Menu
Headshot of SSSB speaker Sadeqa Johnson, author of The House of Eve.

Sadeqa Johnson New York Times Bestselling & Reese Witherspoon/Hello Sunshine Book Club Author, and National Book Club Conference Award Winner

About the Author

Sadeqa Johnson is a bestselling and award winning author of six novels. Her most recent instant New York Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon/Hello Sunshine Book Club pick, The House of Eve, is a daring and redemptive story set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC. It explores what it means to be a woman and a mother, and how much one is willing to sacrifice for a goal. With this book, Sadeqa Johnson continues her tradition of confronting the timeless questions that have no easy answers.

Yellow Wife follows an enslaved woman forced to barter love and freedom while living in the most infamous slave jail in Virginia. Yellow Wife was named a “Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Book of 2021,” by O, The Oprah Magazine and SheReads, as well as a “Books We Love” pick by PARADE and BuzzFeed.

Love in a Carry-on Bag, was the recipient of the 2013 Phillis Wheatley award for fiction, OOSA book award, and USA book award for African-American fiction. Second House From the Corner, was hailed by Essence magazine and a Go on Girl! Bookclub selection for 2017. And Then There Was Me, won the National Book Club Conference fiction book of the year award, and was a finalist for the Phillis Wheatley award. Sadeqa Johnson received the Black Pearl Magazine Author of the Year award in 2017. Her other accolades include being the 2022 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, a BCALA Literary Honoree, and the Library of Virginia’s Literary People’s Choice Award winner.

Sadeqa Johnson is widely requested to speak at schools, conferences, historical organizations, and more. She discusses the historical significance of her stories, writing, research, and personal journey. A former public relations manager, she spent several years working with well-known authors such as JK Rowling, Bebe Moore Campbell, Amy Tan, and Bishop TD Jakes. After years of unsuccessfully getting her own publishing deal, Sadeqa Johnson started a small press with her husband, where she published her debut novel. A motivational and inspirational speaker, she discusses how to be your own best advocate, and why never giving up is essential to success.

Sadeqa Johnson is a Kimbilo Fellow, former board member of the James River Writers, and proud member of the Tall Poppy Writers. She also teaches fiction writing for the MFA program at Drexel University. Originally from Philadelphia, she currently lives near Richmond, Virginia with her husband and three children.

Contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau to book Sadeqa Johnson for speaking events as a keynote speaker. Use the Request a Speaker form or email info@simonspeakers.com to speak to Sadeqa Johnson’s booking agent to request her speaking fee, booking information, and availability.

Suggested Topics

The Writer’s Manifesto: How Belief Turns Pages into Bestsellers
What does it take to go from selling books out of your car trunk to becoming a bestselling author? In this inspiring talk, Sadeqa Johnson shares her journey from self-publishing hustler to literary success, powered not by luck—but by unshakable belief that there is a higher calling on her life. She reveals how vision boards, relentless focus, and the refusal to accept “no” became the blueprint for her success. More than a story about books, this is a testament to the power of mindset, manifestation, and the creative courage it takes to bet on yourself when no one else will. For anyone with a dream and the drive to chase it—this is your manifesto.

Key Takeaways:

  • Your belief is your blueprint: Success begins with a vision—if you can see it, speak it, and stay committed, you can write it into reality.
  • Rejection isn’t the end—it’s redirection: Every “no” becomes fuel when you refuse to let the world define your worth or your work.
  • Discipline is louder than doubt: It’s not about waiting to be chosen—it’s about showing up, doing the work, and breaking through the ceiling of your own limitations.

Audience: Community Reads, Libraries, Students, Writing Conferences, Motivational conferences

Keeper of Lost Children: Stories We Leave Behind
“Sadeqa Johnson has an uncanny gift for mining the past and transforming it into unforgettable fiction,” as praised by Nathan Harris, author of The Sweetness of Water.

Sadeqa Johnson, acclaimed author and historian, brings to light a hidden chapter of post-war history in her latest novel Keeper of Lost Children. She reveals the stories of thousands of biracial children born to German women and Black American GIs—children often abandoned, unwanted, and caught between two worlds that refused to claim them.

Johnson’s research led her to Mabel Grammer, a courageous journalist and advocate who adopted twelve of these children and launched the Brown Baby Plan, placing over 500 biracial children into loving African American families.

In this talk, she will explore the power of uncovering erased histories, especially those of women—stories too often marginalized, forgotten, or untold.

Key Takeaways:

  • The making of Keeper of Lost Children: Discovery, research and story.
  • Uncovering the hidden histories of women
  • Storytelling as a tool for healing

Audience: Community Reads, Libraries, Luncheons, Women’s groups, Black history, Women’s history, students

They Were Always There: Reclaiming the Stories of Forgotten Women in History
Sadeqa Johnson is a New York Times bestselling author of six novels, including three acclaimed works of historical fiction. While she always knew she was meant to be a writer, it was history that chose her. A walk along the Richmond Slave Trail led her to a marker honoring Mary Lumpkin and the infamous Lumpkin’s Jail—a discovery that sparked her breakthrough novel Yellow Wife. Years later, her own family’s hidden story—her maternal grandmother’s unmarried, teenage pregnancy in the 1950s—inspired The House of Eve, a powerful exploration of love, shame, and reproductive rights.

More recently, Johnson uncovered the little-known story of Mabel Grammer, a courageous Black journalist stationed in post-war Germany. Grammer adopted twelve biracial children—born to German mothers and Black American GIs—and launched the Brown Baby Plan, ultimately placing over 500 of these orphaned children into loving African American homes. Grammer’s story became the inspiration for Johnson’s latest novel, Keeper of Lost Children.

In this talk, Johnson weaves together personal legacy, historical erasure, and the power of storytelling to reclaim the often-overlooked contributions of Black women throughout history. Through fiction rooted in fact, she brings their lives to light—because they were always there. Now, we must remember them.

Key Takeaways:

  • Women have always been central, not marginal: From enslavement to motherhood, from survival to resistance, the lives of women have shaped the American story.
  • You don’t need permission to tell the story: Whether it’s inherited trauma or ancestral triumph, claiming and telling these stories is an act of creative and cultural freedom.
  • Follow the whispers: Uncovering lost stories begins with small clues—local archives, newspaper clippings, oral histories, or family memories. Researching hidden histories means following fragments and letting curiosity lead.

Audience: Community Reads, Libraries, Luncheons, Women’s groups, Black history, Women’s history, students

From Surviving to Thriving: How I Transformed Shame Into Purpose
We all carry stories—of family, trauma, upbringing, and survival. But what if your past wasn’t your prison, but your power? In this transformative keynote, Sadeqa Johnson explores how to embrace where you come from without letting it define where you’re going.

By examining the ties that shaped you, letting go of shame and perfectionism, and meeting your inner child with compassion, you can step into a more honest, empowered, and authentic version of yourself. This talk is a call to those who are ready to stop hiding, start healing, and rewrite their narrative—from backstory to breakthrough.

Key Takeaways:

  • Your story is fuel, not a cage: Learn how to honor your roots, face your truth, and let go of what no longer serves you to move forward with clarity and power.
  • Authenticity requires courage: Real growth begins when you release shame, stop performing for approval, and show up as your whole, imperfect self.

Shatter the illusion to find your truth: Letting go of the “perfect picture” allows you to connect more deeply—with yourself and with others—through vulnerability and honesty.

Audience: Leadership conferences, Women’s conference, Women in Leadership, Ladies’ Luncheons, Women in Business, Motivational conferences

Raves and Reviews

Praise for Sadeqa Johnson

Event coordinators should know that Sadeqa Johnson is the whole package – especially if historical fiction is their intended spotlight. Sadeqa has a quick wit, is personable with her audience, and has a deft way of talking about challenging and complex historical subjects.”
—Club Book

Sadeqa Johnson is a wonderful storyteller! Her presentation to our community members was heartfelt, funny and personal. Ms. Johnson made it seem like we all were old friends, and she spoke to people like she has known them all their lives. As she signed books, she had meaningful conversations with individuals and even invited – insisted! – they take pictures with her. People left with smiles, and all commented on how wonderful the event was. It was a true pleasure to meet and work with Ms. Johnson!”
—Fairfax County Public Library

Sadeqa was a wonderful speaker.  She engaged high school students and adults alike with her conversational presentation.  There were long lines for books signings at both events and Sadeqa was gracious with her time, speaking with each person.  Audience members were texting and emailing before even leaving the venue to be sure we knew how much they had enjoyed the presentation…”
—Findlay-Hancock County Public Library

We were thrilled to have Sadeqa Johnson as one of our featured authors at this year’s Verse & Vino event. Not only was she so kind and easy to work with behind the scenes, she had the ability to capture the attention of 1300 attendees such that you could hear a pin drop in the crowd.  Following the event one guest told us “Her blend of personal story, library story and message for the audience was masterful.” We couldn’t agree more!”
—Verse & Vino

Praise for The House of Eve
A beautifully written and wonderfully crafted tale of two young Black women, their families and their love stories. However, that’s only the beginning of this immersive, captivating story. Johnson’s two main characters are strikingly different but stunningly similar. Readers will never forget Ruby or Eleanor, or the choices they make and the sacrifices they endure in this timely, relatable tale of women, children, skin color, haves and have-nots with an ending that will stay with you for a long, long time. A Reese’s Book Club pick, The House of Eve is an instant classic.”
—NPR

The House of Eve is a triumph of historical fiction.…Johnson’s novel is an affecting and arresting exploration of young Black womanhood and motherhood in the mid-20th century…. Johnson’s talents are in full bloom in this layered story with two distinctive and compelling young Black women at the center…. The House of Eve is engrossing, emotionally wrenching and socially astute storytelling.”
—Washington Post

A heartrending story.”
—Taylor Jenkins Reid, via Goodreads

A provocative and heartrending tale about two young women forced to face the limitations of their reproductive choices in 1950s America. Ripping open the complex intersection of classism, colorism and gender inequality, Johnson has delivered a powerful statement on the cost of suppressing female autonomy that’s stunning to experience and impossible to forget.”
—Atlanta Journal Constitution

If you’ve read Sadeqa Johnson’s other books, you’ll know her extraordinary talent for writing historical fiction that breaks the mold by challenging dominant narratives and encouraging readers to rethink their assumptions. Her latest offering is a powerfully moving story of womanhood, motherhood, race and redemption.”
—Ms. Magazine

Sadeqa Johnson has a unique talent for shining light on lesser-known chapters of American history and bringing them fully, vibrantly to life. In The House of Eve, she paints a vivid world of circumstance, sacrifice, and longing, set just before the dawn of rock’n’roll in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. With pitch-perfect dialogue, intricately researched details, and a tender exploration of the hearts of two women facing life-altering decisions, The House of Eve is an unforgettable tale of motherhood, ambition, the perils of prejudice, and the heartache of forbidden love.”
—Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars

I don’t know where to begin with the brilliantly written House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson. There were so many twists and turns, so many heart palpitating moments—I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. House of Eve is one of those novels that will stay with you long after you read the last page.”
—Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling author of The Personal Librarian

Praise for Yellow Wife

Seldom do I get to enjoy a novel so wholly engrossing, so exquisitely researched, so timely. Sadeqa Johnson has brought a fresh telling to a story we think we already know, making it beautifully relatable and human. Riveting and suspenseful, I highly recommend this novel.”
—Kathleen Grissom New York Times best-selling author of Glory Over Everything and The Kitchen House

A challenging read but beautifully told… Yellow Wife doesn’t pull any punches in telling its story about this painful period in American history. However, with a central character who is more than up to the task, this thought-provoking, well-paced tale brims with heart and intelligence.”
—NPR

Yellow Wife is a heartbreaking stunner of a book. Johnson deftly creates a cast of characters based on real historical figures and events that transport the reader to the horrors of the slave trade of the pre-war South. Exquisitely researched and richly crafted. I was utterly riveted.”
—Aimie K. Runyan, internationally bestselling author of Daughters of the Night Sky and Across the Winding River

A fully immersive, intricately crafted story inspired by the pages of history. In Pheby, Sadeqa Johnson has created a woman whose struggle to survive and to protect the ones she loves will have readers turning the pages as fast as their fingers can fly. Simply enthralling.”
—Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Before We Were Yours and The Book of Lost Friends.

Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson is a page-turner of a novel that is utterly transporting. Johnson’s rich historical detail and enchanting prose sucked me into another world from the very first page. The book is a reminder that the inner lives of black women are as complicated as they are fascinating and make for some of the most affecting literature in American history. I loved it.”
—Attica Locke, author of Bluebird, Bluebird

In the Media


“Sadeqa Johnson on her novel The House of Eve”
“There’s Pain And Tragedy In Yellow Wife — But Also Great Joy”


“5 new works of historical fiction feature painful secrets”
“The House of Eve is a triumph of historical fiction”
“Sadeqa Johnson’s Yellow Wife chronicles one tenacious enslaved woman’s survival in the antebellum South”


“Philly-raised author Sadeqa Johnson talks about Yellow Wife, her haunting novel about slavery”


“Today.com Says This New York Times Bestselling Author’s New Book Is a Must-Read This Month”

Videos

Books by Sadeqa Johnson

House of Eve
Keeper of Lost Children
Yellow Wife
And Then There Was Me
Second House from the Corner
Love in a Carry-On Bag

Contact Us

(866) 248-3049

info@simonspeakers.com