Hera lands ‘timely’ novel from Saumya Dave

Hera has landed the “suspenseful” and “timely” novel The Guilt Pill, by Saumya Dave. 

Publisher Keshini Naidoo acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canadian, audio and translation, from Jemima Forrester at David Higham Associates on behalf of Claire Friedman at Inkwell Management. The novel will be published on 17th April 2025 simultaneously in e-book and paperback. Audio rights were bought by Laura Smith at W F Howes.

“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,” said Forrester. 

The novel follows c.e.o. Maya Patel who is juggling life with a newborn and a growing company. When her “#girlboss mentor” offers her a way to medicate the guilt and achieve more at work “unburdened by childcare issues or concerns about her ageing parents”. But then she discovers the dark side of the “hot pink pills”.

Naidoo commented: “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.” 

Dave added: “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!”