Bonnier wins ‘fiercely competitive’ auction for book on defiance from Dr Sunita Sah

Bonnier Books UK has won a ‘fiercely competitive’ auction with multiple publishers for a ‘definitive’ book on defiance from Dr Sunita Sah. UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) to Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes were originally acquired by Margaret Stead from Caspian Dennis at Abner Stein on behalf of Rachel Neumann at Idea Architects, now at Wave Literary. Defy is now being published by Susanna Abbott. It will be published on 13th February 2025.

In the book, former NHS doctor, organisational psychologist and tenured professor Dr Sunita Sah delves deep into “why the pressure to comply is a corrosive and often invisible force in society”. The synopsis continues: “With her own groundbreaking research, she radically transforms our idea of defiance from a misunderstood negative trait into a crucial, positive force for personal and societal change. Taking us through her five stages of defiance, Dr Sah equips readers with simple tools to make decisions that align with our values and unleash the power of a ‘True No’.”

Dr Sah said: “I am thrilled to bring Defy to readers in the UK and Commonwealth. As my home country, the UK holds a special place in my heart, making it all the more meaningful to share my message of defiance here. In a world where the pressure to comply can often feel overwhelming, Defy offers a new perspective on defiance – not as rebellion for its own sake, but as an essential positive tool for aligning our actions with our deepest values. Through this book, I hope to empower readers to embrace the strength in saying ‘no’ to what feels wrong and ‘yes’ to their true selves. Working with Susanna Abbott and the talented team at Blink is an exciting opportunity to share this message and spark meaningful change.”