Lagom has signed a “bold and irreverent” guide to dealing with poor mental health from journalist Michelle Thomas.
Natalie Jerome, Acquisitions Director and Publisher, Bonnier Books UK signed World language rights from Emma Finn and Sophie Lambert at Conville and Walsh.
When Michelle Thomas suffered her first major depressive episode, she read, watched and listened to everything she could get her hands on in an effort to fix herself. She found the material tedious, bone dry and depressing, and so set out to write her own honest account of living with mental illness.
From medication and therapy to mates and dates, My Shit Therapist and other mental health stories offers advice and tricks to help you navigate the world and understand the social constructs that can contribute to mental ill health. It also shares the contents of Michelle’s mental health toolbox to show you how she prepares for the storm in moments of calm. Full of funny conversations and relatable anecdotes, My Shit Therapist will make talking about mental health issues that little bit easier.
I started writing this book because I couldn’t find anything like it when I needed it the most.
-Michelle Thomas
This book isn’t here to tell you about a miraculous, scented-candles-and-yoga-retreat cure for your mental health problems. Instead, Michelle draws on her own experience, and weaves through stories she’s crowdsourcing from her online community and through live events, to offer insight and support to fellow sufferers and those who know them.
Michelle Thomas made international headlines in 2015 when she wrote a blog post in response to a fat-shaming text message. The post went viral, reaching 500,000 readers and sparking numerous conversations about body confidence, sexism, and dating apps. Since then, Michelle’s writing career has taken centre stage, and she’s written for many publications on mental health, body image and dating.
I think it’s important for as many of these kinds of stories to be told as possible.
-Natalie Jerome, Acquisitions Director and Publisher, Bonnier Books UK
Michelle said: “I am cock-a-ruddy-hoop to be joining a fabulous roster of authors at Bonnier Books UK. I started writing this book because I couldn’t find anything like it when I needed it the most. The response I’ve already had from those who’ve shared their experiences with me, demonstrates the power of these stories. I want this book to act as a support network and friend to those who may be enduring the loneliest and most frightening period of their lives. It will be bold, galvanising, insightful, and very funny”
Natalie Jerome said: “Michelle’s willingness to be so open and honest – without losing her sense of humour – is really refreshing, especially when it comes to something as stigmatised as mental illness. I love the way in which this book is going to draw on both her personal experience and that of her online community. I think it’s important for as many of these kinds of stories to be told as possible. Hilarious, heartfelt, and genuinely helpful – I can’t wait!”
My Shit Therapist and other mental health stories publishes on the 2nd May 2019.
Michelle will be holding live crowdsourcing events, but you can send your story to [email protected] for consideration.
