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Vanessa Miller

Authors at the Library

Vanessa Miller joins us on tour with her newest historical novel, The Ladies Hall, based on real Black women and their experiences at Oberlin College in the 1880's.

Authors at the Library
with VANESSA MILLER

Saturday, September 5 | 10 a.m.
Meeting Room 1 | New Albany Branch 
200 Market St., New Albany, OH

9:00 a.m. | Library opens
9:30 a.m. | Book sale by Gramercy, Seating opens
10:00 a.m. | Author Talk with Vanessa Miller
10:45 a.m. | Audience Q&A 
11:00 a.m. | Book Signing
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vanessa Miller is a celebrated USA Today bestselling author, whose prolific body of work spans over 50 titles that explore deep themes of redemption, resilience, and faith—often spotlighting strong Black women in pivotal moments of history.

Miller’s book, The American Queen won the prestigious Christy Award, the Audie Award and was the 2024 American Fiction Award winner for Historical Fiction. The American Queen was a North Carolina Reads pick for 2025 and an Alamance Countywide read for 2026 and Our State Magazine book club pick for February 2026. Her novel, The Filling Station, was named one of Booklist’s Top Ten Historical Fictions of 2026, one of Library Journal’s Best Books of 2025 and A Booklist Editor’s Pick. It is a Positively Charlotte book club pick, an Oklahoma County Big Read and was an instant USA Today Bestseller.

Vanessa also wears the hats of playwright, motivational speaker and retreat host, channeling her storytelling gift across multiple creative platforms. She is currently published through HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and family. She graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication.

Read more about Vanessa here.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The lives of real heroes prove this truth: equality is won when we rise together.

1880s, Ohio. When Mary and Anna enter the Bachelor of Arts program, also known as the "gentlemen's course" of study, at Oberlin College, they have little in common other than the color of their skin and their passion for education.

While Mary was raised in luxury, attending presidential inaugurations with her wealthy father, Anna is a schoolteacher, likely the daughter of her enslaved mother's former owner, and works a second job to pay for her room and board. But despite their differences, both women share strength, ambition, and a deep yearning for change. If they can bridge the gaps between them, they just might build a lasting legacy.

From its earliest days in the 1830s, Oberlin College admitted men and women, white and Black students. Though the doors are officially open, school policy cannot change the hearts of classmates who refuse to see a woman, and especially a Black woman, excel. Despite constantly being forced to prove themselves, the women triumphantly overcome every obstacle and push through their pain. And as the world evolves around them, Mary and Anna persevere to build a legacy of success and excellence.

Based on the real lives of Mary Church Terrell, Anna Julia Cooper, and Ida Gibbs Hunt, The Ladies Hall is a mirror into times of great change--where progress and new possibilities are met with violence and resistance . . . but hope always rises. And it rises still.

ABOUT THE EVENT

The event is free to the public but due to limited seating registration is requested. 

Books will be sold on site by Gramercy Books.

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