MEDIA BIOS
TV/Radio
Dorothy Rice is the author of GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK and THE RELUCTANT ARTIST, the inspiring story of her father’s singular dedication to art and his lack of interest in any public recognition. GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK (Otis Books, June 2019) is available from Small Press Distribution, Indiebound and Amazon. THE RELUCTANT ARTIST is available from Shanti Arts, Amazon and Indiebound. Dorothy Rice lives in Sacramento, California with her husband. Her website is: www.dorothyriceauthor.com
In a recent TV interview author Dorothy Rice talks about GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK on Good Morning Washington @ABC7GMW.
Rice on PBS's To The Contrary with BONNIE ERBÉ discussing GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK, ageism, self-acceptance and why gray is back by popular demand.
Print
Dorothy Rice is the author of GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK and THE RELUCTANT ARTIST, the inspiring story of her father’s singular dedication to art and his lack of interest in any public recognition. GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK (Otis Books, June 2019) is available from Small Press Distribution, Indiebound, and Amazon. THE RELUCTANT ARTIST is available from Shanti Arts, Amazon, and Indiebound. Dorothy Rice lives in Sacramento, California with her husband. Her website is: www.dorothyriceauthor.com
In a recent interview, author Dorothy Rice talks about GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK with Longridge Review.
Contact Dorothy at [email protected]
TV/Radio
Dorothy Rice is the author of GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK and THE RELUCTANT ARTIST, the inspiring story of her father’s singular dedication to art and his lack of interest in any public recognition. GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK (Otis Books, June 2019) is available from Small Press Distribution, Indiebound and Amazon. THE RELUCTANT ARTIST is available from Shanti Arts, Amazon and Indiebound. Dorothy Rice lives in Sacramento, California with her husband. Her website is: www.dorothyriceauthor.com
In a recent TV interview author Dorothy Rice talks about GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK on Good Morning Washington @ABC7GMW.
Rice on PBS's To The Contrary with BONNIE ERBÉ discussing GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK, ageism, self-acceptance and why gray is back by popular demand.
Dorothy Rice is the author of GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK and THE RELUCTANT ARTIST, the inspiring story of her father’s singular dedication to art and his lack of interest in any public recognition. GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK (Otis Books, June 2019) is available from Small Press Distribution, Indiebound, and Amazon. THE RELUCTANT ARTIST is available from Shanti Arts, Amazon, and Indiebound. Dorothy Rice lives in Sacramento, California with her husband. Her website is: www.dorothyriceauthor.com
In a recent interview, author Dorothy Rice talks about GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK with Longridge Review.
Contact Dorothy at [email protected]
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Photo by Anita Scharf
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Photo by Anita Scharf
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SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR THE MEDIA
Dorothy Rice, author, GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK (Otis Books, 2019), THE RELUCTANT ARTIST (Shanti Arts, 2015)
www.dorothyriceauthor.com
Tell us about your books.
The wry, relatable narrator GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK—a memoir of ageism, sexism and self-acceptance—came of age in the psychedelic sixties. Now in her sixties, it’s time to take stock. After decades struggling to be thin enough, pretty, sexy and successful enough to deserve love and happiness, she devotes a year to cracking the code, a journey that forces her to confront the gnarled roots of female shame. It’s a belated coming of age story, a baby-boomer woman’s journey of self-improvement and acceptance (lose weight, find love, purpose and happiness) where the protagoinist succeeds by failing and learning what’s really important in the process. It’s Eat, Pray, Love without the fairytale ending.
THE RELUCTANT ARTIST is the story of my father and his singular dedication to art, without any apparent interest in public recognition or acknowledgement—a radical concept in this era of social media. The Reluctant Artist is also my story of what it was like to be that man’s daughter, during the psychedelic 1960s and 70s in the San Francisco Bay Area.
QUESTIONS RELATED TO GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK
What prompted you to write this book?
It’s a belated coming-of-age story. I was past sixty – depressed, overweight, struggling with an empty nest, retirement from one career and reinventing myself as a writer, Mom with Alzheimer’s . . . AND determined to get the most out of the rest of my life.
“If not now, when?” was the question that started it all.
Who will relate to GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK?
The book has wide appeal: women, baby boomers, sisters, mothers/daughters, victims of sexual assault, those who suffer low self-esteem/depression, the food and weight obsessed, pet lovers, anyone struggling to communicate with a partner, lovers of memoir, wry humor and quirky, relatable characters.
What’s the significance of the title?
In a youth-obsessed society, body and age acceptance are hard.Even at 65, unrealistic, fruitless expectations are hard to shake. Learning to accept, and be proud of who I am, what I’ve accomplished and the body and mind that have gotten me here, is harder than I could have imagined. Embracing the process of growing out my gray hair became a metaphor for the broader journey.
What are the main themes of GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK?
Empowerment/transformation
Rape culture (then and now)
Low self-esteem in women/girls
How we feel about our bodies
Sandwich generation (caring for parents, grandchildren)
The healing power of family, friends and pets
Love/sex in a mature marriage
Men and women really do speak different languages!
What makes your memoir different than others?
The memoir is intensely scene-driven. Readers have been surprised to find that it reads like a novel, a real “page-turner,” rather than some old broad’s musings on her inner navel.
Why did you choose to write about being raped at fifteen?
I kept my rape secret, even from close friends and my sisters, for close to 50 years. The #MeToo juggernaut opened old wounds and showed me how profoundly earlier experiences of men had shaped my negative sense of myself as a woman. Writing about it was important to facing feelings of shame and forgiving myself.
Was it hard to write about yourself and your family?
Very! The book has led to some tough conversations with my husband (yes, we’re still married!) and children, all of whom, while they may have experienced shock, hurt and embarrassment, support my journey. I am very fortunate in that regard.
Body dissatisfaction is a major thread, why?
Like so many, I have spent my entire adult life binging and purging, yo-yo dieting and toning in pursuit of some ideal of perfection. I used to lay much of the blame for my low self-esteem on my mother. As a mother and grand-mother myself, I am now ashamed to admit my own part in continuing the cycle. We all, including social media and “influencers” need to do a better job providing realistic, inspiring role models for girls.
As a “late-blooming” author, what’s your advice for others?
At 16, 61, or any age, follow your passions. Since earliest memory I have wanted to be a writer. I was dissuaded by early criticism, then life happened. Whatever your age or situation, find small ways to keep your dreams alive. And find friends and colleagues to share your passions with. Finding a supportive writing community in my hometown, Sacramento, and online, has helped me immeasurably.
What do you hope readers gain from GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK?
I hope they become immersed in the story and that it makes them laugh, cry, feel all the feels, and relate the narrator’s experiences with their own. For readers struggling with challenges of body dysmorphia, relationships, aging or making peace with legacy trauma and addictive behaviors, I hope my little black book provides inspiration and hope.
What are you reading right now?
Shrill: NOTES FROM A LOUD WOMAN, by Lindy West.
Favorite authors?
Mary Karr
David Sedaris
Nora Ephron
Roxanne Gay
so many more . . .
Where is GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK Available?
Through my website, dorothyriceauthor.com, Small Press Distribution, IndieBound and Amazon
QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE RELUCTANT ARTIST
Was Joe Rice a San Francisco native?
My father was born in Manila, Philippines, the son of a Chinese mother and Hungarian father. He immigrated to San Francisco with his mother and elder sister from the Philippines in 1931 and graduated from high school in San Francisco, going on to become an accomplished and classically-trained artist. Allan deSouza, Chair of UC Berkeley's Department of Art Practice has said, "Rice’s intricate weaving of the intimate with the expansive, the familiar with the experimental . . . is what art does best, rewarding those who look closely." My father's signature use of vibrant colors and the sheer size of his paintings (many measuring four to six feet), are impressive.
How would you describe your father’s career as an artist?
Joe Rice was quiet and unassuming, a public school art and English teacher who invested his spare hours in perfecting his talent for painting. He left us hundreds of works of art—the paintings, along with ceramics and jewelry. It was amazing to have a father who devoted himself to art every day without fail, yet who never talked about what making art meant to him. The art itself a testament to the value of creativity and the way that being creative helps us to find meaning in life. My father always seemed most content when he was alone, working on his art. He never sought opportunities to exhibit his work. He’s the social media anti-hero.
He’s A Social Media Antihero?
Yes, my father didn’t seek the spotlight but his art is so arresting that it demands attention, long after his death.
Where is your father’s art now?
I have twenty paintings and sketches hanging in my home and his ceramics are on display throughout my living space. It’s a luxury, like living in my own private gallery. Other family members have his painting on their walls, too.
You have said that your father painted every day. That’s quite a commitment. What impact did his devotion to art have on you?
I’m the middle daughter of four children, and have wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. After college I wrote a novel—still unpublished— and a number of short stories. Then life intervened—marriage, motherhood, divorce, single-motherhood, career, more kids—and it all pushed writing to the back burner. As my father aged and became increasingly frail, I felt compelled to pick up the mantle and honor the Muse. I began writing again to honor my father’s accomplishments, but also to give life to my neglected dreams.
Was writing about your father difficult?
Somewhat.THE RELUCTANT ARTIST began as an essay in the American River Review called, “The Paintings in the Rafters.” Another literary journal, The Still Point Arts Quarterly, reprinted my essay. The journal’s editor has a publishing house and offered to publish a book about my father’s art. After a career spent in environmental protection, I have been gratified by the support, generosity, and creative talent represented in the writing community.
Where is THE RELUCTANT ARTIST available?
Through my website, dorothyriceauthor.com, Shanti Arts, Amazon and Indiebound.
"Rice proves to us that it’s never too late to work on yourself and your goals—that you can and will continue to stumble in life, but you should never give up on what you want. And that to truly love and accept yourself as you are, you’ll often need to revisit some painful, shameful life experiences and consider how those moments shaped who you are today.
I really enjoyed Rice’s book and could relate to her story in a number of ways. In fact, her raw honesty, vulnerability, and self-examination made me feel as if she was documenting many of my own thoughts. And if you’ve ever felt lonely in a relationship, unhappy with your physical appearance, frustrated with a friendship, your relationship with a parent, or your relationship with food, you’ll undoubtedly relate to it as well." Story Circle
"Gray Is the New Black ... a read that ideally will be chosen by all ages; especially women seeking to understand the underlying messages affecting their own identities and growth. Ultimately, it's about learning a new language." Donovan's Bookshelf
‘A superbly entertaining memoir written with great honesty. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
"With incisive, lyrical prose, Dorothy Rice articulates something important about generations of women, especially those who find comfort in language, reading and writing and use these tools to discover why it was so important to them to fit in, to belong, to be wanted by a man, even a bad man, or the wrong man." LIT PUB
"Her scenes are so well written and poignant that this is the type of reading one cannot put down, because the narrative flows so smoothly." hippocampus magazine
"When I found Dorothy Rice’s memoir, GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK, the book felt like a cosmic gift. . . With incisive, lyrical prose, Dorothy Rice articulates a longing for a generation of women seeking an honest way to see themselves, a way to authentically exist in the world." Brevity's Nonfiction Blog
"A memoir written in a year—about a year—of self-discovery, this little black book takes readers along, sometimes hilariously, sometimes with heartbreak, on the writer’s oh-so-relatable quest to exorcise some past demons, accept herself at all ages (especially now, as she grows her hair out gray), forgive herself and look ahead with clear eyes." Sacramento Magazine
"One of my favorite authors is Nora Ephron. I especially love her book I Feel Bad About My Neck, which is a lovely, humorous look at growing older as a woman. Sadly, Nora is no longer with us so there are no more Ephron books to look forward to. In reading Gray Is the New Black: A Memoir of Self Acceptance by Dorothy Rice, I think I have found my new Nora. Any woman over 50 years old should pick this up, because she will find insight into her own story in this insightful, bittersweet book." Beauty Info Zone
"We are reminded of the old adage, Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover, upon opening Dorothy Rice’s recent memoir, GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK. The simple cover — black background, minimal white font donning only the book’s title and author’s name — gives no hint of the complexity of emotions that lies between its pages." NY Yoga+Life
"The book is a personal story, but it resonates on a universal level with readers."
Inside Sacramento
"Rice discusses being a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and wife with an unflinchingly honest and unquestionably relatable pen. Although I’m more than a decade her junior, I saw myself on the page over and over—often painfully so. But although Rice is merciless in her examination of her life, she is never whiney, self-pitying, or cruel. Rice details her pain with such a wry humor that her memoir was impossible to put down." Mom Egg Review
"Dorothy Rice’s GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK is a memoir of ageism, sexism and self acceptance. It’s also a wonderful portrait of an intelligent, beautiful woman struggling to confront her past in order to have the present and future she wants and deserves."
Longridge Review
Dorothy Rice, author, GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK (Otis Books, 2019), THE RELUCTANT ARTIST (Shanti Arts, 2015)
www.dorothyriceauthor.com
Tell us about your books.
The wry, relatable narrator GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK—a memoir of ageism, sexism and self-acceptance—came of age in the psychedelic sixties. Now in her sixties, it’s time to take stock. After decades struggling to be thin enough, pretty, sexy and successful enough to deserve love and happiness, she devotes a year to cracking the code, a journey that forces her to confront the gnarled roots of female shame. It’s a belated coming of age story, a baby-boomer woman’s journey of self-improvement and acceptance (lose weight, find love, purpose and happiness) where the protagoinist succeeds by failing and learning what’s really important in the process. It’s Eat, Pray, Love without the fairytale ending.
THE RELUCTANT ARTIST is the story of my father and his singular dedication to art, without any apparent interest in public recognition or acknowledgement—a radical concept in this era of social media. The Reluctant Artist is also my story of what it was like to be that man’s daughter, during the psychedelic 1960s and 70s in the San Francisco Bay Area.
QUESTIONS RELATED TO GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK
What prompted you to write this book?
It’s a belated coming-of-age story. I was past sixty – depressed, overweight, struggling with an empty nest, retirement from one career and reinventing myself as a writer, Mom with Alzheimer’s . . . AND determined to get the most out of the rest of my life.
“If not now, when?” was the question that started it all.
Who will relate to GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK?
The book has wide appeal: women, baby boomers, sisters, mothers/daughters, victims of sexual assault, those who suffer low self-esteem/depression, the food and weight obsessed, pet lovers, anyone struggling to communicate with a partner, lovers of memoir, wry humor and quirky, relatable characters.
What’s the significance of the title?
In a youth-obsessed society, body and age acceptance are hard.Even at 65, unrealistic, fruitless expectations are hard to shake. Learning to accept, and be proud of who I am, what I’ve accomplished and the body and mind that have gotten me here, is harder than I could have imagined. Embracing the process of growing out my gray hair became a metaphor for the broader journey.
What are the main themes of GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK?
Empowerment/transformation
Rape culture (then and now)
Low self-esteem in women/girls
How we feel about our bodies
Sandwich generation (caring for parents, grandchildren)
The healing power of family, friends and pets
Love/sex in a mature marriage
Men and women really do speak different languages!
What makes your memoir different than others?
The memoir is intensely scene-driven. Readers have been surprised to find that it reads like a novel, a real “page-turner,” rather than some old broad’s musings on her inner navel.
Why did you choose to write about being raped at fifteen?
I kept my rape secret, even from close friends and my sisters, for close to 50 years. The #MeToo juggernaut opened old wounds and showed me how profoundly earlier experiences of men had shaped my negative sense of myself as a woman. Writing about it was important to facing feelings of shame and forgiving myself.
Was it hard to write about yourself and your family?
Very! The book has led to some tough conversations with my husband (yes, we’re still married!) and children, all of whom, while they may have experienced shock, hurt and embarrassment, support my journey. I am very fortunate in that regard.
Body dissatisfaction is a major thread, why?
Like so many, I have spent my entire adult life binging and purging, yo-yo dieting and toning in pursuit of some ideal of perfection. I used to lay much of the blame for my low self-esteem on my mother. As a mother and grand-mother myself, I am now ashamed to admit my own part in continuing the cycle. We all, including social media and “influencers” need to do a better job providing realistic, inspiring role models for girls.
As a “late-blooming” author, what’s your advice for others?
At 16, 61, or any age, follow your passions. Since earliest memory I have wanted to be a writer. I was dissuaded by early criticism, then life happened. Whatever your age or situation, find small ways to keep your dreams alive. And find friends and colleagues to share your passions with. Finding a supportive writing community in my hometown, Sacramento, and online, has helped me immeasurably.
What do you hope readers gain from GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK?
I hope they become immersed in the story and that it makes them laugh, cry, feel all the feels, and relate the narrator’s experiences with their own. For readers struggling with challenges of body dysmorphia, relationships, aging or making peace with legacy trauma and addictive behaviors, I hope my little black book provides inspiration and hope.
What are you reading right now?
Shrill: NOTES FROM A LOUD WOMAN, by Lindy West.
Favorite authors?
Mary Karr
David Sedaris
Nora Ephron
Roxanne Gay
so many more . . .
Where is GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK Available?
Through my website, dorothyriceauthor.com, Small Press Distribution, IndieBound and Amazon
QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE RELUCTANT ARTIST
Was Joe Rice a San Francisco native?
My father was born in Manila, Philippines, the son of a Chinese mother and Hungarian father. He immigrated to San Francisco with his mother and elder sister from the Philippines in 1931 and graduated from high school in San Francisco, going on to become an accomplished and classically-trained artist. Allan deSouza, Chair of UC Berkeley's Department of Art Practice has said, "Rice’s intricate weaving of the intimate with the expansive, the familiar with the experimental . . . is what art does best, rewarding those who look closely." My father's signature use of vibrant colors and the sheer size of his paintings (many measuring four to six feet), are impressive.
How would you describe your father’s career as an artist?
Joe Rice was quiet and unassuming, a public school art and English teacher who invested his spare hours in perfecting his talent for painting. He left us hundreds of works of art—the paintings, along with ceramics and jewelry. It was amazing to have a father who devoted himself to art every day without fail, yet who never talked about what making art meant to him. The art itself a testament to the value of creativity and the way that being creative helps us to find meaning in life. My father always seemed most content when he was alone, working on his art. He never sought opportunities to exhibit his work. He’s the social media anti-hero.
He’s A Social Media Antihero?
Yes, my father didn’t seek the spotlight but his art is so arresting that it demands attention, long after his death.
Where is your father’s art now?
I have twenty paintings and sketches hanging in my home and his ceramics are on display throughout my living space. It’s a luxury, like living in my own private gallery. Other family members have his painting on their walls, too.
You have said that your father painted every day. That’s quite a commitment. What impact did his devotion to art have on you?
I’m the middle daughter of four children, and have wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. After college I wrote a novel—still unpublished— and a number of short stories. Then life intervened—marriage, motherhood, divorce, single-motherhood, career, more kids—and it all pushed writing to the back burner. As my father aged and became increasingly frail, I felt compelled to pick up the mantle and honor the Muse. I began writing again to honor my father’s accomplishments, but also to give life to my neglected dreams.
Was writing about your father difficult?
Somewhat.THE RELUCTANT ARTIST began as an essay in the American River Review called, “The Paintings in the Rafters.” Another literary journal, The Still Point Arts Quarterly, reprinted my essay. The journal’s editor has a publishing house and offered to publish a book about my father’s art. After a career spent in environmental protection, I have been gratified by the support, generosity, and creative talent represented in the writing community.
Where is THE RELUCTANT ARTIST available?
Through my website, dorothyriceauthor.com, Shanti Arts, Amazon and Indiebound.
"Rice proves to us that it’s never too late to work on yourself and your goals—that you can and will continue to stumble in life, but you should never give up on what you want. And that to truly love and accept yourself as you are, you’ll often need to revisit some painful, shameful life experiences and consider how those moments shaped who you are today.
I really enjoyed Rice’s book and could relate to her story in a number of ways. In fact, her raw honesty, vulnerability, and self-examination made me feel as if she was documenting many of my own thoughts. And if you’ve ever felt lonely in a relationship, unhappy with your physical appearance, frustrated with a friendship, your relationship with a parent, or your relationship with food, you’ll undoubtedly relate to it as well." Story Circle
"Gray Is the New Black ... a read that ideally will be chosen by all ages; especially women seeking to understand the underlying messages affecting their own identities and growth. Ultimately, it's about learning a new language." Donovan's Bookshelf
‘A superbly entertaining memoir written with great honesty. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
"With incisive, lyrical prose, Dorothy Rice articulates something important about generations of women, especially those who find comfort in language, reading and writing and use these tools to discover why it was so important to them to fit in, to belong, to be wanted by a man, even a bad man, or the wrong man." LIT PUB
"Her scenes are so well written and poignant that this is the type of reading one cannot put down, because the narrative flows so smoothly." hippocampus magazine
"When I found Dorothy Rice’s memoir, GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK, the book felt like a cosmic gift. . . With incisive, lyrical prose, Dorothy Rice articulates a longing for a generation of women seeking an honest way to see themselves, a way to authentically exist in the world." Brevity's Nonfiction Blog
"A memoir written in a year—about a year—of self-discovery, this little black book takes readers along, sometimes hilariously, sometimes with heartbreak, on the writer’s oh-so-relatable quest to exorcise some past demons, accept herself at all ages (especially now, as she grows her hair out gray), forgive herself and look ahead with clear eyes." Sacramento Magazine
"One of my favorite authors is Nora Ephron. I especially love her book I Feel Bad About My Neck, which is a lovely, humorous look at growing older as a woman. Sadly, Nora is no longer with us so there are no more Ephron books to look forward to. In reading Gray Is the New Black: A Memoir of Self Acceptance by Dorothy Rice, I think I have found my new Nora. Any woman over 50 years old should pick this up, because she will find insight into her own story in this insightful, bittersweet book." Beauty Info Zone
"We are reminded of the old adage, Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover, upon opening Dorothy Rice’s recent memoir, GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK. The simple cover — black background, minimal white font donning only the book’s title and author’s name — gives no hint of the complexity of emotions that lies between its pages." NY Yoga+Life
"The book is a personal story, but it resonates on a universal level with readers."
Inside Sacramento
"Rice discusses being a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and wife with an unflinchingly honest and unquestionably relatable pen. Although I’m more than a decade her junior, I saw myself on the page over and over—often painfully so. But although Rice is merciless in her examination of her life, she is never whiney, self-pitying, or cruel. Rice details her pain with such a wry humor that her memoir was impossible to put down." Mom Egg Review
"Dorothy Rice’s GRAY IS THE NEW BLACK is a memoir of ageism, sexism and self acceptance. It’s also a wonderful portrait of an intelligent, beautiful woman struggling to confront her past in order to have the present and future she wants and deserves."
Longridge Review