Torva pre-empts 'game-changing' new book by neuroscientist Jebelli

Transworld’s new Torva imprint has pre-empted a new book by neuroscientist Dr Joseph Jebelli. 

Alex Christofi, editorial director, pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights to The Quiet Mind from Carrie Plitt at Felicity Bryan Associates, for publication in 2025. Rights have also sold at auction to Dutton in the US, at auction to Random House Canada, and in eight other foreign territories so far. 

The book will show how stepping back from a cycle of hard grind and burnout has profound benefits for your brain and body. The latest studies show that simply taking time out to go for a walk, or even do nothing at all, can improve our problem-solving, creativity and our ability to predict an uncertain future. Not only is it good for our brains, it’s also the key to better overall health and happiness. 

Jebelli received a PhD in neuroscience from University College London, then worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Washington, Seattle. He has written two books, How the Mind Changed (John Murray) and In Pursuit of Memory (John Murray), which was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize and longlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize.  

Christofi said: “I feel very lucky to be working with Joseph on this fantastic book, which couldn’t be more timely. I believe The Quiet Mind has the potential both to win science prizes and to challenge the taboos surrounding our culture of overwork. And on top of that, I have been waiting for some years for a book that will give me a scientific reason to take long baths.” 

Jebelli added: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with Alex and Torva on this game-changing book. I want it to change how we live, because the science is clear: we have all been working too hard, and it is high time we redress the balance.” 

Rights have sold in the US (Dutton), Canada (Random House Canada), Spain (Paidos), Greece (Travlos), Simplified Chinese (Citic), Complex Chinese (Babel), Germany (Piper), Italy (Ponte alle Grazie), Korea (Woongjin Think Big) and the Netherlands (Balans).