Leap, the new imprint of Bonnier Books UK focusing on inspiring and informing positive change, has acquired She Wanted More by award-winning author and journalist Poorna Bell.
Leap Publisher Carole Tonkinson acquired World English language rights from Rowan Lawton at The Soho Agency, with publication planned for March 2026.
Part memoir and part exploration, She Wanted More is a call to arms for women of all ages, and a radical rejection of the belief that we should be grateful for what we’ve been given. It charts the societal revolution taking place among mid-life women and older, where traditional norms are being dismantled in order to reclaim a fundamental part of themselves. The book will follow Poorna’s own journey as a woman in her forties trying to figure out what life should look like now and in the future.
The book also includes interviews with inspiring women who’ve decided that they wanted more, such as Betty Reid Soskin who became a US park ranger in her 80s and retired when she turned 100, and the director who didn’t pick up a camera until she was 32 but went onto win an Oscar. She Wanted More aims to empower women to reject the idea that they have to settle, and reach for the vibrancy and new lease of life that comes with wanting more.
Author Poorna Bell said: ‘I’ve never been more excited to work on a book that I feel is timely, and necessary in terms of engaging younger women in their future, and charting the roadmap that mid-life and older women are creating for themselves. More and more women are waking up to the fact that they have to break free from societal expectations, sexism, ageism in order to live lives that are fulfilling and a reflection of who they truly are. I cannot wait to record and write these women into history.’
Carole Tonkinson said: ‘I am pinching myself to be working once again with Poorna Bell. The word inspirational is thrown around a lot, but in Poorna’s case it is apt. Being at the Sports Book Awards as she won for Stronger and gave a rousing (and frankly kick-ass) speech in a room packed overwhelmingly with male nominees and judges and guests was a moment. Poorna wanted more and has found ways to be more, take up more space, break through barriers. I can’t wait to publish this book which stretches over different subjects and readerships but that serves as an invitation to us all to dream big and go for it.’
Poorna Bell is an award-winning journalist of 21 years, author and a digital editorial expert, having previously worked as UK Executive Editor and Global Lifestyle Head for HuffPost. She’s also published three non-fiction books and her second novel is out in 2024. She specialises in women’s issues, diversity, fitness, pro-ageing and mental health, and has freelanced for The Times, The i Paper, Grazia, The Guardian, Red magazine, and Stylist among others. Poorna is an experienced public speaker, from doing keynotes to moderating events for FTSE 100 companies, hosting and running seminars for corporations. She has spoken on Channel 5, ITV, and BBC News, and a regular fixture on BBC radio.
She Wanted More will be published in hardback, ebook and audio in March 2026 by Leap.
Author headshot by Ellen Lai Photography
