Penguin Michael Joseph scoops two new books by TikTok superstar psychologist Smith

Penguin Michael Joseph has signed a new two-book deal with Dr Julie Smith, the psychologist and TikTok star whose Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? was 2022’s breakout non-fiction hit.  

PMJ non-fiction publisher Ione Walder acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to the books from Amanda Harris, global managing director of YMU Literary; North American rights have gone to HarperOne. The titles and publication dates have not yet been disclosed.

Smith’s debut book, Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?, was the UK’s second bestselling non-fiction title of 2022 with nearly 334,000 copies sold through Nielsen BookScan UK; it was also Audible’s most downloaded audiobook in Britain last year. Alexandra Cliff at Rachel Mills Literary sold translation rights to Smith’s title into 41 languages.

Smith was a clinical psychologist for the NHS for a decade before establishing a private practice, with her experience also including work in addiction centres and with Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans.She became a social media star during the first lockdown and currently has 4.3 million subscribers on TikTok. 

Smith said she was going "full speed ahead" with her next two books for PMJ: “On my mission to unlock the therapy room door and give the world what they need to thrive, I have seen the powerful part that the right book can play." 

Walder added Smith’s first book was "an instant classic" and it was "incredible to finally see the book out there in the world making such a tangible impact on so many people’s lives and mental health". 

Harris said PMJ had published Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? with “such care and creativity” and added “it’s wonderful to continue this bestselling union of minds and ambitions.”