The paperback edition of my book is out on Amazon USA!!! I am really excited about this (can you tell?)
Here's the link - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_at_ep_srch?_encoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books&field-author=Louise%20Gillett
All I need now is for the UK Amazon site to list the paperback - then I can order myself a few copies. I may turn out to be my own first customer. I have to send a copy to the British Library (not being vain, this is the duty of everyone who publishes a book in the UK). And I will send out a few review copies - do let me know if you want to be considered for one of these, obviously on the condition that a review will follow as soon as possible after (you would be free to write whatever you want, of course).
I feel as though a cycle is completed (or very nearly) now. And I am really looking forward to getting the next book out there. I still hope to publish in other genres eventually - not only mental health, not only non-fiction, but at the moment that is the type of writing that is calling me. The working title of the new book is 'How to Recover from a Nervous Breakdown' but if anyone can think of anything more catchy, or less catch-all, please let me know.
The schizophrenia word has served its time as far as I am concerned - whether or not the Commission recommend its abolition (and I have a feeling they will) I don't personally believe in the label any more, for me or for anyone else. 'Nervous breakdown' is just a better, kinder, more humane way to describe extreme emotional suffering.
Anyway, I will stop now - on a high because of the appearance of the paperback on Amazon USA, and resolved not to check for its appearance on the UK site until at least the end of the day. Going off with Toddler and some friends to the beach, to enjoy the wonderful weather. Have a good day, you all!
In the days when I was young,there was a thing called nervous break down. It was quite common among students who had been "overdoing" it. You took 6 months off, had a good rest and recovered. There was no stigma attached to it. I read on the Internet that such a diagnosis doesn't exist anymore. It all gets lumped together with "mental illness" nowadays apparently. Being diagnosed "mentally ill" has stigma attached to it. In those days the psychiatrists,or more often your GP, were actually interested in why you broke down and what brought it all on. They didn't think that you were born with a deffective brain. I am talking about the late fifties here
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the old way was the best way. The focus should definitely be on what leads to a breakdown, and 'mentally ill' is such a horrible term. Thanks for your comment. All the best, Louise.
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