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Blink acquires collection from The Big Issue’s popular feature ‘Letter to My Younger Self’

Blink acquires collection from The Big Issue’s popular feature ‘Letter to My Younger Self’

Senior Editor Oliver Holden-Rea acquired World All Languages Rights to publish the collection, with all royalties from sales of the book going to The Big Issue.

Oliver Holden-Rea, Senior Editor at Bonnier Books UK, has acquired World All Languages Rights to publish a collection of the best pieces from The Big Issue’s popular feature ‘Letter to My Younger Self’.

Published under the Blink imprint, Letter to My Younger Self: Inspiring People on the Lessons They’ve Learned, the Mistakes They’ve Made and the Relationships That Changed Their Lives is a collection of 100 incredible letters from the feature, which has been running for more than 10 years. The collection will be published on 31st October 2019, with all royalties from sales of the book going to The Big Issue.

“I quickly realised we had found a key which unlocked even the most guarded of the world’s most high profile and successful people. I’m delighted that some of the best interviews are now to be collected in a book; it feels absolutely right and fitting.”

Jane Graham, Books Editor, The Big Issue

The book features some of the most brilliant and successful people from the worlds of entertainment, politics, food, sport and business, including Paul McCartney writing on how he found inspiration, Olivia Colman on overcoming confidence problems, Mo Farah on the importance of losing, Arianna Huffington on knowing your motivations and Jamie Oliver on trusting your instinct. Also featured are: Rod Stewart, Margaret Atwood, Buzz Aldrin, Tracey Emin, Michael Palin, Melanie C, Brian Cox, Dionne Warwick and Ewan McGregor, to name a few.

“I’m delighted to be working with Blink to publish this collection. They get it.”

Paul McNamee, UK Editor, The Big Issue

Paul McNamee, UK Editor at The Big Issue said: “The Letter to My Younger Self interview is the blue riband part of The Big Issue. Every week, it’s the section of the magazine our readers tell us they turn to first. Over the years, some of the most knock-your-socks off reveals from some of the most incredible people across the globe pop up there. It looks effortless but I know the work that goes into putting these pieces together. We’ve talked about collecting them in a book for a long time, but it’s never been quite right. We wouldn’t hand our crown jewels to just anybody. I’m delighted to be working with Blink to publish this collection. They get it. I can’t wait to see the book. People who haven’t seen The Big Issue in a while (shame on you!) are in for a hell of treat.”

“I’m so incredibly proud to be publishing this book with the great people at The Big Issue. Letter to My Younger Self’ is a consistently heartfelt and profound feature.”

Oliver Holden-Rea, Senior Editor, Bonnier Books UK

Oliver Holden-Rea said: “I’m so incredibly proud to be publishing this book with the great people at The Big Issue. ‘Letter to My Younger Self’ is a consistently heartfelt and profound feature, with so much insight into ageing, success, failure, courage and the importance of friends and family. I hope that as well as being able to help support The Big Issue, those who get the book will also enjoy reading it.”

The collection will be compiled and edited by Jane Graham, Books Editor for The Big Issue, who said: I did the first ‘Letter to my Younger Self’ interview twelve years ago and I quickly realised we had found a key which unlocked even the most guarded of the world’s most high profile and successful people. I’m delighted that some of the best interviews are now to be collected in a book; it feels absolutely right and fitting.”

All royalties from sales of the collection go to The Big Issue to continue their work dismantling poverty and creating social and financial opportunity for thousands of people across the UK.

The Big Issue sells more than 78,000 copies every week across Britain and has sold more than 205 million since its inception in 1991.

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