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Ellen R.B. Smith

Goodreads Author

Website

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50850314....

Genre

Memoir, Humor and Comedy, Young Adult

Influences

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., https://www.goodreads.com/au ...more

Member Since

May 2020

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Ellen R. B. Smith received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and music from the University of Tennessee. Her professional journey spans 35 years, where she navigated industries entrenched in the prevalent misogyny of the era.
At Amazon, Ellen’s proactive initiatives led to groundbreaking promotions, amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her dedication to fostering diversity and innovation, showcased through her work, embodies a leadership style aimed at positive change. Ellen is a highly sought after strategist, speaker, and trainer.
Ellen’s memoir resonates with readers by infusing humor and introspection, encouraging them to confront life’s uncertainties with laughter and many adaptive course corrections. In her free time, Ellen s ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Ellen R.B. Smith The idea to write my book sparked at a Starbucks inside the St. Louis Union Station Hotel during a business trip for Amazon. While browsing, I came ac…moreThe idea to write my book sparked at a Starbucks inside the St. Louis Union Station Hotel during a business trip for Amazon. While browsing, I came across a children's book titled "Good Night St. Louis" and wondered if a similar book existed for my hometown. After visiting the Reston Museum, I discovered "Reston A-Z" by Watt Hamlet, who kindly shared insights about his writing process. Realizing that a children's book had already been done, I decided to write my own story alongside Reston’s.
Inspired by my hometown of Reston, VA, founded by Robert E. Simon—a man who experienced marginalization and built a community centered on inclusivity—I aspired to capture that spirit in my writing. Reston is a safe harbor for many, and I seek to help kids and parents who feel out of place, reminding them they are not alone. My writing engages readers on a journey of learning, laughter, and reflection.
At first, I documented my experiences along with the history of Reston and included interviews with 40 individuals who significantly impacted my upbringing, reflecting the community's diversity. Each chapter ended with a “lessons learned” paragraph. I intentionally chose diverse voices, featuring stories from the brother of a deceased neighbor, the parents of a friend lost to a drunk driving accident, and a Native American to pay tribute to Reston's original inhabitants. After drafting approximately 175,000 words in this content-rich style, my pre-readers provided valuable feedback. They were skipping over the sections about Reston and the individual interview summaries just to get to my personal narrative. My editor and pre-readers instilled in me the confidence to recognize that my story could truly stand on its own.
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Ellen R.B. Smith’s books

Average rating: 4.53 · 45 ratings · 22 reviews · 2 distinct works • Similar authors

	Memoirs of a Suburban Troublemaker 4.52 avg rating — 44 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Pierre Noir : Coton de Tulear by Ellen R.B. Smith (Goodreads Author), Dan Smith it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

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Ellen R.B. Smith's Blog

I'll come to your book club!

📖 This book is a love letter to my family, friends, and hometown. Growing up in the inclusive community of Reston, Virginia, I learned invaluable lessons about equality and acceptance, inspired by the idyllic landscapes and egalitarian ideals that surrounded me.

Yet, as life often does, it interrupted my childhood tranquility with harsh realities, leading me on a journey from a curious, precocious Read more of this blog post »

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Published on December 09, 2024 09:24

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Ellen R.B. Smith is now friends with Susan Marshall Randlett
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Ellen R.B. Smith rated a book it was amazing Songbird by Christine McVie	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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As a lifelong fan of Fleetwood Mac, I was thrilled to read Songbird: Christine McVie—a memoir that allows us to peek behind the curtains of one of rock and roll's most iconic bands. I often reference Fleetwood Mac in my own book, *Memoirs of a Subu ...more
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Ellen R.B. Smith rated a book it was amazing She Got Up Off the Couch: And Other Heroic Acts from Mooreland, Indiana by Haven Kimmel	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Ellen R.B. Smith is now following Haven Kimmel Author of A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Moorela...
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