Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
to order
To order any issue of functionally ill, please email me at gmail: robotmad. You can also contact me through the mail at Laura-Marie Taylor, 1728 Richmond St #9, Sacramento CA 95825 USA.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Library Journal review
Functionally ill issues 1 - 3 were reviewed by Library Journal. Here it is.
In addition to discussing physical illness, zine authors write about their mental problems. Laura-Marie's series reveals her experiences with bipolar disorder, explaining in precise detail what the voices in her head sound like. The first issue follows her pursuit of professional help and the question of whether to take medication and what kind. In issue No. 2, she describes going to her initial exam, her doctors, and her decisions about drugs. Issue No. 3 serves as an update, with added information about the types of therapy (e.g., dialectical behavioral therapy and somatherapy) that she tries.
In addition to discussing physical illness, zine authors write about their mental problems. Laura-Marie's series reveals her experiences with bipolar disorder, explaining in precise detail what the voices in her head sound like. The first issue follows her pursuit of professional help and the question of whether to take medication and what kind. In issue No. 2, she describes going to her initial exam, her doctors, and her decisions about drugs. Issue No. 3 serves as an update, with added information about the types of therapy (e.g., dialectical behavioral therapy and somatherapy) that she tries.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
functionally ill #4
I'm happy and proud to announce that issue four of functionally ill is finished and being sent out into the world.
It’s about seeing a new therapist: what she’s like, how we interact, what works for me, and what doesn’t. Themes are how we present ourselves, communication, trust, and therapy’s efficacy.
Like all my zines, it's free or trade, so get in touch with me if you're interested. You can reach me at robot mad (no space) dot gmail dot com.
It’s about seeing a new therapist: what she’s like, how we interact, what works for me, and what doesn’t. Themes are how we present ourselves, communication, trust, and therapy’s efficacy.
Like all my zines, it's free or trade, so get in touch with me if you're interested. You can reach me at robot mad (no space) dot gmail dot com.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
update about #4
I've been working on #4 slowly but surely. So far it's almost entirely about my new therapist and what interacting with her is like.
Today I started to work on the layout. It's going to be another small one like #3. I'm at 21 pages and aiming for 24. So I'm kind of almost done. But those last three pages could take a long time. We'll see.
Today I started to work on the layout. It's going to be another small one like #3. I'm at 21 pages and aiming for 24. So I'm kind of almost done. But those last three pages could take a long time. We'll see.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
a nice mention
Functionally ill #3 gets a nice mention at the end of this review of my friend Dumpster Mouse's zine Against the Flood.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
another Zine World review
Functionally ill #2 got a good-neutral review in Zine World 25.5.
In a brave move to confront stigmas about the mentally ill, Laura-Marie responds to her bipolar diagnosis by "coming out" and writing about it. She questions presumptions, researches the medications she is prescribed, shares information about resources, and generally gets busy with maintaining the growing network of people who refuse to just take their Lithium and shut up. Quote: "There's nothing inherently wrong with [hearing] voices, but if I have a doctor who makes decisions about what medication I should take on the premise that all voices are bad... I might be prescribed drugs that I don't need."--Jaina Bee
In a brave move to confront stigmas about the mentally ill, Laura-Marie responds to her bipolar diagnosis by "coming out" and writing about it. She questions presumptions, researches the medications she is prescribed, shares information about resources, and generally gets busy with maintaining the growing network of people who refuse to just take their Lithium and shut up. Quote: "There's nothing inherently wrong with [hearing] voices, but if I have a doctor who makes decisions about what medication I should take on the premise that all voices are bad... I might be prescribed drugs that I don't need."--Jaina Bee
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
functionally ill #3 is out
Functionally ill #3 is out. It's quarter size and made up of small vignettes on identifying, control, pills, psychiatrists, Somatherapy, DBT, and The Icarus Project. Probably the most attractive thing about this issue is a transcription of my voices. That's also what makes me feel most vulnerable.
If you're interested, please let me know and give me your full address. You can email me at my gmail account (robotmad).
If you're interested, please let me know and give me your full address. You can email me at my gmail account (robotmad).
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Saturday, October 27, 2007
at Sweet Candy
Functionally ill #1 is still being stocked by Sweet Candy Distro, listed under personal zines. Here is the link--I'm at the bottom of the page.
http://www.eyecandyzine.com/zines_D-F.html
http://www.eyecandyzine.com/zines_D-F.html
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Zine World review
Functionally ill #1 got a very favorable review in the latest Zine World. I've received one order as a result so far.
This is about as good as it gets for me. Laura-Marie tackles her fear, her shame, her secrets, and the voices in her head by talking about her journey through the surreal landscape of mental illness and the mental health system. Her no-nonsense writing is clear, concise, and ultimately poignant in its hopefulness. She is completely likable, and casts a profoundly human and compassionate light on anyone we might meet who struggles with mental illness. --Jack
This is about as good as it gets for me. Laura-Marie tackles her fear, her shame, her secrets, and the voices in her head by talking about her journey through the surreal landscape of mental illness and the mental health system. Her no-nonsense writing is clear, concise, and ultimately poignant in its hopefulness. She is completely likable, and casts a profoundly human and compassionate light on anyone we might meet who struggles with mental illness. --Jack
Monday, May 21, 2007
update about #3
Issue 3 is slow going. I find myself with much less to say now that this is no longer new. But I have faith that issue 3 will happen one day. So far the most compelling thing I have is transcription of my voices--I wrote down some of the things they were saying. Erik found it really interesting.
Today I got an email from possibly the biggest distro in the US wanting to carry functionally ill issues 1 and 2, but I'm sure they'll change their mind when they read my email back saying that they're free. Very few distros want to put something free in the catalog. But I said I would send some anyway to give away if they want. We'll see.
Today I got an email from possibly the biggest distro in the US wanting to carry functionally ill issues 1 and 2, but I'm sure they'll change their mind when they read my email back saying that they're free. Very few distros want to put something free in the catalog. But I said I would send some anyway to give away if they want. We'll see.
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