In May 2018, Heti published an autobiographical novel, "Motherhood", focused on her deliberation on whether or not to have children. Initially conceived as a nonfiction work, Heti explores the emphasis society places on motherhood and how women are judged regardless of their decision: "...a woman will always be made to feel like a criminal, whatever choice she makes, however hard she tries. Mothers feel like criminals. Nonmothers do, too." The book was named as a shortlisted finalist for the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize.