Hera acquires suspenseful, timely and compelling bookclub fiction from US author, Saumya Dave
February 27, 2025
Hera Publisher, Keshini Naidoo, has secured UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canadian, audio and translation rights) to The Guilt Pill by Indian-born New York author, Saumya Dave, author of Well-Behaved Indian Women and What a Happy Family. Rights were acquired from Jemima Forrester at David Higham Associates on behalf of Claire Friedman at Inkwell Management. The Guilt Pill will be published on 17th April 2025 in simultaneous ebook and Paperback Original. UK audio rights were acquired by Laura Smith at W.F. Howes.
Keshini Naidoo says: ‘I felt seen by The Guilt Pill from the very first page. As women, particularly working mothers, we are told that we can have it all – the high-flying career, the well-adjusted children, the harmonious relationship. Yet too often, behind the surface is a woman struggling with balancing work and caring responsibilities, burdened by anxiety that all her efforts are just not enough. The same situation that CEO Maya Patel finds herself in as she tries to juggle life with a newborn and a fast-growing company, finding herself overwhelmed by guilt… until her #girlboss mentor offers her something to rid her of worry around emotional labour. Soon Maya finds herself achieving more at work, unburdened by childcare issues or concerns about her ageing parents, and it seems she might have found the answer to all her prayers – until she falls too deep down the rabbit hole, discovering the very dark side of these hot pink pills… The Guilt Pill takes this relatable scenario and marries it to an addictive, speculative bookclub read that asks the reader, ‘If there was a pill to erase female guilt – would you take it?’. Thoughtful, urgent, with the page-turning quality of the best thrillers, I’m so excited to be asking readers to take The Guilt Pill in spring 2025.’
Saumya Dave commented:
‘I’m so thrilled The Guilt Pill found such a fantastic home with Hera. From my first conversation with Keshini, I knew we shared a vision for Maya’s journey with guilt, ambition, and identity. We can’t wait to share this story with readers in the UK and Commonwealth in 2025!’
Jemima Forrester added: ‘Keshini’s passion and vision for Saumya’s smart, speculative novel sung through from her very first email to me and has been at the forefront of all of our communication since. I’m thrilled to see UK publication take shape and can’t wait for readers to become as hooked on The Guilt Pill as I was!’
The Guilt Pill will be published in the UK and Commonwealth in April 2025, in simultaneous hardback and Paperback Original. For more information, please contact [email protected]