HarperCollins pre-empts World English rights to The Meaning of Your Life Explained by Frank Martela

We’re absolutely thrilled to share the great news about a U.S. deal for Frank Martela’s nonfiction title exploring the meaning of life:

HarperCollins US’s imprint Harper Design has pre-empted the World English rights of The Meaning of Your Life Explained by Frank Martela. This work of narrative nonfiction suggests that finding true happiness lies in leading a meaningful life.

“Harper Design is pleased to be publishing this very special book.  Its offer of hope and how to achieve a life that is truly worth living is the right message for the right time. “
– Marta Schooler, Publisher, Harper Design

The deal was brokered by Rhea Lyons at Hannigan, Salky, Getzler Agency, on behalf of Elina Ahlback at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

In this engagingly insightful book, Frank Martela – one of the only academic experts who has contributed to both the philosophical and psychological research on meaning in life – takes you on a voyage through the history, philosophy, and psychology of meaningfulness and worthy living. Coming from Finland, the happiest country in the world, Martela reveals the hollowness of the modern obsession with happiness, and sets on a journey around the world to uncover the secrets of a meaningful life.

Frank Martela, PhD., is essentially the only contemporary academic researcher who has published both purely philosophical articles and empirical psychological articles on the topic of the meaning of life. He has collaborated with key experts of the topic, like professor Michael Steger, and presented his research in numerous academic conferences as well as invited lectures at universities such as Stanford University, University of Edinburgh, and Simon Fraser University. He is a popular lecturer and author of three well-received non-fiction books in Finland, one of which reached top-10 in non-fiction in major Finnish book shops. His TedX talk on meaning in life has been viewed over 7000 times.

“Frank Martela is not just a leading expert on meaning—he’s also a witty writer. I’m excited to read this book, which will draw on his extensive psychological and philosophical knowledge, his deep understanding of how Finland has become a world leader in education and happiness, and his rich appreciation of cross-cultural wisdom.”
Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of GIVE AND TAKE, ORIGINALS, and OPTION B with Sheryl Sandberg

Request reading materials for The Meaning of Your Life Explained!

In case you want to get to have a closer look at Frank’s work, do check out his TedX Talk, or read his articles in Scientific American MindSalon, or Scientific American Observations. He has also been featured on Psychology Today, BBC or Quartz

Rights sold: 
FINLAND:
Gummerus
UNITED STATES (WE):
Harper Design/HarperCollins

About author


Frank Martela

Professor Frank Martela, PhD, is a philosopher and researcher of psychology specializing in the question of meaning in life. His articles have appeared in Scientific American Mind, Harvard Business Review, Salon, CNBC and his work has been featured on Quartz and on the BBC. His research has been published extensively in numerous academic journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal of Personality, Metaphilosophy, Southern Journal of Philosophy, and Academy of Management Review. He has spoken to more than one hundred audiences worldwide, including invited lectures in universities on five continents, including Stanford University and Harvard University. He’s been interviewed by the New York Times, Discover Magazine, New Scientist, Vice News, Fox News, and Monocle Observer among others. He is Assistant Professor at Aalto University in Finland.

Outside of work, Frank is a father to three lovely children, an amateur-level soccer player, with an occasional skiing trip in the winters. He is made in Green Bay, so Packers holds a special place in his heart.

Bibliography


2023, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

The Meaning Manifesto: Why Work Needs to Have a Purpose

Frank Martela


2020, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

A Wonderful Life: Insights on Finding a Meaningful Existence

Frank Martela