Marilyn and Me by Shanta Everington

My name is Marilyn, like Marilyn Monroe. I was left for dead at a bus stop on Christmas Eve…’ So begins the story of Jane, a learning disabled young woman, who is also known as Marilyn, after her heroine Marilyn Monroe.

Praise for Marilyn and Me

It’s beautifully written and very moving (I cried several times!). Marilyn herself is a wonderful character: vulnerable … but strong inside and with a gentle optimism and sense of humour.

Sue Haasler

Shanta Everington’s debut novel Marilyn and Me was shortlisted for the Cinnamon Press First Novel Award in 2006 and published in 2007. Her first young adult novel Give Me a Sign followed in 2008 with Flame Books and was one of the first titles to be selected for promotion with the Arts Council funded ‘Exclusively Independent’ Initiative. Shanta’s stories and poems have been published by various small presses. Successes include a story shortlisted for The Bridport Prize 2009 and a winning entry in the Even More Tonto Short Stories 2009 competition. Shanta’s first non-fiction book The Terrible Twos: A Parent’s Guide is published by Need2Know Books in September 2010. Shanta has MA in Creative Writing with Distinction from Manchester Metropolitan University and teaches Creative Writing with The Open University in London. She was South Woodford Library Writer-in-Residence at Redbridge Book and Media Festival 2010.