You have to understand how big of a fanboy I am. When someone asks me for a book recommendation, Power’s story collection, ROOFWALKER, is usually the first I name. It captures perfectly the flux between community/reservation life to an urban Native experience. I have a special love for the book because I taught it in my Native Lit class at the Institute of American Indian Arts. This was back in 2013 when the then Head of Creative Writing, Evelina Zuni Lucero, asked me to adjunct for a semester. When I compiled my list of Native fiction to teach, Mona Susan Power’s book was at the top.
(more…)Fiction
Native Heroes for Character Building: Issues with Villains and Victims in Storytelling
“Did you hear about Kaleb Nowater? Maybe his name was Kevin. I’m not sure, but it was a K name for certain. Come to find out, he was sexually assaulted by a worker at that children’s group home. By whom? It was ol’ what’s his face. I forget, but he likes to surround himself with those wannabe artists. Anyway, they fired him because they caught him sleeping during overnight shifts in that poor boy’s room. Awful. And imagine all those artists who just look the other way. I wonder if they know. More so, I wonder if they care more about their reputation than a child getting harmed. Just makes me sick to my stomach thinking about it. Who makes sexual advances on a teenage boy with emotional and psychological issues?”
(more…)Cherokee Actor: Kholan Studie Starring in Short Film “The Dark Valley”
You have to respect an artist for taking bold steps. That’s what we do. We’re here to capture the harsh realities and interpret those realities for purposes of entertainment, as well as processing tools for deep intellectual thinking. When I cross artists who are willing to truly reach deep inside themselves to find an honest portrayal of the world, I immediately recognize game. These are the real ones. The ones envied by the weak, the unwilling, the carcasses of outdated memories.
(more…)Cover Reveal for Debut Novel: CALLING FOR A BLANKET DANCE
I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. I think it was back in May 2021 when my editor, Kathy Pories, introduced me to the Creative Director of Algonquin Books, Christopher Moisan. We began discussions about who to approach for the cover art. Christopher found an amazing artist in El Paso, Texas and sent us some examples of her work. Both Kathy and I were floored. We passed the images along to my agent, Allie Levick, of Writers House, and she too instantly became enamored by her work. It’s my great pleasure to introduce you to: Christin Apodaca.
(more…)Debut Novel Cover Reveal Tomorrow!
There I am emailing back and forth with my editor, Kathy Pories, of Algonquin Books about the cover to my debut novel, CALLING FOR A BLANKET DANCE. She let’s me know that the Creative Director of Algonquin Books, Christopher Moisan, has found an artist in southwest Texas who does amazing work. He’s especially interested in the specific style of art she employs. I quickly click on the attachment they provided. I’m instantly taken by how her work captivates the mind. It’s almost like a trap. A beautiful and alluring trap that you never want to leave.
(more…)Overcoming the Criticisms of FX/Hulu Series “Reservation Dogs”
First off, none of us live in the village of the happy people. Secondly, if there was such a story, no one would read nor watch it. Because it’d be a bunch of BS. One of the many pleasures of engaging with art, whether it be film, literature, or the various branches of studio arts, is the freedom we have to think critically about what we consume. When I heard about the series, Reservation Dogs, coming from FX and Hulu, I was excited to watch. I’m always pleased to see Native faces and Native communities in popular culture–especially when it showcases our resilience. We’re a beautiful people with unique experiences to share.
(more…)Oscar Hokeah Rep’d for Film and TV by The Gotham Group
Here I am: a nothing little Native sitting in small town Oklahoma. Yet somehow I’ve managed to land an amazing literary agent, Allie Levick of Writers House. Then shortly after we announce to the world that my debut novel, CALLING FOR A BLANKET DANCE, will be released on July 26, 2022, I receive an email from Allie saying there is a group out of Hollywood interested in representing my novel for TV and film. Not bad for a kid who grew up in the depths of poverty. I was aligned for prison or an early grave; at best, a life of hard labor.
(more…)Debut Novel: CALLING FOR A BLANKET DANCE
I’m excited to announce my debut novel, CALLING FOR A BLANKET DANCE, is scheduled to release on July 26, 2022. It’s published by Algonquin Books and edited by Kathy Pories. I’m represented by Allie Levick of Writers House.
(more…)Gritty Conversational: A Contemporary Native American Voice to Combat Erasure
So I was sitting in a classroom at the University of Oklahoma. This was about a decade ago. I was in my master’s program and it was a special topics course on heteronormativity in American culture. We were discussing James Baldwin’s work, and the professor said, “I love Baldwin’s writing and I don’t know how he does it.” Then he looked at me. We locked eyes for a moment. I’m the only one in this MA program who has a BFA in Creative Writing. I immediately thought, I know how he does it. But before I had a chance to respond, he quickly stated, “And I don’t want to know,” as if he knew I was about to break the spell.
(more…)The Aftermath of the Final Draft: Novels
So I’m about to use this post as catharsis. I’ve done something tremendous. So momentous that it’s a little unsettling. Or maybe I’ve made it unsettling by overthinking. But I can’t help but wonder if this is a normal part of the process once a writer has submitted the final draft of her novel to an editor.
(more…)For Literary Eyes Only: Budding Archetypes for the Native American Literary Tradition
I’m open minded and enjoy talking to people about their Native ancestry. Folks get comfortable with me when they know I’m not going to judge them for admiring Native people, so they share their family lore. If they’re writers, they’ll likely mention a project they’re working on where they have characters who are Native. Out of respect, they’ll ask, “Can you make sure I’m not doing anything offensive?” and ask me to read their work. If I have time in my schedule, I’ll gladly do so, but I’ve been busier than usual over the last year and haven’t been able. This is part of the reason why I wanted to construct this list. This article is a serious examination of character archetypes for the purpose of creating literature. A unique approach situated from a Native lens.
Being In’din’s a Party and Everyone’s Invited
Sometimes I like to say controversial things, like the title to this article: “Being In’din’s a party and everyone’s invited.” The stodgy conservative Native crowd gets upset with me. I hear comments like, “You’re undermining sovereignty,” or “Don’t give the wannabes more fuel to misappropriate.” All this is said with a fervor of control and a need for validation. Interestingly enough, I always wonder why they need me to validate them. “Who am I? I’m nobody,” as my elders say before espousing wisdom. So let me hand you a little myself.
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