Hamlyn acquires Edwards’ Blind Not Broken 

Hamlyn, part of the Octopus Publishing Group, has announced the debut book from disability activist and content creator Lucy Edwards. 

Publishing director Eleanor Maxfield acquired world all-language rights to Blind Not Broken from Lauren Gardner and Jo Bell at Bell Lomax Moreton on behalf of Spotlight Management. The book is now being published in March 2024 by Hamlyn editorial director Natalie Bradley.

Described as part-memoir and part self-help guide, Blind Not Broken will follow the author’s sight loss journey to becoming a thriving career woman.

The publisher’s description reads: “At only 17, Lucy’s world went to black. Due to a rare condition called incontinentia pigmenti, Lucy lost her eyesight in an instant and suddenly had to learn how to navigate her life all over again. While incredibly difficult and traumatic, this also marked the beginning of Lucy’s extraordinary journey to finding self-acceptance and happiness. Lucy soon took to social media to start sharing her day-to-day experiences and through her viral ’How does a blind girl…’ video series, Lucy’s story gripped the nation. She has since become an online phenomenon, accumulating almost one billion views, over 1.7 million TikTok followers, and over 600,000 YouTube subscribers.

“Lucy’s motto in life is that she is ’blind, not broken’. In her book, she shows how anyone can adopt this same motto by demonstrating how the challenges we face in life need not break us but can instead inspire us to lead full, rich lives.”

Hamlyn says each chapter contains inspirational tips, practical motivation and coping mechanisms, which can be applied to people of every ability who are grieving a loss and/or experiencing a sudden change. “This book offers a unique take on empowerment, happiness, strength, triumph over adversity and how we view beauty in the world,” it says.

Bradley said: “We are immensely proud to be publishing Lucy onto the Hamlyn list. A champion for those experiencing sight loss and an inspiration to anyone navigating life’s twists and turns, Lucy has so much wisdom and comfort to impart through this book. Blind Not Broken is for anyone who is going through a hard time and shows that even the smallest steps will help you through.”

Edwards commented: “I am so excited to be publishing with Octopus Books. This is the book I’ve always wanted to write. I’m speaking to all the little Lucys out there when I say when you go through something monumental in your life, that rocks your whole world and shapes your future, you are not broken. Having a difference is your superpower and I didn’t believe that for many years. When I lost my eyesight at the age of 17, my world shattered overnight, but I want to be the light in the darkness for everyone out there, struggling and going through loss and grief because it doesn’t have to be the end of your world. It is just the beginning of a new chapter. Like my guide dog guides me through life now, I will guide you."

Blind Not Broken will be published in audiobook, e-book and at £20 in hardback. Hamlyn has collaborated with leading sight loss charity the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to produce Braille, digital Braille and large print versions of Blind Not Broken to ensure it is accessible to all. These different formats will be published at the same time as the hardback, audiobook and e-book. The audiobook of Blind Not Broken will also be added to RNIB’s Talking Books service, and the Braille edition will be added to RNIB’s Braille library.

Hamlyn is also working alongside NaviLens, a digitally accessible code, created to assist those who are blind or partially sighted. They have said of the collaboration: “NaviLens believes in creating a  more accessible and inclusive world for people living with vision loss. The use of our technology provides access to information that would normally be ‘unseen’ by people who are blind or partially sighted. Lucy has been an avid user and supporter of NaviLens during the past few years, pushing the boundaries of accessibility in all areas, likewise, we too are inspired by her achievements in life and her continual invitation to everyone to live her experiences alongside her.

“We continue to be in awe of Lucy’s positive and infectious attitude to life. It is a great honour for us to continue this work with Lucy in helping make her new book even more accessible, by simply adding a NaviLens code to the book cover, Lucy is making sure that everyone has the opportunity to join her on her journey.”