West Yorkshire poet and emerging author Moshood Yusuf has published his debut novella, The Dead Load, a thought-provoking work of contemporary fiction that explores one of humanity's greatest mysteries, the true power of love.

Drawing on a unique blend of poetic storytelling and real-world experience, The Dead Load asks an extraordinary question: what if love could save someone from death? Through a compelling narrative infused with myth, metaphor and magic, Moshood presents love not simply as an emotion, but as a living force capable of changing lives in unimaginable ways.

The inspiration for the novella came during an immersive construction safety training session in Huddersfield in 2023, where Moshood was confronted with the sobering reality of workplace fatalities.

“I live in two worlds,” says Moshood. “A world of poetry and literature, and a world of buildings and architecture. During the training, I heard the statistics about fatalities, particularly in the railway sector where I was working at the time, and the writer in me began asking questions. I wondered what it would be like if families who had lost fathers, sons or siblings in construction accidents could somehow have them back. For many construction workers, love for their families is their greatest motivation, and that's where the inspiration for The Dead Load came from.”

Already recognised for his published poetry, Moshood has now taken the next step in his literary journey with a novella that blends emotional depth with imaginative storytelling. Readers who enjoy uplifting fiction with mythical and metaphorical themes will find The Dead Load an engaging exploration of grief, hope and the enduring strength of human connection.

Moshood's writing has also been influenced by iconic love stories including Titanic, The Notebook, Interstellar, Five Feet Apart and Romeo and Juliet.

Alongside his burgeoning writing career, Moshood is pursuing a vocation in architectural technology and is already working on his next book, a dystopian political novel examining corruption in his home country. With The Dead Load, Moshood establishes himself as an exciting new literary voice, combining the lyricism of a poet with the imagination of a novelist to create a story that lingers long after the final page.


The Dead Load is now available on Amazon, Amazon Kindle and from other major retailers.