A Sign of Her Own

Absolutely brilliant. Ellen Lark is unforgettable — Emilia Hart, author of Weyward

Vivid. Eloquent. Offers insight as well as delight — Guardian

A Sign of Her Own tells the story of Ellen Lark, who is on the verge of marriage when she and her fiancé receive an unexpected visit from Alexander Graham Bell.

Ellen knows immediately what Bell really wants from her. Being deaf, Ellen was once Bell's student in a technique called Visible Speech. While teaching her to speak, Bell also shared his ambitious dream of creating a device that could transmit the human voice along a wire: the telephone. Now, on the brink of achieving wealth and renown, Bell seeks Ellen's support for his contention of patent rights to the telephone, as it faces challenges from rivals.

However, Ellen has a different narrative to share: one that speaks of Bell's betrayal of her and other deaf pupils for ambition and personal gain, ultimately severing her ties with a community where she felt truly at home. Though it seems no one around Ellen wants to hear her story, there may never be a more crucial time for her voice to be heard.