Bluebird swipes guide to online dating from ex-Facebook psychiatrist

Bluebird has swiped a guide to online dating and text communication from Facebook's former in-house psychiatrist Dr Mimi Winsberg.

Commissioning editor Hockley Raven Spare acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, for Speaking in Thumbs from Vanessa Kerr at Abner Stein Literary Agency, on behalf of Dara Kaye at Ross Yoon Literary Agency. A publication date has not yet been set.

The synopsis states: “Speaking in Thumbs is an insightful guide to the world of online dating, combining start-of-the-art research and clinical psychology with real-life examples to help readers unpick the meaning and intent of potential partners’ digital communication. Throughout the book Dr Mimi Winsberg, former in-house psychiatrist at Facebook’s Wellness Centre in California, decodes common texting tropes and identifies the red flags that may spell trouble down the road for long-term relationships. Speaking in Thumbs will show how the psychological traits of an individual can be found in the text exchanges on our phones.”

Winsberg has over 25 years’ experience as a clinical psychiatrist, having trained at the prestigious Harvard and Stanford universities. She is the co-founder of digital health start-up Brightside Health, and was the on-site psychiatrist at the Facebook Wellness Centre, where employees were so keen to speak with her that there was a waiting list of up to three months for her services.

She said: “I’m excited to have Bluebird bring Speaking in Thumbs to readers in the UK. As texting has become the lingua franca of love, we find ourselves puzzling over text messages to understand our relationships. I'm writing this book to give readers the tools to connect the pieces. Together, we'll go from speaking in tongues to speaking in thumbs.”

Raven Spare added: “The insights in Speaking in Thumbs are invaluable to the seasoned swiper, recent divorcee or even someone in a relationship dealing with an anxious/avoidant attached partner. Mimi's expert advice makes this book an informative, practical and playful guide that single or recently coupled readers will read and happily press into the hands of their friends. I can't wait to share this fascinating book with our markets.”