Syrone ‘Nay Nay’ Harvey and her identical twin Simone ‘Neecy’ Dankenbring turn their childhood adventures into a new series. I recently spoke with Harvey about their new series.
Tell me about your debut book.
The Adventures of Neecy and Nay Nay is a four-book series written collaboratively by me and my identical twin sister, Simone ‘Neecy’ Dankenbring. These books were inspired by our sweet imaginative, childhood escapades. Being identical twins made it twice as fun. When we were little, everyone called us by our middle names, Chanice and Cheney, but we mostly went by Neecy and Nay Nay. Book 1—Neecy and Nay Nay and the Tangled, Hairy Mess is an introduction to Neecy and Nay Nay as they deal with a sticky, gummy mess. When Nay Nay wakes up with gum stuck in her hair, Big Mama finds out and takes her to see Ms. Yvonne, who works hair magic. When they’re given a class assignment to develop a business model, the twins put their heads together and create Neecy and Nay Nay’s House of Style. Their first customer is more than happy with her ’do. Sadly, their other customers aren’t quite as happy with their makeovers. It’s a hilarious story filled with unexpected mishaps, but thankfully, there’s a sweet, tasty ending. Book 2—Neecy and Nay Nay and the Glitter Girls offers a double dose of hilarity when the twins decide to earn their Make a Difference badge as Glitter Girls, by doing something to help a toothless Mr. Otis. The girls decide that it’s time for him to enjoy more than mashed potatoes and gravy, so they borrow Big Mama’s extra pair of false teeth (choppers) to give to him. When their daddy and Big Mama find out, they are in bigtime trouble and have to figure out how to replace the choppers, find a way to earn their badges, and still help Mr. Otis. Along with their friends, Neecy and Nay Nay come up with a solution and ultimately learn about making a difference.
Why did you decide to write it?
Every time we went down memory lane, we’d always end up laughing so hard that we’d be wiping tears from our eyes. We just knew that our stories needed to be shared. Neecy and Nay Nay’s stories share the same kind of humorous vibe that we experienced in our childhood. The bighearted twins have a quirky way of dealing with their problems. They mean well, but with the twins, trouble x 2 = double trouble.
Who is your favorite character in the book and why?
I really love all of the characters, especially Neecy and Nay Nay. They exemplify Black girl joy and sisterhood. The girls are a lot alike, yet they’re also different. If I had to choose, of course, it would have to be Nay Nay because she is so much like myself when I was growing up. She is gutsy, sassy, inquisitive, funny, and also a little nervous. She wants to be a detective when she grows up and is always ready to solve a mystery. When she joins forces with Neecy, they create a spark of fun, imagination, and ingenuity. Neecy is smart, kindhearted, eager to help and find a solution. She loves big words and wants to be a doctor when she grows up. They are besties who, along with their amazing hodgepodge of friends, are all about adventure.
What was the hardest part about writing the story?
Simone lives in Oregon, and I live in California. The stories were created together, but also independently. We had to find a good working groove. The beauty of Neecy and Nay Nay’s story is that each book is told from one twin’s perspective. You get a good sense of who Nay Nay is, or Neecy’s view of things. We work together and separately, then join it all together in a beautiful way. We’re often on the same page when it comes to creative ideas.
You wrote the book with your sister. What was your most memorable experience while you all wrote the story?
We lost our mom in 2019, and our dad passed away in 2021. Neither of them had a chance to read the books. We’re able to honor each of them by including our memories, and some of their characteristics are added in our book characters. One of our characters, Mr. Otis, is reminiscent of our father who loved using nicknames and was a total foodie. He especially loved dessert. They would both be so proud and thrilled that we included them in subtle ways.
What is something readers would be surprised to know about you?
I currently work as a literary agent and a development coach. I love advocating for authors and encouraging them on their writing journey.
Tell me about a book that changed your life and why.
So many choices. Growing up, literacy was a big thing. We lived in the library and checked out at least 10 books each, then would trade with each other. The librarians saved books for us. An inspiration for children’s literature would definitely be Beverly Cleary with her Beezus and Ramona series. In adult fiction, the list is endless. Many of my favorite authors are friends. I am so inspired by their talent.
What’s next for you?
We are continuing the hilarious antics of Neecy and Nay Nay, but we’re both also working on solo projects.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
It’s my hope that in an ever-changing world, books will always remain a wonderful constant and a great way to escape. I hope that Neecy and Nay Nay will not only encourage kids to read, but also encourage them to dream and imagine.
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of Neecy and Nay Nay and the Tangled, Hairy Mess and Neecy and Nay Nay and the Glitter Girls by Syrone Harvey and Simone Dankenbring.
To learn more about author and literary agent Syrone ‘Nay Nay’ Harvey, visit her website (sincerelysyrone.com).