Square Peg wins Julia F Christensen's book on the therapeutic power of creativity after four-way auction

Square Peg has triumphed in a four-way auction for The Pathway to Flow – Danish neuroscientist Dr Julia F Christensen’s book on the therapeutic power of creativity.

Publishing director Marianne Tatepo acquired UK, Commonwealth and Europe exclusive rights to the book from Kate Evans at Peters, Fraser and Dunlop (PFD). The book will be published by Square Peg as a lead wellbeing title in hardback, e-book and audiobook on 4th July 2024. Rights have also been sold in Simplified Chinese to China Machine Press, in Dutch to Alfabet Uitgevers, in German to Ullstein and in Italian to Garzanti.

"Whether it’s playing an instrument, doing yoga, drawing or dancing, 15 minutes a day of creativity – of flow state – can transform your life," the synopsis says. "Max Planck Institute neuroscientist and former dancer Dr Christensen unveils the new science of mindfulness and the flow state, revealing the secrets behind our lost focus."

The synopsis adds: "The Pathway to Flow offers a cutting-edge insight into why all of us are artists at heart, and how embracing this part of our humanity can help us soothe our nervous system."

Christensen said: "As a former dancer turned neuroscientist, I have experienced first-hand the power of the arts to soothe a troubled mind. Modern life makes it more and more difficult to experience creativity, or flow, and we’re likely to find ourselves trapped in a cycle of overthinking. I hope The Pathway to Flow helps readers everywhere use this science to unwind their mind."

Tatepo added: "In vivid prose, in her first UK book, the ingenious Dr Christensen takes us on a dizzying journey through the body’s neural pathways. This is a life-altering, practical study of the therapeutic power of the arts. With scientific evidence and stories of everyday people who, like her, used creative practices like music, drawing or dancing to combat overwhelm and concentration issues, she illuminates the theory of ‘flow’ – a state of mindfulness – vindicating anyone frustrated by futile attempts at meditation.

"Dr Christensen is an inspiring spokesperson for creativity, showing us the myriad ways in which it can alleviate stress and low mood, and that art is not a luxury but a necessity."