Bloomsbury snaps up female incontinence book

Bloomsbury imprint Green Tree will publish a “heartfelt” book about female incontinence by writer Luce Brett entitled PMSL: Or How I Literally Pissed Myself Laughing and Survived the Last Taboo to Tell the Tale.

Charlotte Croft, publisher of Green Tree, acquired world all language rights including e-book and audio from Julia Silk at Kingsford Campbell. Green Tree will publish PMSL on the 20th August 2020 in trade paperback, with a r.r.p. of £12.99.

“In this heartfelt, raw and funny memoir, Luce Brett lifts the lid on incontinence, providing a razor sharp perspective on a medical issue that affects around 34% of women but that remains shrouded in taboo and social stigma,” the synopsis reads. “Luce Brett was diagnosed as incontinent following the birth of her first child. She has written extensively about the subject on her blog and has spoken about the condition across the media.”

Bloomsbury said of the book: "Whilst organisations like Pelvic Roar and the work of the Pelvic Floor Patrol are drawing attention to this very real issue, women need far more help – more access to physiotherapists, more advice on pelvic floor exercises and more acknowledgement of this massive, hidden problem." A final chapter written in collaboration with a GP will give further practical guidance to women,

Brett, who runs a blog about her experiences entitled 'When You Are That Woman', said: “It is such a privilege to be working with Bloomsbury and the incredible imprint Green Tree, on PMSL. A personal book, it tells my story of incontinence unflinchingly, exploring the private and public, shameful and funny, pissy, tedious unglory, of being a grown adult no longer in control.”

The London-based writer added: “This is more than a searching memoir, it is an unspoken reality for millions of women, and I hope that hearing they are not alone will make a real difference in encouraging them to feel able to get help.”

Croft said: “Green Tree are delighted to be publishing this very necessary memoir by Luce Brett. A brutally honest, moving, insightful and in turns both funny and devastating exploration of living with incontinence. One in three women suffers from some form of the condition, and yet the subject is ignored, not taken seriously or considered something women should simply put up with as their lot. PMSL will be part of the change to eradicate the last taboo.”