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Renowned singer-songwriter Marla Glen is thrilled to announce the upcoming ‘much-anticipated’ release of his authorized autobiography, “The Cost of Freedom.” 

The book, co-authored by Stacey McClain, offers an emotional roller coaster ride through Marla’s remarkable musical journey and his path to personal freedom.

From his humble beginnings on the South Side of Chicago to winning an open mic night that propelled the singer/songwriter into the music industry, Marla Glen’s story is one of resilience, mentorship, and triumph. 

In “The Cost of Freedom,” Marla shares experiences of being mentored by legends such as Nina Simone and Bo Diddley, touring Europe, and achieving gold and platinum albums.

Marla Glen’s journey was unthinkable, unimaginable, and oftentimes unlawful. Throughout life, Marla faced numerous challenges and obstacles that shaped the artist into the person he is today, finally embracing his true self. The book chronicles struggles and triumphs, highlighting the importance of staying true to oneself and fighting for personal freedom.

There was no LGBTQIA movement when Marla Glen was born, yet the singer/songwriter embraced identifying as a young stud, and drifted around the US, with a clear understanding of gender identity. The book goes beyond Marla’s identity as a transgender individual, focusing on his music career, early influences, and the profound impact of encounters with musical icons. “The Cost of Freedom” delves into Marla’s perseverance and unwavering spirit, showcasing his journey towards self-acceptance and success.

Readers will be captivated by Marla’s incredible rise to stardom, his battles with the music industry, and his eventual triumph over adversity. The book sheds light on the challenges faced by artists in an industry riddled with exploitation, while also celebrating the power of resilience, determination, and creative collaboration.

“The Cost of Freedom” promises to be an inspiring and thought-provoking read for music enthusiasts, fans of Marla Glen, and anyone seeking inspiration in their own pursuit of freedom.

The book is set to release October 17, 2023, and pre-orders are available now on the official website: http://www.marlaglenbook.com.

For more information, please visit the official website or follow Marla Glen on social media:

Website: http://www.marlaglenbook.com

Facebook: marla-glen-author

Instagram: marla_glen_book

About Marla Glen

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, as a child Marla Glen was cognizant that living life as a female was not something that she wanted.  Whether it was making the decision to abandon the idea of becoming a girl scout because they wore dresses, or dating other gay girls as a teenager, Marla was very clear about who “he” was.  However, that is not primarily what the book “Cost of Freedom” is about.   

The autobiography tells the story of the young drifter who worked odd jobs, yet traveled throughout the US performing at open mic nights. His travels landed him chance meetings with Bo Diddley and Ms. Nina Simone, both whom he lived with, while they encouraged and nurtured the singer/songwriter’s musical gifts.  

Although Marla thought being a musician was a nice talent to have, he had his heart set on being a police officer.  It was easy for him to survive the streets because he had a great work ethic, but he barely survived the 1980’s crack pandemic.  Thanks to a friend, Marla drifted to New Orleans, where he eventually was selected to perform at a contest hosted by a French curator seeking artists for a festival in France. Marla was one of the winners and was flown to France placing him in front of a crowd of eight thousand people. 

The festival launched Marla’s music career in a big way and during this time Ms. Simone introduced the young singer/songwriter to her manager. Within just a few years of being in France Marla signed a deal with Vogue Records and quickly rose to the top of the charts, receiving platinum and gold awards for his first album– only to get ripped off.  He ultimately ended up on the streets of France, with billboards of himself in the background, while asking fans if he could stay with them until he figured out a way to survive. 

For years, Marla continued to drift while trying to launch music projects, but being naive about the business, landed him at the mercy of shady music producers, who ripped him off again and again, until he ultimately met the right producing partner.  Finally in 2019, Marla and his new producing partner, Bruno a musician from Croatia, completed a project that lands Marla back on the radio, in control of his career, and living in Germany where he continues to thrive in front of audiences eager to watch him perform and shine.  It was a long journey, but worth “The Cost of Freedom” that the artist now has over his life and career as an international performer.