We were lucky to catch up with Naima Simone recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Naima thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

I’m going to step out on a limb and say that the dream of most writers is to be published one day. Whether that’s traditional or indie, we want our books to be in the hands of readers and for them to love our stories. I was–am–no different. For more years than I can count, I dreamed of being a published author. Of seeing my name on the spine of books right next to the authors I loved and admired. I joined Romance Writers of America and attended meetings at my local chapter. I took craft workshops and enrolled in classes. I even submitted my manuscript to publishing houses–only to be rejected. But I still kept writing and learning.

One meeting, an author by the name of Debra Glass presented a workshop, and I was so excited because I’d read several of her books and loved them. Though nervous, at the end of the meeting, I went up to her, introduced myself and she was incredibly kind. She asked what I was writing, and at the end of our conversation, she offered to read my first three chapters. To say I was excited and scared would be an understatement. But that week, I sent the chapters to her, and not only did she read them but critiqued them, giving me much needed feedback. And she loved my story and my writing. She encouraged me to submit to her publisher, and went even further to put in a word for me with the editor. Which she did. Debra Glass didn’t have to extend herself–her experience and time–to a new, unpublished author. But she did. And when this publisher eventually offered me a contract, I knew without her kindness, I might not have even submitted much less end up anticipating my first book release. To this day, nearly seventeen years later, we are friends and I value her friendship.

Naima, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I say this often, and I can see how people think I’m joking, but I’m being completely honest. I’ve always read books–my mother started my sister and I reading when we were three. So books have been my safe and happy place since I can remember. But I started writing because I had a huge crush on Ralph Tresvant of New Edition, and no one was rushing to write our epic love story. So if it was going to be written, it had to be done by me. And I took on the task. That was the first book I finished. It would be years before I finished another one, and more before I become published for the first time, but that romance I wrote in the seventh grade put me on the path I walk now.

I love romance. The intricacies and nuances of human beings and their relationships. The dysfunctions and need for healing and understanding. The sacrifices, The humor, the pain, the joy, The need for acceptance, to be heard and seen. The intimacy, passion, the love. If there’s one thing we all seek, it’s love. It drives so many of us, and is important to us. So writing about it, crafting stories where people find it and their happily-ever-afters is an honor, a privilege and a joy. No matter if the story is about a billionaire, a tattoo artist or a rock star…is suspense, contemporary or erotic… No matter if it’s a novella, category size or single title, there are certain things readers can expect from my books. With a Naima Simone story, they are guaranteed an emotional, sensual and satisfying read full of heart, humor and heat.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first contracted a book nearly fifteen years ago, I thought my responsibility in the publishing journey was just writing the book. I saw myself as a write, a creative. The publisher would handle editing, cover design and actually publishing it. I learned quickly that writing the book was just the beginning. Because I wasn’t just an author. I learned how to market my book, promote it, I also eventually learned how to create graphics and ads, how to budget. In other words, I learned that writing–and being a writer–is a business. Yes, as a traditionally published author, the publishing house does some marketing on my behalf. But the bulk of it falls on me. I’m responsible for promoting my product, creating a promotional budget, for learning trends and social media. And though I’m not always comfortable with that aspect of my career, it’s necessary to be efficient at it.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In order to be an author–especially in today’s saturated market and landscape–a person must be resilient. This career isn’t a nine-to-five. It isn’t always stable…neither is the money. And it seems like the trends and popularity of certain genres are always changing. It’s not enough to be good at what we do. We must have a passion for it. That passion will push you forward, keep you writing, keep you trying when the money, the demand and, yes, even the readers seem to disappear. The wonderful thing, though? The very thing that may be daunting–the change–is the most exciting, too. Because it offers us a chance to reinvent, to pivot, to explore, and even to stand still.

About ten years ago, I left my nine-to-five job at the bank and started writing full-time. Now, we were a two-income family, and on paper, it looked like we would be able to afford this move. But like I mentioned above, circumstances can change in the blink of an eye. Those years were lean, and many a time, I considered returning to banking or even getting a part-time job at Starbucks. Something to bring in more consistent money. Fear and doubt tried to take hold often, but both my husband and I stood on our belief that this was the right move for us. I’m not going to lie. Some of those times were tough, and I wanted to quit. But I pressed on. I wrote and contracted more books, gained an agent…and wrote. Refusing to give up or turn back ended up being the best choice for my career and for my family. And there are days when the books aren’t selling how I would like or the words aren’t flowing or money isn’t coming in as fast or plentiful as we need… Those days I still wonder why I chose this path, this career. But then I remember that there’s nothing else I would rather be doing than creating and I hunker down and get the job done. Being an author is a journey in which we’ll reach monumental pit stops and obtain wonderful achievements, but it doesn’t end. We keep pushing and writing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.naimasimone.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naimasimoneauthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naimasimoneauthor/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Naima_Simone
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@naimasimoneauthor

Image Credits
Poetic Images Photography – Author photo