Scorpions

My mind is full of scorpions. A cerebral itch, impossible to scratch. I know these creatures well, but they know me better. They answer to another name, this nest of scorpions, the writhing black mass that lives inside my head…

For as long as Tuppence Middleton can remember, she has struggled with obsessive thoughts and compulsions. She visualises her OCD as scorpions inhabiting her mind, something to be hidden that impacts her life daily:

• Have I killed my cat?
• When was the last time that person in front of me vomited?
• How many people have touched this door handle since it was cleaned?
• Should I tap the outside of the airplane to save my loved ones from harm?

Often used as a shorthand for tidiness or as the punchline of a joke, OCD is one of society’s most misunderstood disorders and it’s rarely spoken about with such honesty and openness.

Beautifully written, moving and often darkly funny, Tuppence recounts what it feels like to share your mind with a nest of scorpions.

FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT OF LIVING WITH OCD: Tuppence first spoke about living with OCD in her BBC Radio 4 series in 2021. Her memoir will be a conversation starter, helping people with OCD feel less alone and opening up this world for those who don't have the disorder.

EXCEPTIONAL WRITING: Tuppence is an extraordinary writer and, despite the topic, brings a lightness and relatability to the page readers will love.

WELL-CONNECTED AUTHOR WITH A PUBLIC PROFILE: Tuppence is a highly regarded actor, best known for appearances on Downton Abbey, The Imitation Game and Sense8. We can expect support from her high profile network.

COMPS: Strong Female Character by Fern Brady; I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy; The Man Who Couldn’t Stop by David Adam; The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida