Magic Meets Mental Health in Lara Pickle’s Debut Novel 'I Feel Awful, Thanks'

 An exclusive preview of the new adult graphic novel releasing March 5th invites readers inside a world of powerful potions and swirling emotions.

Oni Press,  the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of graphic fiction for all ages, is proud to reveal an exclusive look inside I FEEL AWFUL, THANKS– Lara Pickle’s critically acclaimed debut graphic novel translated into English for the first time! Spanish author and illustrator brings readers into a world of vivid colors, casting spells, and ancient covens where a young witch must learn how to balance new responsibilities with self-care. I FEEL AWFUL, THANKS arrives in bookshops on March 5th!

Joana has dragons inside her. Can she tame them before they burn her life down? Joana is a young witch who secured her dream job with a coven in London, her favorite city, where she can dedicate herself to creating potions, her favorite activity! However, she will soon discover the reality of city life is not so idyllic. Finding a flat is an ordeal, her “dream job” is stressful, and she’s totally alone. Little by little, she makes her place, but fatigue, sadness, and doubts threaten to topple her hard-earned success . . . until she starts talking to a professional who helps her realize in order to take care of herself, she must know herself. 

Lara Pickle’s lushly illustrated debut graphic novel explores the hard-fought journey of self-acceptance in a complex world of swirling emotions and powerful potions! I FEEL AWFUL, THANKS is in stores on March 5th!

PRAISE FOR I FEEL AWFUL, THANKS

"Written from the heart and personal experience, Pickle’s debut is a compelling effort to help young adults feel seen through an imaginative delve into familiar psychological challenges." —Library Journal

"[T]he charming art and worldbuilding bolster the reassuring message that 'it’s okay to not be okay.' Readers will be won over." —Publishers Weekly

“A beautifully illustrated magical graphic novel that takes you on a journey of self-acceptance, self-love, and therapy.” -Greet Van de Poel, NetGalley Reviewer

“let me gush about the illustrations. Stunning is an understatement! Lara Pickle, take a bow!” -Kristen Gabaldon, NetGalley Reviewer

“Readers will be delighted by the vivid illustrations, and moved by Johanna's story, and learning to coexist with her emotions. Whether or not they have experienced struggles with mental health, I believe readers will be able to take something away from this story, and learn about themselves in the process.” -Emily Allen, NetGalley Librarian

“I can't wait to buy it for my library and see it fly off the shelf.” -Victoria Cooke , NetGalley Librarian

“I had a feeling this would be great just from the title, but I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this. I read it all in one sitting because I couldn't put it down” .--Rachel Schott, NetGalley Reviewer

“Loved every second of it! Recommended for fans of witchy stories, beautiful whimsical art, and excellent portrayal of mental health struggles and how characters overcome them.” –Andreea S, NetGalley Reviewer

About the Creator:

Lara Pickle is the pen name of Larisa Bumb, a Spanish-Romanian artist and storyteller who lives and works in London. I Feel Awful, Thanks is her debut graphic novel, and it was originally published in Spanish by VR Europa and also translated to French by Hachette Romains. Lara has worked on animation and video games with companies including Netflix, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney, and more.

About Oni Press

Founded in 1997, Oni Press has a 25-year history as one of the industry’s most respected and acclaimed publishers of award-winning comic books and graphic novels with titles including Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim, K. O’Neill’s Tea Dragon Society, Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt's The Sixth Gun, Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer, Ezra Clayton Daniels' Upgrade Soul, Brenna Thummler’s Sheets trilogy, and many hundreds more. In 2019, Oni Press merged with Lion Forge Comics – the Eisner Award-winning independent comic book publisher founded by Academy Award-winning producer and entrepreneur David Steward II – to create one of the largest, independent libraries of comics content anywhere in media. The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group now exists as a publishing subsidiary of Steward’s diversified global media company, Polarity.

The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group publishes more than 60 original and licensed graphic novels annually, in addition to an extensive list of periodical comics.