Diane Marie Brown grew up in Northern California, but after meeting her husband in college and moving, she now calls Long Beach her home.
Brown’s life continued with college, family and a job in public health. Although a creative career was not something Brown envisioned for herself, she always had a love of writing—and after attending USC’s professional writing program, she kept chipping away at a project.
On this week’s “The Word” podcast, Brown explains how the murder of George Floyd and the spirit of inclusion lead to her book “Black Candle Women” becoming a published novel.
“Black Candle Women” is set in Long Beach where it tells the story of four generations of Black women as they try to overcome a family curse that kills anyone they fall in love with. It will be available everywhere on Feb. 28. You can pre-order your copy on Amazon.
It’s already received praise, including from filmmaker Ava DuVernay who called it “propulsive and poignant.”
To follow Brown on her journey or to learn about upcoming book-signing events, follow her on Instagram.
Subscribe to “The Word” podcast on all streaming platforms or listen to the audio version here.
If you would like to meet Diane Brown in person in Long Beach, you can on the following dates:
- Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at Bel Canto Books (The Hangout), 2122 E. Fourth Street, Long Beach. She’ll be in conversation with Ashley Coleman, the author of “Good Morning Love.” To attend, you can register at belcantobooks.net/events.
- Thursday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Billie Jean King Main Library where she’ll be in conversation with Elana K. Arnold, a National Book Award Finalist and author of several children and young adult books.