Marlene Wagman-Geller

"As far back as I can remember, it was always on my bucket list, even before the term bucket list was coined,
to be a writer. It was a natural progression to want to go from reading books to writing one."

Marlene Wagman-Geller

The frigidity of the Torontonian winters-not to mention shyness-led to becoming a life-long bibliophile. And, like most voracious readers, at the pinnacle of my bucket list was the dream of seeing my name on the spine of a book. However, until I could pen the Great Canadian Novel, there was the matter of economic survival. After reading The Great Gatsby, I decided to become an English teacher, and to that end, attended York University where I received an Honors B.A. followed by teacher’s college at The University of Toronto. 

I made the great sacrifice of leaving my winter wonderland when I moved to San Diego and currently am an English teacher in National City, California. I always tell my students that dreams do not just have to be for sleeping and several times, in the quest to pursue my own, I sent out my novels to literary agents. The result: enough rejection notices to wallpaper my home. And then serendipity stepped in. 

In 2008, I read Peyton Place and became intrigued by its Dedication Page: To George for all the reasons he knows so well. I turned to Google and discovered that George was Grace Metalious’ long-suffering husband, and their marriage was as tempestuous as the ones in the novel. I then had my Eureka moment—a book that explored the backstories of the world’s literary masterpieces. 

Fired with enthusiasm, I told my husband my idea, and he responded, “Don’t think you're quitting your day job.” Undaunted, I sent out query letters, and after signing up with a literary agent, three days later I had a contract with Penguin Publishers. One of the great moments of my life was seeing Joel’s jaw drop when I showed him my advance check.

Currently, I am working on my 11th book.

Recent Appearances/Events

Date Venue Address
Date: August 21, 2024
7:30pm - 8:30pm 		Venue: Warwick's Address: 7812 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
Notes: Marlene Wagman-Geller will discuss and sign her new book, A Room of Their Own: Home Museums of Extraordinary Women Around the World.
Date: August 2, 2024
4:00pm - 5:00pm 		Venue: Mira Mesa Barnes & Noble Address: 10775 Westview Parkway
San Diego, CA 92126
Notes: I will be discussing my forthcoming book: A Room of Their Own, at the Barnes & Noble in Mira Mesa. I would be thrilled if you would join me, Marlene
Date: March 8, 2024
1:00pm - 2:00pm 		Venue: The Write Review Podcast Address:
Notes: In keeping with Women's History month, I will be on The Write Review for a podcast to talk about my books with Annie McDonnell. The event will be on March 8, 1:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. I would be thrilled if you joined us, Marlene
Date: July 6, 2023
5:00pm - 6:00pm 		Venue: The National City Public Library Address: 1401 National City Blvd
National City, California 91950
Notes: Book Talk
Date: January 15, 2023
12:00pm - 2:00pm 		Venue: Warwick's Bookstore: Weekends with Locals-Marlene Wagman-Geller Address: 7812 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
Notes: Marlene Wagman-Geller – author of Secret Lives of Royal Women: Fascinating Biographies of Queens, Princesses, Duchesses, and Other Regal Women
Date: November 2, 2021
1:00pm - 4:00pm 		Venue: Escondido Public Library - Escondido Writers Group Address: 239 South Kalmia Street
Escondido, CA 92025
Notes: Attend in the library or register for digital events on the library calendar
Date: March 8, 2021
10:00am - 3:00pm 		Venue: International Women's Day Summit Address:
Notes: Please click the link where you can sign up to listen to the speakers at this event celebrating women!
Date: November 22, 2020
8:00am - 7:00pm 		Venue: Miami Bookfair Online Address:
Notes:
Date: October 21, 2020
5:00pm - 		Venue: Career Growth Summit by Teal Address:
Notes: Great Second Acts: Get Inspired by the Grit & Perseverance of Famous Career Changers – Click on Link to Reserve Your Spot
Date: August 4, 2020
7:10am - 7:30am 		Venue: Valder Beebe Show Address:
Notes: Discussion about Still I Rise
Date: June 4, 2020
9:45am - 10:00am 		Venue: Valder Beebe Show Address:
Notes: Discussion about Great Second Acts
Date: September 15, 2019
1:30am - 2:30am 		Venue: Temple Adat Shalom - Adat Shalom Sisterhood Address: 15905 Pomerado Road
Poway, California 92064
Notes: Hall TAS , Refreshments; Books will be available for purchase at event.
Date: May 4, 2019
9:30am - 2:00pm 		Venue: Cover to Cover Sponsored by AAUW at the Maderas Country Club Address: 17750 Old Coach Rd
Poway, CA 92064
Notes:
Date: March 30, 2019
12:00am - 2:00am 		Venue: Mysterious Galaxy - Local Author Meet and Greet Address: 5943 Balboa Ave, Ste 100
San Diego, California 92111
Notes:
Date: March 12, 2019
10:30am - 12:30pm 		Venue: The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo Address: 12280 Greens East Road
San Diego, CA 92128
Notes:
Date: February 19, 2019
7:30pm - 9:30pm 		Venue: Warwick's Bookstore Address: 7812 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
Notes:
Date: September 29, 2018
12:00pm - 2:00pm 		Venue: Barnes & Noble Local Authors Event Address: Barnes and Noble 5500 Grossmont Center Dr #331
La Mesa, CA 91942
Notes:
Date: September 28, 2018
2:00pm - 3:00pm 		Venue: San Carlos Library Session with Marlene Wagman-Geller Address: 7265 Jackson Dr
San Diego, CA 92119
Notes:
Date: May 6, 2018
2:00pm - 5:00pm 		Venue: Marlene Wagman-Geller at AAUW's Women in The Arts Event Address: The Oceanside Hills Country Club, 4701 Leisure Village Way
Oceanside, CA 92056
Notes:
Date: January 21, 2018
12:00pm - 1:00pm 		Venue: Local Author Meet & Greet at Mysterious Galaxy Books Address: Mysterious Galaxy 5943 Balboa Ave, Ste 100
San Diego, California 92111
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