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

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/

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

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.

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.

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/