Gosia Nealon

Gosia Nealon is a Polish-born, New York-based author best known for her historical fiction set against the backdrop of the Second World War. Her work explores resilience, sacrifice and love in the face of immense challenges. Notable books include The Last Sketch, recently reissued as Her Secret Resistance, and her most recent novel, The Codebreaker Girl (2024). Nealon's novels have been praised for portraying untold war stories, earning her recognition as the Gold Medal at the 2022 IPPY Awards.

Gosia Nealon grew up in a small village in Poland. Her writing journey began with a personal struggle for self-belief. Growing up, she often wondered "what I was really good at". It was a gift from her sister — a notebook with an inspiring dedication — that first planted the seed of becoming a writer. Despite initial self-doubt, Nealon found her voice when her first article was published in a national environmental magazine as a teenager. "Receiving a letter from the editor praising my talent was the first spark that made me believe in my abilities as a writer," she recalls.

This early success motivated Nealon to continue writing throughout her school years. But as life progressed, her passion took a back seat as she attended university, got her first job and started a family. But the dream never faded, and Nealon pursued online courses in creative writing. After a few setbacks, she shifted her focus to fiction, inspired by her growing interest in historical narratives.

In her debut novel, Her Secret Resistance, Nealon drew on the stories she heard growing up in Poland — stories often missing from mainstream literature. Set in 1944, the book follows Wanda, a young woman dealing with losing her father and navigating the complexities of war and betrayal. "I wanted to bring to life these stories and characters that reflect a less often explored perspective," she noted.

Nealon's perseverance paid off when her short story, The Faithful Tunnel, won 4th place in the Genre Short Story category of the 89th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition. "It was so huge for me and gave me all the confidence I needed in my writing journey," she said.

Her latest novel, The Codebreaker Girl (2024), is based on the real-life efforts of Polish mathematicians who broke the Enigma code. It follows Beata, a determined young woman trying to protect her country amidst the impending chaos of war. As with all of Nealon's work, it captures the resilience and bravery of individuals caught in the maelstrom of history.

When not writing, Nealon enjoys exploring New York City with her husband and three sons.

Photo credit: www.gosianealon.com
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