Announcing Davy June’s Legendary Fry Bread Drive-In Anthology

By AJ Eversole

Hello there! It’s AJ here to ecstatically introduce the next anthology out from Heartdrum

Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books, offers a wide range of innovative, unexpected, and heartfelt stories by Native creators, informed and inspired by lived experience, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes.

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Throwback Thursday: Patricia Morris Buckley on the WNDB Native Children’s-YA Writing Intensive

Congratulations to Patricia Morris Buckley (Mohawk) on the publication of The First Woman Cherokee Chief: Wilma Pearl Mankiller, illustrated by Aphelandra Messer (Oneida)(Random House Books for Young Readers, Feb 07, 2023). From the promotional copy:

In 1985, Wilma Pearl Mankiller became the first woman Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

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Guest Post: Patricia Morris Buckley on the We Need Diverse Books Native Intensive

By Patricia Morris Buckley

Not too far off the beaten track in Austin, visitors are welcomed to The Writing Barn retreat center, a place where deer wander the meadows, the buildings are air conditioned and rooms are filled with bookshelves. There, thirteen Native participants gathered the weekend of Aug. 4 to Aug.

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WNDB Native Children’s – YA Writing Intensive Applications Open

By Gayleen Rabakukk

A writing community can make all the difference in navigating the long and often frustrating journey of becoming a published author. Whether it’s sharing craft tips or submission opportunities, writing buddies provide the encouragement and support needed for going the distance. But connecting can be a challenge, especially if a given community represents a small percentage of the population.

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Native Voices: Author & Illustrator Interview: Monique Gray Smith & Nicole Neidhardt

By Kim Rogers

Today, we’re chatting with Monique Gray Smith (of Cree, Lakota, and Scottish decent), author of When We are Kind (Orca Book Publishers, 2020) and Nicole Neidhardt (Navajo) who is the book’s illustrator.

From promotional copy:

When We Are Kind celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives.

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Author Interview: Monique Gray Smith on My Heart Fills With Happiness & Advice for Beginning Writers

Author Interview: Monique Gray Smith on My Heart Fills With Happiness & Advice for Beginning Writers

By Cynthia Leitich Smith

Today I’m honored to feature Monique Gray Smith, “a mixed heritage woman of Cree, Lakota, and Scottish descent” and the author one of my favorite new titles–my official go-to gift book for 2016.

What put you on the path to writing for young readers?

I never set out to write for young readers and to be honest,

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