Dame Deborah James’ posthumous book debuted at number one in the UK.
To Live When You’re Dead sold 40,878 copies after its release last Thursday, according to Nielsen Bookscan’s Total Consumer Market.
Finished in the podcast host and former Vice Principal’s final week, the book will also be the best-selling non-fiction debut of 2022 so far.
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Ebury, a division of Penguin Random House, will pay £3 from UK sales to the UK Cancer Research Foundation (Ebury/PA).
Dame Deborah, known by her social media handle Bowelbabe, died at the age of 40 on June 28, five years after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
After announcing she was in end-of-life care in early May, she completed the book at her parents’ home and co-wrote the final chapter with her husband, Sebastian Bowen.
We explore her interest in growth mindset theory and how to maintain a positive mindset even when faced with life’s biggest challenges.
For every copy sold in the UK, £3 will be donated to Dame Deborah’s UK Cancer Research Fund, which has raised £7.5 million to date through online fundraising.
Vermillion Books editorial director Sam Jackson said:
“Writing a blockbuster bestseller in the self-help space is Deborah’s dream and I am honored to be able to help make this a reality.
“This is my proudest publishing moment and I am delighted that Deborah’s inspiring and transformative perspective will help so many people.”
Dame Deborah was diagnosed in 2016 and gave her one million Instagram followers an update on her treatment.
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Her candid posts about her progress and diagnosis, including a video of her dancing during treatment, were praised by the public and media alike.
With Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland, she launched the You, Me And The Big C podcast in 2018.
Shortly before her death she was made a lady, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
