Erewhon Press is looking into the possibility of developing an ASD list: books about autism spectrum disorder written specifically for New Zealanders.
I invite anyone who has an interest in ASD to take this brief online survey, or email me at damian.love@erewhonpress.com, or leave a comment on this post. The Press has an in-house familiarity with the autistic spectrum.
I’d like to know whether people feel such books are needed. Are there potential good books that are not being written due to a lack of publishing options? Would a small dedicated autism list with expert advisors, committed to nurturing projects and providing supportive high-quality editing, be likely to stimulate beneficial books that would not otherwise happen? Which of the following categories should be priorities?
- Research. Research on the diagnosis and treatment of ASD in specifically New Zealand contexts, while often best disseminated in journals, may in some cases be suitable for a monograph, especially if it aims to reach a national audience of practitioners as a work with ongoing reference value or makes a sustained argument for a shift in national practices and policies.
- Education. Books of practical use to professionals, families and individuals with ASD. These might include textbooks tailored to New Zealand health and education systems, guidance for families on finding and making the most of available resources, and works concerned with advocacy or community awareness.
- Inside views. It is important that individuals and families affected by ASD have a voice. Authors might benefit from a local publisher of first resort that has knowledge of the field and is willing to work with them to develop promising projects.
All opinions are welcome. I’d also like to hear from experienced or qualified individuals who might be interested in acting as advisors, peer reviewers, or general editors.
Erewhon Press 
Inside Views: As an adult aspie that’s something I need. The experience of others like me to relate to. Its so important for we who seemed destined to do life alone, that we realise we are not alone. Stories to relate to about being cut down by misunderstanding work colleagues. About celebrating the trying, while limiting and moving on from the failing. About celebrating the grand projects we invest into, that just bewilder those we open up to, who response just deflates us.
There’s a lot of humour in our stories all people with aspergers syndrome could exclusively relate to. Humour that proves we are not alone and that what we do matters. There’s the grand failures of daring to trust too much, that need to be celebrated for trying rather than flinched from.
Our loneliness, our depression, but most of all our strengths and triumphs need recognition.
Mayhap in years to come an adult could be handed such a book of stories at the same time it was suggested they may have Aspergers Syndrome.
Keep up the good work!
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Thanks for your interest Phil, it is appreciated.
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Its a very good question but without a straight answer. Because the spectrum is so wide and each person is so different its almost impossible to write a definitive book on Autism.
To add to this there are so many who have vested interests who deliberately create diversion and confusion to ply their personal agenda which often includes financial gain and power.
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be writing/compiling books.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/419209948238452/
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