Mission Statement
Yorwick Castle Publishing is a recently founded indie publishing house in Maine dedicated to representing those who identify as “monsters” or who explore that which is labeled monstrous in history, mythology, society and art. This includes, but is not limited to various types of mental and physical disability, disability culture and disability in culture as well as historical perceptions of disability.
We want to hear from those who are inspired by the stories of those abandoned on the outskirts of history. Those who were labeled “monsters”, “gargoyles” and “others” because of who they were – severely disfigured veterans, circus freaks, people with disabilities, women professionals in male-dominated fields, and other outcasts.
We aim to break pop cultural stereotypes for representing disability such as the vengeful disabled villain, or the disabled superhero who erases his physical limitations with supernatural powers or futuristic technology. Although our characters may be permanently disabled or visibly disfigured we want to write and publish stories not about “disabled people” but “people with a disability”. Human beings with feelings and thoughts and desires, who happen to have physical differences. They do not long for either a miracle cure or an honorable death but simply live their lives, having dangerous adventures, forming romantic attachments and loyal friendships.
Our goal is to create a comfortable space for open and productive conversation for authors with disabilities, anybody who creates disabled characters or finds them relatable, or those who feel “bothered” and “alienated” by mainstream society and culture. We do not expect our authors to compromise their vision in order to discover their readers. We will find our audience together as a group of like-minded individuals.
We accept submissions of graphic novels and prose, both fiction and non-fiction. Our preferred genres are historical, mystery, thriller, Gothic, adventure, contemporary and fantasy.
A portion of the profits from our publications will be donated to charities such the Autism Society of Maine and Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation, among others.
Call for Submissions!
We’re launching our debut anthology, Blue Benches: Self-Portrait of a Monster. Learn more and submit your art and writing here: Blue Benches: Self-Portrait of a Monster