Cynthia Leitich Smith

{{Short description|Muscogee-American writer (born 1967)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox writer | image = Cynthia Leitich SMith.jpg | imagesize = | name = Cynthia Leitich Smith | caption = | pseudonym = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1967}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | education = {{Plainlist| *[[University of Kansas]] (B.A., 1990) *[[University of Michigan Law School]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])}} | occupation = | period = 2000–present | genre = [[Children's literature|Children's]] and [[young adult fiction]], Native American literature, Gothic fantasy/horror, humor, realistic fiction | movement = | notableworks = | awards = | spouse = | children = | website = {{URL|cynthialeitichsmith.com/}} | citizenship = {{Plainlist| *United States *[[Muscogee Nation]] }} }}

'''Cynthia Leitich Smith''' (born 1967) is an American author of fiction for children and young adults. A citizen of the [[Muscogee Nation]], her fiction centers on the lives of modern-day Native Americans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/20/AR2007092002266.html|title=The National Book Festival|date=September 23, 2007|access-date=Oct 15, 2020|website=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

She has also written picture books and gothic fantasies for readers aged 14 and older.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://yaauthorscafe.blogspot.com/2007/02/tantalize-by-cynthia-leitich-smith.html |title=TANTALIZE by Cynthia Leitich Smith |website=YA Authors Cafe |publisher=[[Blogspot]] |date=Feb 14, 2007 |access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref> Regarded by the press as an expert in children's-young adult (YA) literature, she also hosts a website for Children's Literature Resources.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2002/1108/p13s01-almo.html |title=Has Harry lost the magic? |publisher=|first=Gloria |last=Goodale |date=November 8, 2002 |access-date=2012-12-01|website=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]}}</ref>

== Early and personal life == Smith was interested in writiing from a young age, and was editor of her high school newspaper.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Biles |first=Jan |date=2000-04-27 |title=KU graduate draws on ancestry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nEYyAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA30&dq=%22Cynthia+Leitich+Smith%22&article_id=4470,3300902&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjNoZr20vWTAxUWE1kFHXMOEeQQ6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q=%22Cynthia%20Leitich%20Smith%22&f=false |work=Lawrence Journal-World |pages=14}}</ref> She began writing short stories in college.<ref name=":1" /> She is a graduate of the [[University of Kansas]] (B.A. in journalism, 1990)<ref name=":1" /> and The [[University of Michigan]] Law School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/CLS/about_cyn.html |title=About the Author |publisher=Cynthia Leitich Smith |date= |access-date=2012-12-01}}</ref>

She lives in [[Denton, Texas]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Lodge {{!}} |first=Sally |title=Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Printz Win: ‘Genuinely Gobsmacked’ |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/99560-cynthia-leitich-smith-s-printz-win-genuinely-gobsmacked.html |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=[[Publishers Weekly]] |language=en}}</ref> having previously lived in [[Chicago]] and [[Austin, Texas]].<ref name=":1" /> She is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation.<ref name=":1" /> Her grandfather attended a [[American Indian boarding schools|residential school]] in Oklahoma in the 1930s.<ref name=":1" />

== Career == Smith previously taught part-time at [[St. Edward's University]] in Austin, Texas.<ref name=":1" />

For over twenty years, Smith served on the faculty of the [[Vermont College of Fine Arts]] MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, where she held the inaugural [[Katherine Paterson]] Endowed Chair.<ref name="About Cynthia Leitich Smith">{{Cite web |title=About Cynthia Leitich Smith |url=https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/about-cynthia/about-cynthia-leitich-smith/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Cynthia Leitich Smith |language=en-US}}</ref> Smith is also the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint of HarperCollins. She is published by Heartdrum and by Candlewick Press.<ref name="About Cynthia Leitich Smith"/>

== Awards ==

* 2021 [[NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature|NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Cynthia Leitich Smith Named Winner of the 2021 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature |url=https://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/blog/news-and-events/cynthia-leitich-smith-named-winner-2021-nsk-neustadt-prize-childrens-literature |access-date=2020-12-18|website=World Literature Today}}</ref> * 2024 [[Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival|Southern Mississippi Medallion]] Winner<ref name="About Cynthia Leitich Smith" /> * [[Michael L. Printz Award|Printz Award]] for ''Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories''<ref name=":0" />

==Selected texts==

=== ''Jingle Dancer'' === ''[[Jingle Dancer]]'', illustrated by [[Cornelius Van Wright]] and [[Ying-Hwa Hu]], is a picture book published in 2000 by Morrow/[[HarperCollins]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gardella |first=Tricia |date=2000-05-11 |title=Jingles gives voice to girl's dancing dress |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_SxZAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA44&dq=%22Cynthia+Leitich+Smith%22&article_id=5314,1331078&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjNoZr20vWTAxUWE1kFHXMOEeQQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=%22Cynthia%20Leitich%20Smith%22&f=false |work=The Union Democrat}}</ref> The book was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award, a runner-up for the [[Western Writers of America]] Storyteller Award,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westernwriters.org/spur_award_history.htm#2002|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124155545/http://www.westernwriters.org/spur_award_history.htm#2002|url-status=dead|title=Western Writers of America|archivedate=Jan 24, 2010|access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref> and is listed as a Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies,<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/childrens|title=Childrens|website=HarperCollins|access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref> on the 2002 Texas 2x2 list,<ref name="childrenslit.com">{{cite web|title=Cynthia Leitich Smith |url=http://www.childrenslit.com/childrenslit/mai_smith_cynthial.html |publisher=Children's Literature |access-date=2012-12-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030101117/http://www.childrenslit.com/childrenslit/mai_smith_cynthial.html |archivedate=2012-10-30 }}</ref> and on the 2002 [[Michigan Reader's Choice Award]] List.<ref name="childrenslit.com" />

=== ''Rain Is Not My Indian Name'' === ''[[Rain Is Not My Indian Name]]'' is a realistic novel for ages 10 and up. Upon its publication by [[HarperCollins]], Smith was recognized as 2001 Writer of the Year by Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers.<ref>[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-25398616_ITM The Horn Book Magazine]</ref> Like ''Jingle Dancer'', it was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award.{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}} An audio book version of this title is available from [[Listening Library]]/Random House.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rain is not my Indian Name Audio |url=http://www.randomhouse.com/audio/catalog/results.pperl?title_subtitle_auth_isbn=rain+is+not+my+indian+name&btnG.x=&btnG.y=&btnG=GO |publisher=Random House }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

=== ''Indian Shoes'' === ''[[Indian Shoes]]'' is a chapter book for ages 7 and up. Published in 2002 by [[HarperCollins]], it was selected for inclusion on the [[National Education Association|NEA]] Native American Book List. It is also listed as a Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies,<ref name="harpercollinschildrens.com">{{cite web|title=Indian Shoes|url=http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/HarperChildrens/Kids/BookDetail.aspx?isbn13=9780060295318|publisher=HarperCollins|access-date=2012-12-01}}</ref> the 2003 Best Children's Books of the Year by [[Bank Street College of Education]],<ref name="childrenslit.com" /> and Choices 2003 by the Cooperative Children's Book Center.<ref name="childrenslit.com" />

=== ''Santa Knows'' === ''[[Santa Knows]]'', co-written by [[Greg Leitich Smith]] and illustrated by [[Steve Bjorkman]], is a humorous holiday picture book, published in 2006 by [[E. P. Dutton|Dutton]], for ages 4 and older. In 2006, it was included among "Holiday High Notes" by the [[The Horn Book Magazine|Horn Book]],<ref>[http://www.hbook.com/magazine/reviews/group/holiday06.asp Horn Book Magazine] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614061613/http://www.hbook.com/magazine/reviews/group/holiday06.asp |date=June 14, 2008 }}</ref> "Worthy Stories for the Holidays" by the ''[[Miami Herald]]'', and cheered as a "newly minted winner" by ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]''.<ref>[http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Santa-Knows/Cynthia-Leitich-Smith/e/9780525477570#TABS Barnes & Noble]</ref>

=== ''Tantalize'' === ''[[Tantalize (novel)|Tantalize]]'' is a young adult gothic fantasy novel, published in 2007 by [[Candlewick Press]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-09-19 |title=BookPicks |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QgoqAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA18&dq=%22Cynthia+Leitich+Smith%22&article_id=6903,2302269&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjNoZr20vWTAxUWE1kFHXMOEeQQ6AF6BAgHEAM#v=onepage&q=%22Cynthia%20Leitich%20Smith%22&f=false |work=Herald-Journal |pages=D6}}</ref> Fantasy elements include vampires and shapeshifters. The novel is a genre bender, employing elements of mystery, suspense, comedy, romance, and gothic fantasy. It was also published in 2008 by [[Listening Library]]/Random House,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.randomhouse.com/audio/catalog/results.pperl?title_subtitle_auth_isbn=tantalize&btnG.x=0&btnG.y=0&btnG=GO|title=Random House Audio|access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref> [[Walker Books]] U.K.,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walker.co.uk/Tantalize-9781406315608.aspx|title=Tantalize|access-date=Oct 15, 2020|website=Walker U.K.}}</ref> Walker Books Australia and New Zealand,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Books/Tantalize-9780763627911|title=Tantalize|website=Walker Books Australia|access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref> and [[Editions Intervista]] in France. ''Tantalize'' was named to the 2011 list of Popular Paperbacks by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)<ref>[http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/popularpaperback/11ppya.cfm "2011 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults"]. YALSA. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716161420/http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/popularpaperback/11ppya.cfm|date=July 16, 2011}}</ref> and featured at the 2007 National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/events/2020-national-book-festival/about-this-event/|title=2020 National Book Festival | Events at the Library of Congress|website=[[Library of Congress]]|access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref>

=== ''Eternal'' === ''[[Eternal (novel)|Eternal]]'' is a young adult gothic fantasy novel, published in 2009 and 2010 by Candlewick Press, for ages 14 and up. Fantasy elements include angels, vampires and shapeshifters. The novel is a genre bender, employing elements of mystery, suspense, comedy, romance, and Gothic fantasy. It also was published by Listening Library/[[Random House]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/168880/eternal/|title=Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith|website=Penguin Random House Audio|access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref> [[Walker Book]]s U.K.,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walker.co.uk/Eternal-9781406325003.aspx|title=Walker Books - Eternal|access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref> Walker Books Australia and New Zealand,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Books/Eternal-9780763635732|title=Eternal|website=Walker Books Australia|access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref> and Amber in Poland. The U.S. [[paperback]] edition debuted at #5 on the [[New York Times best-seller list]] (children's paperbacks) and #13 on the ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'' best-seller list.<ref name="earlyword.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.earlyword.com/2010/03/08/new-vampires-in-town/|title=Librarian Connection » Blog Archive New Vampires in Town|access-date=October 15, 2020|date=2010-03-08|website=EarlyWord}}</ref>

=== ''Blessed'' === ''[[Blessed (novel)|Blessed]]'' is a young adult gothic fantasy novel, published in 2011 by [[Candlewick Press]], for ages 14 and up. Fantasy elements include angels, vampires, and shapeshifters. The novel is a genre bender, employing elements of mystery, suspense, comedy, romance, and gothic fantasy. It also was published by [[Walker Books]] Australia and New Zealand<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Books/Blessed-9780763655129|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217014031/http://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Books/Blessed-9780763655129|url-status=dead|title=Blessed|archivedate=Feb 17, 2011|access-date=Oct 15, 2020|website=Walker Books Australia}}</ref> and Walker U.K.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walker.co.uk/Blessed-9781406327878.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908105948/http://www.walker.co.uk/Blessed-9781406327878.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Blessed|archivedate=Sep 8, 2012|access-date=Oct 15, 2020|website=Walker Books}}</ref> Blessed was a YALSA Teens Top 10 nominee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://booklists.yalsa.net/directory/results?booklist=31&year=2011|title=Search results - YALSA Book Finder|website=booklists.yalsa.net|access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref>

=== ''Hearts Unbroken'' === ''[[Hearts Unbroken]]'' is a realistic young adult novel, published in 2018 by [[Candlewick Press]], for ages 14 and up. It also was published by [[Walker Books]] Australia and New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Books/Hearts-Unbroken-9780763681142|title=Hearts Unbroken|website=Walker Books Australia|access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref> ''Hearts Unbroken'' was named a Silver Medal Winner for Young Adult Fiction by Foreword Reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forewordreviews.com/awards/winners/2018/young-adult-fiction/|title=2018 Foreword INDIES Winners in Young Adult Fiction (Children's)|website=Foreword Reviews|access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref> In addition, it was named winner of the [[American Indian Youth Literature Award]] (Best Young Adult Book) by the [[American Indian Library Association]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ailanet.org/literature_awards/2020-2/|title=2020 Awards|website=American Indian Library Association|access-date=Oct 15, 2020}}</ref>

==Works==

===Books=== * ''Feral Nights'' (2013) * ''Eternal: Zachary's Story'' (2013) * ''Feral Curse'' (2014) * ''Feral Pride'' (2015) * ''On a Wing and a Tear (2024)''

=== Novels ===

==== Middle grade novels ====

* ''[[Rain Is Not My Indian Name]]'' (2001) * ''Indian Shoes'' (2002) * ''Sisters of the Neversea'' (2021, [[Heartdrum]])

==== Young adult novels ====

* ''Tantalize'' (2007, Candlewick Press) * ''Eternal'' (2009, Candlewick Press)<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Publishers_Weekly/54L2HGKwCAEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22Cynthia+Leitich+Smith%22&dq=%22Cynthia+Leitich+Smith%22&printsec=frontcover |journal=[[Publishers Weekly]] |year=2009 |volume=256 |pages=63 |title=Eternal |issue=9-17}}</ref> * ''Blessed'' (2011) * ''Diabolical'' (2012, [[Candlewick Press]]) * ''[[Hearts Unbroken]]'' (2018, [[Candlewick Press]]) * ''Harvest House'' (2023, [[Candlewick Press]])

==== Graphic novels ====

* {{Cite book |title=Tantalize: Kieren's Story |year=2011 |publisher=[[Candlewick Press]] |others=Illustrated by [[Ming Doyle]]}} * {{Cite book |last1=Leitich Smith |first1=Cynthia |last2=Magoon |first2=Kekla |title=Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem |year=2024 |publisher=[[Candlewick Press]]) |author-link2=Kekla Magoon |others=Illustrated by Molly Murakami}}

=== Picture books === * {{Cite book |title=Jingle Dancer |date=2000 |publisher=[[Morrow Junior Books]] |others=Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu |isbn=978-0-688-16241-2 |location=New York}} * {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Cynthia Leitich |title=Santa Knows |last2=Smith |first2=Greg Leitich |date=2006 |publisher=Dutton Children's Books |others=Illustrated by Steve Björkman |isbn=978-0-525-47757-0 |edition=1st |location=New York, N.Y}} * ''[[Holler Loudly]]'' (2010) * {{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/1513844620 |title=Firefly Season |date=2025-05-13 |publisher=[[Heartdrum]] |others=Illustrated by Kate Gardiner |isbn=978-0-06-327444-0 |edition=1st |location=New York, NY |oclc=1513844620}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/cynthia-leitich-smith/firefly-season/ |title=FIREFLY SEASON |website=[[Kirkus Reviews]] |date=2025-04-04 |language=en}}</ref> * {{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/on1565149646 |title=Here Come the Aunties! |date=2026-02-10 |publisher=[[Heartdrum]] |others=Illustrated by Aphelandra |isbn=978-0-06-337469-0 |edition=1st |location=New York, NY |oclc=on1565149646}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/cynthia-leitich-smith/here-come-the-aunties/ |title=HERE COME THE AUNTIES! |website=Kirkus Reviews |date=2025-11-08 |language=en}}</ref>

=== As editor ===

* {{Cite book |title=Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids |year=2021 |publisher=[[Heartdrum]] |isbn=978-0-06-286994-4 |location=New York, NY}} * {{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/on1474007340 |title=Legendary Frybread Drive-in: Intertribal Stories |date=2025-08-26 |publisher=[[Heartdrum]] |isbn=978-0-06-331426-9 |edition=1st |location=New York, NY |oclc=on1474007340}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/cynthia-leitich-smith/legendary-frybread-drive-in/ |title=LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN |website=[[Kirkus Reviews]] |date=2025-05-16 |language=en}}</ref>

===Short stories, essays and poetry===

* {{Cite book |chapter=The Gentleman Cowboy |title=Period Pieces: Stories for Girls |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2003}} * {{Cite book |chapter=The Naked Truth |title=In My Grandmother's House: Award-Winning Authors tell Stories about their Grandmothers |publisher= HarperCollins |year=2003}} * {{Cite book |chapter=A Real-Live Blonde Cherokee and His Equally Annoyed Soul Mate |title=Moccasin Thunder: American Indian Stories for Today |date= |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-06-623957-6 |editor-last=Carlson |editor-first=Lori M. |edition=1st |location=New York}} * "Riding With Rosa" in ''Cicada'' literary magazine (Vol. 7, No. 4, March/April 2005) for ages 12 and up. * "Haunted Love" in Immortal: Love Stories with Bite, published by BenBella in 2008 for ages 12 and up. * "Cat Calls" in Sideshow: Ten Original Tales of Freaks, Illusionists, and Other Matters Odd and Magical,<ref>[http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763637521&pix=n Sideshow: Ten Original Tales of Freaks, Illusionists, and Other Matters Odd and Magical]. Editor: Deborah Noyes. Candlewick Press</ref> published by Candlewick Press in 2009 for ages 12 and up. * "The Wrath of Dawn," co-authored by Greg Leitich Smith in Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd, published by Little, Brown in 2009 for ages 12 and up. * "Isolation" in ''Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories'', published by HarperCollins in 2011 for ages 13 and up. * "Mooning Over Broken Stars" in ''Girl Meets Boy'', published by Chronicle in 2012 for ages 12 and up. * "Friends in Dark Places" in ''Dear Teen Me'', published by Zest in 2012 for ages 12 and up. * "Cupid's Beaux" in ''Things I'll Never Say: Stories About Our Secret Selves'', published by Candlewick in 2015 for ages 12 and up. * "All's Well" in ''Violent Ends'', published by Simon Pulse in 2015 for ages 12 and up. * {{Cite book |chapter=Dreams to Write |title=Our Story Begins: Your Favorite Authors and Illustrators Share Fun, Inspiring, and Occasionally Ridiculous Things They Wrote and Drew as Kids |publisher=[[Atheneum Press]] |year=2017}} * {{Cite book |chapter=Girl's Best Friend |title=The Hero Next Door |publisher=[[Random House]] |year=2019}} * {{Cite book |chapter=Stories for Dinner |title=Thanku: Poems of Gratitude |publisher=[[Millbrook Press]] |year=2019}} * {{Cite book |chapter=Amazing Auntie Ann |title=I Remember: Poems and Pictures of Heritage |publisher=[[Lee & Low]] |year=2019}} * {{Cite book |chapter=Superhero |title=Hop to It: Poems to Get You Moving |publisher=[[Pomelo Books]] |year=2020}}

==See also== * [[List of writers from peoples indigenous to the Americas]] {{Portal bar|Children's literature |Poetry }}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Cynthia Leitich Smith}} * {{Official website|www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/}} * [https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/cynsations/ Cynsations blog] * [https://www.kirkusreviews.com/features/100-books/ 100 Books] by Cynthia Leitich Smith at ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' * [http://www.bookreviewsandmore.ca/2010/10/cynthia-leitich-smith-author-profile.html CL Smith Interview] at BookReviewsAndMore.ca

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Cynthia Leitich}} [[Category:1967 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:21st-century American novelists]] [[Category:21st-century American women novelists]] [[Category:21st-century American poets]] [[Category:21st-century American women poets]] [[Category:21st-century American women writers]] [[Category:21st-century Native American writers]] [[Category:21st-century Native American women writers]] [[Category:American children's writers]] [[Category:American women academics]] [[Category:American women children's writers]] [[Category:Muscogee Nation people]] [[Category:Muscogee women writers]] [[Category:Muscogee writers]] [[Category:Native American children's writers]] [[Category:Native American poets]] [[Category:University of Kansas alumni]] [[Category:University of Michigan alumni]] [[Category:Vermont College of Fine Arts faculty]] [[Category:Native American women poets]]