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In the vein of The Paris Wife and The Personal Librarian comes this debut novel, a magnificent work of “biographical fiction” that reimagines the turbulent and triumphant early years of Ella Fitzgerald, arguably the greatest singer of the twentieth century. In this one-of-a-kind event, author Diane Richards converses with Sylvia White.

When fifteen-year-old Ella Fitzgerald’s mother dies at the height of the Depression in 1932, the teenager goes to work for the mob to support herself and her family. When the law finally catches up, the “ungovernable” adolescent is incarcerated in the New York Training School for Girls in upstate New York—a wicked prison infamous for its harsh treatment of inmates, especially Black ones. Determined to be free, Ella escapes and makes her way back to Harlem, where she is forced to dance for pennies on the street. Looking for a break into show business, Ella draws straws to appear at the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night on November 21, 1934. Four years later, at barely twenty-one, Ella Fitzgerald has become the bestselling female vocalist in America.

Diane Richards’ Ella Fitzgerald is inspiring and intriguing—an emotionally rich, psychologically complex character, a flawed mother and wife who struggles with deep emotional scars and trauma and battles racism, sexism, and colorism as she learns to find her voice on the stage. Ella takes us from the brothels, speakeasys, and streets of Depression-era New York City to the grand hotel suites where Ella, now older and wiser, looks back on her life and finally confronts the demons from childhood that torment her.

Compelling and rich in historical detail, Ella is a remarkable debut novel about an extraordinary woman. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly says "Richards's research brings the sights and sounds of 1930s Harlem to vivid life, and she portrays Fitzgerald's troubling teen years with care and sensitivity. Readers will be grateful for the chance to feel so deeply acquainted with 'The First Lady of Song.'"

Diane Richards is a novelist, singer, playwright, and theater producer, and she serves as the Executive Director of the Harlem Writers Guild, the oldest (founded in 1950) and most prestigious African American writers guild in the world. She lives in Harlem a few blocks from the Apollo Theater, not too far from Ella Fitzgerald’s Boulevard of Dreams.

Sylvia White is a multifaceted writer and esteemed figure in the literary world, serving as the Vice President of the distinguished Harlem Writers Guild. With a passion for words and a commitment to fostering creativity, Sylvia has dedicated her career to amplifying diverse voices and supporting emerging talent within the writing community. As a freelance writer, she is currently researching and writing a comprehensive book on the life and legacy of the world-renowned producer and theater executive Voza Rivers.

This event is generously sponsored by Polymath Educational Services - providing personalized support for teens with learning differences.

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