Emma Mitchell’s THE WILD REMEDY JOURNAL to be published by Michael O’Mara Books

THE WILD REMEDY JOURNAL by Emma Mitchell – an exquisite new book full of Emma’s artworks, photographs, observations and reflections on nature, along with prompts and ideas to help readers strengthen their relationship with nature and improve their mental and physical wellbeing – has been snapped up by Michael O’Mara Books. World all-language rights were acquired by Nicki Crossley from Blake Friedmann’s Juliet Pickering.

The book will be available in paperback on the 4th of January, 2024.

The journal follows 2019’s Sunday Times bestselling THE WILD REMEDY: HOW NATURE MENDS US, a deeply personal, unique record of Emma’s woodland walks and wildlife discoveries over the course of a year, detailing how each encounter significantly influenced her mental wellbeing, and an exploration of the neuroscience behind it. Having suffered with depression for over twenty-five years, Emma is an unflinchingly honest and knowledgeable writer, as well as a talented artist, designer and maker. With this journal, she invites her many followers to accompany her with her hands-on exploration of the natural world, and the benefits it can bring.

The new book has already received a ringing endorsement by naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham, who says of THE WILD REMEDY JOURNAL: ‘At a time when disconnection from wildlife threatens our mental health this book offers the perfect adaptor to plug our brains back into nature’s therapeutic socket. Page by page it reconnects us to the real, wild world we live in. A must-read for any modern-day Homo sapien.’

Emma Mitchell said: ‘I am thrilled to be working with the Michael O’Mara team again. Centuries of anecdotal evidence and literary accounts echo my experiences, and research is beginning to elucidate the scientific mechanisms that underpin nature’s ability to soothe a troubled mind. My hope is that this book may encourage others who may have stressful lives to experience the curative effects of nature by exploring their local patch.’

Nicki Crossley, Senior Commissioning Editor for Michael O’Mara said: ‘Once again, Emma has stunned us with this beautiful book. She is so grounded in nature and there’s no one who can convey its benefits and the scientific evidence that proves those benefits in quite the way Emma does. This time she asks her readers to engage directly with her, recording their thoughts, feelings and finds when connecting with nature. Always candid, hugely knowledgeable and so, so human, this has been a very personal journey for Emma and I’m sure it will resonate with many.’

About Emma Mitchell

Emma trained as a scientist and has a particular interest in how simple acitivities can alter brain biochemistry in order to improve mental health. She has written segments for BBC Springwatch & Autumnwatch, featured on the BBC’s Countryfile and Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. Emma is one of the Guardian’s Country Diarists and has written for a number of publications, including Country Living, the ipaper, and Mollie Makes. Her first book, MAKING WINTER: A Creative Guide to Surviving the Winter Months, was published to outstanding praise in 2017, and her illustrated diary THE WILD REMEDY: How Nature Mends Us, was published in 2019 and became a Sunday Times bestseller.

Emma lives on the edge of the Fens in Eastern England with her husband, two daughters and Annie their lurcher. She often records her daily nature finds with photographs and illustrations on her Twitter (@silverpebble) & Instagram (@silverpebble2).

Praise for THE WILD REMEDY

Recommended by Britney Spears

‘An absolute joy. Rarely do you find a book that soothes both the mind and the soul, but THE WILD REMEDY has managed it. This is such a powerful and beautiful book, and I can't think of anyone whose life would not be a better place for reading it.’ – Joanna Cannon

‘Emma's writing is precise, gorgeous and inspiring, and I am delighted to have a whole year's worth of her beautiful artwork. She makes me look more closely, learn more gladly and get outside more.’ – Amy Liptrot

‘A beautiful book that explores the seasons in elegant prose accompanied by Mitchell's charming illustrations. It's a diary of nature, but also of how it can heal.’ – Sunday Telegraph

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BFLA Best of 2019 and Picks for 2020

We are so proud that our authors have been featured in so many of the Best of 2019 selections and picks for 2020. In celebration of these amazing achievements, we have compiled this summary of the lists in which our authors were included, along with the praise that accompanied their selection.

BEST BOOKS OF 2019

MANDALAY: RECIPES AND TALES FROM A BURMESE KITCHEN by Mimi Aye
‘It’s rare to come across a book that opens up a largely unknown cuisine, but MANDALAY does exactly that. Burmese recipes that combine the deliverable with the authentic, written with calm authority leavened with personal touches from an engaging personality.’ – Financial Times, Best Books of 2019: Food and Drink

‘This will likely be an introduction for many to an underappreciated cuisine, partly because of the politics of the place. Worry not, you are in excellent hands. Aye is a gifted recipe writer and opinionated champion of the food of her family (see, for instance, the short section on “Why MSG is A-OK”). This is a book to read as well as cook from, packed with evocative imagery.’ — The Observer, The 20 best food books of 2019

‘The book that opened my mind, and belly, to Burmese food, a cuisine I knew little about. Aye is the most beguiling of guides, weaving in tales of Burmese family and childhood travels, alongside recipes for mohinga and pickled tea-leaf salad.’ — Tom Parker Bowles, Daily Mail, Books of the Year 2019

‘Wonderful… The perfect introduction to a cuisine that draws from its neighbours in Thailand, India and China while making dishes that are quite unique. MiMi gives detailed descriptions of ingredients, techniques and recipes - giving the home cook all the tools, tips and - most of all - inspiration to make these dishes themselves.’ — Hot Dinners, The Best Cookbooks for Christmas Presents in 2019

CTRL+S by Andy Briggs
‘After more than a dozen novels for children, Andy Briggs has turned his hand to adult SF in the fast-paced, hi-tech thriller CTRL+S… A slick plot and a neat resolution.’ — The Guardian, Best Recent Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror

LITTLE by Edward Carey
’Edward Carey’s LITTLE is one of the most original historical novels of the year. Illustrated with the author’s unsettling, black-and-white drawings, it is inspired by the early life of Marie Grosholtz, better known as Madame Tussaud, although it is filled with Carey’s own vivid imaginings… By turns macabre, funny, touching and oddly life-affirming, LITTLE is a remarkable achievement.’ — The Sunday Times, Paperbacks of the Year

LOWBORN by Kerry Hudson
A Book of the Year for the Book Shambles podcast

‘[Kerry’s] writing is bold, beautiful, honest and sometimes painful to read. It gets my vote because Kerry illustrates the realities of what austerity in the UK does to people. At a time when people are relying on food banks, facing homelessness and struggling with cuts – it’s an essential read.’ — Stylist, The Decade’s 15 Best Books by Remarkable Women Authors

‘The power imbalance in Kerry Hudson’s memoir, LOWBORN, is both individual – a childhood surrounded by chaotic, often substance-altered adults – and societal. For her, the combination meant: “1 single mother; 2 stays in foster care; 9 primary schools; 1 sexual abuse child protection inquiry; 5 high schools; 2 sexual assaults; 1 rape; 2 abortions; my 18th birthday.” Also occasional homelessness and eight out of 10 on the Adverse Childhood Experiences scale. She escaped into the middle-class world of novel writing; in LOWBORN she returns, a refugee afflicted with survivor guilt, looking for memories and raging at how little has changed.’ — Guardian, Best Biography and Memoirs of 2019

‘A frank, personal story of Britain’s impoverished hidden millions.’ — Metro, Most Revealing Memoirs and Autobiographies of 2019

‘If there were any justice in the world, there would be a copy of Hudson’s powerful examination of her impoverished upbringing and why it continues to resonate under every politician’s Christmas tree.’  —iNews, Books of the Year 2019

‘In a society which often prefers to look in the opposite direction, Kerry Hudson's LOWBORN is an essential tour-de-force unravelling the realities of being born working class in Britain. Dubbed 'one of the most important books of the year' by the Guardian, LOWBORN is by turns an indictment of the UK's failing welfare state, and a humorous, heart-warming homage to the resilience of the human spirit. Read it, learn from it and pass it on.’ — Penguin, 10 of the Best VINTAGE Books of 2019

Peter James
Number 40 in The Bookseller’s list of the Top 50 highest earning authors of the year.

SWIMMING IN THE DARK by Tomasz Jedrowski
‘The overwhelming SWIMMING IN THE DARK by Tomasz Jedrowski, a young Polish author who writes rather miraculously in English, of which he has magisterial and frankly, Conradian command.’ — Sebastian Barry, Guardian, Best Books of the Year 2019

THE SCARFOLK ANNUAL by Richard Littler
‘This is the blackest of black humour.’ — Daily Mail, The Year’s Most Essential Books 2019

HIS BLOODY PROJECT by Graeme Macrae Burnet
‘If there is anything better than a historical novel, it has to be a historical crime novel, and Burnet proves himself a bit of a master of the genre with HIS BLOODY PROJECT… Multiple perspectives make this novel more twisty and turny than it already is, and although Burnet was an unexpected addition to the Man Booker Prize shortlist, this book more than earns its place. Masquerading as true crime – one of the most popular genres of the decade – it is also a work of strong literary merit, set in a community and a time that doesn’t get too much attention from authors who aren’t part of the Scottish literary scene. Burnet contributes to his own literary heritage with this novel, and honestly it also just a really cracking read.’ — Cultured Vultures, 10 Best Historical Novels of the 2010s

THE WILD REMEDY by Emma Mitchell
’A beautifully illustrated journey through the year, focussing on how nature and the outdoors can help our mental well being. Written with wisdom and kindness, and centred on Emma Mitchell’s own experiences, this is for anyone who loves learning more about the world around us, and for those who seek a way to help an unquiet mind. This book is a joy to own, and I cannot think of anyone whose life would not be a better place for reading it.’ — Joanna Cannon, Waterstones, Top 5 Reads of 2019

SHADOWPLAY by Joseph O’Connor
‘SHADOWPLAY is an absolutely magnificent book. It's not just a portrait of Bram Stoker, but a novel of the here and now. This is one of the best books of the year, anywhere.’ – Column McCann, The Irish Independent, Books of the Year

‘SHADOWPLAY has an extraordinary sense of the period and, using shifting scenes and changing perspectives, displays a brilliant ear for tone and nuance, and a wonderful talent for evoking and creating drama.’ – Sebastian Barry, Irish Independent, Books of the Year

‘A book inspiring deepest gratitude and admiration was Joseph O’Connor’s SHADOWPLAY, whose immaculate sentences were engines of the sometimes strange inner and outer reality of Bram Stoker and Henry Irving.’ — Sebastian Barry, Guardian, Best Books of the Year 2019

‘Resurrecting Victorian theatre in all its gaudy wizardry, this novel throws the limelight on three figures: Ellen Terry, the best-loved actress of the age; Henry Irving, its charismatic actor-impresario; and Bram Stoker, friend of both and author of the vampire classic Dracula. O’Connor’s panache and subtlety wonderfully match the gusto and creative finesse of the High Victorian world he dazzlingly evokes.’ – The Sunday Times, Best Novels of the Year 

‘Joseph O’Connor’s depiction of the theatre world of late 19th-century London in SHADOWPLAY is atmospheric and evocative, while he also manages to explore with verve, humour and acuity the public role and inner turmoil of the intriguing Bram Stoker.’ — Diarmaid Ferriter, The Irish Times, Books of the Year 2019

‘SHADOWPLAY by Joseph O’Connor was a glorious romp through Victorian London in the excellent company of Bram Stoker, Ellen Terry, Sir Henry Irving and the Lyceum Theatre. I believed every word of this fictionalised account of their relationship.’ — Liz Nugent, The Irish Times, Books of the Year 2019

‘I thoroughly enjoyed Joseph O’Connor’s SHADOWPLAY, which offers a dramatic and sensual insight into the lives of Bram Stoker and Henry Irving when they were working alongside each other at the Lyceum Theatre in 1870s London. O’Connor inhabits his characters with all the intensity of a method actor, re-creating an extraordinary world of creativity and self-doubt.’ — John Boyne, The Irish Times, Books of the Year 2019

‘GHOST LIGHT, Joseph O’Connor’s exquisite reimagining of Synge’s love affair with Molly Allgood, did not get the recognition it deserved. Not so SHADOWPLAY, his brilliant portrayal of Bram Stoker’s intense relationships with Henry Irving and Ellen Terry, a witty, wry, astute and tender delight.’ — Martin Doyle, The Irish Times, Books of the Year 2019

‘Now on the shortlist for the Costa Fiction Book of the Year, SHADOWPLAY is a fabulous, atmospheric jaunt back in time to Victorian London's West End, when Bram finds new inspiration and we watch as the immortal Dracula begins to take shape. An unmissable, colourful read about love, performance and creativity, you will practically be able to smell the greasepaint.’ — Penguin, 10 of the Best VINTAGE Books of 2019

‘It’s a book that totally swept me away to that lovely Victorian time in London, moonlight and fog – the atmosphere of it. He paints the canvas so well. You’re with Bram Stoker in the attic of the Lyceum Theatre where he was writing Dracula surrounded by all these ghost stories and the monstrous ego of Sir Henry Irving. Bram must have used Irving as inspiration for Dracula – he comes across as a really insecure monster in the book. It has comical flourishes as well because Oscar Wilde makes a cameo, which is very funny. You have some crazy tantrums by actors. It’s a bit like MOULIN ROUGE meets DRACULA. I absolutely loved it.’ — Oliver Callan, Irish Examiner, Well Known Figures Tell Us About Their Favourite Books of 2019

THE ’D’ MONOLOGUES by Kaite O’Reilly
Welsh Books – The Best of 2019 in Wales Arts Review

BOOKS TO READ IN 2020

ALLIGATOR & OTHER STORIES by Dima Alzayat
‘This rich short story collection exploring gender, identity, family and inheritance packs an emotional punch. Often told through the lens of everyday scenarios, the stories evoke displacement in a variety of ways: as a Syrian, as an Arab, as an immigrant and as a woman. While each story is different, they’re underpinned by experiencing “otherness”.’ — Cosmopolitan, 49 New Books by Black and POC Authors You’ll Be Reading in 2020

LOVE IN COLOUR: MYTHICAL TALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, RETOLD by Bolu Babalola
‘In these 18 stories, writer and columnist Bolu Babalola retells love stories with a twist: she (thankfully) modernises the stories by removing sexism, racism and violence from these tales. Spanning Nigerian folktales, Greek myths to ancient tales from South Asia, these tales of romance and desire move across perspectives, continents and genre from the historic to current.’ — Cosmopolitan, 49 New Books by Black and POC Authors You’ll Be Reading in 2020

THE SWALLOWED MAN by Edward Carey
‘Edward Carey’s LITTLE (about the Life of Madame Tussaud) was a bit of a hit. This new one imagines the experiences of Pinocchio’s father, Geppetto, during the years he spent trapped in the belly of a shark.’ — The Times, Best Books of 2020

SWIMMING IN THE DARK by Tomasz Jedrowski
‘Imagine CALL ME BY YOUR NAME set in Communist Poland and you'll get a sense of Jedrowski's moving debut about a consuming love affair amidst a country being torn apart.’ — The Oprah Magazine, 31 LGBTQ Books That'll Change the Literary Landscape in 2020

THE LAST HUNT by Deon Meyer
‘The indefatigable detective duo of Benny Griessel and Vaughn Cupido has returned in this latest blockbuster adventure from Deon Meyer… You’ll enjoy the suspense and thrills of this runaway train of a mystery.’ — CrimeReads, Most Anticipated Crime Books of 2020

BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER by Alan Parks
Scottish Book Trust, 30 Scottish novels to look out for in 2020

MAKING WINTER: A Creative Guide to Surviving the Winter Months by Emma Mitchell published today

MAKING WINTER, Emma Mitchell’s highly-anticipated creative survival guide for cold and grey days, is published today in a beautiful illustrated hardback by Michael O’Mara.

From delicate silver jewellery, paper-craft decorations and crocheted mittens, to foraged infusions, delicious recipes and nature diaries, MAKING WINTER is filled with projects designed to fend off dreariness in the winter months. Step-by-step instructions and beautiful photographs, shot at Emma's cottage in the Fens, take you through each project, so that even beginners can enjoy the mood-boosting benefits of a craft-filled winter and snuggle down in their own cosy paradise.

Emma Mitchell is a designer-maker, naturalist and illustrator who has written for the Guardian, Mollie Makes and Standard Issue magazine. In 2011 she began a project on her blog silverpebble, encouraging readers to use creative, cosy and cake-based ways to prevent winter from becoming three months of incessant greyness. In the winter of 2015/16 so many people joined in with the project #MakingWinter that it trended on Twitter several times.

MAKING WINTER is Emma’s first book and each of the projects and recipes is designed to boost mood on dreary days; she is passionate about the potential of both craft and contact with nature for combatting depression.

Emma lives on the edge of the Fens in Eastern England with her husband, two daughters, two guinea pigs, and dog. She records her daily nature finds with photographs and illustrations on her Instagram (@silverpebble2) and Twitter (@silverpebble). Emma invented the Comic Relief Crafternoon project which has raised significant amounts for brilliant causes through the UK's love of craft.

The book was launched yesterday evening at LOOP knitting shop, and Emma will be hosting a number of events over the winter months, including a workshop at Henley Festival on Sunday 8th October and at Big Green Bookshop in Wood Green on Friday 27th October.

MICHAEL O’MARA TO PUBLISH HIGHLY ANTICIPATED WINTER SURVIVAL GUIDE BY POPULAR INSTAGRAMMER, EMMA MITCHELL

On the 5th of October 2017, Lom Art, the arts and crafts imprint of Michael O’Mara will bring warmth to many homes by publishing MAKING WINTER, a fantastic guide to surviving unbearably cold months. Popular instagrammer, Emma Mitchell, assures us that ‘dishwater after a Sunday roast’ weather is a thing of the past. Juliet Pickering sold world rights, at auction, to Fiona Slater. 

From delicate silver jewellery, paper-craft decorations and crocheted mittens, to foraged infusions, delicious recipes and nature diaries, this book is sure to boost your mood! It is filled with projects, step-by-step instructions and beautiful photographs to take you through every day. MAKING WINTER: A CREATIVE GUIDE FOR SURVIVING THE WINTER MONTHS is the perfect companion to dark evenings, rainy afternoons and winter melancholy, and inspires even the bleakest of days to become creative, full of colour and joy. 

MAKING WINTER has had a lot of success on social media: Emma, who is a design-maker and craft teacher, has a following of close to 100,000 on Instagram. Fiona Slater says that ‘Emma has been bringing cosy, crafting joy to her Instagram followers for a few years now and I couldn’t be more excited to be working with her on her first book. The combination of her scrummy photographs and projects designed to lift your mood during the frosty months makes this so much more than a craft book, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.’

You can pre-order MAKING WINTER here.

About the author: Emma’s jewellery and crochet designs have been published in Country Living, Mollie Makes, Kirstie Allsopp’s CRAFT and several other national lifestyle and craft titles. She contributed regular articles on craft and creativity to Standard Issue where her articles are amongst the most popular on the site. She has written for the Guardian and discussed the revival of letter-writing on BBC radio. She brought together well-known designers and knitted beard-wearing celebrities to make and write the Mollie Makes Big Comic Relief Crafternoon magazine in 2015 and 2017, which raised significant funds for Comic Relief.

The Making Winter project began on Emma’s blog in 2011 as a creative antidote to the seemingly incessant grey days between November and March. During the winter of 2015/16 a revival of Making Winter had so many participants that it trended on Twitter and became one of the most popular hashtags on Instagram. 

Emma's website

Emma on Instagram

Emma on Twitter