Merijn Van De Laar’s sleep book becomes fastest selling title in Sebes & Bisseling agency's history

Sleep scientist Merijn Van De Laar’s How to Sleep Like a Caveman has secured 14 foreign deals within two weeks including with William Collins, becoming the fastest selling book in the 25-year history of the Sebes & Bisseling agency.

Company founder Paul Sebes sold UK and Commonwealth rights to Myles Archibald, publishing director at William Collins in the UK and to Peter Hubbard, vice-president and publisher at Mariner/Harper US, which will publish the book in North America, after a joint offer through auctions on both sides of the Atlantic. Other major territories in which the book is selling include Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

Archibald said: “How to Sleep Like a Caveman is both witty and wise. It makes you think about how sleep hasn’t changed that much since neolithic humans were sleepless through worry. In the past it was sabre-toothed tigers, now it is social media that keeps us awake.”

Van der Laar obtained his doctorate on the subject of personality and sleep and the treatment of insomnia. He worked for years as a sleep scientist and sleep therapist and is a frequent guest on TV and radio. How to Sleep Like a Caveman combines scientific analysis with practical advice and “is a compelling exploration into the ancient roots of our sleep system, offering insight into how the prehistoric lifestyle influences modern sleep patterns", Sebes & Bisseling said. This book explores concepts such as why insomnia may have been an evolutionary advantage, the mechanics of REM and sleep cycles, and the impact of travel on biological clocks.

Van De Laar, who is deputy head of the family medicine programme at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, said: “I am very pleased and proud that we will be working together to put the subject of sleep even more on the map. It’s great to see that there is such an enthusiasm to learn more about how ancient evolutionary principles can support a healthy night’s rest.” 

Sebes says: “I’ve learned so much from this book, not only about sleep, but also about our evolutionary background. And it’s also a fun read.”