Publisher Profile: New Harbinger Publications--Earlita Chenault, Publicist

What interested you in ReadHowYouWant?

ReadHowYouWant gives us the opportunity to offer our titles to an audience of readers we are currently not reaching.

How long has New Harbinger Publications been around, and was there a particular title that launched the press?

New Harbinger was launched by psychologist Matthew McKay and writer Patrick Fanning in 1973. An interesting fact is that the first book published by New Harbinger was the Guide to International Mailing Regulations. The first title in our long list of self-help and psychology books was the first edition of The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook, first published in 1980 and now in its sixth edition with nearly a million sold.

Are there changes in the publishing and technology industries that particularly affect the self-help genre?

Not to the extent that it might affect other genres. Having said that, New Harbinger now offers ebooks and is in the process of making backlist titles available to ebook reader users.

Why do you think The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook and some of your other bestsellers have been so successful?

The majority of New Harbinger titles, including The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, are for people who are on the cusp of important, and in some cases life-saving changes. We help readers understand their problems, whether it’s a mental or physical illness, and make the decisions and changes necessary to improve their lives.

New Harbinger titles have a three-pronged approach to teaching self-help skills:

• First, they teach ideas and concepts, so the reader will understand how and why a particular skill works.
• Then they teach skills through series of simple, step-by-step exercises.
• Finally, they provide examples of how others have done the exercises so that readers can learn by example.

New Harbinger values research-based and clinically proven books, written by respected, experienced clinical professionals, and we believe it is our dedication to these standards that has made us the first choice for general readers and professionals looking for effective, reliable information on a range of mental health, medical, and personal growth topics.

How does New Harbinger balance writing for both mental health professionals and for lay people?

While just as research-based as our professional titles, New Harbinger trade books are concise and easy-to-comprehend. We maintain that a lay reader seeking help for mental illness or medical condition should not have to wade through pages of technical speak to get helpful information.

While many publishers are cutting back, New Harbinger has been growing, including a move into a larger office space. What do you attribute to New Harbinger's growth and success?

Statement from New Harbinger Publisher and clinical psychologist Matt McKay:

“[The] new building is a vote of confidence in our future. In spite of the retail meltdown [in 2008], our niche market has continued to be strong. In fact, we experienced a sales increase. As people have less money for psychotherapy, the need for effective self-help tools increases. Our books are a way to help people for a minor investment. Our trade titles are all under $25.”

Are there one or two titles that you are particularly excited to see in accessible formats?

Our best-selling title, The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, has helped so many people. We are thrilled that even more readers will be presented with the powerful tools in this book to help deal with anxiety during a time filled with a great deal of stress. We thank ReadHowYouWant for approaching us and look forward to a long, successful partnership.

Featured Title:

Stop Walking on Eggshells by Randi Kreger and Paul T. Mason (New Harbinger Publishing)—Make Sense Out of the Chaos

“From the onset, the authors state that their goal in writing this book is to let non BPs [borderline personalities] know that they are not alone. They accomplish this objective well,” according to suite101.com. Stop Walking on Eggshells has helped nearly half a million people understand borderline personality disorder, set boundaries, and help their loved ones stop relying on dangerous behaviors. Click here for a free excerpt or to buy the book.