Meet Author Francene Mary Diane Hill
Francene M. D. Hill holds a B.A. in Psychology from Smith College and an M.S. in Human and Family Studies from Penn State University. Her passion for storytelling has taken her to open mics, book readings, and book festivals, including The Moth StorySLAM in Washington, DC. She has been featured in the St. Louis Public Library’s Digital Collection and on multiple stages sharing her mother’s inspiring legacy.
Her latest project, Tiny Tots in Tiaras and Tuxedos: The Life, Love, and Business Success of Kermit B. Hill, is a powerful creative biography honoring her mother, Kermit B. Hill.
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Featured Writing
My article, “A Fat Folder of Family Secrets: Mom’s Hidden Past,” appeared in Sisters from AARP (November 2023). It uncovers my mother’s little-known service during World War II, a story that continues to inspire and reshape our family’s history.
A Fat Folder of Family Secrets: Mom's Hidden Past
In this gripping November 3, 2023 Sisters From AARP article, Francene Hill uncovers her mother's (Kermit Hill) previously unknown service at the War Department while her father, Augustus Hill, Sr. fought overseas during World War II.
Featured in The Greater Olney Newspaper
In February 2025, I was honored to be featured on the front page of The Greater Olney Newspaper for my reading of Tiny Tots in Tiaras and Tuxedos. I shared the stage with my god-sister and poet, Linda Moore, making the afternoon especially meaningful.
Our paths had crossed again in March 2023 at an Olney Writers' Group meeting—an unexpected reunion that revealed a surprising family connection. Linda discovered that my mother had been her Godmother, and that our parents were in the same class at Dunbar High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
What began as a chance encounter grew into a heartfelt collaboration. Together, Linda and I presented “African American Family Stories and Poetry” in February 2025, celebrating heritage, resilience, and the power of storytelling..
My Writing Journey
One of the most enjoyable aspects of my journey has been sharing snippets of my work in progress. At book readings and open mic events, audiences have been treated to vintage photographs accompanying chapters of Tiny Tots in Tiaras and Tuxedos.
Francene Hill at The Moth StorySLAM
The thrill of performing at The Moth StorySLAM in Washington, DC, is an experience I will never forget. Watch Francene Hill on stage on July 10, 2023. Performing live from The Miracle Theater, Francene captivates the audience with a hilarious hang-gliding trip to Rio de Janeiro with her ex-boyfriend.
Other Passions
In addition to writing, I'm enthusiastically pursuing my passions, whether it's hitting the golf course, dabbling in drawing and painting, or belting out tunes at karaoke nights. Finally, I'm a proud alumna of both Smith College and Penn State University.