Consciousness in a Nutshell: A Psychonautical Odyssey

Wishing Shelf Awards Finalist and recipient of the Bronze Award from the Nonfiction Book Awards, "Consciousness in a Nutshell" is a mind-bending work of narrative nonfiction that takes the reader on a psychological trip through concepts of consciousness, perception and thought.

A neuroscientist trapped in a room without doors or windows writes a letter to a stranger explaining everything he knows about consciousness — in exchange for one little favor.

Written in the style of creative nonfiction, this semi-autobiographical tale follows two young neuropsychopharmacologists on the verge of publishing a major breakthrough, when one of them (only identified by the name "Ava") winds up missing, and the other finds himself trapped in a room without doors or windows. Faced with impending doom, "James" decides to write a letter to a total stranger explaining everything he and his partner discovered so his entire life won't have been for nothing.

Inception: This book originally started as a TEDx-style talk back in 2017. A talk I've given to the Master's students at Naropa University and DU.

About the Artwork:
Working with Kevin Cuellar for the illustrations was a super-fun process and we're so thrilled about the artwork he produced for us. I served as the Art Director for the cover and all seven pieces of chapter art. The instructions were heavily inked, surrealistic drawings in the vein of Ralph Steadman and Kevin absolutely nailed it.