Black & White signs new collection from poet Ashworth

Black & White Publishing Group has acquired Wild Hope, the new collection from poet and author of I Wish I Knew, Donna Ashworth.

Tim Whiting, managing director, and publishing director Susanna Abbott, acquired world all-language rights to the book, described as “a powerful new collection of inspiration and poetry” directly from the author. Wild Hope will be published on 26th September in hardback, e-book and audiobook, read by the author.

The publisher says Wild Hope will help readers “find hope, comfort and self-acceptance when they feel helpless, worn down or sad”, adding that “the collection focuses on finding hope and positivity in challenging times, and reminds us, no matter how dark the present, that hope is always there.”

Ashworth went viral during the pandemic in 2020 with a poem called "History Will Remember When the World Stopped" which was shared around the world and performed by Michael Sheen, Griff Rhys Jones and Vicky McClure. Her previous books include I Wish I Knew: Poems to Soothe Your Soul & Strengthen Your Spirit and Life: Poems to Help Navigate Life’s Many Twists & Turns.

Ashworth said: “With Wild Hope I wanted to offer everyone a little respite from the hard things life throws at us, the relentlessness of these times we live in and the idea too many of us have that we aren’t good enough. I believe the right words hold so much power and can bring huge comfort. I can’t wait to send out my new collection to the world with my team at Black & White.”

Abbott said: “Donna has a unique ability to help people feel seen, comforted and understood through the remarkable power of her words. In Wild Hope she reminds us that most people in this world are good, and that acts of kindness and love, however small, all contribute to a better world. Donna is a much-needed voice of calm and positivity in these worrying and challenging times. We are simply thrilled to be publishing her.”