Location: South Africa
Member Since:
Jan. 08, 2015
Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
Biography
I was born and raised in Johannesburg's northern suburbs, the youngest daughter of an extraordinarily ordinary, happy, stable, traditional (rather than observant) Jewish family. After matriculating at Northview High School, I went to Rhodes University in Grahamstown where I completed a B. Journalism degree. This was followed by a "totally useless" - according to my parents - English Honours degree (first class), also at Rhodes.
I started my career as a reporter on a daily newspaper at the dawning of the turbulent 1980s. During this period, I interviewed, among others, Frank Sinatra, Jeffrey Archer, Eugene Terre'blanche and Desmond Tutu. I caught crocodiles; avoided rocks and tear smoke canisters in various South African townships; stayed awake through interminable city council meetings and criminal and civil court cases - and learned to interpret balance sheets and understand economic jargon. I also married - and for 32 years and one week remained happily married to - my news editor, Poen de Villiers.
After the birth of our two daughters, I 'crossed over' into Public Relations where I stayed for many years. More recently, I turned to freelance wordsmithing to earn my daily crust.
The unexpected death of a childhood friend and colleague in 2011 spurred me to take stock of my life. A few months later, I started writing A Beautiful Family. My second novel, When Times Fails, the second book of what has become the Alan Silverman trilogy, was released in October 2015. Book 3 in the Silverman saga, Deceive and Defend, is scheduled for release in June 2018.
See less
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Are You an Author?
Help us improve our Author Pages by updating your bibliography and submitting a new or current image and biography.
›Learn more at Author Central
A Beautiful Family
$6.00
Kindle Edition
Author Updates
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
A Beautiful Family: an unstoppable book to grab you by your community ties http://t.co/CLdY5jUIA3 via @SassenRobyn
2 weeks ago
Blog post
A Beautiful Family: an unstoppable book to grab you by your community ties
marilyncohendevilliers:
Fantastic review of A Beautiful Family by Robyn Sassen. It’s very humbling – and absolutely terrifying. How on earth can I ensure that my second novel doesn’t disappoint? Especially as it is so different?
Originally posted on My View:
The scourge of sexual violence behind closed doors in affluent, educated and God-fearing society might be considered a topic so well covered in contemporary times that it has become hackneyed. But Marilyn Cohen de V
2 weeks ago Read more
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
@janjanmel thanks Janice. So glad you enjoyed it!
2 weeks ago
Blog post
A Beautiful Family – Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
marilyncohendevilliers:
I love it when other bloggers review my book
Originally posted on booksandopinions.com:
I found “A Beautiful Family” to be a great read for me. It was not only entertaining, it was also educational. The story takes place over decades, going back and forth through different time periods, with each main character having a few chapters where the story is told from their point of view, before moving on to the next character, and a few chapters with t
4 weeks ago Read more
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Writing workshop Monday 8 September http://t.co/yaPeQL0yuV via @wordpressdotcom
4 months ago
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family: Lessons learned http://t.co/hSkzsxO2qZ via @wordpressdotcom
4 months ago
Blog post
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family: Lessons learned
marilyncohendevilliers:
The last in my self-publishing/indie publishing series.
Originally posted on Allaboutwriting:
- Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
I started my self-publishing/indie publishing journey about nine months ago. That was about the time I made the decision to stop thinking about self-publishing and actually do something about it. It’s been a rollercoaster ride since then – fantastic highs and excitement, followed by periods of self-doubt and enormous f
4 months ago Read more
Blog post
Browsing in Bookshops
When you go to a bookshop, where do you start looking for the kind of book you like?
I usually look at the new releases; then I look at those categorised as popular fiction; then I cruise the general fiction shelves, looking for something that catches my eye.
Today, I learned something. Well, actually I had been told about it, so I sort of knew what to expect. And today I actually saw it in practice. I saw how a bookstore can literally make or break a book through the way tha
4 months ago Read more
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
A radio interview about A Beautiful Family. http://t.co/AtNLTqwdOt
4 months ago
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Shock of abuse in Jewish Joburg | Books | BDlive http://t.co/1NsrEN76rA via @BDliveSA
5 months ago
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Blake Ezra's Blog: Dear World… http://t.co/B2ei2Ajf4d via @timesofisrael
5 months ago
Blog post
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family : What readers think
Originally posted on Allaboutwriting:
By Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
People are starting to read A Beautiful Family. I’m not sure how many. I haven’t had an update on sales from my distributor, but I’m sure it’s still a long, long, long way from best-seller status – even by South African standards. But it is early days yet (smile; fingers crossed).
And I am starting to get feedback. Most – but not all – has been overwhelmingly positive. The not so positive comments have
5 months ago Read more
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family : The launch http://t.co/rlmnR2xLAD via @wordpressdotcom
5 months ago
Blog post
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family : The launch
marilyncohendevilliers:
So A Beautiful Family has been launched. It’s all official.
Originally posted on Allaboutwriting:
By Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
“Are you the author? Did you write A Beautiful Family? I loved it. I’ve been recommending it to everyone…” And with that, the delightful young assistant at Skoobs Theatre of Books in Montecasino, Johannesburg, skipped out from behind the till, rushed off and came back with a copy of my book… My Book … in her
5 months ago Read more
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Please read my blog about the launch of A Beautiful Family. http://t.co/OEHvgN9bMo via @wordpressdotcom
5 months ago
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Author tackles abuse in Jewish South Africa | Jewish Tribune http://t.co/HWUz0Z5kgs
5 months ago
Blog post
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family : Sounds of Silence
Silence. That’s what it sounds like as I wait – seemingly in limbo – for the official launch of A Beautiful Family at Skoobs Theatre of Books next week. Not complete silence, you understand. But that’s what it’s like. Muted.
I have sent out media releases to as many mainstream media as possible. Although a few responded and asked for review copies, so far there has been nothing. Well, nothing much. I have received one rather non-committal review: the reviewer read my book first, and t
6 months ago Read more
Blog post
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family : Getting the word out
marilyncohendevilliers:
It’s time consuming and frustrating,but it has to be done. Marketing.
Originally posted on Allaboutwriting:
By Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
One of the reasons I opted to go with Reach Publishers when I was looking for a self-publishing company to hold my hand was because they included what they called an “electronic marketing assistance package” in their list of offerings.
Huh! I should have known better but I’m an eternal optimist.
6 months ago Read more
Blog post
Piracy, copyright and “sharing”.
I have just been booted off a Facebook group. To be accurate, I’ve just left a Facebook group before they booted me off.
It’s a closed group called The Book Club. Are you a member? I joined it, as I have joined many other Facebook book groups, because I thought it was a place where people reviewed books; recommended books they had read; discussed books … you know the sort of thing.
Well, they certainly did that. But the main purpose of The Book Club, I slowly came to rea
6 months ago Read more
Blog post
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family: Help me find a pigeonhole
marilyncohendevilliers:
Please help me choose a genre/category for A Beautiful Family…
Originally posted on Allaboutwriting:
By Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
I can’t put it off any longer. I have to decide. What kind of a book is A Beautiful Family? The thing is, I’m not sure…
I didn’t think that mattered but, like so many things I have discovered since starting on my self-publishing journey, I was wrong. Here’s why.
A Beautiful Family has been loade
7 months ago Read more
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Settling for second best? Or not? http://t.co/13scPnSwTb via @allabtwriting
11 months ago
Books by Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
Showing 1 Result
Sort by New and Popular Price: Low to High Price: High to Low Avg. Customer Review Publication Date Most reviews
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Product Details
A Beautiful Family by de Villiers, Marilyn Cohen (May 27, 2014)
(13)
Formats
Price
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Kindle Edition
Auto-delivered wirelessly
$6.00
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Get it by Monday, Jan 12
FREE Shipping on orders over $35
$19.99 $17.84
> See search results for author "Marilyn Cohen de Villiers" in Books
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Marilyn Cohen de Villiers forum
Discussion
Replies
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No discussions yet
Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
I was born and raised in Johannesburg's northern suburbs, the youngest daughter of an extraordinarily ordinary, happy, stable, traditional (rather than observant) Jewish family. After matriculating at Northview High School, I went to Rhodes University in Grahamstown where I completed a B. Journalism degree. This was followed by a "totally useless" - according to my parents - English Honours degree (first class), also at Rhodes.
I started my career as a reporter on a daily newspaper at the dawning of the turbulent 1980s. During this period, I interviewed, among others, Frank Sinatra, Jeffrey Archer, Eugene Terre'blanche and Desmond Tutu. I caught crocodiles; avoided rocks and tear smoke canisters in various South African townships; stayed awake through interminable city council meetings and criminal and civil court cases - and learned to interpret balance sheets and understand economic jargon. I also married - and 31 years later remain happily married to - my news editor (now retired), Poen de Villiers.
After the birth of our two daughters, I 'crossed over' into Public Relations. My writing - articles, media releases, opinion and thought leadership pieces and so on - continues to be published regularly in newspapers and other media, usually under someone else's by-line.
The unexpected death of a childhood friend and colleague in 2011 spurred me to take stock of my life. A few months later, I started writing A Beautiful Family. I am now working hard on my second novel, When Times Fails
I started my career as a reporter on a daily newspaper at the dawning of the turbulent 1980s. During this period, I interviewed, among others, Frank Sinatra, Jeffrey Archer, Eugene Terre'blanche and Desmond Tutu. I caught crocodiles; avoided rocks and tear smoke canisters in various South African townships; stayed awake through interminable city council meetings and criminal and civil court cases - and learned to interpret balance sheets and understand economic jargon. I also married - and for 32 years and one week remained happily married to - my news editor, Poen de Villiers.
After the birth of our two daughters, I 'crossed over' into Public Relations where I stayed for many years. More recently, I turned to freelance wordsmithing to earn my daily crust.
The unexpected death of a childhood friend and colleague in 2011 spurred me to take stock of my life. A few months later, I started writing A Beautiful Family. My second novel, When Times Fails, the second book of what has become the Alan Silverman trilogy, was released in October 2015. Book 3 in the Silverman saga, Deceive and Defend, is scheduled for release in June 2018.
See less
Customers Also Bought Items By
John Marrs
Anna McPartlin
Jodi Picoult
Shani Krebs
Lucinda Riley
Mandy Wiener
Alyson Richman
Julie Lawson Ti...
Anne Lapedus Brest
Patricia Taylor
Fiona McIntosh
Claire Hajaj
Jan-Philipp Sen...
June Steenkamp
Thrity Umrigar
Michal Hartstein
Are You an Author?
Help us improve our Author Pages by updating your bibliography and submitting a new or current image and biography.
›Learn more at Author Central
A Beautiful Family
$6.00
Kindle Edition
Author Updates
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
A Beautiful Family: an unstoppable book to grab you by your community ties http://t.co/CLdY5jUIA3 via @SassenRobyn
2 weeks ago
Blog post
A Beautiful Family: an unstoppable book to grab you by your community ties
marilyncohendevilliers:
Fantastic review of A Beautiful Family by Robyn Sassen. It’s very humbling – and absolutely terrifying. How on earth can I ensure that my second novel doesn’t disappoint? Especially as it is so different?
Originally posted on My View:
The scourge of sexual violence behind closed doors in affluent, educated and God-fearing society might be considered a topic so well covered in contemporary times that it has become hackneyed. But Marilyn Cohen de V
2 weeks ago Read more
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
@janjanmel thanks Janice. So glad you enjoyed it!
2 weeks ago
Blog post
A Beautiful Family – Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
marilyncohendevilliers:
I love it when other bloggers review my book
Originally posted on booksandopinions.com:
I found “A Beautiful Family” to be a great read for me. It was not only entertaining, it was also educational. The story takes place over decades, going back and forth through different time periods, with each main character having a few chapters where the story is told from their point of view, before moving on to the next character, and a few chapters with t
4 weeks ago Read more
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Writing workshop Monday 8 September http://t.co/yaPeQL0yuV via @wordpressdotcom
4 months ago
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family: Lessons learned http://t.co/hSkzsxO2qZ via @wordpressdotcom
4 months ago
Blog post
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family: Lessons learned
marilyncohendevilliers:
The last in my self-publishing/indie publishing series.
Originally posted on Allaboutwriting:
- Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
I started my self-publishing/indie publishing journey about nine months ago. That was about the time I made the decision to stop thinking about self-publishing and actually do something about it. It’s been a rollercoaster ride since then – fantastic highs and excitement, followed by periods of self-doubt and enormous f
4 months ago Read more
Blog post
Browsing in Bookshops
When you go to a bookshop, where do you start looking for the kind of book you like?
I usually look at the new releases; then I look at those categorised as popular fiction; then I cruise the general fiction shelves, looking for something that catches my eye.
Today, I learned something. Well, actually I had been told about it, so I sort of knew what to expect. And today I actually saw it in practice. I saw how a bookstore can literally make or break a book through the way tha
4 months ago Read more
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
A radio interview about A Beautiful Family. http://t.co/AtNLTqwdOt
4 months ago
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Shock of abuse in Jewish Joburg | Books | BDlive http://t.co/1NsrEN76rA via @BDliveSA
5 months ago
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Blake Ezra's Blog: Dear World… http://t.co/B2ei2Ajf4d via @timesofisrael
5 months ago
Blog post
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family : What readers think
Originally posted on Allaboutwriting:
By Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
People are starting to read A Beautiful Family. I’m not sure how many. I haven’t had an update on sales from my distributor, but I’m sure it’s still a long, long, long way from best-seller status – even by South African standards. But it is early days yet (smile; fingers crossed).
And I am starting to get feedback. Most – but not all – has been overwhelmingly positive. The not so positive comments have
5 months ago Read more
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family : The launch http://t.co/rlmnR2xLAD via @wordpressdotcom
5 months ago
Blog post
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family : The launch
marilyncohendevilliers:
So A Beautiful Family has been launched. It’s all official.
Originally posted on Allaboutwriting:
By Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
“Are you the author? Did you write A Beautiful Family? I loved it. I’ve been recommending it to everyone…” And with that, the delightful young assistant at Skoobs Theatre of Books in Montecasino, Johannesburg, skipped out from behind the till, rushed off and came back with a copy of my book… My Book … in her
5 months ago Read more
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Please read my blog about the launch of A Beautiful Family. http://t.co/OEHvgN9bMo via @wordpressdotcom
5 months ago
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Author tackles abuse in Jewish South Africa | Jewish Tribune http://t.co/HWUz0Z5kgs
5 months ago
Blog post
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family : Sounds of Silence
Silence. That’s what it sounds like as I wait – seemingly in limbo – for the official launch of A Beautiful Family at Skoobs Theatre of Books next week. Not complete silence, you understand. But that’s what it’s like. Muted.
I have sent out media releases to as many mainstream media as possible. Although a few responded and asked for review copies, so far there has been nothing. Well, nothing much. I have received one rather non-committal review: the reviewer read my book first, and t
6 months ago Read more
Blog post
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family : Getting the word out
marilyncohendevilliers:
It’s time consuming and frustrating,but it has to be done. Marketing.
Originally posted on Allaboutwriting:
By Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
One of the reasons I opted to go with Reach Publishers when I was looking for a self-publishing company to hold my hand was because they included what they called an “electronic marketing assistance package” in their list of offerings.
Huh! I should have known better but I’m an eternal optimist.
6 months ago Read more
Blog post
Piracy, copyright and “sharing”.
I have just been booted off a Facebook group. To be accurate, I’ve just left a Facebook group before they booted me off.
It’s a closed group called The Book Club. Are you a member? I joined it, as I have joined many other Facebook book groups, because I thought it was a place where people reviewed books; recommended books they had read; discussed books … you know the sort of thing.
Well, they certainly did that. But the main purpose of The Book Club, I slowly came to rea
6 months ago Read more
Blog post
Self-publishing A Beautiful Family: Help me find a pigeonhole
marilyncohendevilliers:
Please help me choose a genre/category for A Beautiful Family…
Originally posted on Allaboutwriting:
By Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
I can’t put it off any longer. I have to decide. What kind of a book is A Beautiful Family? The thing is, I’m not sure…
I didn’t think that mattered but, like so many things I have discovered since starting on my self-publishing journey, I was wrong. Here’s why.
A Beautiful Family has been loade
7 months ago Read more
Marilyn Cohen de Vil
@MarilynCohendeV
Settling for second best? Or not? http://t.co/13scPnSwTb via @allabtwriting
11 months ago
Books by Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
Showing 1 Result
Sort by New and Popular Price: Low to High Price: High to Low Avg. Customer Review Publication Date Most reviews
All Formats
Kindle Edition
Paperback
Product Details
A Beautiful Family by de Villiers, Marilyn Cohen (May 27, 2014)
(13)
Formats
Price
New
Used
Kindle Edition
Auto-delivered wirelessly
$6.00
Paperback
Get it by Monday, Jan 12
FREE Shipping on orders over $35
$19.99 $17.84
> See search results for author "Marilyn Cohen de Villiers" in Books
Customer Discussions
Marilyn Cohen de Villiers forum
Discussion
Replies
Latest Post
No discussions yet
Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
I was born and raised in Johannesburg's northern suburbs, the youngest daughter of an extraordinarily ordinary, happy, stable, traditional (rather than observant) Jewish family. After matriculating at Northview High School, I went to Rhodes University in Grahamstown where I completed a B. Journalism degree. This was followed by a "totally useless" - according to my parents - English Honours degree (first class), also at Rhodes.
I started my career as a reporter on a daily newspaper at the dawning of the turbulent 1980s. During this period, I interviewed, among others, Frank Sinatra, Jeffrey Archer, Eugene Terre'blanche and Desmond Tutu. I caught crocodiles; avoided rocks and tear smoke canisters in various South African townships; stayed awake through interminable city council meetings and criminal and civil court cases - and learned to interpret balance sheets and understand economic jargon. I also married - and 31 years later remain happily married to - my news editor (now retired), Poen de Villiers.
After the birth of our two daughters, I 'crossed over' into Public Relations. My writing - articles, media releases, opinion and thought leadership pieces and so on - continues to be published regularly in newspapers and other media, usually under someone else's by-line.
The unexpected death of a childhood friend and colleague in 2011 spurred me to take stock of my life. A few months later, I started writing A Beautiful Family. I am now working hard on my second novel, When Times Fails
Where to find Marilyn Cohen de Villiers online
Website: http://www.marilyncohendevilliers.com
Twitter: @MarilynCohendV
Facebook: Facebook profile
Blog: https://marilyncohendevilliers.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @MarilynCohendV
Facebook: Facebook profile
Blog: https://marilyncohendevilliers.wordpress.com/
Where to buy in print
Books
When Time Fails
by Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
Price:
$4.99 USD.
Words: 85,030.
Language:
English.
Published: April 9, 2018
.
Categories:
Fiction » Women's fiction » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
Book 2 of The Silverman Saga takes us to a remote farm in South Africa's Free State province where Annamari's teenage indiscretion with Alan Silverman is set to destory her family and her life decades later.
A Beautiful Family
by Marilyn Cohen de Villiers
Price:
$5.99 USD.
Words: 110,800.
Language:
English.
Published: January 8, 2015
.
Categories:
Fiction » Mystery & detective » General, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Brenda and Alan Silverman are a perfect couple living a perfect life in Johannesburg’s wealthy northern suburbs. Then Brenda dies in mysterious circumstances, and a shocking secret that rocks the community emerges.
Once you start reading this fast-paced, hard-hitting family saga, you will find it difficult to put down..