Beyoncé Collaborator Yrsa Daley-Ward's Debut NovelThe CatchKicks Off Well-Read Black Girl Series (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Yrsa Daley-Ward (left), the cover of ‘The Catch’ and Glory Edim.Photo:Joshua Michael Shelton; Property of Liveright Corporation; Tamera Darden

Joshua Michael Shelton; Property of Liveright Corporation; Tamera Darden

Property of Liveright Corporation

Daley-Ward, the PEN Ackerley Prize-winning writer of the memoirThe Terribleand collaborator onBeyoncé’s 2020 filmBlack is King, also notes thatThe Catchbecame a way to pose important questions that she was asking herself, particularly about the choices we make.

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Yrsa Daley-Ward.Joshua Michael Shelton

Joshua Michael Shelton

“The book is a journey of peeling back layers, exploring the split between who we are and who we become as we navigate careers, family and love,” the author says. “In this book, I delve into what I call the ‘ghost life’ — the alternate path that haunts us, asking,Did I make the right choice? What did I leave behind?"

“These questions linger, particularly as I look at motherhood and motherlessness, both of which shape us in profound, unseen ways," she continues. “I often dream of my own mother, gone too soon, wondering what it would be like to see her without the filters of time and distance. This is an invitation to examine our hidden lives, the selves we keep buried and to confront the haunting question:What if?”Glory Edim, founder of Well-Read Black Girl and author of books including the 2024 memoirGather Me, notes thatThe Catchmarks a new chapter for her literary community. Founded in 2015 as a book club, Well-Read Black Girl promotes and encourages conversation about diverse new voices in books.

Glory Edim.Tamera Darden

Tamera Darden

“I’m beyond excited to announce our acquisition of Yrsa Daley-Ward’s debut fiction novel. To include her voice in Well-Read Black Girl’s first foray into publishing is an honor,” Edim says in a statement.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“Our new literary series is determined to introduce narratives that are innovative and beguilingly genuine,” Edim continues. “Daley-Ward’s writing fits the bill; the voices in her manuscript hovered over my head for days. My co-editor, Gina Iaquinta, and I can’t wait for you to experience her powerful characters.”The Catchwill be published on June 3, 2025 and is now available for preorder, wherever books are sold.

source: people.com