Social issues and sociology
Graeme Axford has been battling Government bureaucracies for the last 30 years. His profound dyslexia has turned him into a sharp, logical thinker on his feet and in courtrooms and tribunals and Government departments throughout New Zealand. He has helped over 10,000 people navigate the Public Service obstacle course seeking redress. The Subtle Game of Obstruction identifies the tactics he believes are used by Government Ministries to avoid accountability when they are cornered. 100 copies - print on demand. Cover by Briar's Books and Graeme Axford (using AI).
A second book by Graeme Axford after he was asked to submit his findings on client experience with Government Social Service Ministries to a Parliamentary Select Committee. He decided to turn his case into an 88-page book, Who Dares WINZ (Work & Income, NZ). As a severely dyslexic man the author tried to use AI and assistive technology to create his book. He almost succeeded but not knowing the requirements of print (or the shortcomings of AI) his use of text prompts fell short and he needed BriarsBooks to rescue him. Cover design by BriarsBooks and Graeme Axford/AI. Print-on-demand by Copypress, Nelson.
The Rise of the Guardian Elite
Sean Devine
Beware! - the Elite
500 copies, written by a NZ scientist and academic inveighing against the rise of an elite class of people - megaphone in hand - who refuse to engage with policy makers having views other than their own. (Prescient as it happens.) 128pages. Cover (by Briar's Books). The author drew on his experience in economics, science policy, business and management to present his views. Significant changes were needed in layout and style. After considering traditional publishing routes, the author chose to self-publish and do his own publicity and distribution.
My Genes Made Me Do It!
Dr N E Whitehead
The Science of homosexuality
This academic book of almost 300 pages has a complex index and long chapter references, numerous diagrams and footnotes. It has had multiple print runs and been converted into an e-book for sale on Amazon, and international download from the author's website. It has also been translated into seven languages, most recently Arabic and Turkish. Conclusion: Homosexuality not genetic. The author chose self-publishing after the traditional publishing route began to close for political reasons.