​In response to popular demand... Welcome to the first ever gathering of the AMASE Book Club!

​This pilot event will be hosted by AMASE members Mark and Mathew. We are delighted to also welcome author Robert Chapman for a Q&A about their book.

​About the book

​We will be discussing Robert Chapman’s Empire of Normality: Neurodiversity and Capitalism (224* pages; 7hrs+ on audiobook).

​*224 total; 165 pages for the main body.

​Please note: this book covers topics including eugenics, fascism, colonialism, the medical model of disability and various modes of oppression. Please consider your own wellbeing first before reading the book and/or deciding to take part in the Book Club. See below for info on how we will strive to create a safe space for all during discussions.

​This book was selected via a poll of our Discord server members. For future events, we will share a poll via the AMASE newsletter so that all members can take part.

​Where/how to get the book

​This book is available to borrow via local libraries (although stocks may be limited).

​If you would like to buy a copy, consider supporting a local independent bookshop, e.g. Lighthouse: https://lighthousebookshop.com/book/9780745348667

​If you cannot afford to buy a copy, Lighthouse have a pay-it-forward system that you can use online or in person: https://lighthousebookshop.com/posts/paying-it-forward-:-the-solidarity-of-reader

​This book was selected via a poll of our Discord server members. For future events, we will share a poll via the AMASE newsletter so that all members can take part

​The Plan

​Intro (19:00-19:05)

​We will start with an introduction to the AMASE Book Club and this pilot event. This will cover:

• ​Greetings from our hosts, Mark and Mathew

• ​Zoom etiquette (e.g. how to use the “raise hand” function)

• ​Keeping the session a safe space

​Our hosts will also outline their role as hosts. Whilst they may steer discussion at points to keep it relevant to the book and safe for participants, they will in general take part in the same way as everyone else.

​Main discussion (19:05-19:45)

​During this section, our hosts will have a few questions or prompts ready for discussion. We also welcome other attendees to contribute discussion points in advance via this form. Alternatively, you can raise your points/questions during the discussion - either verbally or in the chat.

​There is no formal structure to this part of the session. There will be no quizzes on the contents of the book - the idea is to have an informal conversation that covers various topics in a way that enables everyone to go back and (if they wish!) re-read what has been discussed in new and interesting ways.

​Please note that there will be no summary or synopsis of the reading material.

​Comfort break (19:45-19:50)

​We will take a brief break to allow for trips for the toilet, cups of tea etc.

​Feedback & how to get involved (19:50-20:00)

​Before the Author Q&A, we will have a chat about our next Book Club session. We could have another session on the same book or choose something new.

​If people have new books or reading materials they would like to suggest, this would be a good opportunity to do so. We will also be looking for volunteers to host other sessions, so this could be a chance to chat about what this involves.

​Author Q&A (20:00-20:30)

​The author Robert Chapman will join us for a Q&A about their book (Empire of Normality: Neurodiversity and Capitalism).

​Afterwards

​After the session, we will open a channel on Discord for discussion of the book (or other relevant books). All Discord members are welcome to participate in this channel whether or not they attended the event.

​We will also share a feedback form after the event.

​Keeping the session a safe space

​The AMASE Book Club aims to provide a space for meaningful discussion among members. Such discussion is likely to include topics that are more sensitive or familiar to some of us than others. There will also be conventions around inclusive language that not everyone is fully aware of or in exact agreement over. This is likely to be more apparent when discussion focuses on the experiences of marginalised groups. It is worth remembering that even as a group of fellow autistic people, we all have different experiences of the world through our intersecting identities, and we are likely to use different language to describe those experiences and identities.

​To help us learn together in a safe way, we aim to foster an atmosphere of patience and kindness. That said, disruptive and/or oppressive behaviour will not be tolerated.

​Event hosts and the supervising AMASE Committee Member reserve the right to moderate or pause discussion should it become unproductive or antagonistic. This may include putting people on a timeout (i.e. put them in the Zoom waiting room for some time) or remove them from the call entirely if they’re being disrespectful.

​Please bear in mind that this is our pilot event, and that this Book Club - as with all of AMASE - is run entirely by volunteers. Our approach to maintaining a safe space will develop as we gain experience.

​​Accessibility & support

​When signing up, there is a question where you can let us know about any accessibility and/or support needs. This is an autistic community event, so we expect everyone to be welcoming of different communication styles, stimming and other different ways of being.

​​Nervous about coming along?

​You are welcome to sit in on a session without taking part if you want to get a feel for how the book club will run. Please bear in mind that this is our first event, so our way of doing things will develop over time.

​In the signup form for this event, there is an option to ask any questions. If you are an AMASE member, you can also connect with other attendees in our Discord server's ⁠#general-book-club channel.

​​Unsure about signing up?

​Please feel free to sign up even if you don't know if you'll make it. We don't mind about no-shows, and the reminders from Luma can still be helpful.

​​Please note

​This event is open to AMASE members only.