All year long, The Center for Fiction is exploring The Stories of NYC in recognition of the 400th anniversary of the city’s establishment in 1624. Join us for a magnificently rich imagining of one of Harlem’s most turbulent and triumphant life stories in Diane Richards’s debut novel, Ella, which follows the early years of legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald.
Following her journey from Depression-era Harlem to the biggest stages in the world, Ella is a heart-wrenching exploration of Fitzgerald’s turbulent beginnings, battling racism, sexism, and colorism on her way to becoming the First Lady of Song. Richards, the Executive Director of the Harlem Writer’s Guild, “has blended her literary magic with the sonic boom of Fitzgerald’s life, poetically resurrecting the great vocalist’s journey” (Kevin Powell, Grammy-winning poet).
Richards is joined by Sidik Fofana (Stories from the Tenants Downstairs), a Whiting Award-winning writer and The Center for Fiction / Susan Kamil Emerging Writer Fellowship alumnus. Richards will engage in a rousing conversation with Fofana about her novel, her connection to Fitzgerald, and how she brought new life to her story. After the conversation, Richards will sign books.