Nea Anna Simone began her first attempt at writing following a conversation with her best friend and prayer partner Dana Nelson. One afternoon Dana called and after their conversation had reached the end, she confided the real reason for her call;that while she had been in prayer God had given her a message…. simply stated it was that Nea should write. Uncertain as to the meaning of the message, Nea asked for clarification as to the context. She had recently experienced great personal loss and tragedy. Consequently she thought she was being urged to record this period of loss and transition for reflection at a later point in her life. Dana responded, “No…God wants you to write…if you’ll do that He’ll take care of everything else." So Nea conceded and started writing her first novel Reaching BACK that evening. The first thirty pages of the novel never changed and she began writing nightly after putting her three children to bed as a form of release and entertainment.
Over time, Reaching BACK became a journey through the complexities of four generations of African American women struggling with a myriad of issues centering on the myth intrinsic in the black community of the superiority of light vs. dark skin. Thus began her literary journey and God was true to His word…without rhyme or reason He opened doors and placed people in her life. Consequently BET/Kensington Books published Reaching BACK as a Trade Paperback.
Nea is now a nationally acclaimed best-selling author of mainstream fiction. A single mother of three children, she writes from her home in Fayette County, Georgia, a suburban community south of Atlanta. Reaching BACK received literary acclaim as an Original Voice of Fiction from BORDERS Bookstores highlighted in a National Ad Campaign; Black Expressions reviewed it as a "Great literary work," BET selected Reaching BACK as the giveaway to the BET 8th Annual Walk of Fame, and it was chosen as Reader’s Choice Best in Fiction in the Atlanta Daily World and BORDERS Celebration of Books.
Nea’s writing has opened other doors as it often touches on the uncomfortable issues of domestic violence and abuse and the myriad response and outcomes that are experienced in homes across the nation, she realizes the importance and urgency of giving this issue a voice. Nea believes that at the root of ALL societal ills lies the fertile soil of domestic abuse and violence that ultimately impacts the lives of our most precious resource....children.
Reaching Back and ReBORN are used as therapy for counseling sessions of victims recovering from domestic violence and abuse at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia through the Emory University NIA PROJECT. Nea’s work has drawn national attention to issues of domestic violence giving her a platform as author/advocate. In 2006 she was the recipient of the Champion of Change Award . She was featured in an NBC spotlight of “Good People” focusing on her journey as a domestic violence survivor to acclaimed author and also featured on the Anniversary Cover of WRITTEN Magazine journaling her story as an author/advocate. Nea gave the keynote speech at the opening of the 13th Annual conference of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to over nine hundred attendees on “A Season of Violence” to an overwhelming audience response that cited her speech as the conference highlight.
Nea’s honest and heartfelt response to audiences have made her a popular choice among book clubs, organizations, Civic groups and colleges to speak on having faith in the face of adversity, re-inventing yourself and single parenting. She has encouraged her audiences to move ahead with their dreams from survival to success. Nea is available for speaking engagements and book signings.
If you would like Nea to participate in an event as a keynote or panel speaker and/or visit your book club meeting for a reading and discussion please email your request to: booksignings@neasimone.com
