Manilla Press, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has acquired Imaginary Forces, the debut novel from Georgia Moorhouse.
Senior commissioning editor for Manilla Press, Zoe Yang, acquired world all-language rights in a two-book deal from Marina de Pass at The Soho Agency via a pre-empt.
Imaginary Forces explores modern relationships and the multifaceted nature of love via obsession, science and a very messy love triangle.
Robin is unreliable, unstable and utterly devoted to his oldest friend Henry. After the sudden death of Henry’s mother, celebrated novelist Marian Finch, Robin is there to pick up the pieces. When Henry inherits an antiquarian bookshop, he and Robin build a life there together.
But grief can send us down unexpected paths. For Henry, it leads him to the theory of multiple universes and to Yolanda, a brilliant scientist who can help him understand it.
Robin and Yolanda have three things in common: they are in love with the same man, they despise each other, and they are oblivious to the fact that Henry is spiralling into a dangerous obsession that will irrevocably change them all.
Moorhousewas shortlisted for the Women’s Prize Discoveries programme last year with this novel. She was also longlisted for the 2025 RSL V.S. Pritchett prize for her short fiction.
Georgia Moorhouse said: ‘I’m thrilled that Imaginary Forces has found such a supportive home with Bonnier Books UK. I couldn’t be more excited to work with Zoe to bring this story to readers; her enthusiasm and passion for my book and its characters has been a dream come true. I’m so grateful to the team at Manilla Press, and to my agent Marina de Pass, who has been such a champion of this book from the start.’
Zoe Yang said: ‘Imaginary Forces is an extraordinary debut novel. It is a devastating and powerful portrait of love in its many forms – yearning, obsession, addiction – told by one of the most distinctive (and flawed) main characters I’ve ever read. Georgia is an exceptional literary talent and I feel so lucky to be working with her.’
Imaginary Forces will be published in hardback, eBook and audio in early 2027.
