Blink Publishing, a commercial non-fiction imprint of Bonnier Books UK’s Zaffre Publishing Group will publish Men Have Called Her Crazy by popular artist Anna Marie Tendler.
UK & Commonwealth rights (exc. Canada) were successfully pre-empted by editor-at-large Carole Tonkinson from Michael Nardullo, and the book will publish simultaneously in the US at Simon and Schuster. The book was agented by Meg Thompson.
Men Have Called Her Crazy is Carole Tonkinson’s first announced acquisition for Bonnier Books UK since arriving at the company in autumn last year.
In early 2021, popular artist Anna Marie Tendler checked herself into a psychiatric hospital following a year of crippling anxiety, depression and self-harm. Over two weeks, she underwent myriad psychological tests, participated in numerous therapy sessions, connected with fellow patients and experienced profound breakthroughs, such as when a doctor noted, “There is a you inside that feels invisible to those looking at you from the outside.”
In Men Have Called Her Crazy, Tendler recounts her hospital experience as well as pivotal moments in her life that preceded and followed. This literary self portrait examines the unreasonable expectations and pressures women face in the 21st century. Still, Tendler ultimately offers a message of hope. Early in her stay in the hospital, she says, “My wish for myself is that one day I’ll reach a place where I can face hardship without trying to destroy myself.” By the end of the book, she fulfills that wish.
Author Anna Marie Tendler said: ‘I am beyond excited to be publishing Men Have Called Her Crazy in the UK with Bonnier. My hope is that people will read this book and see themselves in it—the pain, the anger, the occasional humour, and ultimately the ability to heal.’
Carole Tonkinson said: ‘Men Have Called Her Crazy is the memoir that speaks to every woman who has been made to question her own sanity, doubt herself and her worth: surely, this must be all of us. Anna Marie Tendler’s powerful writing and insight and clarity enabled her to find her way out of narratives foisted on her since girlhood and create her own, new story. This powerfully written, beautiful book invites us to do the same. I couldn’t be happier to be working with Anna and Meg Thompson, an agent whose work I have long admired. I couldn’t be prouder to publish this as my first book with Bonnier.’
Agent Meg Thompson said: ‘When Carole Tonkinson pre-empted Men Have Called Her Crazy, I could not have been happier for my friend and client, Anna. Carole simply feels this book deeply–as a woman, as a psychologist, as a publisher. Anna could not be in better hands.’
Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler. will be published by Blink on 13th August 2024 in HB, ebook and audiobook.
