Model and author Emily Ratajkowski has secured a seven-figure book deal for her second memoir, which will focus on her experiences as a single mother and her perspective on modern female identity. The project follows a competitive 12-way bidding war among publishers, according to Page Six. The book will be edited by Helen Rouner at Penguin Press.
The Path to a Seven-Figure Deal
In the piece, she detailed the dissolution of her marriage to Sebastian Bear-McClard and her subsequent navigation of life as a single parent in New York City.
The essay resonated with the publishing industry, leading to a significant auction. Penguin Press editor Helen Rouner, who previously worked on memoirs like Lauren Christensen’s Firstborn, characterized Ratajkowski as an "electrifying writer." Rouner told The Times that the upcoming book is "wise, funny, irreverent, moving — and wholly original."
According to Publishers Marketplace, the book aims to examine "modern female identity through the story of the author’s own efforts as a newly single mother in New York City to discover what really constitutes a good life for a woman."
Expanding on a Literary Career
This new project marks Ratajkowski’s second foray into long-form writing. Her debut book, My Body, was released in 2021. That collection of essays addressed the commodification of female beauty, power dynamics in the modeling industry, and her personal history, including her breakthrough appearance in the 2013 Robin Thicke music video for "Blurred Lines."
Since the publication of My Body, Ratajkowski has maintained a high profile through various media projects. She hosted the podcast High Low With EmRata in 2023, where she discussed topics ranging from ethical nonmonogamy to the etymology of "toxic" behavior.
Examining the Narrative Scope
Ratajkowski’s writing often blends personal memoir with broader cultural critique. In her recent essay for The Cut, she documented the transition into motherhood and the subsequent end of her marriage. She wrote, "It was a violent transition into a new reality of screaming baby on my aching tit and ring on my swollen finger."
The essay also touched on her dating life post-divorce, using archetypes to describe various partners, such as a "Vegan Graffiti Artist" and an "Elder Millennial." These descriptions, combined with her analysis of gender and self-actualization, have drawn comparisons to the cultural commentary found in works like Sex and the City.
Looking Ahead
The author has previously expressed a desire to move beyond her early career as a "muse." In a 2023 interview with The Times, she reflected on her post-divorce life: "Being able to assert what I want — that feels like it just started: My life as a creator and not as a muse."
While specific details regarding the release date or title of the new memoir have not yet been announced, the deal confirms Ratajkowski’s transition from a fashion industry figure to a consistent presence in the literary market.