HarperNonFiction snaps up 'prescient' investigation into mind control in four-way auction

HarperNonFiction has acquired a new book on mind control and how to resist it, by author Laura Dodsworth and psychologist Patrick Fagan. 

Joel Simons, publishing director, won UK and Commonwealth rights in a “competitive” four-way auction from Rory Scarfe at the Blaire Partnership. Free Your Mind: The new world of manipulation and how to resist it will publish in June 2023. 

Simons described the book as “fresh and highly prescient” investigation into how we consume the world around us. The synopsis reads: “All forms of communication are designed to persuade you in some way. Politicians and nudge units manipulate us into agreeing with controversial policies. Adverts tell us to buy lots of this, but none of that. The news tells us what to care about. Charities compete for our support. Social media buffets us with algorithms. Symbols are seeded into our subconscious minds. 

“Free Your Mind is an urgent look at how our minds are being manipulated every day, and what we can do to wrangle back control and resist the nudges. 

“Drawing on interviews with mind-control experts ranging from psychologists to magicians, infiltrating cults and forums, authors Laura Dodsworth and Patrick Fagan reveal the deceptive techniques used to influence you, and expose the hidden tactics, from social media to subliminal messages.”

Dodsworth is an author, journalist, photographer and commentator. She is the author of the Sunday Times bestseller A State of Fear: how the UK government weaponised fear during the Covid-19 pandemic (Pinter & Martin Ltd), as well as a trilogy of books about the body. 

She said of the upcoming book: “After exposing the psychological tactics that were used to control behaviour during the pandemic, I wanted to write a book that would help people to resist nudge and manipulation. At the most basic level, everyone wants to be an individual and know their own mind. To do that, you have to be able to understand and resist attempts to influence your mind. In an increasingly manipulative world, Patrick and I both feel passionate about exposing the tricks that are used, so people can free their minds.” 

Fagan is a behavioural scientist with 12 years’ experience of mind manipulation. Previously lead psychologist at Cambridge Analytica, he is now a part-time lecturer at three universities, including University College London, and runs several data consultancies. His previous book is Hooked: Why cute sells and other marketing magic we can’t resist (Pearson Business), about how companies can make viral content that nudges people.  

He added: “Having been practising the psychological dark arts from the shadows for a while, I’m excited at this chance to bring the techniques into the light. It’s all got a bit much. These days, you can’t even turn on a bit of TV at dinnertime without it trying brainwash you into some social agenda or another – it’s past time people were given the know-how to resist.”