The Worlds We Make

Amid the pressures of the modern world, it has never been more necessary to cultivate a hopeful imagination in life. Morgan Harper Nichols sheds light on how we can use the powerful techniques of 'worldbuilding' to harness our potential and improve our sense of connection and wellbeing.

Growing up, life for Morgan Harper Nichols was a constant struggle for belonging. She found her refuge in drawing, each creation serving as a reflection of her inner world. It was only when she received an autism diagnosis at the age of 31 that she could fully understand the challenges she'd faced throughout her life - but in the meantime she had been cultivating a strong imagination in order to survive, finding her resilience through the practice of worldbuilding.

Worldbuilding usually refers to creating fictional worlds, but when applied to our lives, it can be a tool for crafting a supportive environment and a hopeful vision for the future. In A Necessary Imagination for Being Alive, Morgan Harper Nichols weaves personal stories with practical advice to explain the crucial role of imagination for mental health, neurodiversity and humanity. Breaking the concept of worldbuilding down into actionable steps, she equips readers with a robust toolkit to help them find joy and optimism within their own stories and live life on their own terms.