One of my favorite things about being an author is having the opportunity to meet and connect with readers, and I’m grateful to bookstores like Paperbacks Ink for giving me the chance to live out my dreams! #BookSky #EllaFitzgerald #DianeRichards

I had an amazing time at Paperbacks Ink Bookstore yesterday! I loved getting to share more about my novel, sign books for readers, and watch their creativity come to life during our guided painting session! #BookSky #EllaFitzgerald #DianeRichards

I'm having a wonderful time not only celebrating Ella Fitzgerald's 109th birthday but also National Independent Bookstore Day with Paperbacks Ink Bookstore in Virginia! #BookSky #EllaFitzgerald #NationalIndependentBookstoreDay #DianeRichards

Workshops are incredibly vital to sharpening your craft, so today, I want to share five organizations that have established themselves as go-to programs for rising Black writers. #BlackWriters #BookSky #AuthorSky #SupportingBlackWriters #BlackAuthors

With so many ways to share your favorite books with others, what methods are the most effective? Here are four simple tips on how to increase an author’s visibility. #BlackWriters #SupportingBlackWriters #BookSky

The legacy of Woodie King Jr. as a mentor, innovator, and tireless advocate for women and other underrepresented voices in theatre will long be celebrated. #WoodieKingJr #InMemorium #Memorial #Theatre

I’m honored to share that the staff at the Geneva Public Library District has selected ELLA as their latest reading suggestion for adults! Full list: www.shawlocal.com/kc-magazine/... #DianeRichards #EllaFitzgerald #HistoricalFiction #Booklist #BookRecommendation #BookSky

I am so excited to share that I was a guest on the latest episode of The Harlem World Magazine podcast! Thank you to Danny Tisdale and fellow Harlem Writers Guild member Eartha Watts Hicks for the amazing interview! Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #BookSky #Podcast #HWG75

When we write, we aren't just writing for ourselves; we're creating the building blocks to bridge the gaps between us, something we need now more than ever. #BlackWriters #WhenWeWrite #BookSky #WritingCommunity #AuthorSky #WriteSky

“When We Write, We Free the World” is a reminder, to tell your truth, to write passionately, and most importantly, remind us that we all have the freedom say what is on our minds. For when we do, we encourage the next generation to do the same. #TheHarlemWritersGuild #HWG75 #BlackWriters

If you haven’t read ELLA yet, now is the perfect time to add it to your collection—or gift it to someone who needs a little encouragement to continue pursuing their dreams. Order here: linkin.bio/dianerichards #BookSky #EllaFitzgerald #BiographicalFiction #BookGift #GiftIdea

If you have someone in your life who loves jazz, wants to learn more about 1930s Harlem, or is simply a fan of Ella Fitzgerald like me, my debut novel, ELLA: A NOVEL, would make the perfect holiday gift! Order here: linkin.bio/dianerichards #BookSky #BiographicalFiction #EllaFitzgerald #GiftGuide

The first agent who acknowledged me as a novelist. She called me by my first name after all these years. She has given hope to so many writers. We love you Ms. Marie Brown. #MarieBrown #LiteraryAgents #BIPOCLiteraryAgents #MarieBrownAssociates

@karinejean-pierre.bsky.social’s compassion, love and generosity of spirit is incomparable and so necessary. She moves me to faith in America's future. A must-read: 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 #KarineJeanPierre #HarlemEvents #WomeninMedia #BookSky #Harlem

We are deeply grateful for the decades of unwavering support and inspiration from Dr. Brenda M. Greene, and we were truly honored to have presented her with the Inaugural John Oliver Killens Literary Leadership Award. #HWG75 #HarlemWritersGuild #DrBrendaMGreene #BookSky

As we celebrated 75 years of the Harlem Writers Guild, we also wanted to pay homage to the incredible voices who have supported the HWG, both past and present, to not only reflect on our history but to set the stage for the next level of the Harlem Writers Guild. #HWG75 #TheHarlemWritersGuild

As the Executive Director of the Harlem Writers Guild, I want to send a special thank you to everyone who worked behind the scenes to make our 75th anniversary celebration truly special and to our special guests for supporting what we do. #HWG75 #HarlemWritersGuild #BlackWriters

As we continue to celebrate the Harlem Writers Guild’s 75th anniversary by looking back at some of its founders, we now come to Dr. John Henrik Clarke. I’m also including three of his most important literary works.

As Executive Director of the Harlem Writers Guild, I am honored to be celebrating their 75th anniversary with them. To reflect on its history, I will be highlighting a few of its original members, starting today with John Oliver Killens.

Continuing our exploration of classic pop culture divas, we now look at Audrey Hepburn, an iconic actress from the mid-50s who starred in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, “Roman Holiday”, and “My Fair Lady”.

It’s been a dream come true seeing a story I wrote about a woman who inspired me to follow my dreams appear on store shelves. And I hope “Ella” can do the same for you! “Ella: A Novel” is available now from @amistadbooks.bsky.social. Order here: linkin.bio/dianerichards/

Continuing to explore examples of classic pop culture divas, we now look at Dorothy Dandridge, who played Carmen Jones in the 1954 film of the same name, and a few books that explore her successful career and decline. “Ella: A Novel” is available now from @amistadbooks.bsky.social.

On my journey to become a singer, I was supported not only by my family and friends but also by a few incredible women whom I aspired to be. So, for today’s video, I’m sharing a few of my favorite singers! “Ella: A Novel” is out now from @amistadbooks.bsky.social.

Taking"Ella" from a concept to a reality took months of research and exploring archival records from the time period and Ella's life so I could not only reconstruct them, but to also learn new sides to them that many people don’t know. Out now from @amistadbooks.bsky.social

Since we discussed what it means to be a diva last week, now we’ll be looking at some examples of classic pop culture divas and their fashion. Today, I’m highlighting Grace Kelly, a popular American actress from the 1950s who married Prince Rainier III of Monaco and became the Princess of Monaco.

Being an author has been an incredible experience, but my favorite part is getting to write and create things using my imagination! My debut novel, “Ella: A Novel”, is available now where books are sold from Amistad Books. You can order a copy using this link: linkin.bio/dianerichards/

I love recounting this story because it made me so happy to know that I could retell the untold story of the First Lady of Song, but that I could do so in a way that was natural and convincing. “Ella” is available now where books are sold from @amistadbooks.bsky.social.

Thanks to Michelle Skelton for this wonderful review of “Ella”! “Ella: A Novel” is available now where books are sold from @amistadbooks.bsky.social!

While I did conduct extensive research into the life of Ella Fitzgerald, I reimagined much of her life for various reasons, and I enjoy hearing how readers couldn’t believe that much of the story isn’t true! “Ella: A Novel” is available now from @amistadbooks.bsky.social.

I’ve spend the last few weeks discussing the Harlem Renaissance and various aspects of Ella Fitzgerald’s life, but I haven’t fully introduced myself, so here are a few things I want you to know about me! “Ella” is out now from @amistadbooks.bsky.social. Order here: linkin.bio/dianerichards/

So many authors can be credited for contributing to the African American literary canon, but today, I’m highlighting three of my personal favorites, all of whom led the Black Women's Literary Renaissance in the 1970s. “Ella: A Novel” is available now from @amistadbooks.bsky.social.

Founded in 1950, the Harlem Writers Guild has supported several well-known authors, including myself as I wrote "Ella," and I am overjoyed to be celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. “Ella: A Novel” is available now where books are sold from @amistadbooks.bsky.social.

By opening the Apollo Theater to Black and White attendees, the Harlem Renaissance was kept alive by allowing Black performers to perform and demonstrate their talents, helping many enter the mainstream. “Ella: A Novel” is available now where books are sold from @amistadbooks.bsky.social.

Today, I'm highlighting a few of the individuals responsible for helping take Ella Fitzgerald from a young girl at the Apollo Theater to the iconic First Lady of Song we know today. “Ella: A Novel” is available now from @amistadbooks.bsky.social.

Ella Fitzgerald entered the world of music a few years after the Harlem Renaissance came to an end, but getting to see Black artists thrive during the era was a huge inspiration for her to continue pursuing music. “Ella: A Novel” is available now where books are sold from @amistadbooks.bsky.social.

Even after 100 years, the impact of Harlem on Black culture can still be seen in the works of contemporary Black writers, and is a great place to start for those exploring the history of literature and emergence in of Black writers in the post-war years.

While the Harlem Renaissance faced criticism from its contemporaries, today, the city of and its impact on American culture continues to uplift and inspire contemporary writers, performers, and singers to embrace their identities and heritages.

Ella Fitzgerald has been a major inspiration to me since I was a little girl. So, when I decided to write a novel, I knew that I had to write about her. But as I researched her life, I uncovered someone who was both unrecognizable and someone I could relate to in surprising ways.

In the course of writing “Ella”, I discovered that she and I were connected on a much more personal level. “Ella: A Novel” is available now where books are sold from @amistadbooks.bsky.social. You can use this link to order a copy: linkin.bio/dianerichards/

If there’s one thing I hope readers can take from my book, “Ella”, and Ella Fitzgerald’s story, it’s the encouragement to never give up on your dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem at the time. “Ella: A Novel” is available now from @amistadbooks.bsky.social.

I’m excited to announce that “Ella” is available now in paperback! “Ella: A Novel” is available now where books are sold from @amistadbooks.bsky.social. You can order here: linkin.bio/dianerichards/

For young and aspiring writers, I have two important pieces of advice that can help you get started on writing your book. First, think about what writing means to you, and secondly, write on demand. “Ella: A Novel” will be available in paperback tomorrow from @amistadbooks.bsky.social!

I’m excited to announce that my debut novel, “Ella”, be available in paperback next Monday, April 15th from @amistadbooks.bsky.social!

The process of taking ELLA from a draft to a finished book took six months of research, writing, and editing. From conceptualizing Ella’s character to writing 500 words a day to bring her early years to life. “Ella: A Novel” is available now where books are sold from @amistadbooks.bsky.social.

Books and music are magically connected through tone and emotion, and it’s up to authors and singers alike to express these feelings with the world.

I am so excited to be participating in Amistad Books’ (@amistadbooks.bsky.social) Women Defying Stereotypes Instagram Live series on Monday, March 31st! I will be joined by the incredible Zelda Lockhart and Sheila Williams to discuss how history can help us heal.

One of my favorite stories to tell from my time in the music industry is when I worked at Dick Scott Entertainment, who managed Mark Wahlberg, a young rapper in the early 1990s known as Marky Mark, and had to call Dick while he was on a plane to let him know that Marks house had been broken into.

In the early 1980s, I was given an incredible opportunity to be a backup singer for Whitney Houston. I remember being amazed by her talent and confidence and shocked that someone like me, also a new artist, would be able to sing with her in the music video for “You Give Good Love.”

I’m excited to announce that “Ella” will be released in paperback on April 8th! In “Ella”, I reimagine the early years of Ella Fitzgerald using extensive archival research, taking readers into the streets of 1920s New York City to trace Ella’s incredible journey to becoming the First Lady of Song.