Bluebird acquires actor Greg Wise’s ‘conversation-starting’ book on grief
Bluebird has acquired actor Greg Wise’s “conversation-starting” book on grief. Lizzy Gray, publisher at Bluebird and One Boat, acquired world English language rights to Grief Talking, by Greg Wise, from Caroline Wood at Felicity Bryan Associates.
In the book, Wise offers his personal experiences of loss, survival and being shaped by bereavement. The synopsis reads: “Wise explores traumatic grief – the sudden drowning of a close friend in his 20s; intergenerational trauma and the sorrow that can be passed down through families; the emotional aftermath of his sister’s death from cancer; and anticipatory grief – the pain of infertility and failed IVF when he and his wife’s cherished hopes were dashed and they grieved a loss before it was born. In telling his grief stories, he encourages us to be more open in loss and be more compassionate and comfortable supporting others."
Grief Talking will publish 5th November 2026 in hardback, e-book and audio, with the audiobook read by Wise.
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Wise said: “This book has been a decade in its forming. Its genesis, my sister’s death; its growth, my mining into my own grief and the countless grief conversations with a myriad of people; its execution, the realisation that I may be helpful in helping others navigate the chaos that is grief. This is not a self-help book. I proffer no advice; I present no platitudes or aphorisms. I just tell my own grief stories to open up a space for the reader to hopefully see themselves.
“Every one of us carries grief – it is an intrinsic part of living and of loving. A healthy relationship with grief brings countless rewards. I think grief-work saved my life. I think grief-work made me able to access joy. I know I am kinder, more loving, compassionate, grateful, forgiving, stronger as a result of this work. As we can all be, if we just turn up, listen and learn."
Gray said: “Since writing his first book, Greg has become a ‘grief elder’ – often approached at events or in public as a kind and compassionate person to talk to about loss. We are immensely proud to be publishing Greg’s beautifully written new book. Greg offers solace and understanding through his own moving stories. He advocates for a change in our modern suppressive culture of mourning, especially for men. Instead, we should allow ourselves, our friends and our loved ones an open, healthy processing of grief so we can become kinder, more connected and experience joy again."
