By Kaitlin Hoskins, News Editor
Local author Tomekia Suttle is debuting the second part of a lifelong dream.
Suttle just recently released her second children’s book titled A Prayer for “Nahna.” In this sequel to her first book What “Nahna” Say, Suttle writes about her grandchildren praying for her to find a “prince” who could help her through her sadness.
The subject of prayer and faith are pivotal to this book and her first book, as well as her daily life.
Through her children’s book, What “Nahna” Say, Suttle reflects on the importance of prayer as an empowering resource, instilling value of faith in children at a young age.
Suttle graduated from Gadsden State Community College where she earned degrees in both paralegal and electrical engineering.
Suttle, a self-described life-long writer, found solace in poetry and harbored aspirations of future publication. While she often imagined writing a book one day, she never pursued that path until 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. During school closures when Suttle’s grandchildren, Zavier Blú and Zovia Gréy, were at home, Suttle revisited her treasured dream. She spoke with her mother about what to write and her mother planted a seed that would soon flourish. She told Suttle to write about her grandchildren and the thread that binds them together – faith.
Little by little, the pieces fell into place and Suttle’s book came to life. She drew from personal experience, reflecting on emotions of uncertainty during the pandemic and issues of injustice occurring across the nation and world.
Suttle said Fannie Pierce, her spiritual mom and publisher, helped inspire her to write the second book, much like her own mother inspired her to write her first.
“I feel the importance [of instilling God in children] because it’s direction,” said Suttle in a 2021 interview with The Messenger. “Even if they stray away, they come back to that root. God is the root of everything. If you don’t have Him, you can’t do anything. Children need all kind of encouragement. They have to understand they can be anything they want…that value needs to be set. I’d like to instill in my grandbabies and any other child that is reading the book, you can be anything you want to be from God. Don’t let anybody discourage you.”
Suttle is already in the process of writing book number three, though the title has not come to her just yet. She hopes to expand the book writing and build it so she can share it with her children and grandchildren.
With A Prayer for “Nahna,” Suttle wanted the importance of prayer to be showcased.
“Prayer is important,” Suttle said. “Stay encouraged and know that God has the final say on everything.”
The book, illustrated by Garrett Myers, was partially inspired by her search for her right life partner. According to Suttle, that search is over now that she has found her fiancé, Broderick Castelberry.
“He has been there,” Suttle said. “He has been encouraging me and being that God-fearing guy I prayed about. He really inspired me.”
As for other encouragement, Suttle’s mother, who passed away in 2021, told her that she could be a writer and shared something that Suttle carries in her heart.
“She told me ‘to be an artist, you have to capture the things that really move you,’” Suttle said. “I will always remember that. Writing is an art. It comes out like therapy.”
Suttle’s books are available for purchase on Amazon and other online book stores.