OH MY GOSH! A couple of days ago, I found out that my Ella Fitzgerald/Marilyn Monroe book had a definite launch date: January 14, 2020. So, I started thinking about who I should ask to do a cover reveal…I thought perhaps I should ask the editor if the cover image I had was the final one. And then, this morning, guess what I discovered?
MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD: THE INSPIRING FRIENDSHIP OF ELLA FITZGERALD AND MARILYN MONROE is available for preorder on Amazon. With the most glorious cover image I’ve ever seen!!!
This was a manuscript that was very close to my heart. I’m a long-time admirer of the velvety tones of Ella Fitzgerald…and I always believed Marilyn Monroe was so much more than she was given credit for. But it wasn’t until I came across a picture of them at a nightclub that the idea for this story came to me back in 2014.
And the more I researched, the more I came to admire both of these women…trailblazers in the fight for equality! Did you know that Marilyn Monroe was the first movie star to own her own production company? Or that in 1956, Ella Fitzgerald won a lawsuit against Pan Am for racial discrimination?
A few years ago, Bonnie Greer wrote a play about the nightclub incident and it was performed in London.
I’m so grateful to Essie White, my incredible agent, who had faith in me and in this story. And to Little Bee editor, the fabulous Courtney Fahy, who fell in love with the manuscript and believed it should be a book. And to the talented Alleanna Harris whose illustrations have brought the story to life!
I am over the moon excited and just had to share with all of you, my dear friends! And to all my critique buddies whose feedback on dozens and dozens of revisions resulted in this stellar story – I thank you!!!
Congratulations, Vivian! Looks like a very interesting book. Great cover, too.
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Thank you so much, Kim! I am thrilled with Alleanna’s art…she was the perfect choice for illustrator for this book!!
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Oh, Vivian, it is a wonderful cover! I’m so excited this will be released to the world in a little more than six months! It’s a great story.
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Yes! Only 6 months…I can hardly believe it! Do you remember this story from back in 2015? It was in that 1st bunch of nonfiction pbs that I wrote…and Sweet Dreams, Sarah is out…and the Greyhound Bus story and the Hot Air Balloon story will be in the big compilation book that pubs in Fall 2020. I’m so glad I started writing nonfiction pbs…and so glad I have such great critique buddies like you who have helped me so much!
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Congratulations Vivian! I cannot wait to read this intriguing story!!!
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It’s one of my favorite stories, Elizabeth…and I’m so grateful that it will be a book!
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yes! I saw it on Monday and pre-ordered my copy from B&N!! Gorgeous!!
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Then you were ahead of me…I checked Amazon on Monday and didn’t see it…but when I checked this morning, it was there…I remember I looked the other day because I saw that your wonderful LIZZIE DEMANDS HER SEAT had been listed on Amazon and I thought since ours have a similar pub date, I was hoping mine would be up soon. Hurray!!!
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I’m so excited for you! Congratulations!
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Thank you, dear Lauri…it feels really good to see it getting ready to step out on the stage. 🙂
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Looking forward to reading this book. Congratulations!
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Thank you, Rose. I think it will be a book to inspire not just children, but adults as well!
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Woo hooo, how wonderful, Vivian! You must be SOOOO excited! Wishing you all the best (along with Ella and Marilyn’s legacy)!
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I’m thrilled to be bringing their story…and some of the backstory of their lives/accomplishments/struggles that many might not have known. Thanks so much, Lynne Marie!
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Congratulation Vivian! A cover reveal and a release date. I can’t wait to learn about these two women.
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Totally over the moon about this, Ashley! Thank you so much for the good wishes!
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How exciting, Vivian! Looking forward to its release 🙂
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It will be here before we know it, Donna…less than 6 months!
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Congratulations Vivian! I can’t wait to read this book. Inspirational❤️
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Thank you so much, Kathy…I’m thrilled that Little Bee moved forward with it and chose such an amazing illustrator!
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Congratulations Vivian! What a gorgeous cover – and to think it all started with a photograph!
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Yup…I came across the photo on the internet at the end of 2014 and read the little blurb and felt it was a story I had to tell in picture book form because friendship is such an important part of growing up and learning to be a good friend is a skill kids need to embrace. Thanks for the good wishes, Patricia.
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Congrats, Vivian! It sounds like a great story :)!!!
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Hello my friend! Hope you are well…and thank you…I’m excited, Maria!
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Bravo Vivian! The cover ( like the story) is Fabulous! Congratulations!
xoxo
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Oh my dear Jeanine! Thank you so much…you know the story well because you saw it from the very beginning. It was at that first WOW conference that Ariel Richardson saw it…it was a rough draft still…and she loved it…but although it didn’t work out for her to buy it, I’m thrilled that Essie never gave up on it and kept submitting it.
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This is exciting to see. Congratulations, I feel your joy down the Eastern seaboard! Sending some up to you. You pick such inspirational people to write about, V. I feel like I am getting another level of education from kidlit. .. . so many good people who didn’t get the credit they were due, or the chance to inspire others. Glad history is filling itself in with diverse characters. I know you know how lucky you are to have been paired with Alleana Harris. I have her gorgeous framed Art hanging in our recording studio. It’s the first thing I see when I enter the studio and it makes me happy every single time and starts the session off with peace. I love when the literary match-makers get it right…..the magic of a storytelling joining illustration. The cover looks beautiful. This looks like an enjoyable project filled with interest and a little magic. 📘✨ Now we wait….
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100% right, Annie…Alleanna was the PERFECT choice and she’s really brought the story to life! Thank you for your encouraging words.
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Vivian, this is such a wonderful idea. Congratulations; I can’t wait to read it!
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Thank you so much, Tiffany…I hope everyone loves the story as much as I do.
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Fabulous, Vivian! Congrats on a beautiful cover and story!
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You know the story well, dear Tina…you critiqued it many times. And it is where it is because of you and the others who helped so much!
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What a fabulous cover! And a brilliant topic! Vivian, you never cease to amaze. 2020 can’t come soon enough!
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I’m a lucky lady for sure, Jilanne! So glad you love the cover!!
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Congratulations Vivian! I love the gorgeous cover and the fact you’ve paired these two entertainers. Can’t wait to read it! You should get a lot of buzz on this book!
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I’m ready for the buzz, Patricia…and ready to shine the spotlight on these two women who, although they were both very famous in their own times, did not get credit for the depth of character they each possessed. It’s their time now and I’m happy to facilitate that.
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Vivian, the cover is gorgeous! I love that it is based on the photo! Congratulations! Can’t wait!
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Yup…you just never know where the next idea will come from. Thanks so much, Angie…so glad you love the cover!
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Vivian, Congratulations! great stuff. Can’t wait to read it.
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Lovely to see you here, John! And thank you for the good wishes…and I didn’t realize that your two books, MEET THE PLANETS and SATURN FOR MY BIRTHDAY, are also in Spanish! That is awesome!
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Congratulations, Vivian! I am very much looking forward to reading about Ella and Marilyn. A glimpse into new tidbits of who they were will be such a treat. Thank you for following your heart. 🙂
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I definitely followed my heart with this one, Rene…and I’m excited that everyone else is also excited about it.
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Vivian I can’t wait to read your book about Ella and Marilyn. Congratulations.
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Thank you so much, Hedy! It will definitely be hard to wait!
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Vivian,
I’m excited for you and wish you all the best. Your book sounds interesting. If you have a PR package with everything to use on my blog I’m happy to be included in your blog book tour. Just let me know. Again, congratulations!
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Vivian! Applause and cheers for your upcoming nonfiction book spotlighting two talented “pioneers” for human rights equality. What a unique duo you’ve captured in your craft of storytelling! In this case, “a picture’s worth” 500 words of less. I’ve listened many hours to Ella’s golden jazz tones, trying to find my own groove as I sometimes get invited to sing with my husband’s jazz trio. I’ll be buying your book for sure and ordering more as gifts. I have many musician friends with families and know how much joy their little ones will find reading your book. Keep up the inspiration!
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Oh how exciting! Your hubby has a jazz trio…and you get to sing with them sometimes!!! WOW!
Do you blog, Marsha? It sounds like you’d be a perfect person to help spread the word about Making Their Voices Heard…would you like an early PDF so you could read it and review it on Goodreads now and on Amazon when it launches next year?
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