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The Power of Working Class Stories
When you are trying to change the world, it's not enough to quote facts and statistics. Minds are changed and supporters are mobilized when their emotions are engaged. Stories of working people struggling for their fair share of society's bounty invite readers to walk in the characters’ shoes and to share their hopes and dreams; their joys and their sorrows. Hard Ball Press is dedicated to mentoring working class writers and putting their stories into print, so the world can see their faces, hear their voices, and join them in their struggles. |
Teach Children to Stand up for Justice
Educators say, "If they can see it, they can be it." When parents, teachers and librarians offer stories of children and their working parents stories about fighting for their rights, they inspire children to imagine a better, more just world. The role models in their literature teach them to fight inequality, bullying, gender inequality, racism and rigid conformity to class-based cultural norms. Stories about social justice issues encourage children to join the resistance when they come of age, and to question the grownups about who rules the world...and why.
"If we can teach a child how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, why can't we teach them how to transform society into a just and peaceful world?" ~Ann Berlak, Joelito's Big Decision.
Educators say, "If they can see it, they can be it." When parents, teachers and librarians offer stories of children and their working parents stories about fighting for their rights, they inspire children to imagine a better, more just world. The role models in their literature teach them to fight inequality, bullying, gender inequality, racism and rigid conformity to class-based cultural norms. Stories about social justice issues encourage children to join the resistance when they come of age, and to question the grownups about who rules the world...and why.
"If we can teach a child how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, why can't we teach them how to transform society into a just and peaceful world?" ~Ann Berlak, Joelito's Big Decision.
HARD BALL PRESS donates books to the Puerto Rico Teachers Federation
After sending 100 bilingual children's books to the FMPR after Hurricane Maria in 2017, the following year Hard Ball Press matched donations from friends to pay the print and shipping cost of 600 books. The union distributed the books all over the island - helping make up for the man books destroyed in the storm. |
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EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Veteran nurse Timothy Sheard is a writer, publisher, mentor to writers and union organizer. After writing 9 mystery novels featuring hospital custodian-shop steward Lenny Moss, he launched Hard Ball Press to help working class people write and publish their own stories. Timothy believes that when workers write and tell their stories, they build rank and file solidarity and union power, and they strengthen the fight for social justice. Their stories help to combat the anti-labor and anti-working class assaults by the One Percent. Hard Ball Press is the premier publisher of working class life.
Veteran nurse Timothy Sheard is a writer, publisher, mentor to writers and union organizer. After writing 9 mystery novels featuring hospital custodian-shop steward Lenny Moss, he launched Hard Ball Press to help working class people write and publish their own stories. Timothy believes that when workers write and tell their stories, they build rank and file solidarity and union power, and they strengthen the fight for social justice. Their stories help to combat the anti-labor and anti-working class assaults by the One Percent. Hard Ball Press is the premier publisher of working class life.
Listen to Tim Sheard interview on PhillyLaborRadio discussing the challenges of publishing working class stories. (Tim's interview starts at 0:30.)
So lucky to have the brilliant Matthew Tallon as a freelance consultant with Hard Ball Press. Matthew is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, a fine writer and sparkling stand-up comic.
Hard Ball Press
415 Argyle Road, 6A
Brooklyn, NY, 11218
917-428-1352
hardballpress@gmail.com
415 Argyle Road, 6A
Brooklyn, NY, 11218
917-428-1352
hardballpress@gmail.com