Piatkus takes on 'Big Fat Negative' podcasters' guide to infertility

Piatkus has acquired Big Fat Negative: The Essential Guide to Infertility, IVF and the Trials of Trying for a Baby, by journalists Emma Haslett and Gabriella Griffith, hosts of the “Big Fat Negative” podcast.  

UK and Commonwealth rights were acquired by Zoe Bohm, non-fiction publisher at Piatkus Constable & Robinson, from Juliet Pickering at Blake Friedman on behalf of Inkwell Management. Publication is slated for January 2022 across trade paperback, e-book and audio. 

Haslett and Griffith met while working as business journalists and launched their podcast, "Big Fat Negative", in August 2018, to help people experiencing infertility. The podcast, which mixes a humorous take on infertility with expert interviews, has received wide acclaim, with mentions on BBC "Woman's Hour", the Telegraph, Metro, and Refinery29 among others. This is their first book.

Piatkus said: “When friends Gabby and Emma started trying to get pregnant, and realised it wasn't going to be straightforward, they turned to books for help and advice. While there were some good, useful publications out there, the books they found were either personal memoir or practical guides, and nowhere was there a book that discussed how going through IVF can impact personal relationships, friendships, and the rest of your life.” 

“They decided to start a podcast in the form of an informal, witty and accessible conversation about all the issues around infertility, featuring experts to debunk common myths and offer advice. Their podcast has now been downloaded more than one million times and inspired this book which will be a go-to resource for women and couples struggling to conceive delivered with the same warmth, honesty and humour.” 

Big Fat Negative: The Essential Guide to Infertility, IVF and the Trials of Trying for a Baby is billed as "a no-nonsense, honest guide to infertility from the hosts of the 'Big Fat Negative' podcast that smashes the taboo around this isolating and heartbreaking illness, offering first-hand experience, an understanding voice when friends don’t get it, expert advice, reassurance for when you feel alone and, most importantly, humour when it you need it the most," according to Piatkus.

Bohm said: “I’m thrilled to be publishing Emma and Gabby on the Piatkus list. The 'Big Fat Negative' podcast has already achieved so much in terms of opening out the conversation around infertility and IVF and I know this book has the potential do even more. Big Fat Negative will be a really comprehensive guide offering both practical advice, friendly reassurance and a really holistic view of the process – I’m confident it will fast become the ultimate resource for anyone struggling with infertility.” 

The authors said: “Infertility can be a lonely place. Talking about our experiences on the podcast was a lifeline for us while we were going through it and, as it turned out, for others all over the world. We're over the moon that Piatkus is enabling us to share our ‘journey’, and all the geeky stuff we have learned along the way, with an even wider audience. We hope this book can act as both an expert handbook and an understanding best friend to those going through infertility.” 

Pickering said: “Emma and Gabby tackle the emotional and unpredictable process of IVF and infertility with warmth, humour and openness. Their voices are so needed on this topic, and their book is packed with essential and inclusive advice meaning women at all stages of the process will feel seen, heard and understood.”