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