Willow Smith has officially made her mark as a published author, stepping into the literary world with her debut novel, Black Shield Maiden. The 23-year-old singer, hailing from the renowned Smith family, has followed in the footsteps of her parents, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, who have previously released memoirs.

Unlike her parents, Willow has taken a unique path by delving into fiction with her novel, which hit the shelves on May 7. The release of Black Shield Maiden marks a significant milestone for Willow, making her the first in the family to venture into fictional storytelling.

Following her appearance at the Met Gala alongside her brother Jaden Smith, Willow engaged in a captivating book talk at the Strand Book Store in NYC. During the event, she shared insights into the inspiration behind her novel, drawing from historical texts and anthropology to craft the characters of Yafeu and Freydis.

In the foreword of her novel, Willow expressed her journey of exploring Viking culture and delving into the history of Black and brown individuals interacting with Vikings. She credited her parents for providing valuable resources on the subject, acknowledging their support in her research.

Looking to the future, Willow hinted at the possibility of expanding the story of Yafeu and Freydis, suggesting that Black Shield Maiden could potentially evolve into a trilogy. The collaboration with her co-author, Jess Hendel, opens up exciting prospects for further narratives.