Viking pre-empts 'creativity-boosting compendium' by Jillian Hess

Viking has pre-empted Noteworthy: Lessons in Creativity and Innovation from the Notes of Brilliant Thinkers by Jillian Hess, a professor of English at the City University of New York.

Commissioning editor Evangeline Stanford pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights from Michael Dean at Andrew Nurnberg Associates in her first deal for Viking. Nina Rodriguez-Marty at Penguin Life bought North American rights at auction from Laurie Abkemeier at DeFiore and Company.

The synopsis states: "Noteworthy is an inspiring, creativity-boosting compendium that weaves together deep historical research, scientific studies and a broad range of proven methods for taking brilliant notes. From the power of messy notes to spark curiosity to the most effective ways to cement ideas, Noteworthy shows how small notes can lead to big ideas. With dozens of examples from luminaries like Toni Morrison, Frida Kahlo, Beatrix Potter, Leonardo da Vinci, Jane Goodall, Charles Darwin and even Eminem, we will discover how we can learn from the greats to find valuable accomplices in our notebooks and enhance our own note-taking habits."

Hess said: "We can learn a lot about effective note-taking by looking at how successful people have taken notes. Virtually every classic novel, every breathtaking piece of music, and every groundbreaking scientific discovery began with, and was sustained by, notes. They are the starting point and the fuel for all creative endeavours, large and small."

Stanford added: "Noteworthy is an insightful and wonderfully creative miscellany on the art of note-taking. Jillian crafts a superb narrative, weaving in wide-ranging examples of famous note-taking methods with imaginative, practical takeaways for every reader to finesse their own note-taking skills."