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Bluebird has acquired a revised edition of the anthology The Colour of Madness, after the editors ended their original relationship with Stirling Publishing over its links to a far right group.
Carole Tonkinson, publisher, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to re-issue The Colour of Madness, an anthology of Black, Asian and minority ethnic voices discussing mental health, from Sophie Scard at United Agents. This new edition of the collection, curated and edited by Samara Linton and Rianna Walcott, will publish in May 2022 to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month.
Linton and Walcott ended their contract with Stirling Publishing, the original publisher of this work, in March 2021 when it was discovered the publisher was linked to the group Patriotic Alternative. Rights to The Colour of Madness were then claimed back by the authors. Linton and Walcott received widespread support across the industry for their intention to find a new home for their work.
Bluebird said it was "delighted" to publish this revised edition of the anthology, and intends to give it the launch and campaign "that it always deserved" through widespread press outreach, in-person events, charity partnerships and year-round author care.
The anthology shines a light on the many unique experiences of people of colour within British society and in interaction with the mental health system. The synopsis says: "People of colour are overrepresented as patients yet underrepresented as decision-makers in the mental health services governing bodies that have so much impact on patients’ lives. This collection is a vital and timely tribute to all the lives that have been touched in some way by racism and mental health inequalities."
Linton and Walcott said: “We are delighted to be working with Bluebird to give The Colour of Madness a new lease of life. The kaleidoscopic experiences within this anthology remain as pertinent today as they were at the book's conception. We look forward to revising our original work as well as welcoming new voices to the collective. We remain grateful to all who have supported us so far.”
Tonkinson added: “We are thrilled to be publishing a new edition of this groundbreaking book. Samara and Rianna are inspirational.”