Past Pulitzer Prize Nominee. Girl meets world. A Family Gathering is about a 12 year-old girl's traumatic journey from tragedy to triumph. —Cicely Tyson Calling: It began with a surprising phone call from Gene Cartwright's long-time publicist, Nancy Eddy of Novato, California. She informed Gene that Cicely Tyson's William Morris agent was trying to reach him. Ms. Tyson had just read Gene's latest novel, 'A Family Gathering,' and was determined to personally speak to him.Needless to say, Gene, despite his always controlled and measured demeanor, was flattered and thrilled. After a number of follow-up conversations that day, a time was arranged to receive Ms. Tyson's call. The hour arrived, and her call came.From the first minutes, it seemed the two had been friends for years. Their first conversation lasted more than two hours. Ms Tyson disclosed she had read A Family Gathering and, in her words, had not been "so moved" by a novel since first reading "Alex's [Haley] book" [Roots]. She knew she had to speak to the author.Gene was taken aback, honored, and briefly speechless. To have his novel—a product of an intense labor of love—placed in such lofty company, and by such a respected film icon who personally knew Mr. Haley, was a humbling experience.During this, and subsequent conversations, Gene and Ms. Tyson spoke about her celebrated career; her late husband—the legendary Miles Davis—the state of film, television, writing, and especially A Family Gathering.Ms. Tyson wanted to know where this powerful story sprang from; how a book with fifty-two characters and so many emotional levels could be so easily read, and leave the reader wanting more. She was adamant that the novel become a feature film or made-for-television movie. Of course, Gene agreed.Gene recalls, Ms. Tyson has made it indelibly clear she is on board the film adaptation of A Family Gathering. She has already "claimed" her role. Her commitment provides a solid foundation for what will be an amazing effort to bring this epic novel to the screen.What lies ahead is hard work and great excitement, as the project moves forward. However, with great talent like Ms. Tyson on board, and others to be announced, the possibilities are boundless.