This week's guest is Cathelina Duvert (The Box, indie published, July 2024). Over 20 years in the making, this debut novel initially sprang from the author's own struggles with depression and her desire to use her degree in creative writing and her knowledge of the publishing industry to fashion a novel focusing on this mental health issue for a woman of color. She received invaluable help from WFWA's mentor program but because of the adult themes in her novel and her day job as a teacher, she chose to publish under a pen name.

Cathelina Duvert's debut novel, The Box, was born from her own experiences with depression. Recognized for her work, Duvert received an Honorable Mention in the 2024 Chapter One Writing Competition by Black Writers Workspace. Just one year later, Cathelina earned First Place in the same competition in 2025 for her forthcoming sophomore novel. She continues to share her journey through her writing, shedding light on the complexities of mental health with authenticity, focusing on how five specific strategies can help with the healing process. She lives in New York City with her twin sister and her rescue kitten Maxie.

For more information on Cathelina and her works, visit www.cathelinaduvert.com