Orion Fiction has acquired Brooding, a heartbreaking book club novel about the complex expectations of motherhood from debut novelist Celia Silvani. Publisher Sam Eades and Sanah Ahmed bought World Rights, including screen rights, from Hannah Schofield at LBA.

Isolated and vulnerable, newly pregnant Claire decides she’s tired of doctors treating her like she is on a conveyor belt, her younger boss’s increasing hostility, and her husband’s judgement over her googling what could go wrong. She finds herself drawn to an online group for ‘natural motherhood’ and is warmly embraced by the sisterhood. But as Claire withdraws further into their world and her due date approaches, it becomes clear that there is a devastating cost of blind – and complete – loyalty.

Celia Silvani, Author, said: “I’ve always been fascinated by online communities and the way people communicate behind the mask of anonymity. Brooding explores how the internet can feed into pregnancy and health anxiety, and why some women choose to free-birth. I am beyond excited to be working with Orion and its incredible editorial team – my book midwives – to bring Brooding to life.

Sam Eades, Publisher, said: “Timely and compulsive, Brooding is a thought-provoking story about what happens when the choices we make look different from those around us. It taps into the conversations that people are having about free-birthing – the choice to give birth outside of the medical system – on TikTok and other social media platforms. Celia writes her characters with such insight, warmth and nuance that even if you don’t fully understand their decisions, you understand them and care for the characters. I’ve been waiting for a book like this for so long, and am so excited to welcome Celia to the Orion Fiction list.”

Hannah Schofield, Agent, said; “Celia’s utterly propulsive debut had me up in the middle of the night consumed by her characters and the claustrophobic world she’s created. Luckily, it was clear that Sam and Sanah were just as hooked as I was! I know Brooding is in the best hands at Orion to be guided into the world.”

Celia Silvani is a communications manager and freelance writer, who has written for Stylist, The Telegraph and BBC Future on topics ranging from weddings to hurricanes. Brooding is her debut novel.

Brooding, which has been likened to dark book club novels such as The Push, Magpie and The Herd, will be published in summer 2024 in ebook, audio and hardback, with a mass market paperback in 2025.