Ebury secures new project on happiness by Winfrey and Brooks 

Ebury’s Self Hub has secured the rights to publish a new project on happiness by talk show host Oprah Winfrey and Harvard professor Arthur C Brooks, who teaches courses on happiness.  

Senior commissioning editor Holly Whitaker acquired UK and Commonwealth rights for Build the Life You Want from Emily Westcott and Sarah Harvey at CAA. It will be a lead title for Ebury’s Rider imprint this autumn and will publish on 12th September 2023 alongside Portfolio in the US. 

The book invites readers to begin a journey towards greater happiness, no matter how challenging their circumstances. The publisher said: “Combining their decades of experience studying happiness from every angle, they show you how to improve your life right now – instead of waiting for the outside world to change. The book introduces you to the cutting-edge science that can change your life, in understandable terms and with actionable strategies. Along the way, Arthur and Oprah share hard-earned wisdom from their own lives and careers. Build the Life You Want is your blueprint for a better life.” 

“I started reading Arthur Brooks’ column ‘How to Build a Life’ during the early days of the pandemic,” said Winfrey. “I found myself happily anticipating each week’s lesson, which turned out to be a recipe for growing forward. When I discovered he taught happiness at Harvard, I wanted to extend that to the rest of us.” 

Whitaker said: “I know I speak for all of us at Ebury in saying that it is a total joy to be publishing Build the Life You Want this autumn. The whole project captivated us from the get-go, and we are honoured to be a part of Arthur and Oprah’s global happiness movement. Whether you’re in a period of being in the darkest depths or are simply seeking tools to feel better every day, this book has the power to help everyone. If you are human, this book will be golden to you.”