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Joe Biel

    Joe Biel is a writer and activist known for his work in independent journalism and DIY culture. His writing and activities reflect a dedication to fostering creative expression and community engagement. Biel aims to empower individual self-expression and collective action through his diverse body of work.

    Good Trouble
    Bicycle Culture Rising #4: How Kittie Knox Made Bicycling for Everyone
    Robert Smalls: The Slave Who Stole a Confederate Ship, Broke the Code, & Freed a Village
    How to Sell Stuff at an Event
    Understanding Eugenics: The U.S. and Nazi Plans to Shape the Gene Pool & Control the Population
    A People's Guide To Publishing
    • 2023

      "What's it like to be autistic? As many as one in forty-five people live that reality every day, but our culture remains full of myths, stigma, and dangerous misunderstandings of this type of neurodiversity. This guide to life on the autism spectrum is a must-read for autistic adults, their friends, coworkers, partners, and parents-and for anyone who wants to understand the experiences of many people they meet every day. Joe Biel, who was diagnosed as an adult, writes about what it's like to be autistic, joined by the bestselling Dr. Faith G. Harper who speaks from her experience as a parent, friend, and therapist to autistic people. Their real talk and accessible language discusses a wide range of topics, including the diagnostic criteria for autism and how they play out in practice, what it means for autism to be a disability, and co-occurring conditions like depression and anxiety. They answer many frequently asked questions from neurotypicals, and offer some basic life and social skills that the world doesn't always think to explicitly teach autistic folks. Most of all, they affirm the many strengths of the autistic brain and point the way to a world where autism is just another way of being"--

      The Autism Faq
    • 2023

      In the 1960s through 1980s, the Black Panther Party rose up throughout the United States, envisioning a world without systemic racism and police violence. This is the story of Portland, Oregon's chapter of the Party, told from original interviews, first-hand accounts, and extensive research, including police surveillance documents. This account shows a vivid picture of neighborhood activists determined to improve their community by creating their own social services, and wildly succeeding--despite the best attempts of police, city officials, and media to paint them as violent extremists, and to spy on, infiltrate, and violently suppress their activities. Portland's Black Panther chapter innovated healthy free breakfasts for children in poverty, the longest-running Panther free health clinic, the Panthers' first dental clinic, and a powerful system of self-directing neighborhood associations. Joe Biel's account shows that the Portland chapter's successes resound to this day, with current programs for free breakfasts in schools, Portland's strong neighborhood associations, and even the Oregon Health Plan owing their existence to Black Panther initiatives. Despite a racist city hall and police force, Black Panthers in Portland persisted, outlasting most branches in the United States and permanently changing the city for the better. All author proceeds are being donated to the movement.

      The Enduring Legacy Of Portland's Black Panthers
    • 2023

      The Autism Partner Handbook

      • 48 pages
      • 2 hours of reading
      4.0(28)Add rating

      So, your partner is autistic. Or you suspect they might be. And you're wondering, "What does this mean for my relationship?" This guide is for you. Learn key communication skills for succeeding in a neurologically mixed relationship, gain a better understanding of your partner's mental processes, troubleshoot your sex life, and level up your appreciation for your partner's relationship strengths. Autistic-allistic relationships, as well as relationships between two neurodivergent people, can work out splendidly, but there are a few consistent and predictable areas where they can get in trouble, which you can work through together once you know how to spot them. Dr. Faith G. Harper, author of Unf*ck Your Brain and Unf*ck Your Intimacy, joins Joe Biel (an autistic publisher and author) and Elly Blue (a partner of an autistic person), to offer hard-won guidance on a wide range of relationship topics.

      The Autism Partner Handbook
    • 2022

      Highlighting the achievements of notable figures throughout history, this collection showcases individuals suspected to be autistic, whose groundbreaking discoveries have shaped our world. From inventors like Len Bosack and Satoshi Tajiri to scientists like Marie Curie and Ignaz Semmelweis, the book emphasizes the invaluable contributions of neurodiverse minds. It challenges societal misconceptions about autism, advocating for a recognition of the unique perspectives that have led to significant scientific and cultural advancements.

      Autism Causes Vaccines: Stories of Neurodiverse Inventors and Discoveries
    • 2022

      Do you have a passion that you want to obsess about in a love letter to the world? In this new edition of Microcosm's popular DIY guide to zine-making, Joe Biel updates the information provided in the first edition (edited by Biel and the late and great Bill Brent) to address zine making in today's digital and social-media-obsessed world. Covering all the bases for beginners, Make a Zine! hits on more advanced topics like Creative Commons licenses, legality, and sustainability. Says Feminist Review, "Make a Zine! is an inspiring, easy, and digestible read for anyone, whether you're already immersed in a cut-and-paste world, a graphic designer with a penchant for radical thought, or a newbie trying to find the best way to make yourself and your ideas known." Illustrated by an army of notable and soon-to-be-notable artists and cartoonists, Make a Zine! also takes a look at the burgeoning indie comix scene, with a solid and comprehensive chapter by punk illustrator Fly (Slug and Lettuce, Peops). Part history lesson, part how-to guide, Make a Zine! is a call to arms, an ecstatic, positive rally cry in the face of TV show book clubs and bestsellers by celebrity chefs. As says Biel in the book's intro, "Let's go!"

      Make A Zine!
    • 2021

      The "science" of eugenics—by which the genetic makeup of a population is controlled by who does and doesn't reproduce—is forever tied in popular memory with Nazi Germany. But the practice began in late 19th-century England, and was widely embraced in the US, Canada, and Europe. As a result, policies were enacted that touched on segregation, marriage, birth control, and genocide. Eugenicists were obsessed with race and disability—many current genetic-testing practices are a continuation of that unfortunate era. This zine gives a harrowing hidden history and present state of eugenics, wrought with its moral and scientific implications.

      Understanding Eugenics: The U.S. and Nazi Plans to Shape the Gene Pool & Control the Population
    • 2021

      So you've got a business where you make stuff--zines, books, crafts, art, widgets. Whatever it is, you're super passionate about it, and you've been thinking about tabling at events! There's an art and science to vending, explained here by a Joe Biel, who 25 years ago began packing zines into milk crates and hauling them to the punk club to excitedly sell and trade. Covered here are topics like choosing your event, figuring out what to bring, managing travel logistics with all your stuff, setting up an appealing display, comporting yourself with potential customers and other vendors, and more!

      How to Sell Stuff at an Event
    • 2021

      Focusing on the challenges faced by autistic individuals in romantic and social contexts, this book provides practical advice on forming and maintaining relationships. Authors Dr. Faith G. Harper and Joe Biel address common concerns such as defining relationship goals, understanding boundaries, and enhancing communication skills. With insights tailored for autistic readers, it offers guidance for those new to dating, those seeking deeper friendships, and those looking to strengthen existing partnerships, making it a valuable resource for navigating the complexities of relationships.

      The Autism Relationships Handbook: How to Thrive in Friendships, Dating, and Love
    • 2021

      The book offers a pragmatic approach to starting and growing a successful business, drawing on 26 years of wisdom and best practices. It emphasizes essential rules for small business owners, addressing common challenges such as financial management, staffing, and operational efficiency. By simplifying insights from numerous business books into a straightforward guide, it helps readers assess their suitability for entrepreneurship, establish their niche, and effectively manage their ventures. The focus is on practical problem-solving and achieving sustainable growth.

      A People's Guide to Business: Nine Rules for Success