Del Rey lands ‘groundbreaking’ historical epic from Willow and Hendel  

Del Rey has landed Black Shield Maiden, the first book in a medieval fantasy series from Willow Smith and Jess Hendel.  

Editor-in-chief Tricia Narwani at Del Rey US acquired North American publishing rights from Cait Hoyt at CAA. UK publishing rights were acquired by editorial director Sam Bradbury from Emily Westcott at CAA. Black Shield Maiden will be published in hardcover and digital formats on 4th October 2022. The audio edition will be released simultaneously by Penguin Random House Audio.  

Willow is a platinum-selling musician, record producer, activist and actress now making her foray into writing with a novel set to make visible the “erased” mythologies of medieval African peoples and women of the Viking age. Black Shield Maiden champions intersectional feminism, freedom of gender expression and dialogue across cultures.

Del Rey wrote: “Black Shield Maiden is the story of Yafeu, a defiant yet fiercely compassionate young warrior who is stolen from her home in the flourishing Ghanaian Empire and thrust into the world of the Vikings. There she discovers a strange new world of savage shield maidens, tyrannical rulers, and mysterious gods—but also a kindred spirit in Freydis, a Viking princess, who also wants the same thing: to forge her own fate. With Freydis at her side, Yafeu will alter the course of history—and become the revolutionary heroine of her own myths.”  

Willow commented: “I’m so grateful to bring the story of Black Shield Maiden to the world. At their core, the issues we’re facing now are the same issues we’ve faced time and again throughout our history. That’s why we create new narratives, from different perspectives and even look back into history for deep wisdom that can inspire and help us evolve. My hope is that this story will do that for readers.”