This summer, Mad Cave Studio’s young adult imprint, Maverick, will publish a graphic novel by illustrator Einat Tsarfati that takes a unique approach to the topic of clutter.
We’ve all tried to go the Marie Kondo route of tidying up according to what brings us joy. If you spend time on TikTok, you’ve likely seen your fair share of cleaning and restocking videos. But for those of us who can’t maintain such a tidy space, especially if we’re neurodivergent, clutter becomes a complicated topic tied to emotions like shame and guilt… and Tsarfati tackles those feelings head-on in I’m a Mess.
“Creating I’m a Mess was a long journey into the heart of my own cluttered life, embracing the chaos that I’ve navigated for the first 37 years of my life,” Tsarfati said. “This book tries to show that messiness isn’t a flaw to fix but a facet of our identity to celebrate. It’s a deeply personal narrative, yet universal in its message. Finding humor in the mess, resilience in the disarray, and creativity amidst the chaos are values that have guided my life.
“This work is an ode to those who’ve felt overshadowed by the pressure to conform to tidiness, offering instead a playful and profound look at how our messes make us marvelously human,” Tsarfati continued.
The Beat can reveal an exclusive preview of I’m a Mess, seen below along with the cover art.
Through humor and thoughtful, personal narration, Tsarfati examines her relationship to mess, as well as how clutter can affect different people in different situations. She also explores how clutter can be beneficial to some people and digs into why there’s no “one size fits all” approach to organization or housekeeping.
Editor Lauren Hitzhusen said, “I’m a Mess is certainly a unique book! A personal look at messiness—not only from a perspective of fixing it, but mostly how to live with it. Einat’s art and fun writing style make this a read that lets a reader be comfortable with themselves and the mess they have in their lives.”
I’m a Mess will be available everywhere books are sold on July 24. Pre-orders are available now.
