Michael O’Mara Books is to publish The Men Who Created Winnie-the-Pooh: The Lives of A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard by James Campbell, to mark the 2024 centenary of When We Were Very Young, the first of the four children’s classics written by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard. No biography of Shepard has previously been authorised by his family and estate.

In this wonderfully illustrated full-colour treasury (with previously unseen material including preparatory drawings, draft material, private photographs and unpublished documents), Campbell brings to life the fascinating story behind two of the most remarkable men in children’s literature. Both worked at Punch magazine from the first decade of the twentieth century before coming together in the early 1920s to bring to life Winnie-the-Pooh and the other characters of the Hundred Acre Wood.

The Men Who Created Winnie-the-Pooh sheds new light on their professional and personal relationships, complex families, and wartime experiences as well as their unique professional partnership and the extraordinary legacy for children of all ages across the world, which is as vibrant now as it was on publication 100 years ago.

Campbell has written two previous books, The Art of Winnie-the-Pooh: How E.H Shepard Illustrated an Icon and Shepard’s War, an illustrated personal narrative of the First World War, both published by Michael O’Mara Books.

James Campbell, author, said: ‘It has been wonderful to explore this unique literary partnership from cradle to grave, uncovering the highs and lows of two creative lives  whose enduring partnership in the making of Winnie-the-Pooh has now stood the test of 100 years.  A wealth of new and original material, with many revealing illustrations, makes the story so interesting and rewarding.’

Louise Dixon, Senior Editorial Director for Michael O’Mara, said: ‘James Campbell’s breadth of knowledge on Milne and Shepard is astonishing. He brings both men to vivid life on the page and, along with the glorious illustrations and other fascinating ephemera, this beautiful volume celebrates their lives and collaboration in a way that has not been attempted before.’

Louise Dixon acquired World All language rights from Stephanie Thwaites at Curtis Brown.

The Men Who Created Winnie-the-Pooh: The Lives of A.A Milne and E.H Shepard, is published by Michael O’Mara Books on Thursday 26 September 2024, priced £25 in hardback.

Michael O’Mara Books is to publish F1 Racing Confidential: Inside Stories from the World of Formula One by Guardian journalist Giles Richards in February 2024. With unparalleled access to the inner workings of the sport, this insightful and revealing book delves deep into the fascinating world of Formula One. 

The book includes a foreword by former F1 world champion Damon Hill and features contributions from twenty insiders including Lando Norris, Christian Horner and Toto Wolff, as well as other key players working in teams such as Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin.

Formula One is the fastest growing sport on the planet and documentaries such as Netflix’s hugely successful Drive to Survive have only accelerated its popularity. Despite this, there are still many stories from this high-stakes, globe-trotting world that remain untold.

Giles Richards’s extensive experience covering F1 for the Guardian and Observer for the last twenty years has granted him unique access to the paddock, the garages and the lives of the sport’s biggest stars. Featuring exclusive interviews from men and women at every level of the sport – from drivers and team principles to engineers and pit mechanics – readers can expect never-before-seen insights and anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of what it’s like to be a part of the Formula 1 circus.

Giles Richards said: ‘I began this book wanting to lift the veil on the roles of the men and women behind F1 and about whom little is known. Then, in the process of meeting them and in extensive interviews it became clear that their unique tales, their journeys to the sport and indeed their voices were every bit as fascinating as the work they did. Intriguing, informative and all too human, these are the stories of F1’s unsung heroes.’

Ross Hamilton, Commissioning Editor at Michael O’Mara Books, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be publishing Giles’s book and spotlighting some of the incredible men and women working in F1 today, without whom it simply couldn’t function. Packed with tales of thrilling victories, heart-breaking losses and inspirational achievements, F1 Racing Confidential goes beyond the headlines, offering a deeper understanding of what makes the sport the global phenomenon it is today.’

F1 Racing Confidential: Inside Stories from the World of Formula One by Giles Richards will publish in royal hardback with a full colour plate section on 29 February 2024 ahead of the 2024 racing season, priced £20. 

World all-language rights were acquired by Commissioning Editor Ross Hamilton directly from the author.

Michael O’Mara Books is to publish Mindful Healing: 5 Simple Steps to Transform Your Wellbeing by Dr Afrosa Ahmed, a GP and mindfulness practitioner and founder of MindfulDoc.

From boosting confidence to improving personal relationships, this revolutionary book offers a complete toolkit to introducing the practice of meditation into every aspect of your life, no matter how busy you are or how unattainable you think it may be.

By incorporating the gold-standard science behind mindfulness alongside the ancient practice of meditation, Dr Afrosa brings both her knowledge of the human body and 20 years of experience in the NHS to bear in creating this holistic and truly life-changing programme.

In five weeks, you can understand yourself, why previous programmes have failed and identify what you’d like to change, bring awareness and acceptance, master the mind with mindfulness, find your pathway to healing and learn self-care strategies to sustain your wellbeing, not just the present moment but the future.

Dr Afrosa Ahmed, author, said: ‘As an NHS medical doctor, I have seen suffering in all forms, physical and mental and its effect in every sphere of a person’s life. I felt compelled to help patients beyond the consulting room, to reduce stress and improve their lives and this is very much the reason I wrote this book. Accessible to all, Mindful Healing is my guide to unlocking the steps needed to achieve a mind-body-heart state of wellbeing, using a fusion of medicine and mindfulness.’

Nicki Crossley, Senior Commissioning Editor for Michael O’Mara, said: ‘We are thrilled to be publishing Mindful Healing in time for Mental Health Awareness week next year. As both a mindfulness coach and a GP, Dr Afrosa is uniquely placed to deliver a bespoke wellbeing programme which truly works – and you can tailor to whatever life throws at you.

Nicki Crossley acquired World rights directly from the author.

Mindful Healing: 5 Simple Steps to Transform Your Wellbeing by Dr Afrosa Ahmed, is published by Michael O’Mara Books on Thursday 9 May 2024, hardback, priced £14.99.

Michael O’Mara Books has snapped up The Wild Remedy Journal: Finding Wellness in Nature by popular naturalist, illustrator and best-selling author, Emma Mitchell. The journal is full of Emma’s exquisite artworks, photographs, observations and reflections on nature, along with prompts and ideas to help readers strengthen their relationship with nature and improve their mental and physical wellbeing. Nicki Crossley acquired World All Language rights from Juliet Pickering at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency.

The journal follows the Sunday Times bestselling The Wild Remedy: How Nature Mends Us (published Jan 2019), a deeply personal, unique record of Emma’s woodland walks and wildlife discoveries over the course of a year, detailing how each encounter significantly influenced her mental wellbeing, and an exploration of the neuroscience behind it. Having suffered with depression for over twenty-five years, Emma is an unflinchingly honest and knowledgeable writer, as well as a talented artist, designer and maker. With this journal, she invites her many followers to accompany her with her hands-on exploration of the natural world, and the benefits it can bring.

Nicki Crossley, Senior Commissioning Editor said: ‘Once again, Emma has stunned us with this beautiful book. She is so grounded in nature and there’s no one who can convey its benefits and the scientific evidence that proves those benefits in quite the way Emma does. This time she asks her readers to engage directly with her, recording their thoughts, feelings and finds when connecting with nature. Always candid, hugely knowledgeable and so, so human, this has been a very personal journey for Emma and I’m sure it will resonate with many.’

Emma Mitchell said: ‘I am thrilled to be working with the Michael O’Mara team again. Centuries of anecdotal evidence and literary accounts echo my experiences, and research is beginning to elucidate the scientific mechanisms that underpin nature’s ability to soothe a troubled mind. My hope is that this book may encourage others who may have stressful lives to experience the curative effects of nature by exploring their local patch.’

BBC presenter and naturalist, Chris Packham, says of The Wild Remedy Journal: ‘At a time when disconnection from wildlife threatens our mental health this book offers the perfect adaptor to plug our brains back into nature’s therapeutic socket. Page by page it reconnects us to the real, wild world we live in. A must-read for any modern-day Homo sapien.’

Emma Mitchell is a designer-maker, naturalist, illustrator, and the acclaimed author of The Wild Remedy (2019) and Making Winter (2017) – over 80,000 copies have been sold in the UK and the US across both titles. She studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge and spent time in academia studying molecular cell biology and was a technology consultant in emerging technologies in Silicon Fen until 2008, when her struggles with depression and anxiety led her to begin writing about the positive impact of both nature and time spent creatively on mental health. Emma records her daily nature finds with photographs and illustrations on Twitter (@silverpebble) and on Instagram (@silverpebble2) – a combined following of 193,000 followers. She has appeared on Radio 4’s Ramblings, Countryfile’s winter special and BBC Springwatch and Autumnwatch.

The Wild Remedy Journal: Finding Wellness in Nature will be published by Michael O’Mara Books on 4 January 2024, in paperback, priced £12.99.

Michael O’Mara Books is to publish Captivity: The Decoded History of Mary, Queen of Scots by Dr Jade Scott, the first biography of Mary, Queen of Scots to include the revelatory material from her newly decoded letters, lost for more than 400 years.

For almost two decades before her execution at Fotheringhay Castle in 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was a prisoner. From her chambers, she wrote countless letters, many encrypted using complex ciphers to prevent her communications from being intercepted. In this way, she used language to exert her will and her influence, even while incarcerated.

In Captivity: The Decoded History of Mary, Queen of Scots, Jade Scott, historian, expert on Mary’s correspondence and a consultant on the Decrypt Project, draws on these ground-breaking letters to paint a vivid portrait of one of history’s most compelling figures. She interrogates Mary’s complex relationships with friends and enemies throughout her imprisonment, illuminating her strategic expertise and bringing Mary’s captivity to life like never before, in her own words.

Dr Jade Scott, author, said: ‘I am thrilled to take a new look at Mary, Queen of Scots’ imprisonment years using the newly decoded letters as our guide. The decoded letters offer a chance to re-assess Mary’s imprisonment years and an opportunity to illuminate her correspondence and networks of support throughout the turbulent years of plots and schemes. I’m excited to be working with the team at Michael O’Mara and I’m grateful to be able to bring my research and my own passion for Mary together in this new book.’

Ross Hamilton, Commissioning Editor for Michael O’Mara, said: ‘It’s so rare that something genuinely new comes to light about a historical figure like Mary. These newly decrypted letters are the most significant discovery about her in more than a century and Jade is perfectly placed to draw out their subtleties and significance, rendering Mary’s years of captivity more vividly than ever.’

Captivity: The Decoded History of Mary, Queen of Scots by Dr Jade Scott, is published by Michael O’Mara Books on Thursday 31 October 2024, priced £25 in hardback

We are beyond excited to announce that we will publish Webb’s Universe: The Space Telescope Images That Reveal Our Cosmic History by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, in October next year.

With her trademark passion and knowledge, space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock demystifies the images from the James Webb Space Telescope with clear and accessible explanations that will appeal to a wide range of space enthusiasts.

Replete with the latest full-colour photographs from the groundbreaking telescope, this stunningly beautiful hardback edition reveals the cosmos in all its jaw-dropping beauty.

Dr Aderin-Pocock is a pioneering figure in science communication and was an integral member of the team of scientists who worked on the telescope. She has previously written two books for Michael O’Mara’s children’s imprint, Buster Books: Dr Maggie’s Grand Tour of the Solar System (2019) and Am I Made of Stardust? (2022), with the latter shortlisted in the Best Children’s Non-Fiction category at the British Book Awards 2023.

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, author, said: ‘The images that have come back from the James Webb Space Telescope have been utterly astonishing to space scientists and laymen alike, showing us the universe as it’s never been seen before. I’m really excited about what has already come back and what we might further learn – and delighted to partner again with the team at Michael O’Mara Books.’

Jo Stansall, Senior Commissioning Editor, Michael O’Mara Books, said: ‘We’ve all been captivated by the stunning images released by NASA from the Webb Telescope since its launch in 2022, and they only become more awe-inspiring when you understand just how far into our cosmic past we’re now able to see. Maggie has an uncanny ability to talk about complex science in an engaging and clear way and, with her incredible expertise and enthusiasm, I can’t think of anyone better placed to guide us through the new discoveries being made via this amazing piece of space technology.’

Webb’s Universe: The Space Telescope Images That Reveal Our Cosmic History by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock will publish in hardback on 31 October 2024, priced £25

Michael O’Mara Books is set to publish LEGO® DREAMZzz™: Dream Crafters, the very first LEGO DREAMZzz publication with LEGO Group under their licensing deal. LEGO DREAMZzz launched earlier this year with a 6 part TV series which is available to view in the UK on Amazon, Netflix, Lego.com and the LEGO YouTube channel.

As well as publishing LEGO DREAMZzz: Dream Crafters this August, this summer Buster Books will also publish LEGO Books Official Annual 2024 (with cool gamer minifigure), LEGO Jurassic World™: 800 Stickers, LEGO DC Super Heroes™: 800 Stickers, LEGO Harry Potter™: Official Yearbook 2024 (with Albus Dumbledore™ minifigure) and LEGO Star Wars™: Official Annual 2024 (with Luke Skywalker minifigure), and many more titles planned for this Autumn.

Since 2020 Buster Books, the children’s imprint of Michael O’Mara Books, has created and distributed LEGO titles across Europe, South-East Asia, the Middle East and South Africa, including box sets, activity, sticker and colouring books, as well as a variety of LEGO annuals, working with some of the biggest children’s brands. Over 1.3m units have been sold.

Lesley O’Mara, Managing Director at Michael O’Mara Books, said: “We are thrilled to be working on the books for the new LEGO series, LEGO DREAMZzz. We admire the creativity and ethos of LEGO, one of the world’s most beloved brands, and the work they have put into researching and product testing. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with AMEET and publishing many more brilliant books.”

James Tavendale, International Sales Director at AMEET said: “We simply can’t wait to bring the amazing LEGO DREAMZzz universe to LEGO fans in the UK together with our brilliant friends at Michael O’Mara”

The first LEGO DREAMZzz sets are released globally in August 2023 and Buster Books will publish LEGO DREAMZzz: Dream Crafters (with Mateo minifigure) on 17 August 2023, priced £8.99.

Michael O’Mara Books is to publish Young Elizabeth: Princess, Prisoner, Queen by Dr Nicola Tallis, the first fully comprehensive biography of the young Elizabeth I in over 20 years.

Drawing on a rich variety of primary sources from both Elizabeth herself and those closest to her during her tumultuous youth, it charts Elizabeth’s turbulent and unstable upbringing, providing an extensive and thorough study of the Virgin Queen’s perilous journey to the crown at age 25. 

Expert Tudor historian Nicola Tallis (Crown of Blood: The Deadly Inheritance of Lady Jane Grey, Elizabeth’s Rival: The Tumultuous Tale of Lettice Knollys, Countess of Leicester and the latest Uncrowned Queen: The Fateful Life of Margaret Beaufort, Tudor Matriarch) throws new light onto the early life of this iconic monarch in a colourful and immensely detailed biography.  

Looking at Elizabeth as a human being rather than as a political chess piece, this book explores the dangers and tragedies that plagued her early life, including the brutal beheading of her mother, Anne Boleyn, just shy of Elizabeth’s third birthday, her relegation to  the title of bastard shortly afterwards and, after losing several stepmothers, the predatory attentions from her stepfather, which ultimately drove a wedge between Elizabeth and her beloved stepmother, Katherine Parr. Elizabeth drew strength from her various plights, becoming a famously powerful ruler by navigating one of the most thrilling paths to the throne in England’s history.  

Nicola Tallis, author, said: ‘The story of Elizabeth’s youth is one of passion, dangerous uncertainty, fear and, ultimately, triumph, all set against the backdrop of the schemes and machinations of Tudor England. It has been both a great privilege and a huge thrill to have had the opportunity to write about the girl Elizabeth once was, following her life before the woman and iconic queen that she became.’

Louise Dixon, Senior Editorial Director for Michael O’Mara, said: ‘It’s hard to comprehend the tragedies and brutality Elizabeth faced from her very earliest days. As ever, Nicola Tallis manages to bring the drama and intrigue at the Tudor court to brilliant and vivid life while also revealing the true nature of this remarkable woman, who battled against these hardships and triumphed in a man’s world.’ 

Young Elizabeth: Princess, Prisoner, Queen by Dr Nicola Tallis, is published by Michael O’Mara Books on Thursday 22 February 2024, priced £25 in hardback. 

Michael O’Mara is a leading independent publisher of commercial Adult and Children’s’ books, based in London, Clapham. We’re looking for an enthusiastic and organised Foreign Rights Assistant to join our busy foreign sales office. This is a varied and busy role that requires a bright, dynamic applicant who is happy multi-tasking. Office experience, data entry experience (Biblio) and foreign language skills are an advantage. Publishing graduate preferred.

Responsibilities will include: co-edition management, drafting of sales contracts, answering enquiries from foreign publishers, providing general administrative assistance to the foreign sales department, and occasionally attend book fairs in a support role.

The applicant will need to have the right to live and work in the UK.

Benefits

• 20 days holiday a year rising by a day a year to 25 days pro rata plus 4 days Christmas company holiday
• One volunteer day per annum
• After 5 years here, you will be rewarded with an extra month’s salary
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Hybrid working pattern (Tuesday to Thursday in office)

Salary: £25,000

Please send your CV and covering letter to Pinelopi Pourpoutidou – pinelopi.pourpoutidou@mombooks.com

Michael O’Mara is an equal-opportunities employer based in Clapham, 5 minutes walk from Clapham North tube.  

Deadline: 28th June

Michael O’Mara Books is to publish 3D Street Art: Off the Walls curated by one of the founders and innovators of the movement, graffiti artist Erni Vales.

A comprehensive and inspiring overview of the urban art form of 3D graffiti and the first book to bring together the work of artists who have defined the immersive graffiti genre, 3D Street Art includes brilliant full-colour photographs of work by DAIM, Peeta, Leon Keer, Hoxxoh, Cee Pil, JanIsDeMan, Astro and Lady Pink and many more.

From New York City to Tokyo, Berlin to London and beyond, the book takes a worldwide look at the anamorphic artwork that has been sprawled over our street surfaces, buildings, and outdoor spaces since its emergence in the 1990s. Vales examines the artists captivating work, techniques, social and political messaging as well as critical and public responses.

Erni Vales completed his first 3D piece while in Hollywood in 1993, sparking a style that has amassed millions of fans around the world and changed the face of modern art. After four decades of designs, he has an A-list of corporate clients, from Pepsi, Dos Quis, and Absolut Vodka among others and has launched his own graffiti gallery in Wynwood, Miami, called EVLworld.

Erni Vales, 3D graffiti artist, said: ‘I have been painting in this style since the early 90s and love every entry in this collection. Working with these visual geniuses helped broaden my scope as well as develop my growing love affair with the genre. Making the uninteresting surface something to behold, these artists are a reminder of monster talents taking a trompe-l’œil approach to the 3D Street arts.’

Louise Dixon, Senior Editorial Director at Michael O’Mara Books, said: ‘The artworks in this book are truly breathtaking. How these artists do what they do is hard to fathom but to do it with such style and panache, to bend shapes and use colour and shadow as they do: it is astonishing. Artist Erni Vales’ knowledge of the graffiti world and the people in it is second to none and all the artists represented here have been wonderfully collaborative. I can’t wait to see the finished book.’

3D Street Art: Off the Walls by Erni Vales will publish in hardback on 5 October 2023, priced £17.99.