Sadeqa Johnson is the international best-selling and award-winning author of four novels. Johnson’s forthcoming novel, The House of Eve (February 7, 2023), is a daring and redemptive story set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC, that explores what it means to be a woman and a mother, and how much one is willing to sacrifice to achieve her greatest goal.

 

Her previous novel, Yellow Wife, follows an enslaved woman forced to barter love and freedom while living in the most infamous slave jail in Virginia. Inspired by a true story, Yellow Wife depicts “the physical, psychological, and spiritual damages wrought by slavery” (Kirkus, Starred Review) and determination in the face of oppression. Johnson’s moving book resonates with audiences as we still grapple with issues of race today, and has been 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. Yellow Wife joins the canon of bestselling fiction including Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom, and Solomon Northup’s Twelve Years a Slave.

 

Johnson’s debut novel, Love in a Carry-on Bag, was the recipient of the 2013 Phillis Wheatley award for best fiction, OOSA best book award, and USA best book award for African-American fiction. Second House From the Corner, was hailed by Essence magazine and a Go on Girl! Book Club 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. Johnson also received the Black Pearl Magazine Author of the Year award in 2017.

 

Offering ample space for discussion, Johnson’s novels are frequent book club selections. She is widely requested to speak at schools, conferences, historical organizations, and more, discussing the historical significance of her stories, writing, research, and personal journey. A former public relations manager, Johnson 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, Johnson took matters into her own hands and 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 quintessential to success.

 

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.