It's here! The book I've wanted to write for several years is finally on sale today. I pitched the idea of The Girls in the Picture to my editor many times over the last few years, and she always said no. One day, she said yes. She admitted she'd never seen me so passionate about a book before, including all my previous ones.

You can find out for yourself why I was so eager to tell this story of a powerful, supportive female friendship; the story of early Hollywood pioneers and legends Mary Pickford and Frances Marion—it's on sale today!



      
I finished the book a year and a half ago; I could not have imagined it would be so timely today. As women are speaking up, loud and clear, about gender inequality in the media and Hollywood, it's interesting to think that 100 years ago, these two women were making the most popular movies in Hollywood.

But don't take my word for how timely I think The Girls in the Picture is; here's what Bryce Dallas Howard has to say about it: "The Girls in the Picture is at its core, an empowering and fascinating tale of sisterhood. This deeply affecting story of the birth of cinema pulls back the veil of Hollywood to reveal the stories of two iconic women who played integral roles in building the entertainment industry from the ground up. Mary Pickford and Frances Marion were entrepreneurial, savvy, brilliant, courageous and vulnerable, and through their eyes we learn so much of what it took to defy the status quo and build an empire. This sublime historical fiction reads like an intimate memoir. Melanie Benjamin has resurrected these women in telling the story of their friendship. This book isn't just timely, it's necessary!"

I'll also be touring these next three weeks—all the details here! I hope to see some of you on the road.

Finally, I leave you with a recipe for the Mary Pickford Cocktail. The story is that she, Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks were in Havana, and a bartender created this just for her. I can vouch for it—I made these at Thanksgiving and everyone thought they were quite yummy!

1 1/2 oz. white rum
1 1/2 oz. pineapple juice
1/4 oz. grenadine
1 teaspoon maraschino liqueur
Tools: shaker, strainer
Glass: cocktail
Garnish: brandied cherry

Combine all ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish.

Cheers to all!

Melanie