Andrea Canaan, MSW, MFA, an African-American retired clinical social worker, social service administrator, and educator who is a mother, activist, writer memoirist and creative wellness coach. She sued the state of Louisiana on free speech grounds (Canaan vs the State of Louisiana) when fired after identifying herself as black, lesbian and feminist. She was first published as a contributor to the anthology, This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color. Andrea has written a memoir, The Saltbox House on Bayou Black, and a magical realist historical novel, A Thousand Crowning Sorrows. Both are in the pre-publication stages of development.  Andrea commitments to teaching, activism, and serving her community lead her to found A Writer’s Life: writing and wellness coaching that includes writer’s groups and individual creative wellness consultations. Through A Writer’s Life, Andrea also hosts a Literary Reading Series, a Master Class for Writers, and a National Write a Novel Month.

Andrea grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. She gave birth to one daughter and two additional daughters chose her. She enjoys three beloved granddaughters and three grand-dogs, all of whom live on the East Coast. Andrea recently married her partner of eighteen years, Joann. They recently moved from San Francisco to Rio Vista, California. Andrea’s formal education includes: BSW, Southern University, New Orleans, La; MSW, Tulane University, New Orleans, La; MFA–Creative Writing–Nonfiction, University of San Francisco, California; and MFA–Creative Writing– Fiction, Goddard College, Plainfield, Vermont