Chipmunkapublishing
The Mental Health Publisher
Chipmunkapublishing is the Mental Health Publisher. Our mental health books give a voice to writers with mental illness around the world.
'We need to build on the great work that social entrepreneurs like Jason Pegler are doing'
David Cameron - Conservative Party Leader
'Jason Pegler is inspirational to a great many people in the UK service user movement. I am amazed how he does it '
Paul Farmer - Chief Executive of Mind
Most of our mental health books are written by people with mental health issues. We also give a voice to family members of people with mental health issues and other disabilities. Titles include autobiographies/memoirs, fiction, poetry, anthologies, stories written by carers, self help books, academic works and much more.
We are a unique social enterprise focused on publishing both factual and creative literature. We want to reduce the humiliation that people with "mental illness" feel by being the main publisher of the mental health literary genre. We give people with mental illness a voice so that they can have the opportunity and positive mindset to lead better lives and hopefully full recoveries. Do not let your children grow up not understanding people with mental health issues. Let's improve society so that mental health artists can empower people with mental health issues and be equal in society. Then they can shape their future and help others.
We work with the government, health services, the media, mental health organisations, charities and private businesses to successfully publish and promote literature that brings a positive attitude towards mental health issues. Chipmunkapublishing aims to break down the stigma on mental illness once and for all.
Chipmunkapublishing gratefully acknowledge the support of Arts Council England.
All our books are available to order now online. Our books are either in stock or available to order from 4.5 million bookshops and online stores worldwide.
Author Testimonials
'It is you putting your faith in me and publishing my book that first set me on the road to recovery. That is priceless'
David Stocks - RADAR, Empowerment Manager
'Chipmunka have discovered a priceless secret. One far more precious than jewels'.
Fiona Whelpton author of A Cycle Path
'The positive way in which people have reacted to my book has boosted my self-esteem and empowered me. It's really pleasing to know that so many people are interested in hearing about my experiences of illness and recovery, and value what i have to say, it has confirmed to me that i have knowledge and skills that i can use to help other people, by supporting them, advocating on their behalf and hopefully empowering them - and being able to empower another human being is, of course, a very empowering thing."
Jason Tune author of Sex Drugs and Northern Soul
'Seeing my book published has strengthened my resolve to carry on raising awareness of mental illness and help to reduce the associated stigma'.
Judith Haire author of Don't Mind Me
'I always say that, if i had seen someone on TV talking about body dysmorphic disorder or seen it in a magazine, i might have recognised what i myself was suffering from and sought help sooner. I might have recognised what i myself was suffering from and sough help sooner. I suffered for fifteen years in silence. If i have been seen by just one person that felt as i did, if seeing me on TV has helped one person, then i have achieved more than any other kind of fame could hope for. A few years ago, leaving the house and being seen was my biggest fear, now, years on, i have done live TV! It really shows how my work has helped me recover'.
Steve Westwood author of Suicide Junkie
'I want to teach English to students and I am now confident because I have eight books published. That did not happen over night. It happened gradually like an awakening, like a dream that would open and close and wounds would be healed and of course this happened because Jason and people like Jason were and are still there'. Jason, while providing a rock of support, toiled to widen the net of opportunity. National Newspapers and television programs climbed aboard. The Trisha Goddard Show gave me a greater platform to discuss OCD. The whole ethos of CHIPMUNKA really does ‘empower’ those individuals who are faced with the challenges of mental disorder. Through their dedication I was encouraged by the whole enterprise'. 'I found writing therapeutic, and that my books can help others was always foremost in my mind. The hope that my experiences would give hope to parents that were faced with the same outlook that I was given, that my child would never walk or talk, she is now running and chatting non stop, is reward enough for me. I am now achieving far more awareness from my second book A Football Goalpost Killed My Son. The media have followed my campaign which has helped me to reach a wide audience through my books. I have had television and radio interviews and also been put forward for awards, all because I have been given the chance by Chipmunkapublishing to have my work published. When I had my books published, it gave me such joy, also fulfilment in what I had achieved. I have made contacts world wide, especially since my second book has been published and I am still fighting to achieve legislation for safer football goalposts but now I feel I am not on my in my campaign'. 'Jason, I would like to thank you for putting my work out there in the publishing world. Writing my 3 books really was something I felt compelled to do. After writing one – my story – I went straight on to doing some research about mental health promotion, seeing that as the way forward when you have suffered mental health difficulties. I sent you my manuscript and you amazingly published it. It has also helped me to get work – I went on a service user employment programme at my local mental health trust, and then went straight into a job working with other service users. The fact that I had written about my experiences helped me get the job, and also inspired other service users to read my story. The local mental health trust has also purchased various Chipmunka books for the wards, so word has spread. I think it really helps for those who experience mental health difficulties to write about their experiences and to write poetry, and also for this information to be available to others who are going through the process and need some insight. Writing my story and writing poetry has helped me. It has enabled me to get my views out there. Before, I never would have thought I could have been a published author – I mean what had I to say? Now I have the authority that goes with it. My first book Move Over Manic Depression – Here I Am is my straightforward story, which includes some poetry for mental health, which I actually wrote beforehand and sent to my psychiatrist who told me he shared it with the community mental health team'. 'Chipmunka have published three of my books; the effect of having my work published has been tremendously positive, my confidence has increased and I now feel able, through my creative work, to engage fully with the world and to move beyond the confines of the psychiatric system. I have held three book launches that have been attended by service users, professionals and others. I believe that my experience with Chipmunka Publishing has helped me to encourage other local writers, artists and musicians who have, or have had, mental health problems. I am in contact with an expanding group of creative individuals who would like to get their work seen, heard and read'.
'Writing 'Sticks and Stones' was a cathartic experience for me personally. I trained as a psychiatric nurse and am also a survivor of mental illness. I have spent 30 years fighting stigma and discrimination of mental illness. My book has promoted respect, empathy, and hope for readers who have also experienced mental illness. I am indebted to Chipmunka for giving me this opportunity' Lawrence Butterfield Overall, I enjoyed the writing; it felt good despite the tears – and I was supported by my family throughout the journey I found myself on. I always thought I would find a publisher or an agent until I actually tried and realised how difficult the market is – and so I was delighted in finding a publisher who took me seriously and published me. I can still remember the moment I held my own book in my hands for the first time – and I still love to do so! I have had the pleasure of many great reviews so far, and even a couple of people who have told me that reading my book saved their lives. In my opinion, that makes it all worthwhile.” From someone who needs help, I became someone who needs help, I became someone who gives help and that is a wonderful feeling - Renata Azman ‘With his spot-on values, hard work and with entrepreneurial skills very evident, Jason has carved out a prominent role for himself in the mental health service user/survivor movement. His publishing house broke new ground when it was launched, airing user and carer stories that need to be heard, but had no outlet until Chipmunka came along. The quality of Chipmunka's output cannot be faulted, nor can the power of the tales told, but none of the material would have emerged and proved so moving without Jason's achievements.’ Alisdair Cameron - Coordinator of Launchpad
-e-books - You will be amazed - hundreds of empowering real life stories and many more to follow. Chipmunkapublishing is creating a new genre of literature to empower the service user and break down the last taboo. - You will be amazed - hundreds of empowering real life stories and many more to follow. Chipmunkapublishing is creating a new genre of literature to empower the service user and break down the last taboo. Adding value to people with mental illness helps economies. Enabling them to empower themselves saves lives. That means that by logging on now and purchasing our books or donating, you may have just been able to save a life. Support the humanitarian rights of the "mentally ill" and you will save the lives of people today and even future generations. Buy Chipmunkapublishing books, donate, work in partnership or volunteer your expert services today.
Fatma Durmush author of 8 Chipmunkapublishing titles
'Jason took my unusual predicament, in his stride, and offered much more than just a very good publishing service. He enabled me to help others being dragged along a similar path. After publishing A Cry For Help he worked tirelessly to provide me with a network of opportunities to promote my work, thus helping to raise OCD awareness.
Initially, extremely nervous, I was surprised by the positive feedback due to Jason's campaign. An article in 'That's Life' magazine and the Local Newspaper inspired a number of people, totally uneducated regarding OCD, to purchase my accounts and fathom my actions. Local people started to grasp the realities of OCD. The attitude of condemnation was very gradually replaced, in many cases, by sympathetic understanding.
Encouraged by Jason, I strived to help people understand the condition and, where needed, seek professional help. I had an issue with my 'intrusive thoughts', feeling embarrassed and totally isolated, opting to go to jail rather than admit to having them'.
Stephen Drake - author of A Cry For Help
'When I submitted the final version to Jason Pegler, the CEO of CHIPMUNKA, I was impressed by his belief in me when he agreed to publish my work. He, and Paul Kirven and Andrew Latchford supported me throughout the publishing process, from initial e-book to the current paperback edition.
The necessity of the use of the Internet gave me a newfound confidence, and the contact aided presentation and promotion. What was initially a potential source of anxiety, became a time of evolving into a forward thinking, creative person.
Robert Bayley author of Lives Within A Life
As I had also lost a child in tragic circumstances I included a chapter about my son Jonathan, who had died when an unsafe football goalpost fell on him and killed him. Since Jonathan had died I have campaigned to highlight the dangers of unsafe football goals eventually putting all the details of my campaign into my second book.
Brenda Smith author of A Football Goalpost Killed My Son
Inspired, I then went on to write my third book which is about overcoming depression. I had 3 e-books out, now 3 published books. I have had two book launches, one in the local hospital and one on the travelling bus advertising mental health promotion. Also, there have been a couple of articles in the local paper to which I have contributed, about my experiences of depression, and I was interviewed about a mother/daughter relationship when the mother has had mental health difficulties. I have learned a great deal.
Chipmunkapublishing author Anne Brocklesby
Chipmunkapublishing author Maureen Oliver
To have found a publisher who takes my writing seriously is very rewarding and I’m gratified that my writing has reached out to others. It is comforting to know that there are readers out there who have been able to identify with the things that have happened to me, and also to examine their own circumstances and see that it’s possible to move on with their lives. As a result of having my books published I have been asked on numerous occasions to be involved in in-service training to mental healthcare professionals. The readings from my books have been very well received, even leading to book sales. This has helped to make my efforts feel validated and valued, something every author needs, even more so when that author had an invalidating childhood.
Chipmunkapublishing author Marie Berger
Chipmunka author Katy Sara Culling author of Dark Clouds Gather