From the elegant whorls on canvas, storytelling on stage, and rich tomes of literature, the arts encompass many forms. Inspiring us to remember the past, understand ourselves, and navigate the modern world, it’s essential to curate a love for the arts in the next generation. That’s why The Signatures Author Series, hosted by The John Cooper School, is such an impactful community event. Proceeds support the school’s Fine Arts Council and a literary beneficiary, Books Alive—two programs committed to enriching young lives through the arts.
The annual event features visiting author book sales and signings, raffle drawings, and an elegantly immersive, literary-themed luncheon with a presentation by the keynote author. Previous authors have included Taylor Jenkins Reid, Jodi Picoult, and Nicholas Sparks. With names like these, the event is truly a book lover’s dream—while also giving attendees the opportunity to nurture the arts for years to come and spark their own creativity.
A Career Reinvented
The 21st annual event, held in December, spotlighted keynote speaker Fiona Davis, a New York Times bestselling author. Best known for her historical fiction novels that center around New York City’s beautiful architecture, Davis began her career as an actress in NYC and later earned a master’s degree from Columbia Journalism School.
“Every step I took ended up helping me when I started writing fiction,” says Davis.
Her background in journalism enabled her to curate richly researched works with three to five months of research and copious interviews, while her theatre experience was “training for being an author—plays are just dialogue.”
“I never imagined that I would be an author,” says Davis. “I loved reading, but I couldn’t imagine writing an entire book. Eventually, in my mid-40s, I stumbled upon a story that I just thought would be a really good book, and I published my first book at 49. I always say…it's never too late to write.”
Inspired by Stories of the Past
Davis’s collection of eight novels uniquely blends history, mystery, and dual timelines.
“I love historical fiction, and I love mystery, so kind of joining those together is really fun,” says Davis.
She finds inspiration from the “lost contributions that women have made to history. Showing women whom we may have forgotten—we may have forgotten their names or who they were” and sheds light on their story through her fiction.
“I may take a real woman and play with her story a little bit,” says David. “In the author's note, I always make it very clear it's based on this person, and you should read more.”
Spotlighting Iconic NYC Landmarks and the Arts
Transporting the reader from the Gilded Age Frick Mansion in The Magnolia Palace to The Dakota in The Address or the New York Public Library in The Lions of Fifth Avenue, her books move you through the rich histories of these iconic buildings. With immersive details, she invites readers to view captivating landmarks with fresh eyes and inspires an immediate desire to jet-set to NYC.
“All of my books have something to do with the fine arts—they’re an important part of everyone’s life.”
Whether she’s writing about the glamorous jazz clubs in her first novel, The Dollhouse, or the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall in The Spectacular, Davis weaves some form of art into every page through masterfully crafted mystery storytelling, ensuring her novels carry you effortlessly through each chapter.
A Literary Adventure Through Egypt and The Met
The Stolen Queen, Davis’s latest novel, will transport you through time to explore the lost history of an ancient female pharaoh and guide you through the halls at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “a place where pop culture and ancient history collide,” says Davis.
She describes the book as “Indiana Jones meets Thelma & Louise meets The Devil Wears Prada.” Through the glamour of modern art to the mystery of ancient mummies, the novel ultimately examines “what is erased from history—and what deserves to be restored.” Drawing on these important conversations about art and historical artifacts, The Stolen Queen inspires readers to expand their knowledge and engage with the past in new ways.
With one-of-a-kind storytelling that delivers both a gripping narrative and reclaimed historical insight, Davis’s books deserve a place at the top of any to-be-read list.
Whether on the page, the canvas, or the stage—inspiration is never far when the arts are allowed to flourish—both in our lives and in the lives of those around us.