Mental Health Awareness Month: Spotlighting Lara Pickle’s Adult Graphic Novel, I Feel Awful, Thanks!

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, and to commemorate this significant occasion, Oni Press is spotlighting Lara Pickle’s critically acclaimed adult graphic novel, I Feel Awful, Thanks! Originally published in Spanish, this heartfelt tale has been translated into English for the first time, inviting readers into a world of vibrant colors, magical spells, and ancient covens. Lara Pickle’s debut graphic novel offers lush illustrations and delves into the challenging journey of self-acceptance in a world filled with swirling emotions and powerful potions.

Meet Joana, a young witch who has landed her dream job with a coven in London, her favorite city. Joana is passionate about creating potions and feels she’s living the dream. However, the reality of city life quickly sets in. Finding a flat becomes an ordeal, her “dream job” proves stressful, and she feels utterly alone. Despite her efforts to carve out her place in the world, fatigue, sadness, and doubts threaten to overwhelm her hard-earned success. It’s not until she begins talking to a professional that she realizes the importance of self-care and understanding oneself.

In I Feel Awful, Thanks, Lara Pickle advocates for self-love and seeking help when needed. The novel emphasizes that not every problem can disappear like magic and encourages readers to prioritize their mental health. Readers are encouraged to visit the National Alliance on Mental Health for additional mental health resources.

Praise for I Feel Awful, Thanks:

“Pickle’s soft, friendly artwork fits the story’s cozy vibe, with appealing characters exploring detailed London streets and colorful interiors. The panels break into jagged shards whenever Joana has an anxiety attack, and swirls of color represent her whirling turmoil. The self-help advice may not be revelatory, but the charming art and worldbuilding bolster the reassuring message that ‘it’s okay not to be okay.’ Readers will be won over.” – Publishers Weekly

“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.”—School Library Journal

“If you’re looking for a lovely book with great friendships and a focus on mental health, look no further. I Feel Awful. Thanks is incredibly wholesome and has a great message. This is a perfect read for the upper-YA and post-YA crowd, but it’s also a great read for adults. Pickle does a great job at making mental health feel more normalized and less stigmatized, which is still lacking in society. I Feel Awful, Thanks also has a lovely romance side-plot and adorable, healthy friendships. What more could you want?”—Backshelf Books

About the Creator:

Lara Pickle, also known as Larisa Bumb, is a Spanish-Romanian artist and storyteller in London. I Feel Awful, Thanks marks her debut graphic novel, originally published in Spanish by VR Europa and translated into French by Hachette Romains. Lara has collaborated on animation and video game projects with major companies such as Netflix, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and Disney.

About Oni Press:

Established in 1997, Oni Press has a 25-year legacy as one of the industry’s leading publishers of award-winning comic books and graphic novels. With titles like Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim, K. O’Neill’s Tea Dragon Society, and Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt’s The Sixth Gun, Oni Press has consistently delivered captivating storytelling. In 2019, Oni Press merged with Lion Forge Comics to create one of the largest independent libraries of comics content. Now operating as a subsidiary of Polarity, the Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group continues to publish over 60 original and licensed graphic novels annually.