Nea Simone is 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” has received literary acclaim as an Original Voice of Fiction from BORDERS Bookstores and was 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 was it 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. Realizing the importance and urgency of giving this issue a voice,Reaching BACK and ReBORN are used as therapy for counseling sessions of victims recovering from domestic violence and abuse at GradyMemorialHospital in Atlanta, Georgia in the Emory NIA Project. Nea’s work has drawn attention to issues of domestic violence in her work as author/advocate. In 2006 she was the recipient of the Champion of Change Award and featured in an NBC spotlight of “Good People” focusing on her journey as a survivor to acclaimed author. She is 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, and colleges to speak on having faith in the face of adversity, second starts and issues surrounding domestic violence. She has encouraged hundreds in her audiences to move ahead with their dreams from survival to success. Nea is available for speaking engagements and book signings.
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Keynote Speaker/Emcee
BET 8h Annual Walk of FAME Luncheon honoring Stevie Wonder
Jack & Jill North Suburban Atlanta Chapter Fundraiser -Keynote
Indigo Ink Inaugural – Keynote Speaker
Women’s Economic Development Association–(WEDA) -Keynote
Atlanta Daily World/BORDERS Bookstores – Reader’s Choice – Best in Fiction Award Recipient - Keynote
National Book Club Conference 2003 - Speaker
Introduction of Pearl Cleage for Babylon Sisters – Emcee
Girlfriends de Mecca - Keynote
Links Atlanta Chapter – Keynote/Reading
Delta Sigma Theta – Reading
Alpha Kappa Alpha - Keynote
Atlanta Business League - Keynote
Alpha Kappa Alpha Fundraiser South Atlanta Chapter
Circle of Sisters to End Domestic Violence - Keynote
CJCC 13th Annual Conference – A Season of Violence - Keynote
Divine Perfections Love Outreach - Keynote- Assisting those struggling with poverty for positive advancement
FayetteCounty Friends of the Library - Keynote
DeKalb Wesley Chapel Friends of the Library - Keynote
KAPsi Foundation - Keynote
Panel Speaker
The Business of Books – Atlanta Business League Super Tuesday
The Social Impact of Women Spiritual Writers
African American Writers of the Millennium Conference
Cushcity Books Brunch Panel Discussion
HamptonUniversity
LangstonUniversity
University of Oklahoma
OklahomaStateUniversity
PerimeterCollege DeKalb – African American Authors Panel
Workshop Facilitator
Metro Detroit Literary Awards Weekend – Marketing Yourself for Success
Indigo Ink Writer’s Group The In’s and Out’s of writing for a living
National Book Club Conference 2003 The Business of Writing
AJC Journalists - Sticking with It/How to keep up the enthusiasm for a long endeavor
Media Interviews
“Writer’s in Focus “
Guest on Porsche Foxx Radio show HOT 97 FM
Featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution
Quoted in The Atlanta Tribune Magazine
Featured in The Fayette Citizen Newspaper
The Oklahoman Newspaper
Nationwide Ad Campaign as “An Original Voice of Fiction” Borders Bookstores
Books To Mention Magazine
Poetic Nites Magazine
Shades of Romance Magazine
Booking Matters Magazine
HOPE for Women Magazine
NBC “Good People” Segment
Written Magazine – Cover –Philanthropic Authors
V-103 Joyce Littel Relationships Show
A Woman’s Place – Half Hour Televised Show on AIB
A Woman’s Spirit – Radio Show – Sandy Springs
AJC - Busy Mom's Take a Break
AJC - Re-Inventing Mom
BET 8h Annual Walk of FAME Luncheon honoring Stevie Wonder – Reaching BACK is gift to all
Selected as “An Original Voice of Fiction” Borders Boo
Reader’s Choice – Best in Fiction Award Recipient Borders/Atlanta Daily World
Recipient 2006 Champions of Change Award
Nominated for Hurston-Wright Legacy Award for ReBORN
REACHING BACK BOLDLY EXPLORES THE PAST With TRUTHS FOR TODAY!
WASHINGTON, DC (JULY 2002) BET BOOKS, publishers of best-selling fiction ARABESQUE, SEPIA and NEW SPIRIT has released "Reaching BACK", an exceptional novel from the Sepia imprint is a rich and compelling tale of survival, ambition, determination and a glimpse into a time where skin color made all the difference among the black middle class in America.
An aging leather bound journal provides a glimpse into the captivating family history of Mignon Samuels, shedding light on the struggles of several generations of African American women – stretching back in time from her maternal great-grandmother to her own mother and the circumstances endured by each woman in their unique time .
Fueled by their legacy, Mignon decides its time to make daring changes of her own, and forge ahead – out of her marriage – to a new future with her three daughters. For Mignon feels betrayed by the dream of a fairytale life, that her husband was supposed to bring her – acceptance from the black middle class. In truth, it only brought her pain.
Author Nea Anna Simone crafts a multi-generational tale that takes the reader along a difficult journey with a woman who finds courage and the inspiration to break the bonds and strict codes of the African American elite. Simone forces readers to face questions of family secrets, difficult relationships, and struggles of skin color. Does it really matter?
Fast-paced and gripping, Reaching Back is for all people who are looking for the courage to face the future or unknown.
“This novel is sure to touch the lives of readers as they examine their own histories,” remarks Linda Gill, vice president and publisher of BET Books.
“As we continue to learn to love ourselves in all of our glorious skin tones, the conclusions this dynamic character reaches are empowering. Author Simone has touched on a subject that still elicits sensitivity in our community, and this novel is bound to be widely discussed.” Simone currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her family.
ReBORN
A REVEALED SECRET THREATENS TO DESTROY A FAMILY' FOUNDATION! Acclaimed Author Nea Anna Simone delivers an intriguing tale of a woman's struggle to embrace her family's past while trying to determine her own future!
WASHINGTON, DC (Fall 2004) BET BOOKS, publisher of the main stream imprint Sepia, releases Reborn, the uplifting sequel to the critically acclaimed award winning novel, Reaching Back by Nea Anna Simone in October 2004.
Five years have passed since Mignon Samuels first discovered the priceless family journal that chronicles the lives of the strong women who came before her. Now Mignon Samuels has decided to chronicle her own journey, adding her own history to that of the four previous generations.
Mignon's journey takes her back to several periods in her family's history, including the early days of her grandparents' marriage and the troubles they faced, which in some way are similar to her own. Her mother, Uncle Eddie, and aunts Odele and Sofia each have all had their own obstacles to overcome; womanizing, drug addiction, and even murder! They have always sought the healing power of God, but it will take years, perhaps decades, for those who survive to really see the light.
As she delves deeper into her family's murky past, Mignon unearths a secret that turns the world as she knows it, upside-down. With her sense of self shaken, she must face a difficult loss. Yet, like her proud ancestors, she knows the value of experiencing rebirth, and of finding the strength and faith to change her life, and her family's future. Will Mignon be able to harness the insight and strength from her ancestors' courage to keep moving forward despite all the odds against her.
For years Mignon wondered why her mother Ana had never revealed her paternity. In retrospect, she was thankful; she had weathered enough storms without the additional burden of being marked by a scarlet letter. As far as Mignon was concerned everyone made mistakes, as a parent she believed that like her mother she would inevitably make a mistake that may be perceived as unforgivable. So Mignon forgave so that one day she would be forgiven. Anyway, the fact that she knew her father was a Frenchman of noble birth was of little or no importance to her in the scheme of things. If her biological father, Pierre, had not chosen to permanently exit their lives when he did, then Richard Warner, her stepfather and the man that Mignon thought of and called her father, her dad, would not have entered their lives.
Author Simone explains her reasons for writing the spellbinding sequel, "I wrote Reborn as the sequel to Reaching Back because I felt there was still a story that had not been told." Reaching Back was the first step...confrontation. Reborn is the next step....self realization. Reborn speaks of second chances to right the wrongs we've created by the choices we've made. Following the success of Reaching Back, chosen as an "Original Voice" by Borders, selected as Readers Choice for Best in Fiction and now on the American Libraries Association bestsellers list, Simone continues the historical, emotional and spiritual journey of protagonist, Mignon Samuels in Reborn. "Nea Anna Simone has once again delivered, declares Sepia Editor Glenda Howard." This novel tells the story about a family of resilient women who triumph over the tragedies and obstacles before them with startling clarity. Reborn has been submitted for nomination of the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award and has become a National Bestseller.
