Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Sadeqa Johnson, author of KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN, THE HOUSE OF EVE, and YELLOW WIFE, sits down with her editor, Dawn Davis. Sadeqa shares what inspired her to make the shift from writing contemporary fiction to historical fiction, the inspiration to write KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN, and how discovering little-known historical figures and moments sparks her stories. Sadeqa also shares with Dawn how her experience working in publicity in publishing as well as self-publishing novels prepared her for a career as an author.
The Write Reasons is a video podcast where, each month, authors and editors engage in dynamic conversations surrounding our most impactful books and the work they do to bring them to readers’ shelves. How does an editor decide which book to acquire? What does collaboration look like at a publishing house? Why does a writer write? Explore all these questions and more on The Write Reasons, a podcast by Simon & Schuster!
Learn more about KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN:
simonandschuster.com/books/Keeper-of-Lost-Children/Sadeqa-Johnson/9781668069912?utm_source=youtube_description&utm_medium=sands_youtube&utm_campaign=the_write_reasons&utm_content=
Learn more about Sadeqa Johnson:
Website: sadeqa.net
Instagram: instagram.com/sadeqasays/?hl=en
TikTok: tiktok.com/discover/sadeqa-johnson
Facebook: facebook.com/SadeqaJohnson
For more from Simon & Schuster:
Website: simonandschuster.com
Instagram: instagram.com/simonandschuster
Facebook: facebook.com/Simonandschuster
TikTok: tiktok.com/@simonandschusterbooks
X: https://x.com/simonschuster
Timestamps:
00:00-00:46: Intro
00:47-02:26: How Sadeqa and Dawn Met
02:27-04:35: The Inspiration for KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN
04:36-05:46: How Sadeqa Approaches Writing Historical Fiction
05:47-08:06: The Character of Ozzie and Black GIs
08:07-09:04: Behind the Editorial Process of KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN
09:05-11:21: How Sadeqa's Publicity Background Helped Her Become an Author
11:22-12:53: Sadeqa's Experience in Self-Publishing
12:54-15:12: The Character of Sophia and School Integration
15:13-17:17: Sadeqa's Research Process
17:18-20:45: Sadeqa's Shift from Writing Contemporary Fiction to Historical Fiction
20:46-24:54: Discussion on Craft
24:55-27:34: Sadeqa's Next Story
27:35-31:27: Passage Reading
31:28-31:38: Outro
Sadeqa Johnson, author of KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN, THE HOUSE OF EVE, and YELLOW WIFE, sits down with her editor, Dawn Davis. Sadeqa shares what inspired her to make the shift from writing contemporary fiction to historical fiction, the inspiration to write KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN, and how discovering little-known historical figures and moments sparks her stories. Sadeqa also shares with Dawn how her experience working in publicity in publishing as well as self-publishing novels prepared her for a career as an author.
The Write Reasons is a video podcast where, each month, authors and editors engage in dynamic conversations surrounding our most impactful books and the work they do to bring them to readers’ shelves. How does an editor decide which book to acquire? What does collaboration look like at a publishing house? Why does a writer write? Explore all these questions and more on The Write Reasons, a podcast by Simon & Schuster!
Learn more about KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN:
simonandschuster.com/books/Keeper-of-Lost-Children/Sadeqa-Johnson/9781668069912?utm_source=youtube_description&utm_medium=sands_youtube&utm_campaign=the_write_reasons&utm_content=
Learn more about Sadeqa Johnson:
Website: sadeqa.net
Instagram: instagram.com/sadeqasays/?hl=en
TikTok: tiktok.com/discover/sadeqa-johnson
Facebook: facebook.com/SadeqaJohnson
For more from Simon & Schuster:
Website: simonandschuster.com
Instagram: instagram.com/simonandschuster
Facebook: facebook.com/Simonandschuster
TikTok: tiktok.com/@simonandschusterbooks
X: https://x.com/simonschuster
Timestamps:
00:00-00:46: Intro
00:47-02:26: How Sadeqa and Dawn Met
02:27-04:35: The Inspiration for KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN
04:36-05:46: How Sadeqa Approaches Writing Historical Fiction
05:47-08:06: The Character of Ozzie and Black GIs
08:07-09:04: Behind the Editorial Process of KEEPER OF LOST CHILDREN
09:05-11:21: How Sadeqa's Publicity Background Helped Her Become an Author
11:22-12:53: Sadeqa's Experience in Self-Publishing
12:54-15:12: The Character of Sophia and School Integration
15:13-17:17: Sadeqa's Research Process
17:18-20:45: Sadeqa's Shift from Writing Contemporary Fiction to Historical Fiction
20:46-24:54: Discussion on Craft
24:55-27:34: Sadeqa's Next Story
27:35-31:27: Passage Reading
31:28-31:38: Outro
