Even the book's release date is deeply personal, coinciding with Mapplethorpe's birthday and the anniversary of Smith's death.
“It took a decade to write this book, grappling with the beauty and sorrow of a lifetime. I’m hoping that people will find something they need,” Smith said in a statement issued through Random House.
Smith's other books include "M Train,""Year of the Monkey," "Woolgathering" and "Devotion (Why I Write)."
Smith, 78, collapsed on stage in Brazil in January, and later wrote on Instagram that she suffered "some post migraine dizziness." But besides her book, she is planning a tour this year to mark the 50th anniversary of her classic debut album, "Horses," which she will perform in full. Last month, she was honored at Carnegie Hall, with guests ranging from Bruce Springsteen and Michael Stipe to Scarlett Johansson and Sean Penn.