Emily Ratajkowski is returning to the literary world in a major way. The model, actress, and bestselling author has signed a seven-figure deal with Penguin Press for her next book, Mother F*cker, following an intense 12-way bidding war among publishers. The memoir builds on her widely discussed essay of the same name and marks her first book since the success of her 2021 New York Times bestseller, My Body.
According to Penguin Press, the upcoming memoir explores modern female identity through Ratajkowski's personal experiences as a newly single mother navigating dating, relationships, and independence in New York City. The publisher describes the project as an intimate examination of what defines a fulfilling life for women today.
© WireImageA New Chapter After My Body
Ratajkowski made her literary debut with My Body, a collection of essays examining beauty standards, fame, sexuality, and the objectification of women. The book became a New York Times bestseller and earned praise for its candid exploration of gender, power, and identity.
Her new memoir takes that conversation further by focusing on the years following her divorce and the personal transformation that followed. The project expands on her viral essay published in The Cut, in which she reflected on becoming a single mother and the lessons she learned from dating after her marriage ended.
© WWD via Getty ImagesHow Motherhood Changed Everything for Emily Ratajkowski
In the essay that inspired the book, Ratajkowski described motherhood as a life-altering experience. She wrote that giving birth to her son, Sylvester, in March 2021, completely reshaped her reality. She also revealed that the arrival of their child dramatically changed her relationship with then-husband Sebastian Bear-McClard.
"I knew that boys didn't treat girls they thought of as sluts tenderly. Boys didn't fall in love with, want forever with, raise babies with, or take care of sluts," she wrote in the essay. "I wanted to be taken care of. Desperately. I tried to be a 'good girl.' Keeping my body count low was insurance. I thought it meant no one would ever cheat on me, that I'd always be loved, happy, and safe."
© WWD via Getty Images"Becoming a single mother changed the way people looked at me, exactly as I'd feared it would," she explained. "But it also allowed me to finally see myself. I wasn't left; I left. I knew then that being able to leave, to say 'no,' was the only real superpower I'd gained through divorce. I was brave. Really, actually brave."
According to her essay, the couple stopped having sex about six months after their son was born and separated less than a year later. The pair, who married in 2018, officially split in 2022 before Ratajkowski filed for divorce later that year.
Emily Ratajkowski Life After Divorce
Following the breakup, Ratajkowski admitted she struggled with how others perceived her as a divorced woman. She wrote that she disliked feeling pitied or viewed as someone who had been rejected.
Rather than retreating, she embraced dating as a way to redefine herself. In her essay, she explained that before marriage, she had never experienced a one-night stand and had only been intimate with eight people, including four long-term partners.
© Raymond HallAfter her divorce, she intentionally stepped outside those boundaries, dating a wide variety of men while trying to understand what kind of woman she wanted to become. She ultimately concluded that casual relationships did not provide the fulfillment she was searching for, writing that being alone proved more satisfying than many romantic partnerships.
Allegations Surrounding Sebastian Bear-McClard
After the couple separated, multiple outlets reported allegations from anonymous sources claiming Sebastian Bear-McClard had repeatedly cheated during the marriage. Bear-McClard has not publicly addressed those claims, as reported by Page Six.
© Kevin Mazur/VF20Separately, a 2023 Variety investigation detailed allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior involving underage girls against Bear-McClard. Through a spokesperson, he declined to comment on those allegations.
Expanding Her Creative Career
Beyond publishing, Ratajkowski continues to expand her work across film, television, and podcasting. According to Daily Mail, she is developing an Apple TV+ series with author Stephanie Danler, with Lena Dunham serving as executive producer through “Good Thing Going.”
The series explores female identity and modern motherhood, with Ratajkowski attached to star while also making her screenwriting debut.
© Mike Marsland/WireImageShe recently appeared in Netflix's “Too Much” and previously starred in “Gone Girl” and the “Entourage” feature film. She also hosts and executive produces the podcast High Low With EmRata.
When Will Mother F*cker Be Released?
Penguin Press has not yet announced a publication date for Mother F*cker. However, industry interest surrounding the memoir suggests it could become one of the most anticipated celebrity books of the coming year.
With its blend of memoir, cultural commentary, and reflections on motherhood, divorce, sexuality, and independence, the book continues the themes that made My Body a bestseller while offering readers an even more personal look at Ratajkowski's life after marriage.
