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Bloomsbury launches new lifestyle imprint with titles by Lloyd, Bergdorf and Gentles
Bloomsbury has unveiled Tonic, a new lifestyle imprint featuring a roster of authors including Munroe Bergdorf, Cariad Lloyd and Marie Gentles.
Conceived and jointly run by Alexis Kirschbaum, head of Bloomsbury Trade, and head of Bloomsbury Lifestyle Rowan Yapp, the books on Tonic’s list aim to provide readers with "a toolkit to navigate everyday life".
Kicking off the list will be Lloyd’s You Are Not Alone, a title about navigating grief inspired by the author’s podcast series "Griefcast". The publisher won a 15-way auction for the book back in 2019 and it will publish on 19th January 2023.
"You Are Not Alone is a road map for all of us: for anybody who has ever felt lost in grief, who wants to help someone in theirs, or who just wants to understand life a little better," the synopsis reads.
Following closely behind on 16th February 2023 will be Bergdorf’s Transitional, an exploration of the human experiencing of transitioning by the trans activist and writer, who draws on her own experience and theory from key experts, change-makers and fellow activists. UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, were bought following an 11-way auction in 2020.
"Transitioning is an alignment of the invisible and the physical," the synopsis reads. "It is truth rising to the surface. It is one of the most fundamental aspects of the human condition – a part of our experience as a conscious being, no matter who we are. As time goes on, we all develop as people. None of us ever becomes someone else entirely – regardless of how we identify – but nor do we stay the same forever. We all transition. It’s what binds us, not what separates us."
Gentles’ Gentle Guidance, publishing on 22nd June 2023, looks at how to support children across the behavioural spectrum and how carers and parents can establish positive relationships with their kids. Gentles is the founder of Magic Behaviour Limited, a company that works with schools services and families to implement practical, manageable ways to modify behaviour and improve children’s behavioural psychology. World rights to the guide were recently bought from Luigi Bonomi at LBA Associates.
"With practical examples of how to prevent struggles before they emerge as well as detailed advice on resetting when you’re fire-fighting one explosion after the next, this reassuring guide empowers parents and educators alike," the synopsis reads. "Learn to equip children of all ages to deal with anything life throws at them, building their emotional security in the process – whether they are fifteen months or fifteen years, it’s never too late to start."
Commenting on the inspiration behind the imprint, Yapp said: "We’re all feeling the need for guidance and support in these strained times, and our Tonic authors will help readers in a way that feels completely relevant and relatable. Because the imprint is co-conceived we are structured to cherry pick and publish the very best books across wellbeing and that is a really exciting prospect. Our focus at Bloomsbury Lifestyle will be on practical books that give readers a toolkit to navigate everyday life be it diet, health, parenting, mindfulness or beyond."
Kirschbaum added: "Psychology, memoir, narratives that blend prescription and science, at Bloomsbury Tonic we will be looking for books that can offer guidance, relief and insight into life’s most complex experiences. We will look for characterful, absorbing writing that is validated by expertise, either academic or experienced. Books can be practical as well as beautiful and inspiring, and those are the ones we’re looking for, from authors whose flair for living is matched by their singularity of expression. Cariad and Munroe fit this mould perfectly."
