studying all the threads and learning. I feel I am being misunderstood. I am new and if I offended anyone I am sorry but I don't feel my publisher is like PA. My son, Jason Luis Hawaii Rivera, who wrote "Sorrows Crows" with them and is severely mentally ill wouldn't let anyone edit his wonderful book of poetry and it has spelling errors on every page They allowed him to publish it and suggested his family and friends buy the book so I do know a bit about bad vanity publishers. I am not saying anyone on this board is against the mentally ill, just saying that the stigma against mentally ill persons is subtle and widespread as well as misunderstood that you have to be in it to truly understood the pain. I think my publisher was in it and truly feels for the people that he is helping. He can't do it by himself. He is just starting out. I know I can get my book out at first to my local bookstores who support local writers and go from there. I apologize if I offended anyone. It was not my intention. I will look into every suggestion and see how I can do it better. Much aloha from Hawaii Maya
Wait. What? If a publisher is making a lot of money and donating it to mental health agencies...I'm lost. Are you implying you'd rather your publisher withhold your royalties -- money to which you are entitled as stipulated in whatever contract you've signed with them -- and donate them to mental health agencies? IANAL but isn't that borderline illegal? Take the money and donate it yourself. You'll be able to take the deduction.Thank you for your good wishes.. What I meant is that in general anywhere, there is a peception that the homeless and mentally ill of which I advocate for are somewhat less than. I see this in my work with the homeless/mentally ill as well as when I was not "acting normal" according to society. I don't know everyone on this board, and I am sorry to have made a wrong impressiion but I still say in general, there would be a percentage in any large group, that have a misconception about the above population. AS for the above comment, I appreciate the common sense of it, but don't think it applies to Chipmunka. Anyone who is a genius such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Columbus, were scoffed at by others who didn't believe in their vision. I don't think because the CEO of Chipmunka is a published author that he is not motivated to promote other authors. I think that's his mission. I also don't think his books can't be in bookstores. I just read that if he does POD publishing with Lightening Source, his books will be in the catalog of
http://absolutewrite.com/novels/how_to_get_your_self.htm
Ingram Baker, and be available in bookstores and Chipmunka uses LS please see above link
Also, I think Chipmunka does marketing with a special knowledge of the niche they are dealing with and have good relations with that niche and won many awards so they are in the know in mental health publishing. Maybe they are the only mental health publisher.
AS for industry standard, I agree with you there but I think Chipmunka is a work in progess and they are improving this all the time. I hope I don't get screwed from them but as in life there are no guarantees. It is more that they have the same disease, its that they are advocating for good authors with the disease. In addition. I am partnering with mental health agencies in the USA and will do my best to sell my book. Now, two things might happen. I will not make money and then my publisher won't either, or I sell a lot of books, don't make money but my publisher does and donates it mental health agencies or I won't make money but I will work my buns off to make the subject of agoraphobia known and my fellow sufferers feel better to not be alone in this truly invisible disease. I will have fun and meet a lot of people traveling around with my couchsurfing team or I will make money. Either way I win. or someone does. I have already made more friends writing and trying to get published than I did in my years in the closet. I hope someone here will be my friend too. Aloha Maya
Anyone who is a genius such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Columbus, were scoffed at by others who didn't believe in their vision.
I also don't think his books can't be in bookstores. I just read that if he does POD publishing with Lightening Source, his books will be in the catalog of
http://absolutewrite.com/novels/how_to_get_your_self.htm
Ingram Baker, and be available in bookstores and Chipmunka uses LS please see above link
Also, I think Chipmunka does marketing with a special knowledge of the niche they are dealing with and have good relations with that niche and won many awards so they are in the know in mental health publishing. Maybe they are the only mental health publisher.
AS for industry standard, I agree with you there but I think Chipmunka is a work in progess and they are improving this all the time.
Now, two things might happen. I will not make money and then my publisher won't either
or I sell a lot of books, don't make money but my publisher does and donates it mental health agencies
or I won't make money but I will work my buns off to make the subject of agoraphobia known and my fellow sufferers feel better to not be alone in this truly invisible disease. I will have fun and meet a lot of people traveling around with my couchsurfing team