Hey everyone! So, originally I had a very boring post set up to post about how I don’t feel like writing Chaos & Kuryo’s story today. Real thrilling, I know. BUT! Then I was asked for a guest post about publishing and wham! Not only did I write up a post about self-publishing and mental illness (two of them, actually), but I had an idea! A very interesting idea, if you ask me.
Here it is: Wouldn’t it be epic (to say the least) if I was to start a publishing company dedicated to the fiction stories of people with mental illness?
I mean, hear me out. I know there are a bunch of writing collectives out there like ‘the mighty’ and ‘the bipolar writer’ blog. But where do we, the mentally ill, publish our fiction? Well, probably indie, you see. But that’s a space wherein there’s already a TON of neurotypicals out there, publishing stuff that neurotypicals want to read. So where is the space dedicated to the mentally ill people’s fiction?
I don’t think we have one, simply put. We’re just starting to have spaces to talk about getting better and expressing our experiences. Our fiction, as of yet, is still mixed in with everyone else’s.
But, here’s another thing. I’m quite sure that people with mental illness have pretty bizarre and interesting ideas, which would make for very unique and interesting stories that step out of the ordinary. I think this could really be a fun initiative!
Sad fact: I have no idea how to go about making this happen. Anyone, any ideas? How would one go about doing this? Is this something that anyone would be interested in participating in? Give me your thoughts!
Unhinged and unenlightened 
I think this publishing house does some neurodivergent stuff. https://autonomous-press.myshopify.com/
I am sure there is more out there. I’ll look around.
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Ooo interesting! Thanks for sharing!
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You’re welcome. I talked to an editor friend of mine and was recommended these places:
This webzine focuses on disabilities of all kinds: https://www.abilitymaine.org/submission-guidelines
a D/deaf poetry magazine that also accepts works on other disabilities: https://www.deafpoetssociety.com/submit
12th planet press isn’t neurodiverse focused but has published work on the topic: http://www.twelfthplanetpress.com/
Capricious SF also is open to disability stuff, which I can confirm myself because a friend of mine got their mental-illness-related story published with them. https://www.capricioussf.org/
lastly, this editor said that trans publishing houses are often very open to neurodiverse, disability, and autistic stuff so that’s something to keep in mind.
there’s one more thing to note, but I’d rather PM you if that’s ok?
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PM away! đ these links are awesome, thanks for sharing!
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My pleasure!
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Mdaoust245@gmail.com if you’re searching for my email đ
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