My New Book ('The Weight of Normal') Is Out NOW – And I’m Nervous...
Why I Self-Published My Most Raw Book Yet - How Our Community Can Launch a Book: The Story Behind “The Weight of Normal”
Big day today!
Today is a day that I’ve been waiting for many months, the release of my next book, ‘Neurodivergent Rebel’s The Weight of Normal’ (my second self-published book, following ‘Workplace Neurodiversity Rising’, which I released in 2022).
I’m excited about the release, but I’m also nervous—caught between anticipation and anxiety about how my work will be received.
While both books are educational, teaching through the lens of my own personal lived experiences, the book I am releasing today (’The Weight of Normal) is much more raw and intimate. It also contains discussions around a controversial topic, which in the past I’ve been pressured not to talk about - NeuroDivergent Conversion ‘Therapy’ and forced assimilation.
The Weight of Normal: A Memoir of Forced Assimilation and Awakening
Though I started my journey nine years ago, being very open with my complaints about these methods, eventually, due to external threats and pressure, I became afraid to talk about the harm these methods can do to a brain that was never built for conformity, and stopped talking about the harm I personally experienced (for several years).
That’s why I am nervous as I release this book (’The Weight of Normal’), more so than I was when I released my first book (’Workplace Neurodiversity Rising’), because this book contains content that I know will likely make some people very angry, and I can remember what happened last time I upset the cult of behaviorism (and how they came for me with threats of violence to me and those I care about).
‘The Weight of Normal’ is a raw and powerful memoir of survival and awakening. It is an unflinching indictment of the systems of forced assimilation that teach self-abandonment as a virtue.
This book is a book that some people don’t want you to read, and I must admit I am worried that releasing this one might be “kicking the hornet’s nest”, but it’s a risk I’ve decided to take (as it’s too late to go back now).
Why I opted to self-publish this one.
Due to the very personal and intimate nature of this book and my desire for complete control over how my story is used and released into the world, I opted to self-publish it (and didn’t bother pitching the book to any publishers).
Self-publishing is nice because nobody is telling you what you can and can’t do with your work, but it is also challenging. I often feel like an underdog compared to authors with publishers pushing their books into stores and retailers.
Working with a publisher (or a talent manager) can be nice; they help set up promotions (like podcast or TV interviews and book tours), but I don’t have an agency or even an assistant helping me with book promotions. However, I do have one thing going for me... my amazingly supportive community!
As of now, my little book, with no publisher to arrange deals, is available for online order, but won’t make it to store shelves unless readers call their local retailers and ask them to carry it. That’s where I really need YOUR help.
I can’t do this without you.
Asking for help is something I struggle with, but this book will fail without the help of my community.... So, will you help me?
What can you do to help?
There are a few things you can do to help me get this one off the ground:
First, (and this is VERY important) call your local book stores and libraries, asking them to put ‘Neurodivergent Rebel’s The Weight of Normal’ by Lyric Rivera on their shelves.
The book is available through one of the main book distribution systems (Ingram), but (since I don’t have a publisher to help me) no one is informing stores and libraries to order it (unless we do it ourselves).
Second, if you can buy a book this week (while it is a new release), this will help the book be recommended in the online stores that already carry it, signaling to these stores that the book is relevant, and might even push the book to the front page of some of the online retailers. This would be a HUGE help!
On Smashwords, the eBook version is currently half price through January 1, 2026: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1901403
Paperbacks are available (regular price) via Bookshop.org and Barnes and Noble: bookshop.org/p/books/neurodivergent-rebel-s-the-weight-of-normal-lyric-rivera/a1f848df4d8050f8
Other places you can get it (regular price): https://books2read.com/Weight-of-Normal
Third, and this is a critical step: If you’ve read the book and have the energy to leave it an honest review on the store you bought it from, and on GoodReads, this will help other people (who may be unfamiliar with me and my work) know why they should pick the book up and read it.
This will also help more eyes see the book, as stores are more likely to recommend books that have more reviews.
If you can help me with at least one of the three items above, it would be a dream come true... if you can do multiple items on the list, it would mean the world to me (and my little book).
We can do this! Let’s go!
Can I count on your help to get this book out into the world?
I'm already half way through. So so good! Thank you for writing this book. As a fellow late identified neurodivergent with tons of trauma, your book feels so real, and so validating.