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New indie press Lemon Quartz is launching its first title, Sex, Drugs, and Yoga by Birdie Paradise, with a view to publishing books focused on mental health and wellbeing.
Founded by former publishing executive at Fernhurst Books Rachel Atkins, the new publishing house will focus on adult non-fiction, aiming to offer readers a fresh perspective on mental health and wellbeing, spirituality and finding purpose.
Atkins hopes to build a community of engaged readers from across the globe by amplifying the voices of those who "have unique stories to tell and publishing inspiring, intelligent, and interesting content" both in books and on social media.
She said: “Having worked in publishing throughout my twenties, first as an executive and then freelance in the industry, I have for many years wanted to launch a press that focuses on the issues that I and many other millennials are grappling with. In recent years there has been a huge rise in the uptake of spiritual practices and greater openness in talking about mental health, especially on Instagram, and it is my intention with Lemon Quartz to delve deeper into these areas and build on the momentum that is already gaining pace. A combination of nearing 30 and the shake-up caused by the pandemic led me to bite the bullet and create the company and I am very excited to see what the future holds.”
Publishing on "Blue Monday", 17th January 2022 – marketed as the most depressing day of the year – Lemon Quartz’s debut title is a "visceral" memoir, according to the publisher, and explores the thoughts and experiences of Paradise as she lives through her twenties. Sex, Drugs, and Yoga offers access to her personal diary, through which she shares a decade of her innermost thoughts, showing first-hand that "even the depths of despair can lead to breakthroughs and to life". Atkins acquired world rights for the book direct from the author.
Paradise said: “Working with Rachel and Lemon Quartz has been effortless. She is a true professional in this field and multitalented. I thank her immensely for her motivational support. This was a story I was told to be ashamed of. Quite the opposite, being able to present it as a book is something I am very proud of.”