Transworld acquires ‘powerful’ Reasons to Stay letter collection
Transworld has acquired a “powerful” collection of letters from the Reasons to Stay project, launched in January 2026 by mental health campaigner Ben West in honour of his brother, Sam, who he lost to suicide.
Publishing director Henry Vines acquired world rights to Reasons to... from Helena Bumpus at Noel Gay.
Assistant editor KC Onuorah will work alongside Vines on the collection, which will be published in hardback, e-book and audiobook, to mark the first anniversary of the project, on 14th January 2027.
The Reasons to Stay website allows people to send anonymous letters of comfort to those going through difficult times; to date, over three million letters have been submitted.
Transworld says the book will be a collection of the platform’s “most powerful letters”, curated and introduced by West. “Packed full of wisdom, kindness and reminders of what it means to be human, each letter is filled with moving and uplifting messages sure to help any reader navigating difficult times or simply looking to lift their day,” the publisher says.
West added: “Reasons to Stay as a project has been so special to so many people. Being able to now create a collection of some of the most powerful letters on a variety of topics for Reasons to... is a wonderful moment and something I know many people will treasure.”
Vines commented: “The response to Reasons to Stay has been extraordinary, and shows the power of connection, comfort and kindness in trying times. We are incredibly proud to be working with Ben to curate a selection of the letters that people can hold, cherish and gift for years to come.”
